Joanna Cassidy calls reconnecting with boyfriend Alan Hamel ‘miraculous'
The actress, 80, reflected on her budding romance with the late Suzanne Somers' husband, Alan Hamel.
While talking to People on Saturday, Cassidy said, 'It was sort of miraculous to run into Alan. I hadn't even seen him in 30 years.'
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8 Joanna Cassidy in April 2025.
Getty Images for "Growing Daisies" Official US Premiere
The couple debuted their romance earlier this summer, almost two years after Somers died at age 76 from breast cancer.
Hamel, 89, agreed that he and Cassidy being brought together was 'a miracle.'
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'We met over 50 years ago. Joanna was a guest on my show in Canada, and that was in the late '70s, I think,' the entertainer told the outlet. 'The next time I saw her, she was doing a major mini-series with Suzanne and Anthony Hopkins. And then I didn't see her again until a few months ago.'
8 Alan Hamel and Joanna Cassidy grab lunch in matching caps.
JISH / BACKGRID
'We connected, and I'm happy that we connected. She's a great woman,' Hamel gushed. 'The thing is that she will help anybody to do anything. She's amazing that way.'
The Canadian film producer couldn't say the same for himself.
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'I don't have that DNA,' Hamel confessed. 'She does. It's amazing. It's admirable. Next to her, I feel like there's more I should be doing for the world.'
8 Alan Hamel and Joanna Cassidy step out in Malibu.
JISH / BACKGRID
The pair is now looking forward to making more memories together since first stepping out together in June.
'The aging process is great,' Hamel mused. 'People think that it's not, but it's great. You get a lot more out of each birthday, especially when you're celebrating after five years or 10 years.'
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Cassidy is also looking to continue her decades-long career. She is ready to take on an action-packed role next.
8 Joanna Cassidy and Alan Hamel in conversation while walking to lunch.
JISH / BACKGRID
'Well, having been in the original 'Blade Runner,' my sense of physicality [is important],' she told People. 'Before we did this interview, I just did a class that was one of the hardest classes I've ever taken. I came back, and my legs were shaking. Everything's shaking on me. And so that's a really important part of my life, is to be in the gym and work out and push myself physically.'
'I love to do that,' she added. 'And I want to be in another adventure movie. I want to be in a movie where I can show those attributes that I have. That's what I want to do.'
Hamel couldn't agree more.
8 Joanna Cassidy on the red carpet in 2024.
FilmMagic
He dubbed his partner 'perfect to be an action hero.'
'The reality is, she's taller than most women and in great physical condition,' Hamel expressed before saying to Cassidy: 'You could probably do all your own stunts as well. And I think there's room for a female action hero out there.'
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In June, Hamel shed light onto their relationship while chatting with Page Six.
'I don't know where this relationship is going,' he stated.
8 Suzanne Somers and Alan Hamel.
suzannesomers/Instagram
At the time, the two were photographed sporting matching Malibu Beach Inn baseball caps while getting lunch at Broad Street Oyster Company.
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'I have known Joanna Cassidy for over 45 years,' Hamel elaborated. 'Joanna was a guest star on 'The Alan Hamel Show' in Canada in the '70s. She was a great guest and it was a dynamic show, and we liked each other, not romantically, but mainly with respect. Both of us were married at the time.'
'I ran into her in the mid-'80s many times during the production of Jackie Collins' 'Hollywood Wives,'' he recalled. 'It was very cordial.'
8 Suzanne Somers and Alan Hamel smile for an Instagram picture.
suzannesomers/Instagram
This time around, Hamel's son, Stephen, played matchmaker.
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'My son met Joanna at a screening and after a long conversation suggested to Joanna that she and me would get along and should meet. Stephen did not know we knew each other.'
Hamel knew he would have Somers' blessing since in her final days she urged him to move on.
8 Suzanne Somers gives her husband Alan Hamel a kiss.
suzannesomers/Instagram
'Don't mope around,' he recalled the 'Three's Company' vet saying. 'Live your life. We will see one another after you cross over.'
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Hamel, meanwhile, had nothing but praise for his current partner.
'Joanna is extremely accomplished,' he detailed. 'She is easily the hardest-working and most active actress in Hollywood for well over 50 years. She's a great mother to her adult children, turns up for many fundraisers for first responders and is staff for her four cats. She is no Hollywood BS, and we laugh a lot.'
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