Joyce DeWitt

Joyce DeWitt Net Worth

Explore Joyce DeWitt’s net worth, career highlights, and the ‘Three’s Company’ legacy. Discover details about her personal life and the famous salary dispute. Read now!

Joyce DeWitt at a Glance

  • Categories: Celebrities > Actors, Celebrities
  • Net Worth: $4 Million
  • Birthdate: Apr 23, 1949 (75 years old)
  • Birthplace: Wheeling
  • Gender: Female
  • Profession: Actor
  • Nationality: United States of America
  • Height: 5 ft 3 in (1.613 m)

Joyce DeWitt’s Net Worth: A Look at the ‘Three’s Company’ Star’s Career and Life

Introduction: The Enduring Legacy of Joyce DeWitt

Joyce DeWitt, the beloved actress best known for her role as Janet Wood in the iconic sitcom “Three’s Company,” has entertained audiences for decades. This article delves into her estimated net worth, explores her impactful career, examines the controversies, and provides insight into her personal life and charitable endeavors. From her early days in Indiana to her rise to fame, we uncover the story behind the star.

Joyce DeWitt’s Net Worth: Unpacking the Numbers

As of 2024, Joyce DeWitt’s net worth is estimated to be $4 million. This figure reflects her earnings from her successful acting career, primarily from her time on “Three’s Company” and subsequent projects. While this amount is substantial, it is important to consider the financial landscape of the entertainment industry and the potential for earnings, which could have been significantly higher had events played out differently.

‘Three’s Company’: The Role That Defined a Generation

The sitcom “Three’s Company” was a cultural phenomenon. Joyce DeWitt’s portrayal of Janet Wood, the level-headed roommate, was integral to the show’s success. She appeared in an impressive 171 out of 172 episodes across eight seasons, from 1977 to 1984. The show’s popularity led to significant earnings and established DeWitt as a household name.

The Infamous Salary Dispute and the Somers-DeWitt Feud

One of the most discussed aspects of the “Three’s Company” legacy is the falling out between DeWitt and her co-star, Suzanne Somers. The dispute stemmed from Somers’s demand for a higher salary in the show’s fifth season. Initially, both actresses were paid $3,500 per episode. After the fourth season, raises to $30,000 per episode were offered, which DeWitt accepted, but Somers rejected. Somers demanded $150,000 per episode (equivalent to what John Ritter was making) and 10% of the show’s back-end profits, which the producers refused. This led to Somers’s eventual departure from the show.

The other cast members, including DeWitt, reportedly distanced themselves from Somers during the negotiations, perceiving her demands as greedy and a risk to the show’s future. This tension led to a long-standing feud, with DeWitt and Somers not speaking for 31 years. They finally reconciled in 2012 on Somers’s show, “Suzanne Somers: Breaking Through,” where they discussed the conflict and honored their late co-star, John Ritter.

Had Somers’s salary demands been met, it would have had a significant financial impact. Assuming DeWitt continued to earn $30,000 per episode for seasons 5 through 8 (94 episodes total), her earnings would have been approximately $2.8 million. Adjusted for inflation, that equals about $10.5 million today, reflecting the value of her contributions to the show’s success and cultural impact. The image below shows the beloved John Ritter.

(Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

Early Life and Education: The Making of an Actress

Joyce DeWitt was born on April 23, 1949, in Wheeling, West Virginia, but she was raised in Speedway, Indiana. She is of Italian and Dutch heritage. During her high school years at Speedway Senior High School, DeWitt worked at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway ticket office.

Her interest in acting began during her involvement in speech and debate competitions through the Indiana High School Forensic Association. She appeared on stage for the first time at age 13. She earned a bachelor’s degree in theater from Ball State University and later moved to California, where she obtained a master’s degree from the University of California in 1974. She supported herself through college by working as a secretary.

(Photo by Images Press/IMAGES/Getty Images)

Career Beyond ‘Three’s Company’: Stage, Film, and Television

After completing her master’s degree, DeWitt began her professional career with a small role on the series “Baretta.” Her big break came when she was cast as Janet Wood in “Three’s Company.” The show ran for eight seasons and was a massive success, attracting millions of viewers each week. She reprised her role as Janet in the spin-off series “The Ropers” in 1979 and made a guest appearance on “The Love Boat” that same year.

Post-“Three’s Company,” DeWitt appeared in an episode of “Finder of Lost Loves” before taking a break from acting. She returned in 1991, performing in the stage production of “Noises Off.” Additional credits include the 1995 TV film “Spring Fling!” and guest appearances on shows like “Living Single,” “Twitch,” and “Cybill” in the late nineties. In the 2000s, she appeared in “Hope Island,” “The Nick at Nite Holiday Special,” and the 2009 adventure film “Call of the Wild.” The image below provides a snapshot of the actress.

Joyce DeWitt

Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

In 2003, DeWitt co-produced and hosted “Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Three’s Company,” where Melanie Paxson portrayed her. Other notable works include the indie film “Failing Better Now” (2008), the stage production “Married Alive” (2009), and the play “Miss Abigail’s Guide to Dating, Mating & Marriage” (2011). She also appeared in various stage productions, including “Love Letters” alongside actors like Tab Hunter and Tony Dow.

In 2018, she appeared on stage in “Nunsense” and starred as Detective Randi Toney in the film “The Savant.” Additional film credits include “The Great Fight,” “Snapshot,” “My Boyfriend’s Dogs,” and “Rock Story.”

Giving Back: Joyce DeWitt’s Dedication to Charity

Beyond her acting career, DeWitt has been actively involved in charitable work. She has participated in Capitol Hill Forums on Hunger and Homelessness with members of the House and Senate. She has also hosted presentations for the Family Assistance Program in Hollywood and hosted the International Awards Ceremony for the Presidential End Hunger Awards at the White House. Moreover, DeWitt co-hosted the World Food Day Gala at the Kennedy Center with Jeff Bridges.

Personal Life: Relationships and a Public Incident

Throughout her career, DeWitt has maintained a degree of privacy regarding her personal life. She has never been married, and details about her relationships are limited. She was in a relationship with actor/director Ray Buktenica from 1973 to 1980 and once dated Randolph Mantooth.

In 2009, DeWitt was arrested for drunk driving in El Segundo, California. She pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge and was placed on probation, required to complete an alcohol addiction program, and ordered to pay a fine. This incident garnered public attention, adding a layer of complexity to her public persona.

Conclusion: Remembering Joyce DeWitt

Joyce DeWitt’s net worth of $4 million is a testament to her successful career, primarily driven by her iconic role in “Three’s Company.” Her life and career reflect the impact and influence of a popular television show and its stars. From her early life and education to her charitable endeavors, DeWitt has left an enduring mark on television history. Despite career challenges and personal events, her contributions to the entertainment industry and her dedication to various causes have solidified her legacy as a beloved actress.

Career Earnings

Source / Title Amount
Three's Company $30 Thousand
Total Earnings $30 Thousand