R.I.P.
"Match Game's" Brett Somers Dead at 83

Posted Sep 17th 2007 11:45AM by TMZ Staff

Brett Somers"Match Game" vet Brett Somers passed away from stomach and colon cancer at her Connecticut home on Saturday. She was 83.

Somers, the grandmother of the Mary-Kate Olsen/Nicole Richie oversized sunglasses trend, was known for her dry wit and humor as one of the celebrity panelists on the memorable '70s game show, which experienced renewed interest in repeats on the Game Show Network.

Ms. Somers married actor Jack Klugman in 1953 and played his ex-wife on the long-running series, "The Odd Couple." Although they separated in 1974, the couple never divorced.

Somers is survived by Klugman, her two sons, Adam and David, and a daughter, Leslie.

Filed under: TV, R.I.P.


Tags: Brett Somers, BrettSomers

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1. I liked her. I still watch the reruns sometimes and enjoy a time when Hollywood knew how to have fun without being so full of itself.

God Bless Brett Somers
Condolences to the Family.

Posted at 4:13PM on Sep 17th 2007 by Melissa (PA)

2. [ Blank ] as a doornail.

Posted at 4:21PM on Sep 17th 2007 by flubby

3. I enjoyed watching Match Game and Match Game PM as a kid and remember the funny stuff during the show with all the celebrities. Did not realize she was married to Jack Klugman though! RIP

Posted at 4:28PM on Sep 17th 2007 by 70's kid

4. She was so funny. I still love watching the Match Game reruns on the Game Show Network and I especially love the shows she is on.

Posted at 4:34PM on Sep 17th 2007 by Allison

5. She was great on Match Game - I watch everyday on GSN. Watched it in the 70's too. Shows were fun before people got sued, fired and ruined for every stupid thing they said.

Posted at 4:40PM on Sep 17th 2007 by Columbo

6. Thank you TMZ - finally a decent obit on someone. Interesting...didn't know she was the Olson Twins' grandmother and I did not know she never divorced Klugman........she was hilarious......very dry wit - a real talent. RIP.

Posted at 4:54PM on Sep 17th 2007 by Pieta

7. I absolutely loved Match Game as a kid. Brett was sooo funny as was another funny man Charles Nelson Riley. Still watching reruns. It's a breath of fresh air compared to what is on TV today. My condolences to her family. Thank you Brett for all the laughs you gave us. RIP

Pieta FYI- she wasn't the Olsen twins grandmother. She was the "grandmother" of big glasses.

Posted at 5:07PM on Sep 17th 2007 by TV

8. funny i was watching odd couple last night with blanche (oscar's exwife!) how eerry!

Posted at 5:15PM on Sep 17th 2007 by writergal

9. #7 -- gene rayburn died years ago.

Posted at 5:15PM on Sep 17th 2007 by writergal

10. I reallt liked Brett...She always made me smile. I loved the show and still watch it when I can find it on TV. So many of the stars of Match Game has passed...It's really sad. We really are getting older.

Posted at 5:17PM on Sep 17th 2007 by shelly

11. I have no clue who she was

Posted at 5:22PM on Sep 17th 2007 by =DJ FunkyGrrL=

12. I think it was meant that she(being Brett) is the grandmother of the trend of big sunglasses. I do not think they meant that she is their grandmother. It was kind of written oddly. Brett was a very funny lady and I really loved it when her and Charles Nelson Riley went at each other. I was just so very, very sad when I saw the posting of her death. WOW!!!! 83 years old, she lived a long life.... Prayer's to her family.....................

Posted at 5:24PM on Sep 17th 2007 by lovey

13. Man o man, does this hit me hard....

Brett Somers and Charles Nelson Reilly were two of my very favorite people on television when I was growing up--I loved them terribly, they always made me laugh so much, even though a lot of what they were talking about went over my head (being that I was probably 5 when I first saw episodes of Match Game...

Seeing them in reruns or the occasional appearance here and there was like seeing an old friend. I had always wished that some day I might have an opportunity to meet them and thank them for all the fun times they gave me, but sadly now they are both gone...

There will never be another Brett Somers--she was truly an individual, a rebel, downright wickedly funny and crass, but I just know that she was also probably a very genuine, very human, and very loving person...

Sincere condolences to her family and friends--I'm totally heartbroken to hear the news.

Posted at 5:34PM on Sep 17th 2007 by Chaz

14. What a shame in that we all can't live forever. I also watch Matchgame reruns on GSN every chance I get. BEST GAMESHOW EVER!!!!! I know alot of them I have seen several times but they are still funny. This leaves Richard Dawson as the only "regular" still alive. Charles Nelson Reilly died earlier this year as did Gene Rayburn. Hard to believe what they were able to get away with on those shows. Words, etc. And all the smoking they did. It's a wonder they lived this long. Just a few days ago they showed her daughter on the show. I hadn't realized til then she had kids. I did know she was married to J. Klugman.

Posted at 5:43PM on Sep 17th 2007 by Buttercup

15. I remember her. TV shows were way better then. Today's reality garbage is just that...garbage. Bless her and her family.

Posted at 5:47PM on Sep 17th 2007 by mg

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