Alan Hamel (born June 30, 1936) is a Canadian entertainer, producer, and television host. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, he worked as a commercial pitchman for American Stores, a coast-to-coast supermarket chain.
He specifically appeared in advertisements for Alpha Beta stores in the western United States and in occasional spots for Acme Markets in the northeastern United States.
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Alan Hamel Net Worth
Alan Hamel has a net worth of $100 million, a combined total with his wife of over 40 years.
Hamel and Suzanne Somers purchased a house in Palm Springs, California, in 1977, which they sold in 2021 for $8.5 million. In January 2007, a wildfire in Southern California destroyed their Malibu, California home.
Early Life
Alan Hamel was born in Toronto and is of Jewish descent. In 1954, he attended the television arts program at Ryerson Institute of Technology but did not graduate.
Career
Alan Hamel co-hosted the Canadian children’s television series Razzle Dazzle (1961–64), which featured a talking turtle, Howard. In the late 1960s, he hosted two syndicated game shows airing on ABC owned-and-operated stations and others: Wedding Party (1968) and Anniversary Game (1969), where he first met Suzanne Somers, whom he married in 1977.
From 1971 to 1973, Hamel hosted Mantrap, a weekday daytime panel show from BCTV in Vancouver for CTV stations in Canada, also syndicated in the U.S. In the late 1970s, he hosted The Alan Hamel Show, a popular daytime talk show.
Personal Life
Alan Hamel has two children from his first marriage to Marilyn Hamel: a son, Stephen, and a daughter, Leslie. He met his second wife, actress and author Suzanne Somers, while she worked as a prize model on The Anniversary Game, a show he hosted.
Although he was still married, they began a relationship, which led to an abortion. Hamel and Somers lived together for about nine years before marrying on November 19, 1977, in a ceremony officiated by a rabbi and a Catholic priest. He is also stepfather to Bruce Somers Jr., Somers’ son from a previous teen marriage.
What happened to Alan Hamel’s first wife?
Alan Hamel’s first wife, Suzanne Somers, died in 2023 at age 76. She battled breast cancer for over 23 years. The couple had been married from 1977 until her death.
Conclusion
Alan Hamel’s career is a testament to his enduring influence in the entertainment industry and his savvy as an entrepreneur. His journey from a television host to a multimillionaire, alongside his late wife, Suzanne Somers, is a story of talent, perseverance, and strategic investment.
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FAQs about Alan Hamel
- How did Alan Hamel and Suzanne Somers amass their wealth?
- Through successful careers in entertainment, savvy real estate investments, and entrepreneurship.
- When did Alan Hamel start his career in entertainment?
- Hamel began his career in the early 1960s, hosting “Razzle Dazzle.”
- Did Alan Hamel have any children with Suzanne Somers?
- No, the couple did not have children together, but Suzanne had a son from a previous marriage.
- What role did Alan Hamel play in Suzanne Somers’ career?
- Beyond being her husband, Hamel was instrumental in managing and producing several of Suzanne’s projects.
- How has Alan Hamel contributed to the Canadian entertainment industry?
- Hamel’s diverse roles as a host, actor, and producer have left a lasting impact on Canadian television and entertainment.
