Matinee Classics - Suzanne Somers Biography & Filmography

Suzanne Somers ACTOR

PHOTOS

SUZANNE SOMERS BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

Suzanne Somers was born on October 16th, 1946 in San Bruno, California with the birth name Suzanne Marie Mahoney. She was the third child of four born to parents, Frank and Marion Mahoney. She was raised in a troubled household by an alcoholic abusive father, however, she excelled in the arts in school and developed an interest in acting from an early age.

After high school, she went on to study music at college, but only six months into earning her degree, she dropped out after becoming pregnant. She gave birth to Bruce Somers in 1965 and was married to his father Bruce for only a short time before having an affair with her drama teacher. The marriage came to an end and to support herself, Somers began finding work as a model.

She later found work as a prize model on a game show and again became involved in another relationship with the game show host, Alan Hamel. She later became pregnant again, but underwent an abortion. Her personal life was highly troubled and she underwent counseling to help her overcome her troubled childhood. She married Hamel in 1977 and they remain together today, but have no children.

Other acting roles she added to her resume early on in her career in the Steve McQueen classic "Bullitt" (1968) and then were appearances on, "Lotsa Luck", "The Rockford Files" and "The Six Million Dollar Man".

Finally, Somers got her big break in acting when she auditioned for the role of Chrissy Snow on the television sitcom, "Three's Company" (1976). Somers worked on the series for four seasons but was fired at the beginning of season five when she asked for a raise.

Somers then relocated to Las Vegas and found work as a dancer performing in various hotels and clubs. During this same time in her life, she was also diagnosed with breast cancer, but ahs made a full recovery. She later found some more acting work appearing on such television series as, "Step by Step" (1991) and also was chosen to host the game show, "Candid Camera" (1992).

In addition to her career as an actress, Somers wrote an autobiography titled, "Keeping Secrets" in 1986 and it was alter made into a television movie. She also authored a series of best-selling help books such as, 'Ageless: The Naked Truth About Bioidentical Hormones' and another book about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. She is also very public about her views on alternative cancer treatments and has a couple books out expressing her thoughts.

In 1991, Somers started the Suzanne Somers Institute for the Affects of Addiction on Families in Palm Springs, CA. Many also recognize her as the face of the exercise equipment called 'The Thighmaster' where she has been the spokesperson for numerous infomercials.

Suzanne Somers has been featured in two Playboy magazine's in 1980 and 1984. She was also honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and in 2012 she began her own online talk show. She has not returned to acting since 2001 where he latest role was a cameo appearances in the film, "Say It Isn't So".

Filmography

2001 Say It Isn't So

1999 The Darklings

1998 Rusty: A Dog's Tale

1991-1998 Step by Step

1998 No Laughing Matter

1997 Love-Struck

1996 Devil's Food

1994 ABC Sneak Peek with Step by Step

1994 Seduced by Evil

1993 The Larry Sanders Show

1992 Exclusive