Going Back 10 Years: Casting Three's Company in 1967

[biffbronson]

Just for fun, who would be your cast choices if Three's Company began in 1967, a full decade before the actual start?

Here's my choice to play Janet:





Brenda Benet, born August 14, 1945 -- 22 years old at that time.

So we're looking for actors who were of age in '67 to fill the roles.

[biffbronson]

Pamela Austin was at a good age to play Chrissy:





Pamela's birthday: December 20, 1941, so 25 going on 26 for 1967 filming.

[RetroGuy2000]

Who would have played Jack, in this scenario? Someone would have had big shoes to fill.

[biffbronson]

Jack will be the most difficult -- I'll be working on Larry, Cindy, Terri & the Ropers as I put it off, and maybe Furley...

Here's my second choice to play Janet: This is Sherry Jackson, born February 15, 1942 -- age 25 in 1967:




Just one more possibility I was thinking about for Janet: Ann Marshall, only 22 then (like my 1st choice Brenda):

[1960'sTVfan]

How about Goldie Hawn for the Chrissy role and Julie Parrish for the Janet role?

[biffbronson]

Originally Posted by retroTVfan4ever

How about Goldie Hawn for the Chrissy role and Julie Parrish for the Janet role?

Excellent choices and age-appropriate, thanks. We've seen a lot of Goldie giggling-away on Laugh-In starting in '67, so plugging her into that role makes a lot of sense.



Here's a quick look at Julie, already building quite a resume by then:

Originally Posted by Alan Brady's Hair

Brooke Bundy, 23, might be a good Chrissy. Mostly did drama, but was good in the comic roles she had back then.

I've seen Brooke on Donna Reed and My Three Sons, this comedic role would fall right in between.



As you see above, her hair was quite long by the time she did her final My Three Sons and her second Lassie (with Barbara Hale), both in 1971. Time for some ponytailing like Chrissy would do:



All highly attractive and good ideas -- thanks.

[biffbronson]

I did have someone in mind to play Jack Tripper, but likely I'll keep thinking about someone a little younger: Bruce Dern was already 32 by 1968 (born June 4, 1936):

[1960'sTVfan]

Originally Posted by biffbronson

Excellent choices and age-appropriate, thanks. We've seen a lot of Goldie giggling-away on Laugh-In starting in '67, so plugging her into that role makes a lot of sense.

Glad you like my suggestions. Goldie Hawn and Julie Parrish worked together in the Good Morning World sitcom. Ronnie Schell was also in Good Morning World. Ronnie was a little older, born in 1931 and age 36 in 1967, but I'm thinking that he might have been a good fit for the Jack Tripper role. What do you think?

[biffbronson]

I did see a few episodes of Good Morning World when it aired on AntennaTV in 2018. I'm glad you mentioned him, I think maybe Ronnie would've worked in the Larry Dallas role as well. (Coincidentally I've been doing some Gomer Pyle binge-watching with Schell.)

I was considering Stuart Margolin as Larry -- he was 27 in '67 (Jan. 31, 1940). Here's a quick look at Margolin:

[1960'sTVfan]

I could see Stuart Margolin in the role of Larry, seems like a good fit.

[SledgeBarone]

I'm unfamiliar with most of the actors/actresses being suggested, but if you believe Janet's character was supposed to be not as pretty as Chrissy, then I think Sherry Jackson is disqualified, judging by those two pictures...

[Mace Dolex]

Brooke Bundy was pretty hot in her youth, I just know her from A Nightmare On Elm Street pt.3 and 4 and episodic television in the 80's.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by Mace Dolex

Brooke Bundy was pretty hot in her youth, I just know her from A Nightmare On Elm Street pt.3 and 4 and episodic television in the 80's.

But could Brooke do the Chrissy Snort?

I agree with everyone above that Brooke was lovely. The pony tails are very cute.

[biffbronson]

I just wanted to mention that I'll no longer participate here, unrelated to this forum.

I wanted to add something though -- please note that I prefaced things by saying "Just for fun..." when I started the thread.

If there are too many rules or set expectations, it takes the fun out of the exercise. In an alternate reality for example, Furley could turn out to be a Robert Redford who comes on and has the ladies in his hip pocket. It would open up all sorts of potential plots.

[SitcomsHeydayfan]

Originally Posted by biffbronson

I just wanted to mention that I'll no longer participate here, unrelated to this forum.

I wanted to add something though -- please note that I prefaced things by saying "Just for fun..." when I started the thread.

If there are too many rules or set expectations, it takes the fun out of the exercise. In an alternate reality for example, Furley could turn out to be a Robert Redford who comes on and has the ladies in his hip pocket. It would open up all sorts of potential plots.

You mean you'll no longer participate in this thread??