It’s been years since *Three’s Company* was on TV, but the laughs it brought us are still fresh in our minds.
With its memorable characters and hilarious mix-ups, this classic show changed the world of sitcoms forever. Now, Joyce DeWitt shares what truly made *Three’s Company* a show we’ll never forget…
From the funny adventures of three single roommates to the unforgettable acting of John Ritter and Suzanne Somers, *Three’s Company* is still a favorite on American TV. It’s hard to believe that 40 years have passed since the final episode aired on ABC, yet the show’s charm and humor continue to entertain us.
To show just how long it’s been, I recently watched the intro. The scenes at Santa Monica Pier remind me of how much has changed since the show was filmed.
Sadly, both John Ritter and Suzanne Somers have passed away, leaving us far too soon. But Joyce DeWitt, now 75, keeps the spirit of *Three’s Company* alive by sharing her stories and memories of the beloved show.
“The most dear, precious, tender – and utterly unexpected – experiences that have come from working in *Three’s Company* are the many, many adults who have told me that *Three’s Company* was a safe haven they could count on during their teen years – for some, the only safe haven,” Joyce DeWitt told *US Weekly*.
Playing Janet Wood alongside John Ritter and Suzanne Somers, Joyce DeWitt became a TV star and brought joy to millions of viewers.
She appeared in 171 episodes of *Three’s Company* from 1976 to 1984.
“It was such a gift. I mean, it was iconic. But who would have thought it?” Joyce DeWitt told *The Spec*. “All we wanted to do was make people laugh. When I think about it, the show was really like a modern version of a 16th-century comedy. It was all about crazy fun. We talked about serious issues sometimes, but that was always in the background.”
“John Ritter used to say, ‘We don’t want people to just laugh but to fall over their couch laughing,’” she added. “But in the end, it was about the deep friendship and love the characters had for each other. That’s what made people love them.”
After *Three’s Company* ended, Joyce DeWitt took a break from the spotlight for over ten years before returning to acting.
No matter what she has done or plans to do in the future, most people will always remember her for that iconic show. And according to DeWitt, there’s a simple reason for this.
“It was a ‘time out’ from the tough, stressful situations young people were dealing with in their lives,” DeWitt explains, adding:
“And, of course, they say the characters did silly, crazy things that made them laugh. But it was the love, trust, and support between the characters that made fans stay with the show for life.”
In unedited photos from the *Three’s Company* set, the close bond between the cast is clear, especially in the pictures of Joyce DeWitt and Suzanne Somers, who played the much-loved Chrissy Snow.
Both actresses gave memorable performances, portraying young women making their way in a male-dominated world. Their contributions were just as important to the show’s success as John Ritter’s, and in those early days, their smiles in the photos show a sense of friendship and teamwork.
But beneath the laughter, tensions were brewing. While Somers was praised for her role as “the dumbest blonde in America,” her push for equal pay led to growing conflicts. She demanded a 500% salary increase, from $30,000 to $150,000, which put a strain on her relationship with DeWitt. What was once a joyful set became a place of tension and disagreements.
Suzanne Somers always saw *Three’s Company* as a serious business and took her role as an actor very seriously, but she knew this approach bothered her co-stars.
Eventually, Somers was fired but still had to finish the fifth season under strange conditions. She was kept apart from the cast, filming her scenes through odd phone calls while escorted by security. The tension grew, leading to a painful break between Somers and Joyce DeWitt.
For over 30 years, they didn’t speak, a long silence that felt difficult to understand when you looked back at their early friendship on the show.
“They painted me as if I was trying to ruin the show,” Suzanne Somers said in 2020. “So, I never talked to anyone on that show ever again. Ever again.”
Some people thought that Joyce DeWitt’s rivalry played a role in Somers’ departure, but it was really the salary negotiations that caused the rift between them.
Their different situations made things more complicated — Somers was a single mother who needed financial security, while DeWitt was more focused on her acting. This added to the strain on their relationship.
“We had very different approaches to our careers,” Joyce DeWitt said about her relationship with Suzanne Somers after the show. “We had very different needs. I didn’t have a child to support on my own. I didn’t have a business mindset, so I didn’t understand someone who did.”
But in a wonderful turn of events, the two finally reunited in February 2012 on Somers’ talk show, *Breaking Through*. It was clear they had made peace.
The former co-stars shared a heartfelt hug, and their open conversation about the past showed signs of healing.
