What Happened To The Cast Of Three’s Company?

Sharing an apartment with a man as roommates? That was quite unconventional and mischievous back in 1977 when “Three’s Company” first aired! The show often used that premise for humor, creating numerous awkward situations and misinterpreted intentions between the roommates, their neighbors, and people within their shared living space.

Reflecting on it now, there are certainly scenes from “Three’s Company” that may not hold up as well due to their humor and the passage of time since its initial broadcast. Nevertheless, it remains cherished as a timeless sitcom, contributing significantly to the fame of its primary cast – John Ritter, Suzanne Somers, and Joyce DeWitt. The main cast was not just limited to these three; they were joined by landlords, neighbors, friends, coworkers, and various other characters who formed part of the extended social network centered around the core trio. Even during its run, the dynamic of this threesome underwent changes following Suzanne Somers’ departure and subsequent attempts to replace her.

For many actors from “Three’s Company,” the show was either their most prominent role or their last significant one. However, a select few were able to sustain their success and maintain the popularity they gained during the height of “Three’s Company” fame for several more years.

Suzanne Somers (Chrissy Snow)

The sitcom “Three’s Company” didn’t hesitate to embrace stereotypes, as evident by its main female characters. One was the intelligent brunette Janet Wood (played by Joyce DeWitt), while the other was the air-headed blonde Chrissy Snow (portrayed by Suzanne Somers). Often, Chrissy’s lack of understanding in various situations provided comic relief. However, despite being confined to a limited characterization by the show’s writers, Somers added humor and intelligence to her role as Chrissy, which helped her rise above the limitations set for her.

After Season 5, Somers left the series “Three’s Company.” During her final season, she mostly appeared at the end of episodes, when Chrissy would call her former roommates after moving away. The public was told that Somers left due to a contract dispute, making it seem like she was being difficult or demanding. However, according to Somers and those who worked with her on the show, the truth is that she asked for equal pay as co-star John Ritter, but was fired because of this request.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but reflect on the remarkable journey of the talented actress, myself included. In 1991, she landed another significant role in the hit sitcom “Step by Step,” adding to her impressive resume. Beyond acting, Somers was recognized as the charismatic spokesperson for the ThighMaster workout device that became a household name.

However, life took an unexpected turn when she battled various types of cancer. In her 30s, it was skin cancer, and in her 50s, breast cancer. Despite these challenges, she fought valiantly. Unfortunately, her battle ended in 2023 at the age of 76, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire us all.

Norman Fell (Mr. Roper)

One key aspect of the sitcom “Three’s Company” involved Jack Tripper (played by John Ritter) pretending to be gay to live with two unmarried women, which was necessary to deceive the building’s landlords, especially Mr. Roper (portrayed by Norman Fell). Mr. Roper, a more traditional and conservative character, often played by Fell, added a classic, almost vaudevillian touch to the series through his comedic delivery, pausing for effect, holding a moment before offering a broad smile directly to the camera.

Since Fell started acting in the 1950s, it wasn’t unexpected that he took a similar approach, given that most of his early TV roles resembled stage comedy performances that were broadcasted, which was common in early television. Fell was known for being a dedicated, versatile actor and didn’t want to let go of this identity even after gaining fame with “Three’s Company.” Reluctantly, he appeared in the brief spin-off “The Ropers,” but for the rest of his career, he mainly focused on smaller character roles.

However, prior to his passing in 1998 at the age of 74, Fell reprised his iconic role for one last time. He made a brief, uncredited appearance on the television sitcom “Ellen,” with Mr. Roper being his final screen credit.

Audra Lindley (Mrs. Roper)

During the initial three seasons of “Three’s Company,” the amusing exchanges between Stanley and Helen Roper (played by Audra Lindley) stood out as some of the most entertaining aspects. As integral members of the cast, their characters often clashed due to their contrasting personalities: Mrs. Roper, a more liberal and bohemian figure, frequently disagreed with her traditional husband, both in managing their young tenants and within their own relationship. This humorously antagonistic dynamic echoed the classic bickering between spouses seen in shows like “The Honeymooners” and “I Love Lucy.

Similar to Fell, Lindley was well-established in the television industry before gaining widespread recognition on “Three’s Company.” Prior to her role as Mrs. Roper, she had recurring parts in shows like “From These Roots,” “Bridget Loves Bernie,” and the popular soap opera “Another World.” Additionally, she appeared in numerous films and TV shows. Following her stints on “Three’s Company” and its spinoff “The Ropers,” Lindley’s most notable roles were in the 1997 horror film “The Relic” and a guest spot on “Friends” as Phoebe’s grandmother.

1997 marked the beginning of a sad trend as the primary cast members of the popular sitcom “Three’s Company,” including Lindley, began to pass away. At 79 years old, Lindley succumbed to leukemia that year.

