Brett Somers dies at the age of 83 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

friendsfan77 · 09-17-2007, 10:23 AM

According to her official website, Brett Somers passed away on September 15, 2007. Not much else is known at this time.

RIP to a true legend of show business and the game show community. One of my favorite game show panelists of all-time. And so was Charles...

Brian Damage · 09-17-2007, 10:33 AM

A Match Game Legend!

samanddiane4eva · 09-17-2007, 10:36 AM

Oh my.

RIP Brett Somers

Zoneboy · 09-17-2007, 12:36 PM

Link

WESTPORT, Conn. - Actress and comedian Brett Somers, who amused game show fans with her quips on the “Match Game” in the 1970s, has died, her son said. She was 83.

Somers died Saturday at her home in Westport of stomach and colon cancer, Adam Klugman said Monday.

Hosted by Gene Rayburn, “Match Game” was the top game show during much of the 1970s. Contestants would try to match answers to nonsense questions with a panel of celebrities; much of the humor came from the racy quips and putdowns.

Shows from the 1973-79 run, featuring regulars like Somers, Richard Dawson and Charles Nelson Reilly, are still seen on cable TV’s GSN (formerly Game Show Network.)

Somers married actor Jack Klugman, the future star of the television shows “Quincy” and “The Odd Couple,” in 1953. The two separated in 1974, but never divorced.

They made many television appearances as a couple. Somers appeared on several episodes of “The Odd Couple,” playing the ex-wife of Klugman’s character.

In the summer of 2003, she appeared in a one-woman cabaret show, “An Evening with Brett Somers,” which she wrote and co-produced. She continued to perform after being diagnosed with cancer.

She was born Audrey Johnston in New Brunswick, Canada, and grew up in Portland, Maine. She ran away from home at age 17 and headed for New York City, where she settled in Greenwich Village. She changed her first name to Brett after the lead female character in the Ernest Hemingway novel “The Sun Also Rises.” Somers was her mother’s maiden name.

Her son said she was caustic, irreverent and a self-declared bohemian.

“She maintained her independence till the end, and her irreverence,” Adam Klugman said. “She died very much at peace.”

In addition to Adam Klugman, Somers is survived by another son, David, and a daughter, Leslie.

Zoneboy · 09-17-2007, 12:48 PM

This year has just been too much as far as game shows are concerned. So far we've lost To Tell the Truth panelists Kitty Carlisle & Tom Poston along with Barry Nelson who made several appearances as a guest panelist, Charles Nelson Reilly, Merv Griffin and now Brett has left us. She and Charles were definitely two of my favorites and will be sorely missed.

Sterling Holobyte · 09-17-2007, 01:19 PM

Oh damn, that's sad.

I'm glad I wrote to her a couple years ago, and received a very nice hand-written letter from her. I will treasure it now more than ever. She was one classy lady.

catlover79 · 09-17-2007, 01:31 PM

She also made a couple of hilarious guest appearances on Barney Miller.

Scoobiedoo30 · 09-17-2007, 03:05 PM

R.I.P. Breet

AB · 09-17-2007, 03:37 PM

That is sad. I enjoyed watching her on Match Game for years.

Scoobiedoo30 · 09-17-2007, 03:39 PM

this came as a shock to me about the sad news about Breet

Dynomite · 09-17-2007, 04:13 PM

At least Charles Nelson Reilly and Brett Somers will be reunited in heaven. After Charles passed, I think that was too much for Brett to handle, especially with her own illnesses. We have to look at it like this-Charles was lonely in heaven and needed Brett to come keep him company, but both of them will sure be sorely missed. With The Best of Match Game, Volume 2 coming out after the new year, Charles and Brett will live on, and so will Gene Rayburn. For Brett, thanks for the memories.

Scoobiedoo30 · 09-17-2007, 04:16 PM

what was Brett sick with

Zoneboy · 09-17-2007, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoobiedoo30

what was Brett sick with

stomach and colon cancer

Scoobiedoo30 · 09-17-2007, 05:30 PM

I did not know of her Illness thanks for letting me know

Janice · 09-17-2007, 05:43 PM

She was a sassy and classy lady. I didn't know she was in her 80s. I had her at about 75. Prayers to her and her family.

09-17-2007, 10:23 AM	#1
friendsfan77 - Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 02, 2004 Location: Duluth, GA Posts: 3,165	Brett Somers dies at the age of 83 According to her official website, Brett Somers passed away on September 15, 2007. Not much else is known at this time. RIP to a true legend of show business and the game show community. One of my favorite game show panelists of all-time. And so was Charles...

