Alan Hamel, the 89-year-old Hollywood producer, has begun living with actress Joanna Cassidy, 80, two years after the death of his wife, Suzanne Somers. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Hamel revealed that they have reached a significant milestone in their relationship, now living together and celebrating their one-year anniversary.
A New Chapter in Life
Hamel described their living arrangement as 'living together light,' explaining that they commute between Los Angeles and Palm Springs to be with each other. 'I started commuting to Los Angeles to be with Joanna and she started commuting to Palm Springs to be with me,' he said. 'When she needs a few days alone at her home, she's OK that I see my girlfriends, who are only good friends, no romance.'
Suzanne Somers' Blessing
Hamel emphasized that Somers would have approved of his new relationship. 'When Suzanne passed she made it clear that I should not be moping around and find love again at a time that was right for me,' he shared. Somers died on October 15, 2023, after a battle with cancer at the age of 76.
The couple's romance began serendipitously. Hamel's son, Stephen, a movie producer, met Cassidy at a screening and suggested she meet his father. 'When Stephen told her his dad's name, Joanna said that she had guested on my talk show in Canada in 1978, plus she and Suzanne got to know each other doing the miniseries Hollywood Wives in 1985,' Hamel recalled.
Instant Connection
Their first date was an extended affair. 'We got together and instantly found great resonance between us. Our first date lasted three days,' said Hamel, known for his role in All in the Family. 'This was a new experience for both of us. Joanna had not dated for many years nor had I.'
Hamel reflected on his current state of mind: 'I don't think of the past very much with the exception of my 55 years with Suzanne and I don't think of the future very much since I have no idea what that will be, but I am totally involved and thinking about my greatest asset, the time and today.' He added, 'I do not know where our relationship is going, but I am so grateful and blessed to have Joanna in my life along with my extraordinary family.'
Shared Joys
Hamel also described what makes their relationship special. 'We really love to date. Sometimes, it's casual at a local joint with great food. Sometimes we go dancing at a bar with great people watching and live music and within seconds, Joanna goes into her zone and starts dancing, the dancers around her stop dancing and stare at this woman who is soaking up all the light in the room.' He added, 'Then, there is the night when we get all dressed up, have a cocktail at Big Al's Bar and head out to one of my two favorite restaurants.'
Cassidy, known for her roles in Blade Runner and The Rockford Files, has been divorced for over 50 years from ex-husband Kennard C. Kobrin. Hamel and Cassidy were first seen together in Malibu in June 2025.
Remembering Suzanne Somers
Last October, Hamel spoke to the Daily Mail about the one-year anniversary of Somers' death. 'Missing Suzanne is probably not a powerful enough word because for the past 55 years we didn't even spend one hour apart,' he said. 'It's heartbreaking.' He recalled their close bond: 'Suzanne and I were so close that she said when I wasn't in the room she would miss me and I would miss her too - even though we were in the same house. We would actually go to sleep holding each other's hands which was so special to me.'
Somers, best known for playing Chrissy Snow on Three's Company, died in Palm Springs, California, surrounded by Hamel, her son Bruce, and other family members.
