At 74, Joyce DeWitt, the beloved actress who captured hearts as one of the leads in the iconic show “Three’s Company,” reflects on her remarkable career. After the show ended, Joyce took a long break from the industry, but recently, she made a triumphant return to the spotlight.
“It was such a gift. I mean, it was iconic. But who would have thought it?” Joyce shares with a smile. “All we were trying to do was make people laugh. When I think about it now, the show was really an attempt to do a contemporary version of a 16th-century farce. It was about silliness running wild. I mean, we were talking about serious issues at times, but that was always somewhere underneath.”
The True Essence of “Three’s Company”
Joyce fondly remembers her late co-star, John Ritter, saying, “John Ritter used to say, ‘We don’t want people to just laugh but to fall over their couch laughing.’” She adds, “The real issue was always the depth of friendship and the love those characters had for each other. That’s what drew people to them.” Despite its eventual cancellation, the show won a Primetime Emmy, solidifying its place in television history.
“After the show ended, it was time for quiet and reflection. I loved being Janet, but she was never my whole reason for getting up in the morning. My identity and self-worth weren’t wrapped up in her or the show,” Joyce states. Her words reveal the strength and resilience that have guided her throughout her life.
Embracing Solitude and Inner Strength
Reflecting on the post-show period, Joyce admits, “Of course, there’s a lonely period. I missed the characters as much as the people who played them. But I’m basically a hermit. My natural instinct is to go into the cave and ponder, not stand outside and howl. Oh, I have a gregarious side, but there’s the inner Joyce too.”
Joyce believes that regrets can be dangerous and considers herself fortunate to have experienced regret only a few times in her life. In a 2009 interview, she shares, “If I had to do it over again, I couldn’t change it. I was going to take six months off just to chill out. I saw Hollywood and the way it behaved, and it was not a moral code that was natural to me.”
Impact and Inspiration
The impact of “Three’s Company” on people’s lives is evident, as Joyce receives messages of gratitude from women in their 30s who were inspired by her portrayal of Janet. “I knew women could be smart and have a way in the world. And I loved playing Janet, and I did fight hard to play her the way I wanted to play her,” she says proudly, recognizing the effect her character had on others.
Remembering a poignant moment, Joyce recounts, “As I’m walking out the door, the phone rings, and I pick it up, and it’s Johnathan. And he goes, ‘Baby, we’ve got three parties and a dinner to do tonight. I’ll pick you up at 7!’ It was so delicious… and a month later, he passed.” Despite the challenges she faced, Joyce returned to the stage in 2011, proving that it’s never too late to bloom. “It took me a long time to have confidence in my work.”
Spreading Laughter and Joy
Joyce expresses her love for her craft, “The show allows us to play and be silly and funny and laugh about interactions of human beings. The fact that the purpose of the play was to make people laugh and let them have a good time, and every once in a while touch their hearts is my favorite kind of play to do.” Joyce continued to grace the industry with her talent, appearing in productions such as “Snapshot,” “Rock Story,” and “The Savant.”
Joyce’s incredible journey is a testament to her resilience, talent, and dedication. She has left an indelible mark on the hearts of many, bringing laughter, joy, and heartfelt moments into the lives of her audience. Let’s celebrate Joyce’s extraordinary career by reminiscing on the joy and inspiration she has brought to us all.
