Suzanne Somers (born October 16, 1946) is an American actress best known for her role as Chrissy Snow on the sitcom Three's Company.
She was born Suzanne Marie Mahoney in San Bruno, California to an alcoholic father. She was a poor student and suffered from dyslexia. Suzanne went to college on a music scholarship, but left after soon becoming pregnant. She gave birth to her son Bruce Jr. in November 1965, after marrying the boy's father, Bruce Somers. She left her husband two years later and began modelling. In 1971 her son Bruce was severely injured when he was hit by a car.
She began acting in small roles during the early 1970s before landing the role of the ditzy blonde Chrissy Snow on the ABC sitcom Three's Company in 1977. At the beginning of the 1980-81 season, Suzanne demanded a raise from $30,000 an episode to $150,000 an episode and 10% ownership of the show. When ABC refused, Somers boycotted the second and fourth shows of the season, claiming illness. She finished the remaining season on her contract, but her role was cut back to 1 minute per episode. After her contract expired, she sued ABC for $2 million, claiming that her credibility in show business had been damaged. The suit was settled for about $30,000.
During the 1980s she became a Las Vegas entertainer. She was the spokeswoman for the "ThighMaster ", a piece of exercise equipment that is squeezed between one's thighs, which later spawned the "ButtMaster".
More recently she starred in the 90's sitcom Step By Step and cohosted Candid Camera with Peter Funt. A made for TV movie was made about her career on Three's Company. She has released two autobiographies, two self-help books, four diet books and a book about hormone replacement therapy. She also makes regular monthly appearances with close friend Colleen Lopez for special theme weekends on cable's Home Shopping Network.
Filmography
- The Darklings (1999) (TV) Clara Hagen
- No Laughing Matter (1998) (TV) Emma Poleski
- Candid Camera (1998) TV Series Co-host
- Love-Struck (1997) (TV) Venus
- (1997) Malley the Dog
- Devil's Food (1996) (TV) Sally
- Serial Mom (1994) Herself
- The Suzanne Somers Show (1994) TV Series Host
- Seduced by Evil (1994) (TV) Lee
- Exclusive (1992) (TV) Marcy Singer
- Keeping Secrets (1991) (TV) Herself
- Step by Step (1991) TV Series Carol Foster Lambert
- Rich Men, Single Women (1990) (TV) Paige
- Totally Minnie (1988) (TV) Director
- She's the Sheriff (1987) TV Series Sheriff Hildy Granger
-
Hollywood Wives (1985) (miniseries) TV Series Gina Germaine
-
Nothing Personal (1980) Abigail Adams
- Yesterday's Hero (1979)
- Zuma Beach (1978) (TV) Bonnie Katt
- Happily Ever After (1978) (TV)
- It Happened at Lakewood Manor (1977) (TV) Gloria Henderson
- Three's Company (1977) TV Series Chrissy Snow (1977-1980)
- Billy Jack Goes to Washington (1977) Party Girl
- High Rollers (1974) TV Series Assistant (1974-80)
- Magnum Force (1973) (uncredited) Pool Girl
- American Graffiti (1973) Blonde in T-Bird
External links
Books
- The Sexy Years: Discover the Hormone Connection--The Secret to Fabulous Sex, Great Health, and Vitality, for Women and Men. Crown (2004) ISBN 0609607219.
Last updated: 08-18-2005 18:29:20
