Alan Hamel

Early life and education

Alan Hamel was born in Toronto on June 30, 1936, into a family of Jewish descent. His early interest in performance and media led him to pursue formal training in the field. He enrolled in the television arts program at the Ryerson Institute of Technology in 1954, a notable institution for broadcast education in Canada. Hamel did not complete his degree at Ryerson, choosing instead to enter the professional television world directly.

Breakthrough in children's television

Hamel's first major national role came as the co-host of the CBC Television children's series Razzle Dazzle, which aired from 1961 to 1964. The show was a variety program designed for young audiences and became a beloved part of after-school programming. A distinctive feature of the show was a puppet character named Howard, a talking turtle who interacted with the hosts. This early experience gave Hamel a platform to develop his on-camera persona, which was characterized by a warm and engaging style. His success on Razzle Dazzle established him as a reliable and personable host for Canadian network television.

Game shows and American syndication

In the late 1960s, Hamel transitioned to hosting game shows that were syndicated in the United States, significantly broadening his audience. He hosted Wedding Party in 1968 and Anniversary Game in 1969, both of which aired on ABC owned and operated stations and other affiliates across the US. It was while hosting The Anniversary Game that he first met Suzanne Somers, who was working as a prize model on the program. These shows demonstrated Hamel's versatility and his ability to connect with a daytime audience, skills that would define his later career. The syndication of these programs marked his first major foray into the American television market.

Peak as a talk show host

Returning to Canadian television, Hamel hosted the weekday daytime panel show Mantrap from 1971 to 1973. The show was produced at BCTV in Vancouver for broadcast on the CTV network and was also syndicated in the United States. His greatest success came with The Alan Hamel Show, a popular daytime talk show on CTV that ran from 1976 to 1980. Produced in Vancouver, the location allowed Hamel to easily book guests from the Los Angeles entertainment industry. The show's format and Hamel's interviewing style earned him significant acclaim, with People magazine calling him Canada's leading TV talk show host. After he stepped down in 1980, the show continued under new hosts, first as The Alan Thicke Show and later as a talk show hosted by Don Harron.

During that time, he hosted the ill-fated People television series on CBS for a few months in 1978. For several years during the late 1970s and early 1980s, Hamel was a commercial pitchman for American Stores, a coast-to-coast chain of supermarkets. Specifically, he did advertisements for Alpha Beta stores in the western United States, and he also appeared in occasional spots for Acme Markets in the northeastern United States. People magazine considered him Canada's leading TV talk show host. His work as a host and a commercial spokesperson made him a prominent figure during that era.

Later career as a producer

As his on-camera hosting roles diminished, Hamel shifted his focus to work behind the scenes as a producer. He often worked on projects involving his wife, Suzanne Somers, including her fitness and lifestyle programs. He continued to make occasional acting appearances, sometimes on shows featuring Somers. His film and television credits include roles in the TV movie The Last Hurrah, an episode of All in the Family, and an episode of She's the Sheriff in the late 1980s. This phase of his career highlighted his adaptability and deep understanding of the television production business, moving from in-front-of-the-camera talent to a creative and managerial role.

Personal life and relationships

Alan Hamel was first married to Marilyn Hamel, with whom he had two children, a son named Stephen and a daughter named Leslie. He began a relationship with Suzanne Somers after meeting her on the set of The Anniversary Game, despite being married at the time. The relationship led to an abortion early on. Hamel and Somers lived together for approximately nine years before marrying on November 19, 1977, in a ceremony officiated by both a rabbi and a Catholic priest. Hamel became stepfather to Somers' son, Bruce Somers Jr., from a previous teenage marriage. In June 2025, it was reported that he is in a relationship with Somers' former co-star Joanna Cassidy.

Hamel and Somers owned several homes, including one in Palm Springs, California, which they purchased in 1977 and sold in 2021 for $8.5 million. A wildfire in Southern California destroyed their home in Malibu, California, in January 2007. In the years following Somers' death, Hamel's personal life returned to public attention. Cassidy has publicly discussed their romance, stating she does not feel awkward about dating Somers' widower. The couple has been seen together at public events in Los Angeles as recently as 2026.

Questions about Alan Hamel

What is Alan Hamel best known for in Canada?

Alan Hamel is best known in Canada as the host of The Alan Hamel Show, a highly popular daytime talk show that aired on CTV from 1976 to 1980. He is also remembered by an earlier generation as the co-host of the beloved CBC children's series Razzle Dazzle in the early 1960s. His warm hosting style and consistent presence on Canadian television throughout the 1970s made him a household name. People magazine once referred to him as Canada's leading TV talk show host during the peak of his career.

How did Alan Hamel meet his wife Suzanne Somers?

Alan Hamel first met Suzanne Somers in 1969 when she was working as a prize model on the syndicated game show The Anniversary Game, which he was hosting. At the time, Hamel was still married to his first wife. They began a relationship that continued for nearly a decade before they eventually married in 1977. Their meeting on a game show set is a well-documented part of their long public romance, which lasted until Somers' death in 2023.

Is Alan Hamel still working in television?

While Alan Hamel has not hosted a major television series in many years, he remained active in the industry behind the scenes as a producer, often on projects involving Suzanne Somers. He has made occasional acting appearances over the decades. His primary public role in recent years has been associated with his wife's career and their shared public life. As of 2026, he continues to make appearances at public events but is not known to be hosting or producing new television programs.

Who is Alan Hamel dating now?

Following the death of his wife Suzanne Somers in 2023, Alan Hamel began a relationship with actress Joanna Cassidy. Reports of their romance surfaced by June 2025, and Cassidy, who is known for her role in Blade Runner, has confirmed the relationship in interviews. She has stated she does not feel awkward about dating Somers' widower. The couple has been photographed together at public events in Los Angeles in 2026, indicating their relationship is ongoing.

What was Alan Hamel's first major television role?

Alan Hamel's first major television role was co-hosting the Canadian children's series Razzle Dazzle. This show aired on CBC Television from 1961 to 1964. It famously featured a talking turtle named Howard. This early role helped establish his career in Canadian television.

What game shows did Alan Hamel host in the late 1960s?

In the late 1960s, Alan Hamel hosted two syndicated game shows. These were Wedding Party in 1968 and Anniversary Game in 1969. Both shows aired on ABC owned and operated stations as well as others. It was on Anniversary Game that he first met his future wife, Suzanne Somers.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-21.