Suzanne Somers’ on-screen husband, Patrick Duffy, is mourning the loss of his late co-star.
The 74-year-old actor shared a sweet statement remembering his “dear and profound friend,” who died at the age of 76 after a long battle with cancer on Sunday morning.
In a statement he shared with him the people On Monday, the Dallas star reflected on their years-long friendship and recalled how he originally planned to visit her a few days ago to help her celebrate her 77th birthday.
Through the long and poignant message, he also paid tribute to the Three’s Company actress and the impact she has made not only in his life but in the world.
The two had starred opposite each other, playing husband and wife, on the hit ABC sitcom Step by Step from 1991 to 1998.
He began his statement by saying: “As is the case with everyone who knew her, I was shocked yesterday by the news of the death of my dear and profound friend, Susan.”
He continued talking about the shocking and tragic news: “In that short moment, it was unbelievable.” “But it has already passed.”
The Bold and the Beautiful star then spoke about the impact she has had on his life and how much he will miss his old friend.
“She has come through my life beautifully at this point in her endless journey,” he said.
“My job now is to stay on the sidelines while you continue to do this,” he added, before listing some of the things he will miss sharing with her — “the phone calls, the emails, the visits, the meals and the laughter.”
He said the value and memory of their friendship will live on. He added: ‘But the deep, thoughtful, ridiculous and trivial dialogue continues.’
The director added: “My conversations with her now will only take place through my daily Buddhist practice.”
He then recalled how he was supposed to meet Sommers and her husband, Alan Hamel, before her tragic death.
“I’m not the only one who wishes I could face her face to face again [her husband] Alan, but if we had had this meeting last Friday, I would still be looking forward to just one more meeting today. “It is the painful beauty of our current human reality.”
“What strength and support I can muster, send to Alan W [her son] He followed Bruce and her family. ‘And I say to her. When the stone of your life fell into this pond, it created a big ripple, my friend. Thank you.’
According to a statement issued by his longtime publicist R. Corey Hi, she passed away “peacefully in her sleep” while surrounded by her husband, son and close family.
In the past 23 years, she battled several aggressive forms of cancer before her tragic death.
“Lifelong beer expert. General travel enthusiast. Social media buff. Zombie maven. Communicator.”