Three’s Company actress Suzanne Somers offered her condolences on the sad death of Grease actress Olivia Newton-John on Monday at the age of 73.
Both were blonde bombshells in the 1970s, both faced mega fame and both were breast cancer fighters which they bonded over.
Now Somers has exclusively spoken to about what it was like to have the Australian megastar as a boyfriend.
“Anyone would want an Olivia Newton-John in their life,” the 75-year-old beauty began. “Olivia taught me not to be afraid when I was diagnosed with breast cancer.”
So much in common: Three’s Company actress Suzanne Somers on Monday offered her condolences on the sad death of Grease actress Olivia Newton-John. Both were blonde bombshells in the 1970s, both faced mega fame and both were breast cancer fighters which they bonded over
Her past troubles: Somers was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. She had a lumpectomy and radiation, but declined to undergo chemotherapy. seen in 2021
Somers was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. She had a lumpectomy and radiation.
Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992.
Suzanne was struck by how down-to-earth the Have You Ever Been Mellow singer was.
“Olivia was exactly what you would expect. She was nice and sweet. I’ve never heard her say a bad word about anyone,” the ’70s-’80s pin-up told .
They were blonde bombshells at the same time: both Olivia (seen here in 1976) and Suzanne rose to mega fame in the late 1970s. Both were breast cancer fighters and had bonded over it. “Anybody would want an Olivia Newton-John in their life,” Somers began. “Olivia taught me not to be afraid when I was diagnosed with breast cancer”
At the top of her game: Suzanne was struck by how down-to-earth the Have You Ever Been Mellow singer was. “Olivia was exactly what you would expect. She was nice and sweet. I’ve never heard her say a bad word about anyone,” the ’70s-’80s pin-up shared
And she felt like Newton-John was like a “sister” after a fight together.
“There is a sorority that grows larger every year. It’s a sisterhood you never want to join, but if you allow them in, you find great comfort in other “sisters,”” the actress began.
“Olivia was a great comfort to me when I was diagnosed 25 years ago. Her fight was my fight, when she won I won.
“She taught us all so much with her bravery and her ‘never give up’ philosophy. We got strength from Olivia and her life example.
“As an icon of the 70s, she lived a full life. I loved her and will forever miss my “sister.”
Iconic film: She had sparks with John Travolta in the 1978 film Grease. “She lived a full life as a ’70s icon. I loved her and will forever miss my ‘sister,'” Somers added
Newton-John died Monday at the age of 73.
The Xanadu star died with family by her side at their Southern California ranch, according to husband John Easterling, who did not give a cause of death.
A Facebook post read: We ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy at this very difficult time.
However, a source known to TMZ said, “After a 30-year cancer journey, she lost her battle with metastatic breast cancer,” which was first diagnosed more than 30 years ago in 1992. It reappeared in 2013 before going back into remission until reappearing in 2017.
Her family: The singer with daughter Chloe and Patrick Kim McDermott
Later in life: The beauty here with husband John Easterling
Olivia got her big break in the 1978 film musical as Sandy Olsen in two shoes – in which she starred opposite John Travolta’s handsome bad boy Danny Zuko – and created the new song Hopeless Devoted To You.
This was after her pop career, which began in the early ’70s, when Olivia made a name for herself with a string of pop hits including “If Not for You”, “Let Me Be There” and the hit “Have You Never Been”. Mellow”.
The Glee guest star had daughter Chloe Lattanzi, now 36, with her ex Matt Lattanzi, whom she married in 1984 and separated from in 1995.
Olivia tied the knot with John in 2008, who asked for donations for her cancer charity in her memory.
A hit! Somers rose to fame with John Ritter in Three’s Company, which debuted in 1976; Joyce DeWitt can also be seen here
Still looks great! Somers at Clive Davis’ 90th birthday celebration at Casa Cipriani in April in New York City
He added to the post, “Olivia has been a symbol of triumph and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer. Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicines continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to research into plant medicines and cancer.
“In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund (ONJFoundationFund.org) in their memory.”
John concluded: “Olivia is survived by her husband John Easterling; daughter Chloe Lattanzi; Sister Sarah Newton-John; brother Toby Newton-John; nieces and nephews Tottie, Fiona and Brett Goldsmith; Emerson, Charlie, Zac, Jeremy, Randall and Pierz Newton-John; Jude Newton-Stock, Layla Lee; Kira and Tasha Gem; and Brin and Valerie Hall.’
SOME OF SUZANNE’S BEST MOMENTS IN HOLLYWOOD
1973
Somers played the mysterious blonde in a white Thunderbird car in George Lucas’ 1973 classic American Graffiti.
Somers played the mysterious blonde in a white Thunderbird car in George Lucas’ 1973 classic American Graffiti
1976
She played a passenger in the first episode of The Love Boat.
She played a passenger in the first episode of The Love Boat in 1976
1977
She made waves as the giddy but cute blonde beauty Chrissy Snow on the sitcom Three’s Company, who was considered racy because a straight man (played by John Ritter) lived with two single women (Suzanne and Joyce De Witt).
John Ritter, Joyce Dewitt, Suzanne Somers Three’s Company – 1977
1977
She had a guest role as a pinup in the ABC TV movie Ants! The star filmed the show in 1977 in Qualicum Beach, Canada.
Here she is seen naked under a beige sheet on a bed.
Somers in the ABC TV movie Ants! 1977
1978
Somers promoted the Cerebral Palsy Telethon in Central Park in 1978. She wore a pink bathing suit which caught the attention of onlookers.
Somers promoting the 1978 Central Park telethon for cerebral palsy
1979
The California native is seen here in a skimpy bikini for part of the popular late night show The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
On The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson for a skit when she wore a skimpy bikini
1979
In the late 1970s, she began doing swimsuit photo shoots on the beach to boost her career.
Here she wore a strapless one-piece suit with her hair in a side ponytail, the look of the day.
She had a toned physique which led to her becoming the spokesperson for ThighMaster, which made a fortune.
Get ready to surf! She modeled swimsuits on the beach to show off her incredible figure
1979
She has made a name for herself with pinup photos with goofy hairstyles. Here she is in a promotional photo for Three’s Company.
In a beige workout outfit for a promotional shoot for her hit show Three’s Company
1980
The beauty in the 1980 episode of Three’s Company entitled Lee Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother. Jack (Ritter) disapproves of his host brother’s relationship with Chrissy (Somers).
She was fired in season five when she asked for a big raise.
The show ran from 1977 to 1984.
Lee Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother was the name of this fourth season episode in 1980. Jack (Ritter) disapproved of his visiting brother’s relationship with Chrissy (Somers).
1991
In 1991, she co-starred with Dallas costar Patrick Duffy on the hit TV show Step By Step.
In 1991, she appeared on the show “Step By Step” with Dallas costar Patrick Duffy. This episode was called Rules of the House and aired on October 4, 1991