Norman Fell if I'm not mistaken, was about 53 years old when Three's Company started in 1977. But did it seem on the surface, like Norman was a lot older? I mean, I would be hard pressed to not assume that Mr. Roper was in his middle 60s at the earliest. Norman Feel was (https://www.quora.com/Does-it-surprise-you-that-Norman-Fell-was-only-53-years-old-when-Threes-Company-first-aired-Is-it-just-me-or-does-Mr-Roper-seem-a-lot-older/answer/Jon-Mixon-1) apparently, a heavy smoker. So much of his “aging” was likely due to the effect that tobacco had on his appearance.

https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-c0ad0183e1e38c04f2ba6477d99826ce-lq

Norman Fell if I'm not mistaken, was about 53 years old when Three's Company started in 1977. But did it seem on the surface, like Norman was a lot older. I mean, I would be hard pressed to not assume that Mr. Roper was in his middle 60s at the earliest. Norman Feel was (https://www.quora.com/Does-it-surprise-you-that-Norman-Fell-was-only-53-years-old-when-Threes-Company-first-aired-Is-it-just-me-or-does-Mr-Roper-seem-a-lot-older/answer/Jon-Mixon-1) apparently, a heavy smoker. So much of his “aging” was likely due to the effect that tobacco had on his appearance.

https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-c0ad0183e1e38c04f2ba6477d99826ce-lq


Looks like late 40's early 50's for both

Norman Fell if I'm not mistaken, was about 53 years old when Three's Company started in 1977. But did it seem on the surface, like Norman was a lot older? I mean, I would be hard pressed to not assume that Mr. Roper was in his middle 60s at the earliest. Norman Feel was (https://www.quora.com/Does-it-surprise-you-that-Norman-Fell-was-only-53-years-old-when-Threes-Company-first-aired-Is-it-just-me-or-does-Mr-Roper-seem-a-lot-older/answer/Jon-Mixon-1) apparently, a heavy smoker. So much of his “aging” was likely due to the effect that tobacco had on his appearance.

https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-c0ad0183e1e38c04f2ba6477d99826ce-lq


Ppl seemed to look older in those days, at least to ME..... like on All in the Family, when the show started Archie and Edith were supposedly in their FORTIES! They always looked more like early 60s to me even from the start. If Edith turned 50 in the season 8 episode, she would have just be around 42 when the show started!!! No offense to her, but she looked older than that to me. When I was little, Archie and Edith always reminded me of my grandparents who were in their mid 60s at that time.

How about the kids?

They look like they're in their early 30s. I agree that people used to look much older.

Archie and Edith dont look all that old to me now that Im older

How about the kids?

They look like they're in their early 30s. I agree that people used to look much older.

Honestly, I have no issue thinking Jack, Janet and Chrissy were in their 30s ~Cindy and Terri looked a bit younger~ I don't agree with the ppl who seem to think they were fresh out of high school. I think John Ritter and Joyce Dewitt were pushing 40 by the time the show ended.

Archie and Edith dont look all that old to me now that Im older

I'm 41, but I feel no different than when I was 20 lol even people my age seem older than me. Even though Edith's character and I are roughly the same age, I'd still feel like she was an elder if I was around her

All the girls looked mid 20's to early 30's except for Cindy. She looked college aged

https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-c0ad0183e1e38c04f2ba6477d99826ce-lq
That is a battle hardened 53 years old and we're in an age when guys like John Stamos and Rob Lowe who are in their late fifties barely look their age.

And despite the show not being remastered even with the clarity of the DVD's I can see the yellowness on Norman's teeth if he was indeed a smoker.

I have noticed that too. A lot of actors in their 40's to Early 50's looked old in the 70's TV shows.

Mr. Roper age was probably the same as real life. It was clear that he was 50ish

Ed Asner was 41 when he started on MTM and Gavin Mcleod was 39. Lol talk about not aging well

Ed Asner was 41 when he started on MTM and Gavin Mcleod was 39. Lol talk about not aging well

Yes the Ed character didnt look 40 nothing

That is a battle hardened 53 years old and we're in an age when guys like John Stamos and Rob Lowe who are in their late fifties barely look their age.

