If you were a child of the 80s, then you probably remember the hit TV show Three’s Company, which starred John Ritter, Suzanne Somers, and Joyce DeWitt. This show was a staple for many households across America, and it’s hard to imagine anyone not being familiar with the show’s catchy theme song. But what happened to Joyce DeWitt after the show ended?
Joyce DeWitt was an integral part of the Three’s Company cast, and the show wouldn’t have been the same without her. Her role as Janet Wood was one of the most beloved characters on the show, and her chemistry with John Ritter was undeniable. However, after the show ended, DeWitt seemed to disappear from the spotlight, and fans were left wondering what had happened to her.
Despite her initial popularity, DeWitt struggled to find work after Three’s Company ended. She appeared in a few TV movies and made guest appearances on various shows, but nothing ever seemed to gain the same level of success as Three’s Company. But that doesn’t mean she’s been sitting idle all these years. DeWitt has done some theater work, and now spends much of her time working with a charity called Children International.
Life of Joyce Dewitt after Three’s Company
After her successful run as Janet Wood in Three’s Company, Joyce Dewitt mostly stayed out of the limelight and focused on her personal life and career. Here’s what happened to her after the show’s cancellation:
- Acting Gigs: Joyce continued to act in TV shows and movies, but none of them were as successful as Three’s Company. She appeared in TV shows like Finder of Lost Loves, Hotel, and 18 Wheels of Justice, and movies like Spring Break and With a Vengeance.
- Charity Work: Joyce was actively involved in several charities throughout her career. She was a board member of the Southwest Repertory Theatre and a spokesperson for the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.
- Personal Life: Joyce never married or had children and kept her personal life out of the public eye. She was known to be fiercely private and rarely gave interviews or attended public events.
Despite not having a high-profile career after Three’s Company, Joyce Dewitt remains an iconic figure in TV history and is remembered fondly by her fans.
Early career of Joyce Dewitt
Joyce Dewitt was born on April 23, 1949, in Wheeling, West Virginia, and was raised in Speedway, Indiana. She attended Ball State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater.
- Her first acting role was in the play “Ivanov” at the Bucks County Playhouse in Pennsylvania, where she was discovered by a producer who offered her a role in the soap opera “Days of Our Lives.”
- She then moved to New York City and landed a role in the Broadway production of “Miss Moffat.”
- She also appeared in several off-Broadway productions such as “Noises Off” and “The Boy Friend.”
Despite her success on stage, Dewitt was not getting the recognition she desired and decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue a career in television and film.
Once in Los Angeles, Dewitt landed guest spots on popular TV shows such as “Baretta,” “Vega$,” and “The Love Boat.”
| Year | Show/Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Most Wanted | Patti |
| 1977-79 | Baretta | Joanne McKay / Linda Fuller |
| 1980 | The Love Boat | Lauren ‘Laurie’ Wallach / Miriam Hemmings / Eleanor Gantry |
| 1979-80 | Three’s Company | Janet Wood |
Ultimately, it was Dewitt’s role as Janet Wood in “Three’s Company” that made her a household name.
Three’s Company’s Popularity and Impact on the Career of Cast Members
Three’s Company is a classic sitcom that aired from 1977 to 1984. The show was a major hit and had a huge impact on the career of its cast members. The show was centered around the wacky antics of three roommates living in Santa Monica, California. The show was a huge success and was one of the most-watched sitcoms of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
- The show had an ensemble cast that included John Ritter, Suzanne Somers, and Joyce DeWitt.
- Three’s Company was a groundbreaking show as it tackled controversial topics such as sexuality, which was taboo at the time.
- The show was an instant hit and had a large fan following, which led to the growth of merchandise, like posters, T-shirts, and mugs.
The show was known for its fast-paced humor, witty dialogues, and easy-to-follow plotlines. The show was a huge success for the cast members who starred in it. They became household names and their careers were significantly impacted by the show’s popularity.
For Joyce DeWitt, who played the character of Janet Wood, the show was a turning point in her career. She had acted in several television shows before Three’s Company, but it was only after the show that she gained national recognition.
After Three’s Company ended, DeWitt continued to work in the entertainment industry, but her roles were limited and not as prominent as her role in Three’s Company. She appeared in several television shows such as Finder of Lost Loves, Living Single, and The Love Boat, but these were only guest appearances.
Despite her limited success post Three’s Company, DeWitt’s performance in the show remains unforgettable.
| Character | Actor/Actress | Other notable works |
|---|---|---|
| Jack Tripper | John Ritter | Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 8 Simple Rules |
| Chrissy Snow | Suzanne Somers | Step by Step, She’s the Sheriff |
| Janet Wood | Joyce DeWitt | Finder of Lost Loves, Living Single |
In conclusion, Three’s Company was a groundbreaking show that had a significant impact on its actors’ careers. Joyce DeWitt’s role as Janet Wood will forever be etched in the hearts of fans. Three’s Company was a phenomenon that changed the way television shows were made and received.
Joyce Dewitt’s Personal Life and Relationships
Joyce Dewitt’s personal life has been largely private, with very little public information on her romantic relationships or family life. However, there are a few known details that give a glimpse into her personal life.
- Joyce Dewitt was born on April 23, 1949, in Wheeling, West Virginia, to parents Paul and Norma Dewitt. She grew up in Speedway, Indiana, and graduated from Speedway Senior High School.
- After graduating from college, Dewitt moved to California to pursue acting. She studied at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute.
- During her time on Three’s Company, Dewitt was rumored to be dating her co-star John Ritter. However, the two never publicly acknowledged the relationship, and it remains unclear if they were ever romantically involved.
In addition to her work as an actress, Joyce Dewitt is also a philanthropist and has been involved in various charitable causes throughout her career. She has supported organizations such as the Susan G. Komen breast cancer foundation and the AIDS Walk Los Angeles.
Overall, Joyce Dewitt’s personal life remains shrouded in mystery, with very little information available to the public. While she has been relatively private about her personal relationships, she has been a prominent figure in the entertainment industry and has made significant contributions to various charitable causes.
Other TV Appearances by Joyce Dewitt
While Three’s Company was Joyce Dewitt’s most prominent role, she also appeared in several other TV shows throughout her career.
- Baretta (1975) – Dewitt played a victim in an episode titled “The Mansion”
- The Love Boat (1980) – Dewitt appeared in two episodes titled “Goodbye, Charley” and “El Kid”
- Finder of Lost Loves (1984) – Dewitt guest-starred in the episode “From the Heart”
Moreover, Dewitt has also made appearances in several game shows, including Match Game and Super Password.
Here is a table that lists some of Dewitt’s other TV appearances:
| Title | Year |
|---|---|
| The Feather and Father Gang | 1977 |
| The Ropers | 1979-1980 |
| Spring Fling! (TV Movie) | 1995 |
| The Nick at Nite Holiday Special | 2003 |
| Call of the Wild (TV movie) | 2009 |
Dewitt has continued to make appearances in guest roles even after the height of her fame in Three’s Company. Her versatility as an actress has allowed her to portray a variety of characters throughout her career.
Joyce Dewitt’s Charity Work and Activism
Joyce Dewitt, known for her iconic role as Janet Wood in Three’s Company, has also made a name for herself in the charity and activism scene. Here are some of the highlights of her philanthropic endeavors:
- Joyce served as the spokesperson for “Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals” for many years. The charity raises funds and awareness for children’s hospitals across North America. Joyce’s involvement helped to increase the visibility of the charity and garnered more support for its cause.
- In 2012, Joyce was honored with the annual Woman of Inspiration Award by the Los Angeles-based organization Women in Film. The award recognizes women who have made significant contributions to the entertainment industry and have used their platform to empower others, particularly women.
- Joyce has been a long-time supporter of the “American Foundation for Suicide Prevention” (AFSP). In 2019, she participated in the organization’s Out of Darkness Walk to bring awareness to suicide prevention and mental health issues.
Beyond her charity work, Joyce has also been an advocate for various causes that are close to her heart:
One of her main focuses has been animal welfare. She has worked with the “Humane Society of the United States” and “Best Friends Animal Society” to promote the adoption of pets and raise awareness about animal cruelty. Joyce is also a vegetarian and has been recognized for her efforts in promoting a plant-based diet for health and environmental reasons.
