Suzanne Somers dies at 76: 'Three's Company' co-star Joyce DeWitt, husband Alan Hamel mourn actress

The late Suzanne Somers, who played the bubbly blonde Chrissy Snow on the TV sitcom "Three's Company," was loved by many. Tributes kept pouring in on social media following her death on Sunday.

The actress, best-selling author and entrepreneur died early morning Sunday surrounded by her family, Somers' longtime publicist, R. Couri Hay, said in a statement announcing her death. She was 76.

Somers' "Three's Company" co-star Joyce DeWitt, who played Janet Wood opposite Somers' Chrissy, said her "heart goes out to Suzanne’s family" in the wake of the actress' death.

"I'm sure Suzanne was greeted by angels into the loving wisdom waiting for all of us on the other side," DeWitt said in a statement to People magazine on Monday. "I hope that will assist her family's hearts in healing as they travel through this difficult time."

News of Somers' death came one day before her 77th birthday on Oct. 16th. Her family was set to gather and celebrate her birthday and now will continue to honor her legacy. "They will celebrate her extraordinary life, and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly," her publicist said.

Processing loss: Suzanne Somers' death has devastated fans. It's OK to grieve.

Barry Manilow, Viola Davis, Goldie Hawn, more stars mourn Suzanne Somers' death

Singer-songwriter Barry Manilow paid tribute to his longtime friend Somers in a statement to People magazine on Sunday.

"Suzanne and I were friends for decades. She was the sister I never had and my close confidant forever," the 80-year-old told the outlet. "We shared triumphs and heartaches. Her fame in so many fields overshadowed her real talent as one of our greatest comedic actors, a loving mother, an amazing homemaker, and one of the world’s best cooks. I will miss her dearly and hope that she is now out of pain and at peace."

The two were friends for more than 40 years and were neighbors in the Palm Springs area. Of her relationship with Manilow, Somers once told People magazine that she "instantly felt comfortable with him and could let my guard down and just be."

"Sad so sad," Goldie Hawn commented on an Instagram post.

Actress Morgan Fairchild remembered her friend Somers fondly. "She was a friend & supportive when I was diagnosed with black mold," she wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "When we ran into each other, she would lean over & whisper, 'We're survivors!'"

Obituary: Suzanne Somers, star of 'Three's Company' and 'Step by Step,' dead at 76

Caitlyn Jenner shared on Instagram that "we lost a true American Icon today" alongside a photo of the two from the 70s in Southern California.

"You will be missed," Jenner wrote. "It was always a pleasure and a riot working with you over the years!"

Viola Davis shared that she grew up watching Somers on "Three's Company." "You were a joy and forever young," Davis wrote. "Rest well."

On her Instagram Stories, Khloe Kardashian wrote that hearing of Somers' death "hurts my heart." She continued: "I'll never forget your positive looking outlook on life. Your sweet heart and gentle spirit! Rest, dance, smile in paradise..."

TV personality Bethenny Frankel shared a video reaction to her Instagram Story and said, "Suzanne Somers has passed away, which is such tragic news. I had the pleasure of getting to know her. She is a force, she is groundbreaking, she is love."

She continued, "She was married to her soulmate (and) best friend … She's a family person. She's about research and fighting for what she believes in when that takes tremendous courage and it's not popular. Wow. I really, really, really had so much respect for her."

"What a wonderful person," Frankel concluded. "I'm so, so sorry. Sorry to Suzanne's family. What a tremendous loss on such a week of tremendous loss."

'A superb talent': Piper Laurie, Oscar-nominated 'Carrie' and 'The Hustlers' star, dies at 91

Comedian and radio personality Adam Carolla wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that he was "devastated to hear" Somers had died. "A true icon and overall amazing human being. You will be greatly missed, my friend."

Somers battled cancer for over 23 years, and in July, she revealed that her breast cancer had returned. "I have been living with cancer since my 20s. And every time (it) pops up, I continue to bat it back," Somers told "Entertainment Tonight" at the time. "I do my best not to let this insidious disease control me."

The actress was first diagnosed in 2000, and had previously battled skin cancer.

Somers began landing small acting roles in the late 1960s and early 1970s, earning her first credit in the Steve McQueen film "Bullitt." She appeared as the "Blonde in the white Thunderbird" in "American Graffiti," the 1973 coming-of-age drama film directed by George Lucas, as well as brief roles in the first episode of "The Love Boat" and a 1976 episode of "One Day at a Time."

While she appeared in many television shows in the 1970s, including "The Rockford Files," "Magnum Force" and "The Six Million Dollar Man," her most famous part didn't come until she landed the role of Chrissy Snow on the ABC sitcom "Three's Company."

Somers is survived by husband Alan Hamel; her son, Bruce; her stepchildren, Stephen and Leslie; and her six grandchildren. According to her publicist, a private family burial for Somers will take place this week and a memorial will be held in November, People reported.

Suzanne Somers' husband Alan Hamel wrote poem before her death

Somers' husband wrote her a poem the day before her death, according to Hay, per People.

The Canadian entertainer and movie producer, 87, wrote the poem for Somers' birthday but decided to give it to her early. "She read the poem and went to bed and later died peacefully in her sleep," said Hay.

People published the poem in full, written in all caps, which reads, in part: "LOVE I USE IT EVERY DAY, SOMETIMES SEVERAL TIMES A DAY. I USE IT AT THE END OF EMAILS TO MY LOVING FAMILY. I EVEN USE IT IN EMAILS TO CLOSE FRIENDS. I USE IT WHEN I'M LEAVING THE HOUSE.

"I'M BACK TO FEELINGS. THERE ARE NO WORDS. THERE ARE NO ACTIONS. NO PROMISES. NO DECLARATIONS," Hamel concluded. "EVEN THE GREEN SHADED SCHOLARS OF THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS HAVE SPENT 150 YEARS AND STILL HAVE FAILED TO COME UP WITH THAT ONE WORD. SO I WILL CALL IT, 'US', UNIQUELY, MAGICALLY, INDESCRIBABLY WONDERFUL 'US.'"

The couple was married for 46 years, after dating for a decade.

Disney 100th anniversary: Celebrate the Mouse's house with some of our favorite things

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Suzanne Somers: 'Three's Company' actress Joyce DeWitt mourns co-star