Beloved actress Suzanne Somers died on October 16, 2023, one day shy of her 77th birthday. The Three’s Company star died peacefully in her home, her publicist reported, after a 23-year-long battle with breast cancer.
“Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband Alan, her son Bruce, and her immediate family,” publicist R. Couri Hay said in a statement to Page Six. “Her family was gathered to celebrate her 77th birthday on October 16th. Instead, they will celebrate her extraordinary life, and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly.”
Suzanne Somers earned her first credited role in 1973 as “Blonde in T-Bird” in the iconic coming-of-age film American Graffiti. In the 50 years that followed, she went on to amass countless fans, including many with Hollywood careers themselves. As a result, news of the actress’ death was met with an outpouring of love and grief from both fans and fellow stars alike.
“Devastated to hear about the passing of Suzanne Somers,” radio personality and actor Adam Carolla wrote on Twitter. “A true icon and overall amazing human being. You will be greatly missed, my friend.”
Reality TV star Khloé Kardashian spoke out as well, revealing herself as a fan of the late actress. “This one hurts my heart. I love you Suzanne Somers,” Kardashian wrote Sunday in an Instagram Story.
Friends of Suzanne Somers Remember Her as a ‘Survivor’
Despite her decades-long battle with breast cancer, Suzanne Somers remained resilient and kind, as evidenced by the many friends and colleagues who took to the internet to pay tribute to the late star.
Fellow actress Fran Drescher wrote a heartbreaking message honoring her “sweet and talented” friend on Instagram. “The heaviness of this past week’s horrors just got worse with the loss of friend Suzanne Sommers,” Drescher wrote. “She was a sweet & talented woman, a wife and mother. Survivor and thriver for more than 2 decades. … RIP dear Suzanne, you will long be remembered.”
For actress Morgan Fairchild, Somers was a support to lean on in a difficult time. “She was a friend & supportive when I was diagnosed with black mold,” Fairchild wrote on Twitter. “When we ran into each other, she would lean over & whisper, ‘We’re survivors!’”
In addition to her strength, friends couldn’t say enough about Suzanne Somers’ generosity of spirit. “I am shocked and saddened,” Kathy Griffin wrote on Threads. “Suzanne was a real pal and ‘connector.’ She loved connecting people with one another. Also a real pioneer regarding equal pay for actresses in situation comedies where the man got substantially more salary than the woman.”
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