DeWitt expressed her deep admiration for Somers, saying, “You went up against ruthlessness, and it came down, but what you’ve gone on to do is immeasurable.” This touching moment highlighted the strength of their journey and the power of forgiveness. The two actresses remained friends until Somers’s sad passing in 2023.
In an interview with *US Weekly*, Joyce DeWitt spoke warmly about her late co-stars, honoring the lasting impact they made. Reflecting on Suzanne Somers, who passed away from breast cancer, DeWitt described her as “absolutely wonderful.”
She also paid tribute to John Ritter, who died in 2003 during heart surgery, calling him “a true gift.”
Looking back at the photos from *Three’s Company*, we are reminded of a different, happier time—one filled with laughter, friendship, and unforgettable memories. These images not only capture the joy the cast brought to TV screens but also highlight the lasting legacy they have left behind.
I Walked into a Diner and Saw My First Love Sitting in the Corner in a Wedding Dress – What She Told Me Broke My Heart
I Walked into a Diner and Saw My First Love Sitting in the Corner in a Wedding Dress – What She Told Me Broke My Heart
When Jake walks into a diner and sees his high school love, Laura, in a wedding dress with a tear-streaked face, his world flips upside down. As Jake steps in to comfort her, they face unexpected emotions and unresolved feelings, reigniting old flames amidst new tensions.
What do you do when you see the love of your life in a wedding dress, looking like her world just ended? Well, that’s exactly what to me.
I walked into the diner, the same one I used to haunt during high school, expecting nothing more than a quick bite. But then I saw her, Laura, my high school sweetheart, and the love of my life.
A bride crying in a diner | Source: MidJourney
She was sitting in the corner booth, dressed in a wedding gown, of all things, with a cheeseburger in front of her. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her makeup slightly smudged. My heart skipped a beat.
I stood there, frozen, as a wave of emotions crashed over me. Laura and I had been inseparable in high school. We went to different colleges, but she never left my mind. Seeing her now, like this, felt surreal.
I took a deep breath and walked over to her booth.
Close up of a man’s face | Source: Pexels
“Laura?” My voice sounded steadier than I felt. She looked up, her eyes widening in surprise before softening into a sad smile.
“Jake,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
I slid into the seat across from her. “What’s going on? Why are you here in a wedding dress?”
She took a deep breath, and for a moment, I thought she wouldn’t answer. Then she spoke, her words tumbling out in a rush.
Man and a woman speaking | Source: MidJourney
“Dylan left me at the altar today. I couldn’t stand the humiliation, so I came here. This place… it’s where I always felt safe. Remember?”
I nodded, memories flooding back. We spent countless afternoons here, laughing, sharing secrets, and dreaming about the future. It was our sanctuary. Seeing her here now, in so much pain, felt like a punch to the gut.
“The wedding was supposed to be perfect,” she continued, her voice trembling. “But he didn’t show up. I couldn’t face everyone at the church, so I drove here.”
A bride crying in a diner | Source: MidJourney
“I texted my friends and family that the reception is still happening,” she added. “I didn’t want all the planning to go to waste.”
I looked at her, at the vulnerability in her eyes, and my heart ached.
“Laura, I’m so sorry,” I said, reaching across the table to take her hand. “I can’t imagine how hard this must be for you.”
She gave a small, sad laugh. “It’s a nightmare. I just… I don’t know what to do.”
An idea sparked in my mind. Maybe it was crazy, but it felt right.
Smiling man | Source: MidJourney
“You know what?” I said, squeezing her hand. “We should go to that reception. Together. The pain will pass, but the memories will stay. It might be weird, but it could also be fun. What do you say?”
Laura blinked, clearly taken aback. “Go to the reception? Like this?” She gestured to her dress.
“Yeah,” I said, grinning. “Like this. Let’s make the most of it. Besides, it sounds like one heck of a party.”
For the first time since I walked in, I saw a flicker of hope in her eyes.
Close up of a woman’s eyes | Source: Pexels
She wiped away a tear and nodded slowly. “Okay, Jake. Let’s do it.”
We stood up, and I offered her my arm. As we walked out of the diner, side by side, I felt a strange mix of nostalgia and excitement. This might not be the day Laura had planned, but maybe it could still be special.
People at the venue greeted our arrival with an awkward mix of surprise and support. Laura, still in her wedding dress, looked stunning yet heartbroken. Me, in my jeans and t-shirt, probably looked like I had just wandered in from another planet.
