As the stereotypical gorgeous knockout who plays the dumb blonde, Suzanne was the perfect Chrissy. With her snorting laugh, and her sweetness
and innocence, Chrissy was irresistable to America's TV audience in this hilarious farce.
A preacher's daughter who was named Christmas Noelle by her father because she was the best present he ever got, Chrissy lived in her own world. She could be utterly clueless -- she was unfazed when a police officer charged her with prostitution -- and she spoke in a language that could only be described as Chrissy-ese: "Eat your salad before it gets cold!" and "I love surprises; it's funny that you never suspect them."
Suzanne told Emmy TV Legends, "I knew what Chrissy would and would not do. She'd never tell a lie. She'd never steal anybody's boyfriend. Everything was always absolutely honest with her. And I think that's what endeared her to the public."
"Three's Company" was a mid-season replacement with only six episodes filmed when it aired in March 1977. Relying on double entendres, sexual innunendos, and risque topics, "Three's Company" became an immediate hit. It was the highest rated mid-season show ever broadcast on network TV at the time.
The show was blasted by religious and conservative groups for corrupting America's youth, but the publicity only generated more viewers. "Three's Company" was rated No. 11 its first season, followed by ratings of No. 3, 2, 2, 8, 4, and 6 for Seasons 2-7.
The story line, based on the British show "Man About The House," revolved around three single rommates -- Chrissy, level-headed Janet Wood (Joyce DeWitt) and clumsy chef Jack Tripper (John Ritter) -- living in a Santa Monica apartment.
Because landlord Stanley Roper (Norman Fell) prohibited single men and women from living in the same apartment, Jack was allowed to move in only after Janet told Mr. Roper that Jack was gay.
As popular as the show became, Suzanne's popularity quickly eclipsed her co-stars and she became an overnight star. She appeared on the cover of "Newsweek," she released a popular poster, and with Farrah Fawcett's recent departure from "Charlie's Angels," Suzanne supplanted Farrah as America's newest TV It Girl.
After the fourth season Suzanne demanded a raise from $30,000 to $150,000 per episode, plus a portion of the show's syndication profits.
Before “Three's Company,” Suzanne's break came in a non-speaking role in the film classic “American Graffiti.” She played the sultry blonde who antagonized Curt (Richard Dreyfuss) as she tooled around town all night in her white Thunderbird.
A native of San Bruno, California, born Suzanne Marie Mahoney, Suzanne was raised in an Irish Catholic family. She got her start in show business as a contestant on "Aniversay Game" in 1969.
Suzanne has become more notorious over the years for appearing in infomercials for products such as Thighmaster, and for her unorthodox views on medical subjects, including bioidentical hormone replacement therapy She's also written a series of self-help and diet books.
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When the network refused to negotiate, Suzanne claimed she suffered from a broken rib and began missing work.
She appeared on talks shows and disparged her co-stars. Ritter and DeWitt snubbed her and her role was reduced as she appeared in fewer and fewer scenes.
On the show, Chrissy's absence was explained that she was visiting her mother in Fresno. Finally, she was fired after the 1981 season and replaced with Jenilee Harrison.
Suzanne continued to feud with Ritter after the series ended.
When she announced that she had breast cancer in 2001, he questioned her honesty. After Ritter died in 2003, Suzanne explained to Ellen DeGeneres the hard feelings between the two: "It became mob fury on that show. You were either with the producers against me or you were with me."
Classic TV Beauties 1970s Countdown
SUZANNE SOMERS as Chrissy Snow in "Three's Company"
From the genesis of "Three's Company," Suzanne almost never appeared on the show. The development of the series was so convoluted it's amazing "Three's Company" even aired in the first place. Suzanne was the third woman hired in the third pilot filmed after the network became unhappy with the first two pilots and with the first two actresses.
Fred Silverman, who was ABC's Entertainment President at the time, told The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation that Suzanne barely made it.
“We got to the day before we're starting the production of the series and we didn't have a Chrissy. I was so desperate, I took all the audition tapes and just kind of fast forwarded them. All of a sudden, they went by Suzanne, who I hadn't seen, and I said, 'Back that up' and she was great.
“'She's been passed on.' And I said, 'Why was she passed on?' and I couldn't get a straight answer. Anyway, we got her in that day and she was on the set and she was terrific in that part.”