Richard Kline (Larry Dallas)

Living above the Ropers didn’t mean that Jack, Chrissy, and Janet resided on the highest floor of their apartment building. Above them lived Larry Dallas (portrayed by Richard Kline), a close friend of Jack’s who had a reputation for womanizing that was even more prolific than Jack’s own. However, unlike Jack, Larry didn’t attract women with the same ease. Instead, he often impersonated Jack when he was trying to pick up women, which in turn landed Jack in predicaments he hadn’t previously been involved in or aware of. Additionally, the TV show “Three’s Company” featured Larry as a character that embodied all the stereotypes, particularly his profession as a used car salesman, reinforcing the notion that he was unscrupulous and unreliable.

Before his iconic role in “Three’s Company,” John Kline first gained recognition with a three-episode arc on “Maude.” This led to the creation of his breakout character, Larry Dallas. Following this, he made sporadic appearances on various TV shows or played major roles in short-lived series. In 1995, Kline landed a recurring part on “The Bold and the Beautiful,” which continued for two seasons. Afterward, his career trajectory was similar to that between “Three’s Company” and “The Bold and the Beautiful.” However, he has consistently worked as an actor since then, including a role spanning multiple seasons as a judge on “Blue Bloods,” from Season 3 to Season 14.

Jenilee Harrison (Cindy Snow)

Since the series was titled “Three’s Company,” it was essential to maintain a core trio of roommates. When Chrissy left, there was a gap to fill. Enter Cindy Snow (played by Jenilee Harrison), who was Chrissy’s cousin, providing a way for her character to be similar to Chrissy without being labeled as a copycat. However, despite Jenilee Harrison’s commendable performance and efforts in the role, Cindy never quite fit the bill as an adequate replacement for Chrissy. After two seasons, both Cindy and Jenilee Harrison departed the show.

Following her departure from “Three’s Company,” Harrison swiftly moved on to secure a significant role in the TV series “Dallas.” She joined the main cast as Jamie Ewing for 70 episodes spanning Seasons 8, 9, and 10 of this prime-time soap opera. Afterward, she made appearances in minor roles on both television and film, but Jamie Ewing marked her last significant character. Harrison then stepped away from the limelight, only to reemerge briefly in 2017 when she participated in the ’70s Rock & Romance Cruise alongside her “Three’s Company” co-star Richard Kline. This event also featured concerts by iconic bands of that era such as Styx, Air Supply, and America.

Ann Wedgeworth (Lana Shields)

As a gaming enthusiast, let me share my take on that TV show scenario from a gamer’s perspective:

In the fourth season of “Three’s Company”, things took an unexpected turn with some significant character updates. Larry moved up from a recurring role to becoming a main cast member, and Mr. Furley (Don Knotts) stepped in as the new landlord, replacing the Ropers – more on that later. But what really caught my attention was the arrival of a fresh character, Lana Shields, played by Ann Wedgeworth.

For three whole seasons, Jack had been flitting between various guest female stars, but Lana marked the first time he got involved in a long-term romantic situation. However, it wasn’t your typical love story – most of the time, Lana was the one chasing Jack, while he kept turning down her affectionate gestures.

After four seasons on “Three’s Company,” Wedgeworth grew tired of playing a one-dimensional character and decided to leave the show when it became apparent that Lana wouldn’t develop into a more complex role. However, her talent was later showcased in other projects, starting with a nomination for the 1985 film “Sweet Dreams” by the National Society of Film Critics. She continued to demonstrate her versatility with another award-nominated performance in the 1990 sitcom “Evening Shade.” This marked the end of her TV series roles, although she remained active in television and direct-to-video movies throughout the 1990s.

Following her last appearance on screen in the 2006 film titled “The Hawk is Dying,” Wedgeworth appeared to step away from acting. Unfortunately, she joined the list of too many stars we’ve lost when she passed away in 2017 at the age of 83.

Don Knotts (Mr. Furley)

When the Ropers departed for their spin-off, a new character stepped up to manage the building, keeping tabs on Jack and the girls. This marked the start of the Mr. Furley era in “Three’s Company.” The show distinguished Mr. Furley from the original Mr. Roper by portraying him as more friendly towards his tenants, even accepting Jack’s straight identity when it was eventually revealed. Interestingly, Mr. Furley shared more similarities with Mrs. Roper, embracing contemporary ideas and fashions, and often wearing vivid and ostentatious clothing.

As a gamer, I’d say I was one of the brightest stars in the cast of “Three’s Company,” and that’s no exaggeration. Before that, I played the unforgettable character of Barney Fife, the bumbling deputy, on “The Andy Griffith Show.” Fun fact: many of the actors from “The Andy Griffith Show” went on to shine in other successful series too! Andy himself became Matlock, Ron Howard graced our screens with Happy Days, and I transformed into Mr. Furley. After that, I was more than happy to take it easy and make guest appearances – often playing myself – throughout the rest of my career. But hey, if anyone deserved an easy victory lap towards the end of their acting journey, it was definitely me!

