Is Fay Dewitt related to Joyce DeWitt?

Joyce DeWitt, the captivating actress who won hearts as the leggy, raven-haired starlet in the ’70s sitcom “Three’s Company,” has long been a subject of fascination for fans and the media. Yet, despite her prominent career, several misconceptions and rumors have swirled around her, including one that claims she is related to TV actress Fay DeWitt. Today, we set the record straight.

Recent online sources have questioned the accuracy of these claims, revealing that Joyce DeWitt did not, in fact, have a connection to Abe Vigoda, her “Barney Miller” co-star, or serve as a surrogate daughter to him by painting his garage. In a candid statement, the actress herself clarified, “It’s totally untrue. I’ve never even met Abe Vigoda. I never painted his house, his garage, or any other thing he has.”

This is just one example of the misinformation that has circulated on various online platforms, including Wikipedia. Additional falsehoods include claims that Joyce DeWitt dated “Roots” star LeVar Burton and that she is the niece of TV actress Fay DeWitt.

To dispel these myths definitively, Joyce DeWitt asserts that she never dated LeVar Burton and has no familial relation to Fay DeWitt. These inaccuracies are part of a broader enigma surrounding the actress’s life, particularly her disappearance from the public eye after her successful tenure on “Three’s Company.”

Joyce DeWitt, once a prominent role model on disco-era television, virtually vanished from the limelight, only to resurface recently, garnering less glamorous online attention due to an incident related to an impaired driving arrest. While news circulated about the arrest, the actress declined to comment on the matter.

However, before this incident, in a candid and open-hearted interview mere days before the arrest, Joyce DeWitt shed light on her life post-TV fame and her gradual return to acting after a self-imposed hiatus. She shared her excitement for her upcoming role in the Stage West production of the comedy “Married Alive!” in Calgary and her part in the indie movie “Failing Better Now,” currently making rounds on the film festival circuit.

“Three’s Company,” in which Joyce DeWitt starred alongside Suzanne Somers and the late John Ritter, remains a hallmark of ’70s television and a cultural influence that endures today. It is still beloved by fans and continues to thrive in syndication and DVD sales.

As we strive to separate fact from fiction, it’s clear that the connection between Joyce DeWitt and Fay DeWitt is purely a product of myth and misunderstanding. The actress’s life journey, marked by her retreat from the public eye and her recent reemergence, is a testament to the complexities of fame and the enduring fascination of the media and fans alike.