Joyce DeWitt is a notable actress who came to popularity for her iconic role as Janet Wood in the popular sitcom “Three’s Company.” Joyce DeWitt was born on April 23, 1949 in Wheeling, West Virginia, and she is known for her work in the comedy. Because of her endearing personality, quick wit, and flawless comic timing, DeWitt was able to win over fans and become an indispensable element of one of the most popular television series in the United States.
The first steps of DeWitt’s career as an actor were taken while he was still a child. She had a normal childhood in Speedway, Indiana, but it wasn’t until she was in high school that she uncovered her love for performance. After earning her bachelor’s degree, DeWitt continued her education at the esteemed University of California, Los Angeles, where she received a master’s degree in fine arts with a concentration in acting.
Her big break came in 1976 when she was hired in the role of Janet Wood in the television show “Three’s Company.” The comedy, which based on the comical misunderstandings and misfortunes of three roommates, rapidly rose to prominence as a major force in modern culture.
Janet, the character represented by DeWitt, was an intelligent, reasonable, and quick-witted lady who often got herself caught up in the funny antics of her roommates, who were portrayed by John Ritter and Suzanne Somers. DeWitt’s portrayal of Janet was spot-on. Janet became one of the show’s most well-liked characters because to her outstanding comic timing and her ability to deliver lines with the ideal balance of sass and charm.
From 1977 to 1984, “Three’s Company” was a popular television show that aired for a total of eight years and was met with critical praise all around the world. She became a household name and was cherished by millions of people throughout the country as a result of the show’s success, which helped to firmly establish DeWitt’s position in the annals of television history.
As of October 2023, DeWitt is the only member of the three that is still alive. Her close friends John Ritter and Suzanne Somers have both gone away by this point in time.
The actress described the last few minutes she spent with Ritter before he passed away suddenly in one of the interviews she gave.
Although the three seemed to have an incredible connection during the episodes of “Three’s Company,” not all viewers were aware of what went on behind the scenes. Suzanne Somers was let go from the series, which meant that she had to say goodbye to her close friends Joyce DeWitt and John Ritter. However, the viewers who did know what transpired behind the scenes were shocked by the news.
In an interview that took place in the year 2020 with Entertainment Tonight, Somers said that she wanted to renegotiate her contract since her compensation was far lower than Ritter’s.
Sadly, she said that she was dismissed from the program because she demanded to be paid the same amount as her co-actor did.
“They dismissed me because I asked to be paid at a level that was comparable to that of the males… “They need you to be the example so that no other woman in television will get uppity and think that they can ask for parity with men,” she remarked to me. “They need you to be the example.”
Somers described herself as “sad” since she had the impression that everyone, including the cast and staff members, avoided her. As a result, she “never talked to anybody on that show ever again.”
Thankfully, on her talk program named “Suzanne Somers Breaking Through” in 2012, she was able to see DeWitt again for the first time in 30 years, which marked the beginning of their reunion.
According to DeWitt, the two of them had a pressing need to discuss and clarify what had really taken on behind closed doors, which is why they decided to meet at the time in question.
Somers was also able to get in contact with Ritter before his death nine years previous to the episode’s airing, as she claimed in the interview that the late actor had already forgiven her. Not only did the two females get back together, but Somers was also able to get in touch with Ritter before his death.
Despite the fact that Somers had planned for them to work on a project together, Ritter passed just a month after those preparations were to be put into action, therefore the project was never completed.
In relation to DeWitt, she had a brief interaction with Ritter just before he died away. During the broadcast of Somers’ talk show, she reflected about the last evening that the two of them had together.
Both of them were staying in New York City at the time, so when she found out about it, she immediately called his hotel and left a message there. They were both in the city at the time.
“Just as I was leaving the house, the phone rang, and when I picked it up, it was Johnathan on the other end… And he tells her, “Baby, there are three parties and a dinner that we have to attend tonight.” She recalls hearing him say, “I’ll pick you up at seven!”
They continued to spend time together later that evening, but regrettably, Ritter would die just a month later.
The cause of Ritter’s death was reportedly an aortic dissection, which occurred in September of 2003. At that point in time, he was 54 years old.
Since Suzanne Somers also went away in October 2023, DeWitt is the only member of the three who is still alive at this time.
The family of the late actress has reportedly revealed that breast cancer was the reason for her passing, as stated in an article that was published by Today. She had been planning to celebrate her 77th birthday, but she passed away the day before the big day.
Her breast cancer diagnosis was not kept a secret, as she went public with her illness in 2001, when she informed her supporters that she was going through treatment for the disease. Over the last several years, she has been battling not just breast cancer but also many other types of cancer.
Early in 2023, she was diagnosed with a recurrence of her breast cancer, but by July of the same year, she was declared cancer-free once again.
People Magazine was able to acquire a statement from DeWitt in which she discussed her feelings at the passing of her close friend.
“My heart goes out to Suzanne’s family,” added DeWitt, who is now 74 years old. They are a very tight family, each member being profoundly attached to the others and caring for one other. I can’t even begin to comprehend how difficult this time must be for all of them,” she stated.