Alan Hamel facts for kids

Alan Hamel (born June 30, 1936) is a Canadian entertainer, producer, and television host. He is known for hosting several TV shows and for his work as a producer.

Early Life and Education

Alan Hamel was born in Toronto, Canada. His family has Jewish heritage. In 1954, he studied television arts at Ryerson Institute of Technology. However, he did not complete his degree there.

Television Career

Hamel started his career in Canadian television. From 1961 to 1964, he co-hosted Razzle Dazzle, a popular children's TV show. This show even featured a talking turtle named Howard!

In the late 1960s, Alan Hamel hosted two game shows. These shows were Wedding Party (1968) and Anniversary Game (1969). They were shown on many TV stations across the United States. It was on Anniversary Game that he first met Suzanne Somers. She later became his wife in 1977.

From 1971 to 1973, Hamel hosted Mantrap. This was a daytime talk show filmed in Vancouver, Canada. It was shown on Canadian TV stations and also in the U.S. Later, in the late 1970s, he hosted The Alan Hamel Show. This was a very popular daytime talk show in Canada. People magazine even called him "Canada's leading TV talk show host."

For several years, Hamel also appeared in commercials. He was a spokesperson for large supermarket chains in the U.S. He promoted stores like Alpha Beta and Acme Markets.

Eventually, Alan Hamel became a producer. He often worked on projects with his wife, Suzanne Somers. He also sometimes acted in her shows.

Personal Life

Alan Hamel has two children from his first marriage to Marilyn Hamel. Their names are Stephen and Leslie.

He met his second wife, actress and author Suzanne Somers, when she was a prize model on The Anniversary Game. They lived together for about nine years before getting married on November 19, 1977. Their wedding ceremony included both a rabbi and a Catholic priest. Alan Hamel is also the stepfather to Bruce Somers Jr., Suzanne Somers' son from an earlier marriage. Suzanne Somers passed away on October 15, 2023. In June 2025, it was reported that Alan Hamel is in a relationship with Joanna Cassidy, who was a co-star of Suzanne Somers.

In 1977, Somers and Hamel bought a house in Palm Springs, California. They sold this house in 2021. In January 2007, a wildfire in Southern California destroyed their home in Malibu, California.

Filmography

Alan Hamel has appeared in various television shows and movies. Here are some of his roles:

• 1960: Midnight Zone (CBC)
• 1961: Junior Roundup - Host
• 1961–64: Razzle Dazzle (CBC Television)
• 1962: A Summer Night - Host
• 1963: Nightcap (TV series)
• 1965: Vacation Time - Co-host
• 1968: Wedding Party (ABC/syndicated)
• 1969: Anniversary Game (ABC/syndicated)
• 1971–72: Mantrap - Host
• 1972–73: Alan Hamel's Comedy Bag (CBC)
• 1976–80: The Alan Hamel Show (CTV)
• 1977: Tattletales (CBS)
• 1977: Lou Grant as Councilman Garbers
• 1977: The Last Hurrah (TV movie) as George Sherrard
• 1978: All in the Family as Ricky Buffano
• 1979: Look Magazine Gala Party (TV movie)
• 1988: She's the Sheriff as Horton