Joyce DeWitt, born on April 23, 1949, in Wheeling, West Virginia, is a celebrated actress renowned for her iconic portrayal of Janet Wood in the beloved sitcom “Three’s Company.” With her magnetic charm, sharp wit, and impeccable comedic timing, DeWitt mesmerized audiences and became an indispensable part of one of America’s most cherished television series.
DeWitt’s journey into the realm of acting commenced at a young age. Raised in Speedway, Indiana, she unearthed her passion for performing during her formative years in high school. Following her graduation, DeWitt ventured to the esteemed University of California, Los Angeles, where she earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in acting.
In 1976, DeWitt achieved her breakthrough when she secured the role of Janet Wood in “Three’s Company.” This sitcom, centered on the humorous misunderstandings and escapades of three roommates, swiftly transformed into a cultural sensation.
As Janet, DeWitt brought to life a character who was intelligent, level-headed, and quick-witted. She frequently found herself entangled in the uproarious misadventures of her roommates, portrayed by John Ritter and Suzanne Somers. Her flawless comedic timing, combined with her skill in delivering lines with a delightful mix of sass and charm, established Janet as one of the series’ most adored characters.
As Janet, DeWitt brought to life a character who was intelligent, level-headed, and quick-witted. She frequently found herself entangled in the uproarious misadventures of her roommates, portrayed by John Ritter and Suzanne Somers. Her flawless comedic timing, combined with her skill in delivering lines with a delightful mix of sass and charm, established Janet as one of the series’ most adored characters.
“Three’s Company” enjoyed a prosperous run spanning eight seasons, from 1977 to 1984, amassing widespread acclaim and a dedicated fan following. The series’ immense popularity cemented DeWitt’s status in television history, propelling her to the status of a household name cherished by countless viewers nationwide.
As of October 2023, DeWitt stands as the sole surviving member of the trio, as her dear friends John Ritter and Suzanne Somers have since passed away.
During one interview, the actress shared poignant insights into her last moments with Ritter before his untimely departure.
While the trio portrayed a remarkable friendship onscreen in “Three’s Company,” not all viewers were aware of the events transpiring behind the scenes. Suzanne Somers’ departure from the series, prompted by her termination, meant leaving behind her close friends, Joyce DeWitt and John Ritter.
During a 2020 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Somers revealed that her departure stemmed from her desire to renegotiate her contract due to disparities in her salary compared to Ritter’s.
Regrettably, she asserted that her departure from the show occurred when she requested equal pay with her male co-star.
“They fired me for asking to be paid commensurate with the men. … They needed to use me as an example so that no other woman in television would dare to demand parity with men,” she stated.
Somers experienced deep sadness, feeling ostracized by everyone, including the cast and crew, and she chose not to engage with anyone from the show thereafter.
Thankfully, in 2012, she had the opportunity to reunite with DeWitt for the first time in three decades on her talk show, “Suzanne Somers Breaking Through.”
DeWitt revealed that she agreed to the meeting because they needed to have a candid conversation and shed light on what transpired behind closed doors.
Not only did the two women reunite, but Somers also managed to reconnect with Ritter before his passing, as she explained in the interview that the late actor had already forgiven her.
Although Somers had plans for a joint project with Ritter, it never came to fruition, as Ritter tragically passed away a month later.
As for DeWitt, she shared a poignant memory of her time with Ritter before his passing, which she recounted on Somers’ talk show. Both of them happened to be in New York City at the time, and when she learned of this, she promptly contacted his hotel and left a message.
“As I was about to leave the room, the phone rang, and I picked it up. It was Johnathan… and he said, ‘Baby, we’ve got three parties and a dinner to attend tonight. I’ll pick you up at 7!'” she recalled.
They spent that evening together, but tragically, Ritter passed away just a month later.
According to Parade, Ritter succumbed to aortic dissection in September 2003 at the age of 54.
DeWitt is now the sole surviving member of the trio, as Suzanne Somers also passed away in October 2023.
As reported in an article by Today, the late actress’ family confirmed that her cause of death was breast cancer. She was on the verge of celebrating her 77th birthday but, sadly, she passed away the day before.
Suzanne Somers had been open about her breast cancer diagnosis, publicly disclosing it in 2001 as she underwent treatment. In addition to breast cancer, she battled other forms of cancer in the preceding years. While her breast cancer had returned in early 2023, she had become cancer-free once again in July of that year.
DeWitt conveyed her condolences and thoughts on her dear friend’s passing in a statement provided to People Magazine.
“My heart goes out to Suzanne’s family,” DeWitt, aged 74, expressed. “They are a very close-knit family—deeply connected and caring for one another. I can only imagine how challenging this time must be for all of them,” she conveyed.
