Whatever Happened to ‘Three’s a Crowd’ Star Mary Cadorette?

Dave Sundstrom Yesterday, 11:00 am

THREE'S A CROWD, Mary Cadorette, John Ritter, 1984-1985. — ABC Television/ Courtesy: Everett Collection.

After honing her craft in television commercials throughout the early ’80s, Mary Cadorette‘s big break came in 1984, when she auditioned for the role of Vicki Bradford, John Ritter‘s love interest in the Three’s Company spin-off Three’s a Crowd. Out of the over 500 actresses vying for the part, the former Miss Connecticut’s undeniable charm struck a chord with Ritter himself — and because of that, she landed the role of the stewardess who would capture Jack Tripper’s heart.

Three’s Company was one of the TV juggernauts of the ’70s; Three’s a Crowd, in contrast, only ran for a single season. When Three’s a Crowd was not renewed for a second season, some pointed to Mary as one of the reasons why the show didn’t do well. But I’ve got to say, I just don’t think she was the problem at all. The entire idea of Jack Tripper settling down just didn’t work — plus, we all know that Jack should have ended up with Janet.

THREE'S A CROWD, from left: Mary Cadorette, John Ritter, (1984), 1984-1985, ph: Mario Casilli / TV Guide / ©ABC/courtesy Everett Collection

©ABC/Everett Collection

Although Three’s a Crowd was canceled after its first season, it still put Mary on the map and opened doors for her to showcase her talents on numerous popular TV shows of the era. Mary charmed audiences with guest appearances on shows like Who’s the Boss?, The Bradys, and Matlock. And perhaps most memorably, at least for me, Mary had a recurring role on Night Court, playing news reporter Margaret Turner in four different episodes.

And while TV was definitely Mary’s bread and butter, she could also be seen on the big screen in the campy comedy Stewardess School, in which she co-starred along with such TV pop culture legends as Donny Most, Wendy Jo Sperber, and Judy Landers.

However, in 1999, Mary made a pretty darn big life decision: she left the bright lights of Hollywood to return to her hometown in Connecticut. You see, her mother’s health had taken a turn for the worse, and Mary wanted to be there for her. I’ve got to say, acts of selflessness like Mary’s are truly inspiring to me. She put the needs of those she loved in front of her own. Not everyone is willing to do that.

But let’s be clear, even though she stepped away from Hollywood, Mary’s passion for performing never faded. While caring for her mother, Mary reconnected with two old friends from dance school, and together they formed the Chapeau Rouge Dance Project which encouraged older adults to rediscover their love of dance. “People have to get past what they used to be compared to what they can do now,” Mary told the Hartford Courant in 2008.

Three's a Crowd John Ritter, Mary Cadorette, Robert Mandan, 1984-1985

ABC Television/Everett Collection

Just in case you’re wondering, Mary didn’t completely leave the stage behind. Every now and again, she participates in local theater productions, directing and even acting in plays like Our Town and Bell, Book and Candle.

And in 2015, Mary married her childhood sweetheart, Michael Dailey. This was Mary’s third marriage; her first ended in divorce, and her second husband, William Harris, passed away in 2010.

So, you see, Mary’s career path may not have been what everyone expected, but it’s clear that her life is both happy and fulfilling, even though Hollywood is a bit of a distant memory to her at this point.

Whatever Happened to ‘Three’s a Crowd’ Star Mary Cadorette?

Puzzler '80s Comedy Classics

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