09-17-2007, 10:33 AM	#2
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	A Match Game Legend!
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

09-17-2007, 12:36 PM	#4
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,346	Link WESTPORT, Conn. - Actress and comedian Brett Somers, who amused game show fans with her quips on the “Match Game” in the 1970s, has died, her son said. She was 83. Somers died Saturday at her home in Westport of stomach and colon cancer, Adam Klugman said Monday. Hosted by Gene Rayburn, “Match Game” was the top game show during much of the 1970s. Contestants would try to match answers to nonsense questions with a panel of celebrities; much of the humor came from the racy quips and putdowns. Shows from the 1973-79 run, featuring regulars like Somers, Richard Dawson and Charles Nelson Reilly, are still seen on cable TV’s GSN (formerly Game Show Network.) Somers married actor Jack Klugman, the future star of the television shows “Quincy” and “The Odd Couple,” in 1953. The two separated in 1974, but never divorced. They made many television appearances as a couple. Somers appeared on several episodes of “The Odd Couple,” playing the ex-wife of Klugman’s character. In the summer of 2003, she appeared in a one-woman cabaret show, “An Evening with Brett Somers,” which she wrote and co-produced. She continued to perform after being diagnosed with cancer. She was born Audrey Johnston in New Brunswick, Canada, and grew up in Portland, Maine. She ran away from home at age 17 and headed for New York City, where she settled in Greenwich Village. She changed her first name to Brett after the lead female character in the Ernest Hemingway novel “The Sun Also Rises.” Somers was her mother’s maiden name. Her son said she was caustic, irreverent and a self-declared bohemian. “She maintained her independence till the end, and her irreverence,” Adam Klugman said. “She died very much at peace.” In addition to Adam Klugman, Somers is survived by another son, David, and a daughter, Leslie.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads. Last edited by Zoneboy; 09-17-2007 at 02:31 PM.

09-17-2007, 12:48 PM	#5
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,346	This year has just been too much as far as game shows are concerned. So far we've lost To Tell the Truth panelists Kitty Carlisle & Tom Poston along with Barry Nelson who made several appearances as a guest panelist, Charles Nelson Reilly, Merv Griffin and now Brett has left us. She and Charles were definitely two of my favorites and will be sorely missed.
	Last edited by Zoneboy; 09-17-2007 at 01:32 PM.

09-17-2007, 01:19 PM	#6
Sterling Holobyte Harper House Senior Member Join Date: Nov 07, 2002 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,896	Oh damn, that's sad. I'm glad I wrote to her a couple years ago, and received a very nice hand-written letter from her. I will treasure it now more than ever. She was one classy lady.
	__________________ "Let it go. Forget about it. Try smiling." -Michael Harris WPIV studio producer/shoe salesman/grocery store employee/Ex-sanitarium patient/Stephanie's boyfriend-then husband --------------------------------------------------- My 2nd First Blog:http://saturdaymorningfunnies.wordpress.com/

09-17-2007, 10:36 AM	#3
samanddiane4eva Icon credit: Me Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 13, 2001 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 475	Oh my. RIP Brett Somers

09-17-2007, 01:31 PM	#7
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	She also made a couple of hilarious guest appearances on Barney Miller.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

09-17-2007, 03:05 PM	#8
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	R.I.P. Breet
	__________________ Who Dat

09-17-2007, 03:37 PM	#9
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,429	That is sad. I enjoyed watching her on Match Game for years.

09-17-2007, 03:39 PM	#10
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	this came as a shock to me about the sad news about Breet

09-17-2007, 04:13 PM	#11
Dynomite Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 10, 2006 Location: near Dayton, Ohio Posts: 579	At least Charles Nelson Reilly and Brett Somers will be reunited in heaven. After Charles passed, I think that was too much for Brett to handle, especially with her own illnesses. We have to look at it like this-Charles was lonely in heaven and needed Brett to come keep him company, but both of them will sure be sorely missed. With The Best of Match Game, Volume 2 coming out after the new year, Charles and Brett will live on, and so will Gene Rayburn. For Brett, thanks for the memories.

09-17-2007, 04:16 PM	#12
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	what was Brett sick with

09-17-2007, 05:30 PM	#14
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	I did not know of her Illness thanks for letting me know

09-17-2007, 05:43 PM	#15
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Rest In Peace Brett Somers She was a sassy and classy lady. I didn't know she was in her 80s. I had her at about 75. Prayers to her and her family.