Joyce DeWitt facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Joyce DeWitt
DeWitt at the New York Comic Con in Manhattan, October 10, 2010
Born	(1949-04-23) April 23, 1949 (age 76) Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S.
Education	Speedway Senior High School
Alma mater	Ball State University (BA) University of California, Los Angeles (MFA)
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1962–1984, 1991–present
Known for	Three's Company

Joyce DeWitt (born April 23, 1949) is an American actress. She is most famous for playing Janet Wood on the popular TV show Three's Company. This show was on the ABC network from 1977 to 1984.

Early Life and Education

Joyce DeWitt was born on April 23, 1949, in Wheeling, West Virginia. She grew up in Speedway, Indiana, which is a town near Indianapolis. She went to Speedway Senior High School. She even worked at the ticket office for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway!

Joyce is of Italian background. She was very good at speech and debate in high school. After high school, she earned a bachelor's degree in theater from Ball State University. Then, she moved to California to continue her studies. She earned her master's degree from UCLA in 1974.

Acting Career Highlights

DeWitt (left) with John Ritter and Suzanne Somers in a photo for Three's Company, 1977

While she was studying at UCLA, Joyce worked as a secretary. Her first TV role was in an episode of the show Baretta.

Joyce DeWitt is best known for her role as Janet Wood. She played Janet in the popular sitcom Three's Company. This show ran from 1977 to 1984. She also played Janet in an episode of the show's spin-off, The Ropers, in 1979.

After Three's Company ended in 1984, Joyce took a break from acting for several years. She returned to acting in 1991. She appeared in a play called Noises Off. Later, she was in the TV movie Spring Fling! in 1995.

She also made guest appearances on other TV shows. These included Cybill and Living Single. A character based on her even appeared in an episode of Pinky and the Brain in 1997. In the 2000s, she appeared in shows like Hope Island. She was also in The Nick at Nite Holiday Special and the film Call of the Wild.

In 2003, Joyce helped create and host a TV film. It was called Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Three's Company. This film was about the making of her famous show.

Joyce has also performed in many stage plays. In 2009, she starred in Married Alive in Canada. In 2011, she took over the main role in the play Miss Abigail's Guide to Dating, Mating & Marriage in New York City. She also appeared in Dinner with Friends in Canada.

In 2012, Joyce performed in two different stage productions of Love Letters. She acted alongside Tab Hunter and Tony Dow. She also starred with her niece, Katharine DeWitt, in a play called Remember Me.

In 2012, Joyce appeared on Suzanne Somers' talk show. She and Suzanne talked about their time on Three's Company. They shared stories about their co-star, John Ritter, who had passed away. This was the first time Joyce and Suzanne had spoken in over 30 years.

In 2018, Joyce played Mother Superior in a play called Nunsense.

Charity Work and Community Involvement

Joyce DeWitt has used her fame to help others. She has worked with members of the government in Washington D.C. to talk about hunger and homelessness. She has also hosted events for the Family Assistance Program of Hollywood.

She hosted an awards ceremony at the White House. This event was for the Presidential End Hunger Awards. She also co-hosted the World Food Day Gala at the Kennedy Center with actor Jeff Bridges.

Personal Life

Joyce DeWitt was in a relationship with actor and director Ray Buktenica. They were together from 1973 to 1980.

Filmography

Joyce DeWitt has appeared in many films and television shows throughout her career. Here are some of her notable roles: