 Fame
& Fortune: Suzanne Somers
TV contract gaffe -- the last
one she's made | Suzanne Somers may have
rocketed to stardom by portraying a dumb blonde, but she's become one of the world's
most successful entrepreneurs by proving she's anything but. Somers
grew up in San Bruno, Calif., the third of four children in an Irish Catholic
family ruled by a violent, alcoholic father. Her dyslexia resulted in generally
poor grades, but she found a niche in theater her senior year, acting in the high
school production of "Guys and Dolls." When she became
pregnant and married Bruce Somers early in her college years, hopes of an entertainment
career seemed remote. But three years later, she divorced Somers and began modeling.
Several bit parts followed, including the iconic blonde in the Thunderbird in
the George Lucas breakout film, "American Graffiti."
In 1977 she was cast as ditzy Chrissy Snow (more specifically,
Christmas Noelle Snow) in "Three's Company." The ABC sitcom
was an instant hit, catapulting Somers and co-stars John Ritter
and Joyce DeWitt to instant celebrity status. The same year, Somers
married Alan Hamel, who subsequently became her business manager.
When Somers boycotted a couple of episodes in the 1980-81 season
over a pay raise, it spelled the beginning of the end for the series. When ABC
did not renew her contract, Somers reinvented herself as a Las Vegas entertainer
and spokeswoman for a new exerciser for couch potatoes called ThighMaster. With
Somers' blonde good looks and Hamel's business savvy, the team developed other
products and built a financial empire, thanks in part to the emerging home shopping
networks. In addition to numerous TV roles ("Step by Step"
with Patrick Duffy and "Candid Camera" with Peter Funt) and movies (she
played herself in the film of her autobiography, "Keeping Secrets"),
Somers has become a best-selling author, inspirational speaker, spokeswoman for
bio-identical hormone replacement therapy and purveyor of hundreds of diet, nutrition
and beauty products. Bankrate flagged down the
fast-moving 60-year-old grandmother for a rearview glance at her road to success. Bankrate:
Your childhood was a particularly challenging one, between dealing with an abusive
alcoholic father and struggling with dyslexia. What gave you the strength of character
to overcome those early obstacles? Suzanne
Somers: I realized that I was the only one in my family who was not drinking
and, as a pregnant teenager, was suddenly confronted with the enormous responsibility
of providing for my son. I believe my son kept me alive during that time. Bankrate:
Alcoholism seemed to run rampant in your family. How were you spared? Somers:
I was the lucky one. The sword passed over my head. Bankrate:
As a single mom, how did you make ends meet? Were you resourceful with money? Somers:
I was terrible with money. I modeled, but I was short with big boobs, so I got
the "B" jobs. I was always late with my rent, always getting my lights
turned off and I moved a lot. Bankrate:
We hear a lot about how tough Hollywood can be on young women. Looking back, how
would you rate your early years in the business? Somers:
My entry into this business was extraordinary. I went from young mother with no
acting experience and no money to the star of the biggest show on TV. Bankrate:
The role of Chrissy Snow changed everything, of course. Were you ready for the
financial change that accompanied your sudden success? How did you handle it? Somers:
The first time you have money, you don't know how to handle it, and I made mistakes
and had a lot of fun at the same time. The second time around, I knew what I wanted
to do with my money. | 