And despite the show not being remastered even with the clarity of the DVD's I can see the yellowness on Norman's teeth if he was indeed a smoker.

Paul Rudd is another one. He's now 54 years of age believe it or not (https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/Photos/Paul-Rudd-turns-54-a-look-back/13658/). :crazy:

xg4Y747OzEw

Ever wonder why ’60s–’70s TV stars seemed so world-weary compared to today’s actors? From chain-smoking icons and sun-damaged faces to vintage fashion and post-war stress, we reveal the hidden factors behind their aged-on-screen look.

^ I came across that video too, yeah a lot of people back then were not that health conscience and smoking was part of a daily social routine.

I like Stanley :)

Mr. Roper age was probably the same as real life. It was clear that he was 50ish

If Three's Company came on the air today in 2025 (https://www.reddit.com/r/threescompany/comments/1mkaqtd/if_threes_company_had_aired_this_year_on_march_15/) instead of 1977, then Stanley Roper would've likely have been born in 1972. This is of course, if we're going by what Norman Fell's actual age was at the time that Three's Company debuted on TV.

If Three's Company came on the air today in 2025 (https://www.reddit.com/r/threescompany/comments/1mkaqtd/if_threes_company_had_aired_this_year_on_march_15/) instead of 1977, then Stanley Roper would've likely have been born in 1972. This is of course, if we're going by what Norman Fell's actual age was at the time that Three's Company debuted on TV.

This is mind boggling to me and it makes me feel old! :eek:

I am going to nitpick here, Norman Fell would have been 52 when he was cast as Mr. Roper. He turned 53 a couple of weeks after TC premiered.

Mr and Mrs Roper were meant to look old. Just look at all those "grandparents" clothes they used to wear. They were straight of of the 50's.

Mr and Mrs Roper were meant to look old. Just look at all those "grandparents" clothes they used to wear. They were straight of of the 50's.

Archie and Edith Bunker always looked like grandparents to me, in fact, thats why I loved the show when I was little because they reminded me of my grandparents who were in their 60s at the time lol, So strange to learn they were just in their 40s when the show started!!!

^ I came across that video too, yeah a lot of people back then were not that health conscience and smoking was part of a daily social routine.

David Janssen was only (https://www.filmboards.com/t/David-Janssen/Always-looked-older-than-he-was...-2388627/) 48 years old (https://www.google.com/search?q=how+old+was+david+janssen+when+he+died&oq=How+old+was+David+Jan&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgCEAAYgAQyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQABiABDIHCAIQABiABDIHCAMQABiABDIICAQQABgWGB4yCAgFEAAYFhgeMggIBhAAGBYYHjIICAcQABgWGB4yCggIEAAYChgWGB4yCAgJEAAYFhge0gEKMTM3ODlqMGoxNagCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) when he died (https://www.filmboards.com/t/David-Janssen/What-if-he-didn%27t-die%3F-2388633/) from a heart attack in 1980.

https://www.closerweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/shutterstock_editorial_66178a.jpg?fit=800%2C1190&quality=86&strip=all

https://www.firstforwomen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/GettyImages-529395805.jpg?w=1024&quality=86&strip=all

https://i.pinimg.com/474x/a4/01/ba/a401ba4a60249689fda4a71e5582e895.jpg

If I didn't know any better, I would've first guessed that based on these photos, he was in his 70s or mid 60s at the earliest. He was a heavy drinker and smoker (he smoked up to four packs of cigarettes a day).

That is a battle hardened 53 years old and we're in an age when guys like John Stamos and Rob Lowe who are in their late fifties barely look their age.

And despite the show not being remastered even with the clarity of the DVD's I can see the yellowness on Norman's teeth if he was indeed a smoker.

It just occurred to me that John Ritter at the time of his death in September 2003, was almost or just about the same age as Norman Fell was at the start of Three's Company in 1977. :(