John Ritter

Person Score

 
9.1 Superb
295 votes

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Biography

Recent Role:
Himself (1998, and other archival) on E! True Hollywood Story
Gender:
Male
Born:
9-17-1948
Died:
9-11-2003 (Aortic Dissection)
Birthplace:
Burbank, California
Birth Name:
Johnathan Southworth Ritter
American actor John Ritter, typically the engaging, rather boyish, sometimes goofy comic lead, made his film acting debut in 1970 and came into prominence on TV's popular and amusing if rather unsubtly prurient Three's Company. He used the series, which ran from 1977 to 1984, to carve out an identity that led him to many other roles. Ritter would later enjoy greater critical acclaim, if less popular response, in Hooperman (1987-1989), a comedy-drama which dared to eschew the prompting of a laugh track (Previously, John had displayed his versatility with a strong dramaticMore performance in the TV-movie, Unnatural Causes, 1986), and Hearts Afire(1992-1995). Extremely deft at physical comedy, Ritter went on to appear in a number of light comedy features such as Real Men (1987) and Problem Child (1990), with modest success through the 1980s and 90s. He has also served as executive producer of two TV series. John, whose father was the singing cowboy Tex Ritter, and his mother, Dorothy Fay, an actress who became the official greeter at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, was twice married: first to actress Nancy Morgan (1977-1996), with whom he had three children, the oldest son being actor Jason Ritter, and then he and actress Amy Yasbeck (Wings) were wed in 1999. Ritter died of an aortic dissection on September 11, 2003 after becoming ill on the set of 8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter.

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    10 Perfect
    John Ritter was an actor last known for playing Paul Hennessy on ABC's 8 Simple Rules. hide show

    John Ritter was best known for portraying Jack Tripper on Three's Company. After that, he was known for playing the voice of Clifford on the PBS kid's show Clifford the Big Red Dog. He was also known for playing Paul Hennessy on 8 Simple Rules until his devasting death. His full name was Johnathan Southworth Ritter. In 1977, he married Nancy Morgan. They had three children together: Jason (born 1980), Carly (born 1982), and Tyler (born 1984). John had another child, Stella (born 1998) from his marriage to his second wife, Amy Yasbeck. His parents were well-known actor Tex Ritter and actress Dorothy Fay. I think John Ritter was a great actor, and always will be remembered.

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    10 Perfect
    empty hide show

    Good actor that is certainly miss around the acting. His style was very cool and all of his wokr was always done with the passion of great actors. He did a lot of jobs and a lot of acting roles around his career, including movies like "The Problem Child" and "It", and in television with "8 Simple Rules" and "Scrubs". He certainly was one of the best comedy actors of our era. I really was sad when he died.

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    9.6 Superb
    One of the most classic and hilarious men to ever act in the past few decades. Trully a remarkable man. hide show

    When I first heard the news of John Ritter's death, I had a lump in my throat. I felt as if I had lost a role-model, or a hero. Although I'm only 14 years of age, and wasn't around for his days back on Three's Company, I became attatched to the show after viewing it several times on TV Land. By then, my family had bacome hooked on 8 Simple Rules, leading me to watch the modern John Ritter. Right as I had seriously begun to look up to him as one of my favorite actors of all time, he suddenly passed away. Though he may have left us, his priceless works are still alive all over television today.

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    10 Perfect
    I Loved John Ritter, He was my First Childhood Crush! I'll always love him and I miss him Dearly. hide show

    I was born the same month/Year John's Show "Three's Company" Was a #1 Hit For ABC Back in Feb 1978 and I Watched this show when i was a year old up to It's cancellation, I still watch the Re-Runs on TV Land.

    I Loved John Ritter from when i first saw him on that show, he became my first childhood crush at the age of 2yrs old & I still love him to this day. He was truely one of the best actors in hollywood though some of his movies were not blockbuster hits, I didnt care I enjoyed just watching him in Problem Child and Stay Tuned (Just to name a few). When i heard the news of his death I felt apart of me die (Really) that just shocked me and took me by surprize as well but now that it's been 7yrs since his death I Miss him Dearly There's never gonna be another actor like John Ritter, Sorry to say but no one not even his son Jason Could ever be like him.

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    10 Perfect
    Great person... hide show

    John Ritter was a great actor. I know him from one of my favorite shows, 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter ( based on some book ) . He was awesome in the sitcom and made it more refreshing with his humor. It was really sad when he died - I found that out shortly after I saw the pilot, since I saw season 3 first and later wondered why he wasn't in it. So, rest in peace, John, rest in peace. Anyway, I just wanted to post this review in his memory (and I kinda want to get to the third level). He was a great person and should be remembered.

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