Life has a funny way of surprising us—especially when it comes to love. And for Alan Hamel, the longtime husband of the late Suzanne Somers, it turns out that love wasn’t quite finished writing chapters in his story.
Not even two years after Suzanne’s heartbreaking passing in 2023, Alan is cautiously stepping back into the world of companionship—and in a twist that sounds straight out of a Hollywood script, he’s found a deep connection with none other than Joanna Cassidy, a former co-star of his late wife.
💥 A Relationship That’s Years in the Making
In a candid chat with Page Six, Hamel revealed that while his relationship with Cassidy is new, their history spans nearly five decades. “I’ve known Joanna Cassidy for over 45 years,” he explained. “She was a guest on The Alan Hamel Show back in the ‘70s when we taped in Canada. She was a fantastic guest—charming, vibrant—and although we weren’t romantically connected then, we always had a healthy mutual respect.”
It’s this foundation of mutual admiration that seems to be giving their new relationship a grounded and sincere footing. Hamel added that while he doesn’t know exactly where things are heading, he feels incredibly lucky just to be enjoying her company during what he calls “the cocktail hour” of his life.
“Most men would love to have a Joanna in their life,” he shared warmly. “And I’m fortunate enough to say that I do.”
👏 Enter: Stephen – The Unexpected Matchmaker
One of the sweetest and perhaps most unexpected pieces of this story? The matchmaker role played by Hamel’s own son, Stephen.
It all started at a screening event where Stephen struck up a conversation with Cassidy. After chatting for a while, Stephen had a thought: “You and my dad would get along,” he suggested, unaware that the two had already met nearly five decades earlier.
Stephen’s intuitive matchmaking turned out to be a spark, leading the two down a road neither of them had planned. “He didn’t even know we already knew each other,” Hamel laughed. But fate—or maybe Suzanne’s heavenly nudge—clearly had other ideas.
🎬 A Shared Connection Beyond the Screen
In a beautiful twist of fate, Cassidy and Somers co-starred together in the 1985 ABC miniseries Hollywood Wives. Though it was decades ago, that on-screen collaboration adds a touching layer to Hamel’s current relationship. It's like pieces of Suzanne’s past are still interwoven into the fabric of his present.
This bond with Cassidy isn’t about replacing Suzanne—it’s about moving forward in the way that Suzanne herself encouraged.
💌 Suzanne’s Words Still Echo
Even in her final days, Suzanne was thinking of Alan’s happiness. According to Hamel, she told him not to mourn her endlessly. “‘Don’t mope around,’” she had said, gently urging him to continue living a full life. Those four simple words stuck with him—and now, they’re quietly guiding him as he embraces this new chapter.
During an emotional 2024 interview on TODAY, Hamel shared what Suzanne meant to him. “She was an amazing, amazing woman,” he said, his voice filled with affection. “Aside from all of her accomplishments, she was an amazing wife and an amazing mother. She pulled our family together. I didn’t do it—she did.”
Their love story was long and filled with passion, laughter, and partnership. Married in 1977, Suzanne and Alan were partners in life and in business. Together, they built a wellness brand and empire that left a lasting mark on American pop culture.
❤️ Not a Replacement—But a New Rhythm
Alan Hamel isn’t pretending that his love for Suzanne has faded. It’s clear he still holds her close in everything he does. But love, like life, has its seasons—and Cassidy isn’t stepping into Suzanne’s shoes. She’s simply becoming part of the next act in Hamel’s journey.
And it’s not lost on anyone that Cassidy herself has had a long and celebrated career, bringing poise, warmth, and strength to the screen in countless roles. Her calm maturity and shared history with Hamel have created a connection that’s not based on drama or sudden sparks, but on steady warmth and shared values.
🕯️ The Beauty of Aging Gracefully—Together
What makes this story so beautiful isn’t just who Alan is dating, but how he’s navigating this part of life with honesty and grace. In his words, he’s living in “the cocktail hour” of his life—a time for reflection, gratitude, and perhaps even a little celebration.
He’s surrounded by family, filled with fond memories, and embracing a new friendship-turned-romance that feels natural and grounded. “I’m blessed with a magnificent family—thanks to incredible Suzanne—a privileged life, and the business we created 50 years ago,” he reflected.
For many, growing old can feel like a slow fade into solitude. But Hamel’s story is a reminder that joy can arrive even when you think your heart has settled into memory.
📝 Final Thoughts: Life After Loss, Love After Grief
It’s not always easy to open your heart again after a devastating loss. But Alan Hamel is proving that love, in its many forms, never truly runs out. It simply evolves.
With Suzanne’s memory never far from his thoughts and Cassidy now offering a new kind of companionship, Hamel’s story offers something hopeful for all of us—especially those who've faced the deep ache of losing a partner.
Sometimes, life gives us a second shot at connection when we least expect it. And if we’re brave enough to take it, it just might surprise us in the best possible way.
Some Key Takeaways:
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💑 Alan Hamel is cautiously dating Joanna Cassidy, Suzanne Somers’ former Hollywood Wives co-star.
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👨👦 His son Stephen played accidental matchmaker after a screening event.
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🕰️ Hamel and Cassidy have known each other for over 45 years.
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🌟 Suzanne encouraged Alan to keep living after her passing: “Don’t mope around.”
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❤️ This isn’t a replacement—it’s a new chapter, grounded in respect and shared history.
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