The Bizarre Reason Loni Anderson Wasn’t Cast on ‘Three’s Company’

[TMC]

https://www.remindmagazine.com/artic...any-lost-role/

Lauren Novak

While the late Loni Anderson, who passed on August 3, 2025, at the age of 79, was perhaps best known for her role in WKRP in Cincinnati, she was almost the star of a very different iconic 1970s sitcom. In the mid-’70s, as Three’s Company was coming together, Anderson auditioned for the role of Chrissy Snow. At the time, she had been steadily working in television with guest appearances, but she had not yet landed the role that would make her a household name.

John Ritter, who would go on to play Jack Tripper, later recalled that Anderson gave a solid audition. However, according to the Hollywood Reporter, in Chris Mann’s 1998 book, Come and Knock on My Door, Ritter said that Anderson was “too beautiful, too savvy. No one would believe she couldn’t live in her own apartment, that she would have to struggle to get the rent paid.”

The producers made their final decision at the last minute. Suzanne Somers, who had previously been passed over, ended up getting the role thanks to a stroke of luck; ABC executive Fred Silverman was reviewing audition tapes just one day before production began, when he spotted Somers and felt she was perfect. He acted quickly to cast her, and she joined the show with almost no time to spare.

In the end, Somers became Chrissy, Ritter got the role of Jack and Joyce DeWitt was cast as Janet Wood. Interestingly, Anderson later appeared on Three’s Company in a guest role. In season two, she played Susan Walters, a woman Jack was interested in. That small appearance helped raise her profile and soon led to her breakthrough as Jennifer Marlowe on WKRP in Cincinnati, a role that defined her career and turned her into a star. Do you remember when she appeared on Three’s Company? Can you see her as Chrissy or do you think Somers did the best job?

[BestTVever]

I cant picture her as Chrissy. Maybe without the wig she would look more natural. She always played the Vixen so maybe that is why its hard to imagine it. I have seen her play serious characters on Cannon or Barnaby Jones and she did pretty good. Chrissy was not dumb (at least not in the beginning) but she was naive. I would like to see the audition tape to see how she played it.

[Dianne3]

Wasn't here another actress who was to be Chrissy?

[BestTVever]

Originally Posted by Dianne3

Wasn't here another actress who was to be Chrissy?

There were several Chrissy's and the pilot auditions are on youtube.

[TMC]

Originally Posted by BestTVever

There were several Chrissy's and the pilot auditions are on youtube.

Susan Lanier played Chrissy in the unaired second pilot after Joyce DeWitt was cast as Janet.

[BestTVever]

Originally Posted by TMC

Susan Lanier played Chrissy in the unaired second pilot after Joyce DeWitt was cast as Janet.

Yes but there was another Chrissy before Joyce was cast thus when I said there were "several Chrissy's"

Susan believes she lost the part because her agent asked for too much money. In 1976 she was the bigger or more known TV star than John. Suzanne was great but she lucked out. The first Chrissy was really bad so I understand why they wanted to cast Susan.

[Dianne3]

Suzanne Somers did luck out, then as we all know, she blew it.

Back to the original question, Loni Anderson would have upstaged both Jack & Janet. Not on purpose, but she had a certain presence. Suzanne blended in with Jack & Janet.

[BestTVever]

Originally Posted by Dianne3

Suzanne Somers did luck out, then as we all know, she blew it.

Back to the original question, Loni Anderson would have upstaged both Jack & Janet. Not on purpose, but she had a certain presence. Suzanne blended in with Jack & Janet.

I sort of laugh picturing Loni doing jiggle TV. Was this before her breast implants? What made Suzanne and Joyce work was they were natural and convincing in their roles for the first few seasons. I would have to see Loni's screentest to make a true opinion.

[thejasoomian]

I can't see Loni as Chrissy. I'd like to see her audition reel though.