If you grew up watching Three's Company, you probably remember Norman Fell as the grumpy
but lovable landlord Mr. Roper.
He was always suspicious of Jack Tripper and his two female roommates and often exchanged
comical banter with his wife Helen.
But did you know that Norman Fell left the show after only three seasons to star in a
spin-off series called The Ropers?
And did you know that he was terrified of making that decision?
In this video, we'll explore why Norman Fell took a gamble on leaving one of the most popular
sitcoms of all time, and how his fears regrettably proved to be justified.
We'll also look at some of his other roles in film and television and pay tribute to
his legacy as a comedic actor.
So sit back, relax, and get ready to learn more about Norman Fell: the man behind Mr.
Roper!
Facts Verse Presents: Why Norman Fell Was Scared When He Left Three’s Company
A Risky Bet
Norman Fell was a veteran actor who had already appeared in many films and TV shows before
he landed the role of Mr. Roper on Three's Company.
Fell had studied acting with Stella Adler in New York City and moved to Hollywood in
1958.
Before finding success on television, he had played minor roles in movies like Ocean's
11, The Graduate, and Bullitt, and had been nominated for an Emmy Award for his performance
as a boxing trainer in Rich Man, Poor Man.
When Norman auditioned for Three's Company, he impressed the producers with his impeccable
comedic timing and his compelling chemistry with Audra Lindley, who played his wife Helen.
Much to his delight, he was cast as Stanley Roper, the crotchety but endearing landlord
who didn’t trust Jack or his lady roomies as far as he could throw them.
Mr. Roper quickly became one of the most popular characters in Three’s Company after the
series debuted in 1977.
For his work on the series, Norman Fell won a Golden Globe for Best TV Actor in a Supporting
Role in 1979 for his portrayal of Mr. Roper.
His character was known for his deadpan expressions, sarcastic remarks, and his signature gesture
of breaking the fourth wall by looking at the camera after making a joke or a put-down.
In 1979, Norman Fell was offered a chance to star in his very own spin-off series called
The Ropers, along with his Three's Company co-star Audra Lindley.
The show would follow Stanley and Helen as they moved from their apartment building to
a posh townhouse complex where they would interact with a new collection of neighbors
and characters.
The show’s producers hoped that The Ropers would replicate the success of Three's Company
and appeal to its loyal fan base - but you know what they say about getting your hopes
up.
While the idea of having his own series seemed promising, Norman Fell was very nervous about
leaving Three's Company behind and taking on a brand new show.
He loved working with John Ritter, Joyce DeWitt, and Suzanne Somers and hated the idea of bidding
them farewell.
He also feared that The Ropers might not be as funny or as popular as Three’s Company.
Because of his reasonable concerns, he asked ABC if he could return to Three's Company
if The Ropers failed within one year.
ABC agreed to this condition, but as you’ll soon see, they later shamelessly reneged on
it.
Unfortunately, Norman Fell's fears were realized when The Ropers failed to perform well.
The show faced stiff competition from other sitcoms like Archie Bunker's Place, Alice,
One Day at a Time, M*A*S*H*and Taxi.
It also suffered from poor writing, weak jokes, and a noticeable lack of chemistry among the
primary cast members.
The Ropers lasted only two seasons before it was abruptly canceled by ABC in 1980.
Fell Out, Knotts In
When Norman Fell and Audra Lindley left Three’s Company to star in their own spin-off series
The Ropers in 1979, they left a big void in the show.
The characters were fan-favorites, and Fell and Lindley really seemed to be right at home
as members of the cast.
They were often involved in hilarious situations and misunderstandings with the other main
characters, and obviously, this sort of chemistry would be hard to duplicate with someone else
in their respective roles.
To fill their shoes, the producers hired Don Knotts, a veteran actor, and comedian who
had worked with John Ritter before on The Bob Newhart Show.
Knotts was cast as Ralph Furley, a new landlord who inherited the building from his brother
Bart.
He was a flamboyant bachelor who wore colorful outfits and tried to act cool and hip but
was also very naive and gullible, which made him easy to fool by Jack and his friends.
Don Knotts made his first appearance on Three's Company in the fourth season premiere episode
"A New Landlord".
In this episode, he meets Jack, Janet, and Chrissy for the first time, and mistakes them
for a gay man, a prostitute, and a runaway.
He also meets Larry Dallas, Jack's best friend, and neighbor, who tries to take advantage
of him.
Don Knotts quickly became a fan favorite on Three’s Company.
He brought his own style of comedy and physical humor to the show.
He also had great chemistry with Ritter and the gang.
