Net Worth Ranker
What Is Joyce DeWitt’s Net Worth?
Joyce DeWitt, an American actress renowned for her role as Janet Wood in the sitcom “Three’s Company,” has accumulated a net worth of $4 million. This figure primarily stems from her acting career, spanning both television and stage productions. While “Three’s Company” remains her most iconic role, her continued presence in the entertainment industry, albeit less prominent, has contributed to her financial standing.
Joyce DeWitt’s “Three’s Company” Earnings and the Suzanne Somers Feud
DeWitt’s financial foundation was significantly shaped by her role in “Three’s Company,” where she appeared in 171 out of 172 episodes over eight seasons (1977-1984). During the show’s initial season, both DeWitt and her co-star Suzanne Somers earned $3,500 per episode. By the fourth season, both were offered a raise to $30,000 per episode. DeWitt accepted this offer, while Somers sought a substantial increase to $150,000 per episode, equivalent to John Ritter’s salary, along with 10% of the show’s backend profits. This demand led to Somers’ departure from the show.
Assuming DeWitt continued to earn $30,000 per episode for the remaining four seasons (5-8), encompassing 94 episodes, her total earnings from this period would amount to $2.8 million. Adjusted for inflation, $30,000 per episode in the early 1980s is equivalent to approximately $112,000 per episode today. Similarly, the $2.8 million earned during those years would be comparable to $10.5 million today. This substantial income during her time on “Three’s Company” undoubtedly played a crucial role in establishing Joyce DeWitt’s net worth.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on April 23, 1949, in Wheeling, West Virginia, Joyce DeWitt’s early life provided the foundation for her acting aspirations. Growing up in Speedway, Indiana, a suburb of Indianapolis, she is the daughter of Paul and Norma DeWitt. Her heritage is a blend of Italian (mother’s side) and Dutch (father’s side). During her time at Speedway Senior High School, she gained practical experience working at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway ticket office.
DeWitt’s passion for acting ignited through her participation in speech and debate events with the Indiana High School Forensic Association. Her first stage appearance at the age of 13 solidified her love for performing. She pursued her theatrical interests further by earning a bachelor’s degree in theater from Ball State University. Subsequently, she moved to California to pursue an acting career, supplementing her income by working as a secretary while earning a master’s degree from the University of California, graduating in 1974.
Career After “Three’s Company” and Notable Roles
After earning her master’s degree at UCLA, DeWitt made her debut with a small appearance on the series “Baretta.” Her career truly took off when she landed the role of Janet Wood on “Three’s Company” in 1977. The show became a massive hit, attracting approximately 20 million viewers each week during its peak. DeWitt’s portrayal of Janet Wood in 171 episodes cemented her place in television history. She also briefly reprised the role in the spinoff series “The Ropers” in 1979 and made an appearance on “The Love Boat” that same year.
While rumors circulated that DeWitt left show business after “Three’s Company,” she continued to act in various projects. After the series concluded, she appeared in an episode of “Finder of Lost Loves” and then took a break from acting for several years before returning to the stage in 1991 in “Noises Off” at Michigan’s Cherry County Playhouse. She has appeared in a number of TV shows and movies including “Spring Fling!”, “Living Single,” “Twitch,” and “Cybil.”, “Hope Island,” “The Nick at Nite Holiday Special,” and “Call of the Wild.” In 2003, DeWitt was involved in the production of “Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Three’s Company,” where she served as co-producer and host.
In 2008, DeWitt starred in the indie film “Failing Better Now.” The following year, she starred in “Married Alive,” a stage production in Calgary, Canada. Joyce starred in a New York City production of the play “Miss Abigail’s Guide to Dating, Mating & Marriage” in 2011. That same year, she was in the Canadian Stage Production of “Dinner with Friends” at the Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton. DeWitt appeared in two stage productions of “Love Letters” in 2012, opposite Tab Hunter and Tony Dow. In 2018, DeWitt appeared on stage again as Mother Superior in “Nunsense” at the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse in New Jersey. She later secured the role of Detective Randi Toney in the film “The Savant.” Other film credits include “The Great Fight,” “Snapshot,” “My Boyfriend’s Dogs,” and “Rock Story.” While these later roles might not have achieved the same level of fame as her work on “Three’s Company,” they contributed to her ongoing income and net worth.
Charitable Work and Personal Life
Joyce DeWitt is known for her dedication to charitable causes. She has been involved in addressing hunger and homelessness, participating in events such as the Capitol Hill Forum on Hunger and Homelessness. DeWitt has also hosted presentations for the Family Assistance Program in Hollywood and the International Awards Ceremony for the Presidential End Hunger Awards at the White House. She co-hosted the World Food Day Gala at the Kennedy Center alongside Jeff Bridges.
Regarding her personal life, Joyce DeWitt has remained unmarried and private. She had a relationship with actor/director Ray Buktenica from 1973 to 1980. In 2009, DeWitt was arrested for drunk driving in El Segundo, California. She pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor in 2010 and was placed on probation for three years, ordered to undergo an alcohol addiction program, and fined $510. This event, while a personal setback, does not appear to have significantly impacted her long-term financial standing or Joyce DeWitt’s net worth.
