Joyce DeWitt, now 74 years old, rose to fame as a household name when she starred in the cult television show Three’s Company. Despite working in the entertainment industry for about a decade, she took a long break from Hollywood after the show’s cancellation.
However, DeWitt has since made a comeback and has been working in the business again. Remarkably, even after all these years, she continues to look just as amazing as she did decades ago.
So, why did Joyce DeWitt leave Hollywood, and what caused the 30-year rift between her and co-star Suzanne Somers? Here’s everything you need to know about her, including her last meeting with Three’s Company co-star John Ritter before his passing.
Joyce DeWitt was born on April 23, 1949, in Wheeling, West Virginia. She was the second oldest of four children to her parents, Paul and Norma DeWitt, and spent her childhood split between West Virginia and Indiana.
Performing was always on Joyce’s mind, and even before starting school, she knew she wanted to pursue a career in acting. She had a strong passion for performing and made her stage debut at the age of 13. Acting became her second home, and she continued to nurture her love for the craft. Joyce received acting lessons while attending Speedway Senior High School and later graduated from Ball State University in 1972. However, her ultimate goal was to work in theater in New York City.
When she arrived in New York, Joyce faced the competitive and challenging nature of the acting industry. Despite her initial intention to work on Broadway, circumstances led her in a different direction. After completing her Master of Fine Arts at UCLA, she was cast in Stop the World, I Want To Get Off. This opportunity turned out to be a significant breakthrough for her.
Soon after, Joyce DeWitt found herself in the casting room for a pilot of a new television comedy series called Three’s Company. Little did she know that this would become a cult series and mark the beginning of a new chapter in her life.
Starring as Janet Wood alongside John Ritter and Suzanne Somers, DeWitt became a television icon. She appeared in 171 episodes of the show from 1976 to 1984. Three’s Company was a gift for her, an iconic series that aimed to make people laugh. The show delved into serious issues, but its core essence was the deep friendship and love the characters shared, which resonated with audiences.
After the cancellation of Three’s Company in 1984, Joyce DeWitt welcomed the end of the show. She felt it was the right time to move on, as she believed her identity and self-worth were not solely wrapped up in her character, Janet Wood. DeWitt embraced the quiet and reflection that followed and took a break from the limelight. Initially planning to take only six months off, she ended up disappearing from the industry for over a decade. She did not regret her decision, as she did not enjoy the trappings of fame and was disillusioned by the morally questionable aspects of Hollywood.
In 1995, Joyce DeWitt made her return to the screen, taking on minor roles in television series like Cybill and Hope Island, as well as some movies. Despite the passing of a decade since Three’s Company, fans still remembered her and praised her for the impact her character, Janet Woods, had on their lives.
In 2011, Joyce DeWitt’s lifelong dream of working in theater finally came true as she made her stage debut in New York City. The show she starred in was called “Miss Abigail’s Guide to Dating, Mating & Marriage,” an off-Broadway production. Although it wasn’t a Broadway show, it was a significant milestone for DeWitt. She saw similarities between her role in “Three’s Company” and this 90-minute comedy.
DeWitt spoke to the San Diego Tribune about her late blooming career, saying, “I’m just a late bloomer. It took me a long time to have confidence in my work.” She found joy in the play’s ability to make people laugh and have a good time while occasionally touching their hearts. It was her favorite kind of play to be a part of.
Following her stage debut, Joyce DeWitt continued to work on various projects. She appeared in films such as “Snapshot” (2014), “Rock Story” (2015), and “The Savant” (2018). In 2018, she landed a role in the musical “Scattered, Smothered & Covered Christmas,” which took place in a Waffle House. Due to the pandemic, the stage production was broadcast on YouTube in December 2020, offering a magical journey of love and truth to a worldwide audience.
Joyce DeWitt doesn’t have any children, and there have been no reports of her being married. However, she remains passionate about her work both on-screen and on the stage, indicating that she is doing great. According to Celebrity Net Worth, her net worth is estimated to be around $4 million.
When asked about her proudest achievement in her career, DeWitt highlighted her involvement in “Three’s Company.” She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to bring joy and laughter to the world through her acting. She considered it a great gift to be able to create such positive impact. Even after more than 30 years, the show continues to bring joy, which DeWitt described as a fantasy that surpasses anything one could imagine.
At 74 years old, Joyce DeWitt shows no signs of slowing down in her acting career. She continues to shine and looks fantastic. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors, and if you also enjoyed watching “Three’s Company,” please share this article with your friends and family.