A wedding reception | Source: MidJourney
As the evening wore on, the initial tension faded. The DJ began playing music, and slowly, people started to dance. It was weird at first, celebrating a wedding without a groom, but then, something magical happened.
The awkwardness melted away, replaced by laughter and dancing. I found myself at the center of it, next to Laura, making jokes and reliving old high school memories.
“Remember that time we snuck into the movie theater?” I asked, grinning at Laura.
She laughed, a genuine, carefree sound that made my heart skip a beat.
Casually dressed man speaking to the bride at a reception | Source: MidJourney
“I still can’t believe we didn’t get caught. You were terrible at whispering.”
“Hey, I prefer the term ‘enthusiastic storyteller,’” I retorted, making her laugh even harder.
Before we knew it, the DJ announced the first slow dance. The lights dimmed, and a soft melody filled the room.
Laura turned to me, a question in her eyes. “Jake, will you dance with me?”
My throat went dry, but I managed to nod. “I’d be honored.”
We moved to the dance floor, and as I took her in my arms, the world seemed to blur around us.
A casually dressed man dancing with the bride at a reception | Source: MidJourney
Laura rested her head on my shoulder, and I could feel the tension in her body slowly dissipate. We swayed to the music, lost in our own little bubble.
“Thank you for being here,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the music.
“Always,” I replied, my heart pounding.
The reception was in full swing when the last person I ever expected to see walked in: Laura’s ex-fiancé. Dressed in a suit, he looked disheveled and desperate. The room seemed to freeze as he made his way toward Laura and me.
A slightly disheveled groom | Source: MidJourney
I could feel Laura stiffen beside me, her hand clutching mine a little tighter.
“Laura, can we talk?” Dylan’s voice was shaky, eyes pleading.
Laura took a deep breath and stepped forward, her grip on my hand loosening. “What do you want?” she asked, her voice steady but cold.
“I’m so sorry,” he began, his eyes darting around, avoiding her gaze. “I panicked. I made a huge mistake. Please, forgive me.”
I watched as Laura’s face hardened. This was the moment she needed to confront, to get the closure she deserved.
An angry bride shouting | Source: MidJourney
“Dylan, you left me at the altar. Do you have any idea how humiliating that was? How much that hurt?”
“I know, I know,” he stammered. “I was scared. But I realize now that I want to be with you. Please, give me another chance.”
Laura shook her head slowly. “Scared? You left me in the most vulnerable moment of my life. You don’t get to come back now and ask for forgiveness just because you regret it. You showed me who you are, and I deserve better.”
Dylan looked like he had been slapped. “Laura, please…”
A man | Source: Pexels
“No,” she cut him off, her voice firm. “It’s too late. I’m done with you.” She turned away, her back straight and her head high, and walked toward me.
I felt a surge of pride as she stood tall. As Michael slunk away, I put my arm around Laura’s shoulders, guiding her outside where we could get some air. The night was cool, a welcome contrast to the heated emotions inside.
“Are you okay?” I asked, my voice soft.
A serious man | Source: Pexels
Laura nodded, wiping a tear from her cheek. “Yeah, I think I am. It’s just… I needed to say that. To end it on my terms.”
“You were incredible in there,” I said, meaning every word. “You deserve someone who’ll be there for you, no matter what.”
She looked up at me, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Jake, I’m so grateful you’re here. You’ve always been there for me.”
I took a deep breath, my heart pounding. “Laura, there’s something I need to tell you. The timing is awful, but I have to get it out there…”
A woman | Source: Pexels
“I never stopped loving you,” I confessed. “Not for a second. Seeing you today, I realized I can’t keep pretending otherwise.”
She stared at me, her eyes wide with surprise and something else: hope. “Jake, I… I feel the same way. I didn’t realize it until now, but I do.”
I moved closer, my hand gently cupping her cheek. “Laura,” I whispered, leaning in.
She closed the distance between us, her lips meeting mine in a tender, heart-stopping kiss. It felt like coming home, like everything had finally fallen into place.
A couple shares a tender moment | Source: Pexels
When we pulled apart, we were both smiling, our foreheads resting against each other.
“I guess this party wasn’t such a disaster after all,” she said, her voice filled with a mix of relief and joy.
“No, not at all,” I replied, holding her close. “It’s just the beginning.”
And as we stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, I knew that whatever happened next, we would face it together.
A couple | Source: Pexels
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