Three’s Company Facts You Probably Didn't Know

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From 1974 to 1976 millions of Americans tuned in every week to see what the cast of Three's Company was up to. It was a groundbreaking show at the time about a straight man pretending to be straight so that he can continue living with 2 single female roommates. The show dominated the airwaves with it's mix of crazy comedy, outlandish schemes, and sexual innuendo. Check out some interesting facts about the show and where the cast is now.

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The very first script for the Three's Company pilot was written by the same producer who wrote Mash. Raiders character for the original script was supposed to be named David Belle and he was supposed to play the role of an aspiring filmmaker. It would not end up being until the third pilot that the show was picked up and premiered on March 15th 1977. 

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Ralph Furley

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The character of Ralph Furely on the show Three's Company was played by actor Don Knotts. On the show he takes over as the landlord of the apartment complex that the cast lives in after his brother purchases it from Stanley. Ralph believes that he is a ladies man but you never ever see him with a lady by his side. 

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John Ritter

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John Ritter had an unfortunate and untimely death in 2003. Immediately preceding Three's Company he started on an attempted spin-off show called Three's a Crowd but that show only lasted for one season. He would go on to have a very successful acting career starring on many different TV shows and even appearing in some movies on the big screen. 

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Don Knotts

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Don Knotts spent nearly 50 years in the entertainment industry before passing away a decade ago in 2006. His first rule was in the TV series that aired in 1951 and his last appearance was just before his death in the film Air Buddies. Sam Harris more popular work included roles on shows like That 70's Show, Matlock, and The Andy Griffith Show. 

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Actor Jeffrey Tambor was one of the more talented actors who played the role of three different characters on Three's Company. He was previously working on a show called The Ropers but found more success playing the role of three different characters on Three's Company. He originally joined the cast as the character Winston Cromwell, then he played Dr. Tom Miller, and finished up but playing the role of the crazy dentist, Philip Green.

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"Come and knock on our door..." Most people know the tune of the incredibly infectious theme song for the show Three's Company. What they don't know is that the song was created by the same songwriter who composed the theme song for Sesame Street. The song writers name is Joe Raposo. 

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Not many fans know this but Suzanne Somers was added to the cast line-up at the very last minute. The producers were having a difficult time finding a cast member to fill the role of the ditzy blonde roommate. The casting agents went through the audition footage for a second time when they suddenly discovered the tape of Somers. she met with the producers of the show a day before filming was set to begin and then started shooting the very next day. 

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Without realizing it's, John Ritter Family scene exposing much more than he intended and that scene even aired without anyone else realizing what had been exposed. It was not until March of 2001 when a female viewer pointed out after watching one of the reruns that she could see readers testicles briefly emerge from the bottom of his shorts. The actors hilarious response to the incident was, "sometimes you feel like a nut, and sometimes you don't."

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Norman Fell ended up leaving Three's Company for his own spinoff with his TV wife Audra Lindley even though he did not want to. He was convinced by Audra saying that it would be a great opportunity. The producers of the show Three's Company promised Fell that if the spin-off show The Ropers lasted less than a year that he could return to Three's Company. 

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The Gang

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The character of Jack Tripper who was pretty much the main character on the show Three's Company was played by the hilarious actor and comedian John Ritter. It was extremely hilarious to watch stripper try to pretend he was gay every single episode while he was clearly checking out every female who walked near him. The character of Jack is just as much of a klutz as his blonde roommate.

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Actor Norman Fell turned to real life in an attempt to find motivation for his character. All of the idiosyncrasies Fell's character came from a guy he knew in Philadelphia. That man must have been honored to pretty much see himself on a very popular TV show. 

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In the opening credits Four Seasons 6 through 8 of Three's Company there is a little boy scene. That little boy is none other than the son of John Ritter, Jason Ritter. Not realizing that they were in the middle of filming Jason saw his father and ran up to him to give him a hug. 

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Suzanne Somers role on Three's Company launched her career into stardom. The show was so popular in fact that she was able to sell millions a thigh master machines in the years proceeding the television series. After her Three's Company days she starred in a couple other shows including She's the Sheriff, and a very popular television show Step by Step.

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Chrissy Snow

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The character of Chrissy Snow on Three's Company was played by actress Suzanne Somers. she played the role of a ditzy blonde who is constantly becoming confused by normal everyday situations. She was also a pretty big klutz and played and over-emotional female. 

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The character of Janet Wood on Three's Company was played by actress Joyce DeWitt. She was the complete opposite of her roommate Chrissy and was known as the reliable roommate. Regardless of her being more responsible she was constantly self-conscious about not being as pretty as Chrissy.

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Stanley Roper

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The character of Stanley Roper on the show Three's Company was played by actor Norman Fell. He played the role of the original landlord and the owner of the apartment complex that the cast lived in. On the show Roper and his wife had a love-hate relationship that always brought about hilarious bickering. 

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Joyce DeWitt

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Actress Joyce DeWitt did not have the same luck finding Fame after the end of Three's Company as her co-star Suzanne Somers did. She did however go on to produce a special called Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Three's Company which was released in 2003. She has an upcoming role in a post production called The Renaissance Man which will debut later this year. 

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the character of Larry Dallas on Three's Company was played by actor Richard Kline. He played the role of the stereotypical pal who was always chasing after women and hilarious ways. He play the role of a used car salesman in his character would show up every now and then for some comedic relief. 

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Norman Fell

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After his time on Three's Company Norman Fell was able to land many roles in TV and movies. Some of his films include the Naked Truth, The Boys, Catch 22, and many others. He's also been featured in popular television shows such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Matlock, and Magnum PI. He passed away on December 14, 1998. 

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Richard Kline

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Today Richard Klein is no longer the sleazy buddy, but he continues on with his acting career. He has played some small roles on TV as well as on the stage. He became a well-known director of theater and television and has even set up his own actors workshop. 

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Suzanne Somers ended up leaving Three's Company due to the fact that her co-star John Ritter was earning exactly 5 times more the amount that she was. Following the rocky departure actress Joyce DeWitt and John Ritter did not speak to her for another 30 years. Summers ended up making up with DeWitt on her web show and she was fortunately able to mend the fence with John Ritter just a month before his untimely death. 

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