Barry Manilow’s heartbreaking tribute to long-time friend Suzanne Somers: ‘She was the sister I never had’-Lucy Norris-Entertainment – Metro

Barry Manilow’ discussed his 40-year friendship with Suzanne Somers (Picture: Getty)

Barry Manilow paid tribute to his late friend Three’s Company actress Suzanne Somers following her death on Sunday. 

The 76-year-old star died after living with breast cancer for more than 20 years, her publicist confirmed over the weekend. 

American singer-songwriter Barry, 80, opened up about their close bond and said: ‘Suzanne and I were friends for decades. She was the sister I never had and my close confidant forever.’ 

He continued telling People magazine: ‘We shared triumphs and heartaches. Her fame in so many fields overshadowed her real talent as one of our greatest comedic actors, a loving mother, an amazing homemaker, and one of the world’s best cooks. 

‘I will miss her dearly and hope that she is now out of pain and at peace.’ 

The Step By Step star and the Copacabana hitmaker were neighbours in Palm Springs and enjoyed more than 40 years of friendship. 

The singer and the late actress were neighbours in Palm Springs (Picture: Getty Images)

The actress was battling breast cancer (Picture: WireImage)

Somers previously spoke about their closeness years ago in 2017 and explained to the US publication: ‘Our friendship began 35 years ago. I was the star of the No. 1 show in America and he was the biggest musical sensation worldwide. 

‘His iconic look at the time was a white ruffled rhumba shirt, and I took to wearing a chicken suit playing Chrissy Snow [on Three’s Company]. It made us easy marks for jokes. 

‘[The day we met] I walked into a recording studio, and there he was. He didn’t say hello but looked at me and said, “Oh, you’re the other one they make fun of,” and I said, “I know — it’s always you and me.”

‘I instantly felt comfortable with him and could let my guard down and just be.’

The US actress and businesswoman – who was best known for playing Chrissy Snow on the American sitcom as well as Carol Foster Lambert on Step By Step – died the day before her 77th birthday surrounded by her family.

A statement from her long-time publicist, R Couri Hay, said: ‘Suzanne Somers passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of October 15th.

Somers revealed details of her friendship with Barry before her death (Picture: Getty Images)

The singer called the late actress his ‘sister’ (Picture: Getty Images)

‘She survived an aggressive form of breast cancer for over 23 years. Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband Alan, her son Bruce, and her immediate family.

‘Her family was gathered to celebrate her 77th birthday on October 16th.

‘Instead, they will celebrate her extraordinary life and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly.’ 

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