Back in the early '70s, Brett Somers was the queen of the game show circuit as a panelist on Match Game. This wasn’t just any game show—it was a cultural phenomenon. As an actress best known for her role in Battlestar Galactica, Somers captivated audiences with her razor-sharp wit and hilarious banter with fellow panelist Charles Nelson Reilly. Her charm was irresistible, and her presence unforgettable. But after her time in the spotlight, people started wondering: where did she go? Let me tell you, her story is one worth hearing. Keep reading, because this is just getting started.
Who Was Brett Somers, Really?
Born Audrey Dawn Johnston on July 11, 1924, in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, Brett Somers wasn’t always the name she was known by. After moving to New York City as a teenager to chase her dreams of becoming an actress, she decided to reinvent herself with a new name. And let me tell you, it paid off. Her early career was nothing short of impressive. She made appearances on shows like The Mask in 1954, Goodyear Playhouse in 1955, Naked City in 1961, and The Fugitive in 1964. These weren’t just random gigs—these were stepping stones to something bigger.
From 1971 to 1973, Somers starred alongside her then-husband, Jack Klugman, in the iconic sitcom The Odd Couple. Together, they welcomed two sons, Adam and David, before calling it quits in 1977. But that wasn’t her only family chapter. Earlier in life, she married Robert H. Klein and had a daughter named Leslie. Family was clearly important to her, even as her career took off in ways she could’ve only dreamed of.
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In 1973, Somers stepped onto the Match Game stage as a panelist, and the rest, as they say, is history. Her signature wigs and colorful glasses became her trademark, and she quickly became synonymous with the show. Her presence wasn’t just about looks, though—she brought an energy that was unmatched.
"Charles Nelson Reilly and Brett Somers would have martinis and get a little loopidy-doopidy," fellow panelist Fannie Flagg reminisced in April 2020. Those moments weren’t just part of the show—they were memories that stayed with everyone who witnessed them.
And let’s not forget how dynamic their duo was. "Besides being hilarious, they were two of the smartest people I have ever known," Flagg added. "They got such a kick out of each other and razzed everybody else on the panel mercilessly, and they were particularly relentless on the people they liked. It was never mean or hurtful, and they loved it when you razzed them back." Sounds like a recipe for pure entertainment, doesn’t it?
What Did Brett Somers Do After 'Match Game'?
When Somers wrapped up her final appearances on Match Game in the early '80s, she didn’t just fade into obscurity. Instead, she took her talents to the stage, performing in her own cabaret show, An Evening With Brett Somers. But that wasn’t all—she kept acting, too. She appeared in shows like The Love Boat, CHiPs, and Getting There. And if you thought she was done with game shows, think again. In 2002, she returned to the spotlight as a celebrity panelist on Hollywood Squares. That’s right—she never fully left the world of entertainment.
Sadly, Somers passed away on September 15, 2007, at the age of 83, after battling stomach and colon cancer. But her legacy lives on, especially through her unforgettable contributions to Match Game.
"Match Game in a sense created its own celebrities. Brett actually had an extensive career in theater and television throughout the '50s and '60s and was in fact a lifetime member of The Actors Studio in New York," author A. Ashley Hoff once told Closer. "But it was Match Game that made her literally a household name. And while Richard Dawson was the most cerebral panelist and the best at the game, people loved Brett’s audacity." There’s no denying her impact—it was bold, it was unforgettable, and it will always be cherished.
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