Joyce DeWitt made a colourful entrance as she stepped out for a rare appearance at the John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health's Evening from the Heart LA gala.
The 77-year-old actress, who played Janet Wood in Three's Company, wore a vibrant orange ensemble as she joined guests at the Sunset Room in Hollywood on September 12.
Joyce paired a loose, satin-finish top with a matching floor-length skirt. The top featured a rounded neckline, softly draped short sleeves and a curved hem, while the skirt fell in flowing folds around her ankles.
A long, multicoloured beaded necklace added another splash of colour. Its circular pendant featured a sun-and-moon design, with strands of beads forming a fringed detail beneath it.
© Getty Images for The John RitterShe completed the outfit with cream pointed shoes decorated with bows, small silver-toned earrings and stacks of bracelets on both wrists.
Her bright white hair was styled in a short, feathered cut with a soft fringe, a striking change from the dark brunette bob familiar to viewers of the sitcom. Pink lipstick and defined lashes complemented her broad smile as she posed on the purple carpet.
Another photograph captured Joyce stopping to sign an autograph outside the venue, holding the item steady with one hand as she wrote with the other.
Joyce DeWitt's appearance at the John Ritter Foundation gala
The evening supported a cause closely connected to Joyce's years on Three's Company. The John Ritter Foundation's annual fundraiser brought together the actor's family, friends and former colleagues to support research, education and families affected by aortic dissection.
John died on September 11, 2003, aged 54. His widow, actress Amy Yasbeck, subsequently founded the organisation in his memory. This year's gathering took place the day after the 23rd anniversary of his death.
© Disney General Entertainment ConThe programme also included a Wings cast reunion, bringing together Amy and her former co-stars from the sitcom.
For Joyce, the occasion offered an opportunity to remember the performer with whom she had shared so many of her best-known television moments.
What Joyce DeWitt said about working with John Ritter
Speaking to People at the gala, Joyce recalled the instinctive connection behind their physical comedy. "I always say we communicated kinesthetically. We didn't even have to talk," she said.
She explained that their movements had worked together naturally from their first meeting, although the more demanding sequences still required careful rehearsal.
The joy came from trusting one another enough to commit fully to a scene, with the audience sharing in the fun.
Joyce DeWitt's role in Three's Company
Joyce became a familiar face to television audiences as Janet, one of three roommates at the centre of Three's Company.
© Getty Images for The John RitterThe sitcom aired from 1977 to 1984, with John playing Jack Tripper and Suzanne Somers starring as Chrissy Snow. Their shared apartment provided the setting for misunderstandings, elaborate schemes and the physical comedy that became a defining feature of the show.
Joyce remained with the series throughout its run. After it ended, she stepped away from acting for several years before returning to the stage.
Her later theatre credits included Noises Off, Dinner with Friends and Love Letters. In 2011, she also took over the title role in the New York production of Miss Abigail's Guide to Dating, Mating & Marriage.
While she maintained a lower public profile than some of her former co-stars, her work continued well beyond the role that first made her famous.
Joyce DeWitt's reunion with Suzanne Somers
Joyce and Suzanne also revisited their shared television history after spending decades apart.
Their relationship had become strained around Suzanne's departure from Three's Company following a contract dispute. In 2012, they reunited on Suzanne's programme, Suzanne Somers Breaking Through, and reflected on their experiences together. When Suzanne died in 2023, aged 76, Joyce paid tribute to the close family her former co-star had built.
"My heart goes out to Suzanne's family," she said in a statement to People.
"They are a very close family, deeply connected and caring one to the other. I can only imagine how difficult this time is for all of them."
What Three's Company meant to Joyce DeWitt
© Getty Images for The John RitterDespite the difficulties surrounding parts of the show's history, Joyce spoke warmly about what the comedy had given its audience.
During her reunion with Suzanne, she explained that its lasting value lay in the happiness it brought to people watching at home.
"Whenever something about Three's Company comes up," Joyce said, "I have relentlessly said that it is my opinion that the only reason Three's Company is worth remembering is that it created an opportunity for all of us to laugh together, to celebrate joy."