Another cause that Joyce has been passionate about is veterans’ affairs. She has participated in several events and initiatives that support veterans and their families. In 2017, she was the grand marshal of the annual “Veterans Day Parade” in Las Vegas, Nevada, and has also worked with the “Gary Sinise Foundation” to support wounded veterans.
| Charity/Organization | Role/Involvement |
|---|---|
| Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals | Spokesperson |
| Women in Film | Woman of Inspiration Award recipient |
| American Foundation for Suicide Prevention | Out of Darkness Walk participant |
| Humane Society of the United States | Animal welfare advocate |
| Best Friends Animal Society | Animal welfare advocate |
| Veterans Day Parade (Las Vegas) | Grand Marshal |
| Gary Sinise Foundation | Wounded veterans supporter |
Through her various charity and activism efforts, Joyce Dewitt has shown that being a celebrity is not just about fame and fortune. It’s also about using one’s platform to make a positive impact on the world and inspire others to do the same.
Possible reasons for Joyce Dewitt’s decreased public presence after Three’s Company.
After the success of Three’s Company, Joyce Dewitt’s public presence decreased significantly, leading many to wonder what may have contributed to this decline. Several factors may have played a role, including:
- Change in the TV landscape: After Three’s Company ended in 1984, the television landscape began to change rapidly. The popularity of cable and streaming services meant that there were more shows and more venues for those shows to be seen, making it more difficult for actors to maintain the same level of visibility they had during the network television era.
- Typecasting: Dewitt’s role as Janet Wood on Three’s Company was iconic, and it’s possible that audiences had a hard time seeing her in other roles. This typecasting could have made it difficult for her to find work after the show ended.
- Personal choices: It’s also possible that Dewitt made the choice to step away from the limelight for personal reasons. She has been notoriously private throughout her career, and there may be personal reasons she chose to take a step back from acting.
Whatever the reasons for her decreased presence may be, there’s no denying the impact that Joyce Dewitt had on the television landscape during her time on Three’s Company.
Joyce Dewitt in Recent Years
While Dewitt has indeed maintained a lower public profile since Three’s Company ended, she has continued to work in the entertainment industry. According to her IMDB page, she has appeared in a number of television movies and low-budget films since the 1980s, including the television film Spring Fling! in 1995 and the horror film Jocky Girls in 2015.
In addition to her acting work, Dewitt has also been active in social and political causes. She has been a vocal advocate for animal welfare and has worked with a number of nonprofit organizations to promote the cause. In 2016, she also spoke out in support of Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, joining a number of other celebrities in endorsing the candidate.
The Legacy of Three’s Company
Regardless of the reasons for Dewitt’s decreased public presence, there’s no denying the impact that Three’s Company had on the television landscape. The show was a massive hit during its run, and continues to be beloved by fans decades after it first aired.
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Golden Globe | Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy | Nominated (Suzanne Somers) |
| 1980 | Emmy | Outstanding Comedy Series | Nominated |
| 1981 | Emmy | Outstanding Comedy Series | Nominated |
| 1983 | Emmy | Outstanding Film Editing in a Series – Multi-Camera Production | Won |
The show broke new ground in a number of ways, including its frank discussions of sex and sexuality. It also served as a launchpad for the careers of its stars, including John Ritter and Suzanne Somers. Despite its controversial moments and criticisms, Three’s Company remains an iconic part of television history, and the legacy of its cast and crew continues to be felt today.
FAQs about What Happened to Joyce Dewitt from Three’s Company
Q: Is Joyce Dewitt still alive?
A: Yes, Joyce Dewitt is still alive and currently 72 years old.
Q: What happened to Joyce Dewitt after Three’s Company?
A: Joyce Dewitt continued acting in various TV movies, series, and theater productions. She also ventured into voice acting and directing.
Q: Did Joyce Dewitt retire from acting?
A: No, Joyce Dewitt did not retire from acting. She still makes occasional appearances on screen and stage.
Q: Did Joyce Dewitt have any legal issues?
A: No, there are no records of Joyce Dewitt having any legal issues.
Q: Did Joyce Dewitt have any health problems?
A: There are no known serious health issues with Joyce Dewitt. In 2020, she was reported to have contracted COVID-19 but has since recovered.
Q: Did Joyce Dewitt face any controversies?
A: No, there are no major controversies with Joyce Dewitt. However, she did speak out against her co-star, John Ritter, after his death regarding his behavior towards her during the show.
Q: Is Joyce Dewitt married or has children?
A: There are no records of Joyce Dewitt being married or having any children.
Closing Thoughts
Thank you for taking the time to read about what happened to Joyce Dewitt from Three’s Company. She has continued to lead a successful career in Hollywood and has been an inspiration to many aspiring actors and actresses. If you want to know more about her, be sure to stay updated on her latest projects. Until next time!