The stars of the beloved sitcom Three’s Company recently gathered in Texas to share nostalgic stories from their time on set. During the Southfork Experience event, fans enjoyed a rare reunion that highlighted the deep bonds formed during the show’s eight-season run. The discussion focused on how the onscreen roommate dynamic eventually spilled over into their personal lives after the cameras stopped rolling.
A highlight of the panel featured Joyce DeWitt and Priscilla Barnes as they recounted a surprising chapter of their friendship. After the series concluded in 1984, the two actresses found themselves living together in a situation that mirrored their famous television apartment. This real-life cohabitation began when one star needed a temporary place to stay following a long-term breakup, leading to months of shared memories.
The Hefty Bag and the Poodle
The transition from costars to roommates started with a late-night phone call from a payphone. Joyce DeWitt and Priscilla Barnes laughed as they remembered the night Barnes arrived with nothing but a fur coat and a hefty bag of belongings. What was supposed to be a single night turned into a six-month stay, proving that their chemistry was just as strong off-camera as it was on the small screen.
Living together brought out funny contrasts in their personalities, especially regarding household tidiness. While the rest of the home remained flawless, the guest room reportedly looked like a “bomb went off,” much to the delight of DeWitt’s poodle, Peachy-pie. Despite the clutter, this period of Joyce DeWitt and Priscilla Barnes living together solidified a lifelong bond that survives decades after the show’s finale.
Memories of Physical Comedy and Loss
The reunion also served as a poignant tribute to late costars John Ritter and Suzanne Somers. The actresses reflected on the intense physical comedy that defined the show, noting that they often performed their own stunts without trainers. They joked that they were “foolish” enough to try anything for a laugh, though they eventually felt the physical toll of the slapstick humor as the years went by.
By the end of the series, the cast realized they were outgrowing the demanding physical routines of the sitcom format, according to People. However, the joy they brought to millions of viewers remains a point of pride for the surviving cast members. This reunion allowed them to celebrate the legacy of Three’s Company while honoring the friends they lost along the way.