2005 saw me bowing out from the small screen, playing myself on NBC’s “Las Vegas” and a landlord on “That ’70s Show.” It was a fitting farewell for an actor like me. Sadly, I lost my battle with lung cancer in 2006 at the age of 81.

Jordan Charney (Frank Angelino/Mr. Layton)

Initially, Jordan Charney made a brief appearance as Mr. Layton in Season 3 of “Three’s Company.” However, from Seasons 5 to 8, he portrayed the recurring character, Frank Angelino, who was Jack’s boss at Angelino’s Restaurant. Later on, in Season 2 of “The Ropers,” Charney reappeared as Mr. McLaughlin. Despite not living in the apartment building or being a love interest of any main characters, Frank Angelino became one of the most significant “Three’s Company” characters who didn’t reside there.

Before appearing on both “Three’s Company” and other shows, Charney had previous roles on “One Life to Live” and played a doctor for twenty episodes of “General Hospital,” all while also being part of “Three’s Company.” In the year 2000, he started his longest-running character portrayal when he joined the recurring cast of “Law & Order” as Judge Donald Karan. He reprised this role multiple times from Season 10 that year until Season 16 in 2006.

In 2024, during a “Ghostbusters” location tour in New York City, the group unexpectedly found themselves at the apartment building that served as Dana (Sigourney Weaver) and Louis (Rick Moranis)’s residence in the movie. At that exact moment, Charney happened to be exiting the building – where he lived! He happily obliged fans who wanted a quick photo with him, as he savored this chance encounter.

Joyce DeWitt (Janet Wood)

As a dedicated fan of “Three’s Company”, I can attest that Janet Wood, the brunette member of the trio, was a constant presence throughout all eight seasons and nearly every one of its 174 episodes. The role she played was pivotal, offering a firm rejection to Jack’s flirtations when Chrissy usually didn’t, while also serving as a calm, rational balance to Chrissy’s impulsive and carefree energy. Joyce DeWitt brought this character to life for the entire series, making her second only to John Ritter in terms of episodes acted. Despite some changes in the resident blonde cast member, Janet remained steadfast as a beloved character in this iconic sitcom.

DeWitt, who has mainly focused on philanthropy rather than acting (with just 25 screen credits), gained prominence in recent times for her charitable work, particularly for addressing global issues like hunger and homelessness. Regrettably, when the 40th anniversary of “Three’s Company” finale arrived in October 2024, she was the last surviving original cast member. During an interview with US Weekly on this occasion, DeWitt noted that it was the genuine affection, trust, and solidarity among the characters that kept fans loyal for a lifetime.

Priscilla Barnes (Terri Alden)

After Chrissy and cousin Cindy left, they decided to make a third and last attempt at finding the blonde member for the “Three’s Company” trio from the Snow family. Starting from Season 6 until the series ended in its eighth season, Terri Alden (played by Priscilla Barnes) took over this role. Unlike Chrissy, Terri was depicted as more intelligent and driven, which significantly changed the dynamic of the group during the last three seasons compared to the first five.

Similar to Jenilee Harrison, Barnes often found herself under scrutiny due to comparisons to Suzanne Somers. Fans rarely gave her a chance, but she portrayed Terri with enthusiasm throughout her stint on “Three’s Company.” After the show ended, she went on to have a more active and diverse career compared to either of her predecessors. On the silver screen, she appeared in movies like “Licence to Kill,” the horror-comedy cult favorite “The Devil’s Rejects,” and had a notable appearance in Kevin Smith’s comedy “Mallrats.” In television, she primarily focused on TV movies following her time on “Three’s Company” until she landed a recurring role as Magda Andel on “Jane the Virgin.

2024 saw the reunion of Barnes with Joyce DeWitt at a health-focused event organized by The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health, which took place in Los Angeles.

John Ritter (Jack Tripper)

In essence, while undoubtedly many contributors played significant roles in the success of “Three’s Company,” it is fair to say that much of its enduring appeal can be attributed to the extraordinary talent of John Ritter as the lead actor. As Jack Tripper, he masterfully balanced charisma and charm on screen one moment, only to flawlessly deliver a perfectly timed slapstick stumble the next. This unique blend of leading man good looks and a knack for physical comedy was something few had achieved before or since, significantly contributing to the show’s initial success and its status as a beloved classic today.

As a die-hard fan, I must say that unlike Chevy Chase, John Ritter was the golden boy in the small circle of TV performers. Behind the camera, he was nothing short of a charming soul, and since his untimely demise in 2003, we’ve only learned more about what an exceptional person he truly was.

From his legendary sitcom days to his roles in films like “Problem Child,” “Sling Blade,” and “Bad Santa,” Ritter consistently proved himself to be a shining star, both on-screen and off. After “Three’s Company,” his career took him to the big screen, but fate had a way of bringing him back to sitcoms when his final project became ABC’s “8 Simple Rules.” Tragically, he was working on the second season of that show when an undiagnosed heart condition struck him down at just 54 years old.

2025-05-27 17:31