Actress Suzanne Somers, known for such television shows as Three's Company and Step by Step, has died at the age of 76.
Somers, according to her publicist - R. Couri Hay - died during the early morning hours of Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. This was the day before her 77th birthday.
Somers is reported to have been surrounded by her family at the time of her passing, including Alan Hamel, her husband, Bruce, her son, and other members of her immediate family.
Hay says that Somers' family was preparing to celebrate Somers' 77th birthday on Monday, Oct. 16. But, as a result of her passing, Hay said that the family will "instead" be celebrating Somers' "extraordinary life."
Somers, according to the Hollywood Reporter, spent the better part of four decades in the acting industry, going all the way back to the late 1960s.
The outlet reports, "Somers began her acting career in the late 1960s and early '70s when she took on small, uncredited roles in Bullitt, Daddy's Gone A-Hunting and Fools. Her first credited role was as a "blonde in T-bird" in 1973's American Graffiti."
From there, she would go on to play smaller roles on such shows as Starsky and Hutch and The Rockford Files, among others. But, Somers' first big role was as Chrissy Snow on Three's Company. This role lasted from 1977 to 1984.
After that, there was a bit of a lull in Somers' acting career until the 1990s, when she landed the other major role for which she is known, namely, that of Carol Foster Lambert on Step by Step. This sitcom ran for seven seasons.
In addition to acting in films and television shows, Somers was also known for her ThighMaster infomercials, which ran in the 1990s.
Following her passing, many of Somers' peers in the entertainment industry have taken to social media to offer tributes to the actress, including Barry Manilow.
Manilow wrote:
Suzanne and I were friends for decades. She was the sister I never had and my close confidant forever. We shared triumphs and heartaches. Her fame in so many fields overshadowed her real talent as one of our greatest comedic actors, a loving mother, an amazing homemaker, and one of the world's best cooks. I will miss her dearly and hope that she is now out of pain and at peace.
Khloe Kardashian is among many who have said that they are heartbroken by Somers' passing.
Kardashian wrote, "This one hurts my heart. I love you @suzannesomers. I'll never forget your positive loving outlook on life. Your sweetheart and gentle spirit! Rest, dance, smile in paradise..."
USA Today reports, "Somers is survived by her husband, her son Bruce, her stepchildren Stephen and Leslie, and her six grandchildren."