Knotts stayed on the show until its final episode in 1984.
Many critics and viewers considered Don Knotts to be a good addition to the cast of Three's
Company.
He helped keep the show fresh and funny after Norman Fell's departure.
He also won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his role
as Ralph.
Broken Promises
When The Ropers was canceled after two seasons due to low ratings and poor reviews, Norman
Fell hoped that he could resume his role as Mr. Roper on Three’s Company.
Despite previously agreeing to Fell’s terms, ABC had already hired Don Knotts as Ralph
Furley, who had quickly become very popular with the audience.
Going back on what they had previously agreed to, ABC refused to honor their agreement with
Norman Fell and did not allow him to come back to Three’s Company.
Norman Fell felt utterly betrayed by ABC and regretted ever leaving Three’s Company.
He was quoted as saying: “I should have stayed put - I blew it”.
He also admitted that he missed working with Ritter, DeWitt, Somers, and the rest of the
cast.
Reportedly Fell never watched The Ropers or Three’s Company ever again after feeling
like he had gotten stabbed in the back by the network.
Fortunately, there is no evidence that Norman Fell and Don Knotts disliked each other or
had a feud following the unfolding of these unfortunate events.
In fact, they both appeared in the same TV show, The Steve Allen Show, before they became
famous for their roles in Three’s Company and The Andy Griffith Show respectively.
They also worked together on an episode of The Love Boat that aired in 1981, where they
played old friends who reunited after years of separation.
While Norman Fell didn’t hold a grudge against Knotts for replacing him, that didn’t stop
him from beating himself up for years for voluntarily choosing to leave the show.
Norman Fell and Don Knotts were both talented and respected actors who entertained millions
of viewers with their humor and charisma.
It’s reassuring to know that they did not have any personal or professional animosity
toward each other.
At the end of the day, they were simply colleagues who took different paths in their careers.
Fell’s Later Years And Death
After The Ropers was canceled due to low ratings, Norman Fell continued to work steadily in
both comedy and drama roles.
He appeared in several TV shows, such as Teachers Only, where he played Ben Cooper, Needles,
and Pins, where he played Nathan Davidson; and Crazy Like a Fox.
He also guest-starred on popular shows like The Love Boat, Murder, She Wrote, Matlock,
and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Norman Fell also had a successful film career, appearing in many movies that showcased his
range and talent.
Some of his notable films include 1960s Ocean’s 11, where he played Peter Rheimer; 1967s The
Graduate, where he played Mr. McCleery; 1968s Bullitt, where he played Police Captain Baker;
1972s Catch-22, where he played Sergeant Towser; 1991s For the Boys, where he played Sam Schiff;
and 1993s Hexed, where he played Herschel Levine.
EDITORS NOTE: YOU CAN OMIT A FEW OF THOSE CREDITS TO LIMIT REDUNDANCY
Norman Fell also received critical acclaim for some of his performances.
He won a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1979 for Three's Company.
He was nominated for an Emmy for his dramatic role as Tom Jordache's boxing trainer in the
miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man.
He also received praise for his portrayal of a villainous character who slaps Angie
Dickinson in Ronald Reagan's last film, The Killers.
Norman Fell was not only a talented actor but also a generous and kind person.
He supported many charitable causes and helped young actors pursue their dreams.
As far as family goes, Fell was married three times and had two daughters.
Sadly, Fell died of bone marrow cancer on December 14, 1998, at the age of 74, leaving
behind a legacy of laughter and excellence that will always be remembered by his loved
ones and fans.
Hollywood reacted with sadness and respect to Norman Fell’s passing.
Many of his former co-stars and colleagues paid tribute to him and praised his talent
and personality.
John Ritter said that Fell was "a great actor" who made him “laugh every day”.
Joyce DeWitt said that Fell was “a wonderful man” who her “a lot about comedy”.
Suzanne Somers said that Fell was “a very sweet man” who “always had a twinkle in
his eye”.
Norman Fell was mourned by his fans, family, and friends as a Hollywood legend who had
a long and successful career in film and television.
It still makes you wonder, however, what Three's Company would have been like if he had stuck
around for a few more seasons.
Norman Fell was more than just Mr. Roper.
He was a Hollywood legend who entertained millions with his wit and charm.
He proved that he could do anything from comedy to drama to action with ease and grace.
He was one of a kind, and we miss him dearly.
How do you remember Norman Fell, and do you think that ABC should have given him his role
back as Mr. Roper on Three's Company after The Ropers flopped?
Let us know in the comments.
And as always, thanks for watching.