Nearly two years after the passing of screen icon Suzanne Somers, her devoted husband, Alan Hamel, shares intimate details of their final moments, his profound belief in an afterlife spurred by mysterious occurrences, and his path to honoring her dying wish for him to find happiness again, now with actress Joanna Cassidy.
The entertainment world mourned the loss of Suzanne Somers on October 15, 2023, just a day before what would have been her 77th birthday. The actress, best known for her iconic role as Chrissy Snow on the classic sitcom “Three’s Company,” succumbed to an aggressive form of breast cancer after a battle spanning over 23 years. Her passing left a void, particularly for her husband of 46 years, Alan Hamel, whose devotion to Somers was legendary.
A Love Story Etched in Eternity
Their enduring love story, which spanned 55 years together and 46 years of marriage, was a testament to Hollywood romance. Alan Hamel, 87 at the time of her death, shared a profound tribute on Instagram shortly after her passing, coinciding with her birthday. He described a love so immense that words felt inadequate.
In a deeply emotional post, Hamel wrote, “Love, there is no version of the word love that is applicable to Suzanne. The closest version in words isn’t even close.” He detailed their unbreakable bond, stating, “55 years together, 46 married and not even one hour apart for 42 of those years. Even that doesn’t do it.” This raw honesty resonated deeply with fans, highlighting the depth of his loss, as reported by Page Six.
A day before her death, Hamel gifted Somers a heartfelt note, wrapped in her favorite pink peonies. The letter, later published in People magazine, expressed a love that transcended everyday definitions. He concluded the note, saying, “there are no words. There are no actions. No promises. No declarations. Even the green shaded scholars of the oxford university press have spent 150 years and still have failed to come up with that one word. So i will call it, ‘us,’ uniquely, magically, indescribably wonderful ‘us.’”
Suzanne’s Final Wish: A Promise to Live On
In his raw grief, Alan Hamel recently revealed the poignant last conversation he had with Suzanne Somers. During her final two nights, as she became mostly non-responsive, Hamel spoke to her continuously, from evening to early morning. He recounted to Woman’s World, “Then I decided to kiss her, and she kissed me back. At that moment, I knew she could hear everything I said.”
It was then that Somers awoke long enough to deliver a crucial message. “She woke up long enough to say a couple of things to me, and one was, ‘I don’t want you to mope around. I want you to live your life because you have a great life ahead of you, and I don’t want you to walk around all depressed,'” Hamel shared. This final directive became a guiding principle for Hamel as he navigated life without her.
Unexplained Occurrences and a Belief in the Afterlife
Months after Somers’ passing, Hamel began experiencing a series of inexplicable events that solidified his belief in an afterlife. In an interview published in January 2024, Hamel told Page Six about three particularly strange occurrences on the same day.
- A hummingbird flew into their home, making its way through the kitchen, living room, and dining room before hovering in front of a framed photo of the couple. It then landed on top of the picture and stayed there.
- The fireplace unexpectedly started by itself.
- Music by Somers’ favorite, obscure composer began playing randomly.
These events, coupled with the persistent feeling of her presence beside him each night, convinced Hamel that there is something beyond the physical realm. “I’m a believer now that there is an afterlife. I’m convinced of it,” he declared. He further noted that Somers’ grandchildren have shared similar experiences, offering a comforting thought of future reunion.
Honoring Her Legacy: Alan Hamel Finds New Love
Despite his profound grief, Alan Hamel found himself missing the companionship and “date nights” he shared so frequently with Suzanne Somers. Eighteen months after her death, he cautiously re-entered the dating world. Initially, he dated two women simultaneously, as he felt it would be less conspicuous than being seen with just one so soon after Somers’ passing, as he shared with People magazine.
Now, nearly two years after Somers’ death, Hamel is openly dating actress Joanna Cassidy. Cassidy is a familiar face in Hollywood, known for her roles in films like “Blade Runner” and her work on television. Intriguingly, Cassidy also co-starred with Somers in the 1985 mini-series “Hollywood Wives.” This connection adds a layer of shared history, as Cassidy was part of Somers’ professional life decades ago.
Hamel believes that Somers would approve of his new relationship. He told Woman’s World, “Suzanne always liked her. She also respected her, and I think she would compliment her for being a great actress.” His decision to embrace new love is a direct fulfillment of Somers’ last wish: for him to live a happy life and not “mope around.”
A Legacy of Love and Resilience
The journey of Alan Hamel after the loss of Suzanne Somers is a powerful narrative of enduring love, grief, and resilience. It showcases a man honoring the memory of his soulmate by living fully, just as she wished. For fans of Suzanne Somers, this glimpse into Hamel’s healing process offers a bittersweet comfort, knowing that their beloved star’s final directive was one of hope and continued happiness for the man who adored her.
