Alan Hamel is an 88-year-old Canadian television host, producer, and businessman with a net worth of $100 million. Born June 30, 1936, in Toronto, he gained fame hosting shows like Razzle Dazzle and The Alan Hamel Show before becoming a successful producer and the business partner of his late wife, actress Suzanne Somers, until her death in October 2023.
Who Is Alan Hamel and Why Does His Story Matter?
Alan Hamel built a five-decade career that transformed from on-camera personality to behind-the-scenes business strategist. His journey from hosting Canadian children’s television in the 1960s to creating a $100 million entertainment and wellness empire offers lessons in career adaptation and long-term partnership.
Born in Toronto on June 30, 1936, Hamel enrolled in the television arts program at Ryerson Institute of Technology in 1954 but never completed his degree. That unconventional start didn’t stop him from becoming what People magazine called “Canada’s leading TV talk show host” by the late 1970s.
His transition from performer to producer marked a turning point in entertainment business models. Hamel recognized early that celebrity could be transformed into sustainable brand value, a strategy that generated hundreds of millions in revenue over four decades.
How Did Alan Hamel Start His Television Career?
What was Alan Hamel’s breakthrough show?
Hamel’s television career launched in 1961 when he co-hosted Razzle Dazzle, a Canadian children’s series featuring a talking turtle named Howard. The show ran until 1964 and established him as a recognizable face in Canadian households. His natural charisma made the transition to adult programming seamless.
By the late 1960s, he hosted two syndicated game shows that aired on ABC-owned stations across the United States. Wedding Party debuted in 1968, followed by Anniversary Game in 1969. These programs gave Hamel exposure to American audiences and changed his personal life forever.
How successful was The Alan Hamel Show?
From 1976 to 1980, Hamel hosted his self-titled daytime talk show on CTV. The Alan Hamel Show combined celebrity interviews, musical performances, and comedy sketches. It became one of Canada’s most popular variety programs of that era and solidified his status as a national television personality.
The show’s format influenced later talk programs and demonstrated Hamel’s versatility as an interviewer and entertainer. His ability to connect with both celebrity guests and everyday viewers set him apart from competitors. During this period, he also hosted Mantrap, a weekday panel show that aired from 1971 to 1973.
What Led to Alan Hamel’s Business Transformation?
How did Hamel meet Suzanne Somers?
Hamel met Suzanne Somers in 1969 when she worked as a prize model on Anniversary Game, one of the shows he hosted. Although he was married to his first wife, Marilyn Hamel, at the time, their connection was immediate. They began a relationship that initially included challenges, but their bond proved stronger than early obstacles.
The couple lived together for nearly nine years before marrying on November 19, 1977. Both a rabbi and a Catholic priest officiated at their wedding ceremony. Hamel brought two children from his first marriage, Stephen and Leslie, while Somers had a son, Bruce Jr., from her teenage marriage.
Why did Hamel become Suzanne Somers’ manager?
When Somers starred in Three’s Company during the late 1970s and early 1980s, Hamel noticed her existing management made short-term deals rather than building long-term career value. In 1980, he stepped into the role of her manager and business partner.
The timing proved significant. After Somers was fired from Three’s Company in 1981 for demanding equal pay to her male co-star, Hamel helped redirect her career toward brand building. This decision transformed what could have been a career setback into a business opportunity that would last decades.
How Did the ThighMaster Become a Cultural Phenomenon?
What was Alan Hamel’s role in ThighMaster’s success?
The ThighMaster became one of the most successful fitness products in history, selling over 10 million units. Hamel and Somers didn’t invent the leg-toning device, but they transformed its marketing through a brilliant commercial concept.
The idea came from an everyday moment. Somers had purchased expensive Manolo Blahnik shoes and wanted to show them to her husband without revealing the price. She walked out wearing only underwear and the new heels. Hamel’s response, “Great legs,” became the foundation of their marketing campaign.
The commercial featured a camera slowly panning up Somers’ legs while Hamel’s voice narrated. This approach sold the aspiration rather than just the product. Initially working with partners, the couple eventually bought out their collaborators to gain 100% ownership of ThighMaster.
What other business ventures did Hamel and Somers create?
Hamel founded The Somers Companies, which manufactured and marketed over 1,000 products spanning multiple categories. The portfolio included health supplements, beauty products, small kitchen appliances, fashion items, and fitness equipment across 186 countries.
The business model went beyond simple celebrity endorsement. Hamel built infrastructure for product development, manufacturing partnerships, and direct-to-consumer sales channels. Their appearance on Home Shopping Network created interactive television experiences where Somers spent 15 to 25 hours monthly talking directly with customers.
| Product Category | Examples | Business Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Fitness Equipment | ThighMaster, ThighMaster Vibrato | Direct marketing via infomercials and HSN |
| Health & Wellness | Nutritional supplements, organic products | Built on Somers’ health advocacy and books |
| Beauty & Fashion | Cosmetics, skincare, jewelry | Leveraged Somers’ image and customer trust |
| Food & Kitchen | Prepared foods, appliances, and cookware | Created through licensing agreements |
| Publishing | 27 books on health, wellness, aging | Combined with the product sales ecosystem |
What Made Alan Hamel’s Business Approach Different?
How did Hamel turn celebrity into a sustainable business?
