WASHINGTON — Actress Suzanne Somers, the effervescent blonde actor known for playing Chrissy Snow on the television show “Three’s Company” as well as her business endeavors, has died. She was 76.
Somers had breast cancer for over 23 years and died Sunday morning, her family said in a statement provided by her longtime publicist, R. Couri Hay. Her husband Alan Hamel, her son Bruce and other immediate family were with her in Palm Springs, California.
Somers' death comes a day before her 77th birthday on Oct. 16.
"Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband Alan, her son Bruce, and her immediate family," Hay told People. “Her family was gathered to celebrate her 77th birthday on October 16th. Instead, they will celebrate her extraordinary life, and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly."
In July, the actress revealed that her breast cancer had returned. She was first diagnosed in 2000, and also had skin cancer. She faced some criticism for her reliance on what she's described as a chemical-free and organic lifestyle to combat the cancers.
"As you know, I had breast cancer two decades ago, and every now and then it pops up again, and I continue to bat it down," Somers shared on Instagram at the time. "I have used the best alternative and conventional treatments to combat it. This is not new territory for me. I know how to put on my battle gear and I’m a fighter."
"I know how to put on my battle gear and I’m a fighter. Alan has been by my side every step of the way. I can’t even explain how much he has done for me. If it’s even possible, we are even closer than ever," her statement continued. ". Thank you for the continued love and support."
Somers appeared in many television shows in the 1970s, including “The Rockford Files,” “Magnum Force” and “The Six Million Dollar Man,” but her most famous part came with “Three's Company,” which aired on ABC from 1977 to 1984. She also played the mom in the long-running kids sitcom “Step by Step.”
According to People, the family will hold a private burial this week and a memorial will be held in November.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.