For years, Joyce DeWitt dazzled fans as loveable Janet Wood from 1977 to 1984 on the long-running sitcom “Three’s Company.” To honor the actress, we’re celebrating her 71st birthday.
Born on April 23, 1949, in West Virginia, she called Speedway Indiana home, the same hometown of her “Three’s Company” character.
While in high school, her charm and charisma made her an unrivaled competitor in speech and debate class. After high school, she received multiple theater degrees from Ball State University and the University of California. After college, she began her professional acting career, first appearing in Baretta and Most Wanted before landing her role to make her a household name.
Starting in 1977, DeWitt would finally ascend to stardom when she booked “Three’s Company” alongside Suzanne Somers and John Ritter. In the show, she played Ritter’s roommate. Her character was an aspiring dancer who ended up working as a florist.
Suzanne Somers’ Fallout with Joyce DeWitt
However, during the series’ run, the cast went through a bit of a fallout. While filming, Suzanne Somers disputed her pay, arguing that DeWitt was being paid more since she was such a hit with the viewers. Even after the show ended, the rift in the relationship continued until DeWitt and Somers reconciled on Somer’s talk show, “Suzanne Somers: Breaking Through,” in 2012.
After she ended her run on “Three’s Company,” she took a break from acting and traveled the world. Later, she settled down in New Mexico. Today, you might find her in various stage productions or rare on-screen appearances.
She’s appeared in several TV shows and films. She starred in the shows “Finder of Lost Loves,” “Cybill,” and “Hope Island.” On the big screen, she had roles in Call of the Wild, Failing Better Now, The Great Fight, Snapshot, and Rock Story.
Her most recent projects include 2019’s The Savant, Street Signs: Homeless but not Hopeless, and 18, which is currently in pre-production.
DeWitt also co-produced and hosted the NBC-TV television film Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Three’s Company. Melanie Paxson portrayed her in the film. In 2009, she also starred in a stage production of Married Alive in Calgary, Canada.
Today at 71, she lends her efforts to charities, putting work in energy into helping the homeless and hungry. But to her countless “Three’s Company” fans, DeWitt will always be Janet. The actor crafted a creation that’s entertained audiences for years via re-run. The show remains one of her popular works.