Hamel’s business philosophy centered on creating products he and Somers would personally use. This authenticity resonated with consumers who viewed Somers not as a distant celebrity but as someone who understood their needs. The approach predated modern influencer marketing by decades.
Their business model included vertical integration. Rather than simply endorsing third-party products, they controlled manufacturing, distribution, and marketing. This structure allowed higher profit margins and better quality control.
Hamel also recognized the value of direct customer relationships. Through Home Shopping Network appearances and later social media, Somers maintained personal connections with what she called “my ladies.” These weren’t just customers but a community that trusted her recommendations.
What role did real estate play in Hamel’s wealth?
Real estate investments contributed significantly to Hamel’s $100 million net worth. In the late 1970s, the couple purchased a 73-acre hillside estate in Palm Springs featuring unique architecture with multiple buildings connected by funiculars and bridges.
They originally listed the Palm Springs property for $35 million in 2008. After reducing the acreage to 20 acres, it eventually sold for $8.5 million in 2021. The couple also donated 480 acres of land in northern Palm Springs to the Coachella Valley Conservation Commission in 2018 for environmental preservation.
Their Malibu properties demonstrated similar investment savvy. They purchased oceanfront land in 1999 for $2.3 million and the adjacent lot in 2001 for $2.35 million, creating 190 feet of ocean frontage. After a 2007 wildfire destroyed the homes, they rebuilt and the property was later listed for $40 million in 2021.
What Was Alan Hamel and Suzanne Somers’ Relationship Like?
How long were Alan Hamel and Suzanne Somers married?
Hamel and Somers were married for 46 years, from November 1977 until her death on October 15, 2023. Their relationship became one of Hollywood’s most enduring partnerships, lasting through Somers’ cancer battles, career ups and downs, and business ventures.
The couple maintained an unusual closeness. They famously didn’t spend a single night apart in over 42 years of marriage. Hamel described their daily routine of holding hands while sleeping and waking up to look at her face each morning.
Their relationship wasn’t without early struggles. Hamel admitted they “fought like mad dogs” during the first few years together. However, after one argument, Somers told him, “No matter how bad it gets, let’s never break up.” They honored that commitment for nearly five decades.
What happened after Suzanne Somers died?
Somers died from breast cancer on October 15, 2023, one day before her 77th birthday. She had battled the disease for over 23 years. Her death certificate later revealed she had breast cancer with metastasis to the brain, along with hypertension and hydrocephalus.
Hamel, who was 87 at the time of her death, was by her side along with their son Bruce. In her final days, Somers told him twice, “Don’t mope around. Live your life. We will see one another after you cross over.”
In June 2025, Hamel confirmed he entered a new relationship with actress Joanna Cassidy, a former co-star of Somers. The two had known each other for over 45 years, first meeting when Cassidy appeared on The Alan Hamel Show in the 1970s. Hamel’s son Stephen reconnected them at a film screening.
What Is Alan Hamel Doing Now?
How is Hamel continuing Suzanne Somers’ legacy?
At 88 years old, Hamel remains actively involved in managing the Somers Companies. His daughter-in-law serves as company president, and his three granddaughters participate in the business. The family continues developing new organic products and maintaining Somers’ social media presence.
The business still sells nutritional supplements, cosmetics, skincare products, and ThighMaster variations through direct channels. Hamel credits this ongoing work as fulfilling Somers’ final wish that he continue serving “her ladies” with quality health and beauty products.
In a controversial move reported in October 2025, Hamel revealed he created an AI replica of Suzanne Somers. The digital clone was trained on all 27 of her books and hundreds of interviews. Hamel claims Somers supported the idea, which began as a concept they discussed in the 1980s, intended to provide health information to her fans after her death.
What lessons does Alan Hamel’s career offer?
Hamel’s journey demonstrates how career reinvention creates long-term success. His transition from performer to producer and business strategist showed adaptability when his hosting career peaked. Rather than trying to maintain relevance as an on-camera personality into his 50s and beyond, he shifted behind the scenes.
His partnership model with Somers proved that celebrity marriages can function as successful business collaborations. The key was complementary skills—Hamel handled strategy and operations while Somers maintained customer relationships and brand identity.
Finally, Hamel’s focus on authenticity in product development preceded modern marketing trends by decades. By only promoting products they personally used and believed in, they built customer trust that translated into long-term loyalty and repeat purchases.
Key Takeaways About Alan Hamel
Alan Hamel’s career spans hosting iconic Canadian television shows in the 1960s and 1970s to building a $100 million entertainment and wellness empire. His story illustrates successful career pivoting, strategic business partnership, and the value of authentic brand building.
His transition from television host to producer and manager demonstrated foresight about changing entertainment economics. The ThighMaster’s success and subsequent product lines showed how celebrity could be transformed into sustainable business value through quality products and direct customer relationships.
Hamel’s 46-year marriage to Suzanne Somers proved that personal and professional partnerships can thrive together when based on complementary skills and shared values. Their relationship survived early challenges, career setbacks, and health crises through commitment and daily attention to their connection.
Today, Hamel continues managing the Somers Companies while honoring his late wife’s legacy through ongoing product development and customer engagement. His career offers lessons in adaptation, authenticity, and the power of long-term thinking in both business and personal relationships.
