It’s been decades since Three’s Company aired, but the laughs it brought to millions still resonate with fans today. This beloved sitcom left a permanent mark on American TV with its unforgettable characters and wild misunderstandings. Now, Joyce DeWitt, who starred as Janet Wood, opens up about what made the show such a timeless treasure.

The goofy antics of three single roommates, paired with the stellar performances of John Ritter and Suzanne Somers, made Three’s Company an unforgettable part of television history. It’s hard to believe that 40 years have passed since the finale aired on ABC, but its humor and charm remain relevant today. Watching the show’s intro, especially the scenes filmed at Santa Monica Pier, brings back memories of a different era, making you realize how much things have changed.

Sadly, both John Ritter and Suzanne Somers have passed away, but their impact remains strong. Joyce DeWitt, now 75, continues to keep the spirit of Three’s Company alive by sharing cherished stories and memories from her time on the show. In an interview with US Weekly, DeWitt recalled the unexpected ways the show affected people’s lives. She said, “The most dear, precious, tender – and utterly unexpected – experiences that have come from working on Three’s Company are the many adults who’ve told me it was a safe haven for them during their teen years. For some, it was the only safe haven.”

As Janet Wood, DeWitt appeared in 171 episodes of Three’s Company from 1976 to 1984. She reflected on the gift the show turned out to be, stating, “We were just trying to make people laugh. Who would have thought it would become iconic? The show was really an attempt to do a modern version of a 16th-century farce, with silliness running wild. Sometimes we addressed serious topics, but that was always buried under the humor.”

John Ritter had a similar vision, DeWitt shared, “He used to say, ‘We don’t just want people to laugh, we want them to fall over their couches laughing.’ But what really connected people to the show was the love and friendship between the characters.”

After Three’s Company ended, DeWitt stepped away from the limelight for more than a decade. Despite her later accomplishments, she understands that she will always be associated with that iconic show. There’s a reason for that, she explained, “It gave people a ‘time out’ from the struggles they faced in their young lives. Sure, the characters did silly, crazy things, but it was their love, trust, and support for one another that made them lifelong fans.”

However, the show wasn’t without its tensions. While Suzanne Somers gained fame for playing the ditzy blonde, her push for equal pay caused friction among the cast. When she asked for a 500% salary increase, the once-happy set became a battleground. Somers was eventually fired, but not before she had to finish the fifth season under odd circumstances—filming scenes alone via phone calls.

For over 30 years, Somers and DeWitt didn’t speak, a silence that seemed surprising considering their earlier friendship. Somers reflected on that time in 2020, saying, “They painted me as if I was trying to ruin the show. So, I never talked to anyone from that show again.”

The rift wasn’t personal, DeWitt later clarified, but rather a result of their differing circumstances. Somers was a single mother fighting for financial security, while DeWitt was more focused on her craft. Despite the years of tension, the two reunited in 2012 on Somers’ talk show, Breaking Through. Their emotional reunion showed that they had buried the hatchet, with DeWitt praising Somers’ resilience and accomplishments.

The actresses remained friends until Somers’ passing in 2023. DeWitt honored both Somers and Ritter, describing them as “a true gift” to television. As fans look back at Three’s Company, they remember not just the laughs, but the friendships and legacies these stars left behind.

Rest in peace, John Ritter and Suzanne Somers. Gone but never forgotten.