John Ritter

John Ritter

Name	John Ritter
Birth name
Birth date	(1948-09-17)September 17, 1948
Birth place	Burbank, California, U.S.
Death date	September 11, 2003(2003-09-11) (aged 54)
Death place	Burbank, California, U.S.
Alma mater
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1968–2003
Organization
Known for
Notable works
Spouse(s)	* Nancy Morgan (m. 1977; div. 1996) * Amy Yasbeck (m. 1999)
Website

John Ritter (born Jonathan Southworth Ritter; September 17, 1948 – September 11, 2003) was an American actor and comedian. He was best known for his role as Jack Tripper on the ABC sitcom Three's Company, for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award in 1984. Ritter appeared in over 100 films and television series combined and performed on Broadway.

Early Life and Education

John Ritter was born in Burbank, California, to Tex Ritter, a singing cowboy star, and Dorothy Fay, an actress. He attended Hollywood High School, where he was student body president. Ritter went on to attend the University of Southern California (USC), where he majored in psychology with a minor in architecture. He later switched his major to theater arts and graduated in 1970.

Career

Ritter's career began with guest appearances on television shows such as Hawaii Five-O, M*A*S*H, and The Waltons. His breakthrough role came in 1977 when he was cast as Jack Tripper in Three's Company. The show was a major hit and ran for eight seasons.

After Three's Company, Ritter continued to work in television and film. He starred in the sitcom Hooperman and the comedy-drama series Hearts Afire. In film, he appeared in Problem Child, Sling Blade, and Bad Santa.

Personal Life

Ritter was married twice. His first marriage was to actress Nancy Morgan, with whom he had three children, including actor Jason Ritter. After their divorce, he married actress Amy Yasbeck, with whom he had one child.

Death

On September 11, 2003, Ritter fell ill while rehearsing for the sitcom 8 Simple Rules. He was taken to the hospital, where he was misdiagnosed and treated for a heart attack. He died later that evening from an aortic dissection, a condition that was not initially detected.

Legacy

John Ritter is remembered for his comedic talent and his ability to bring warmth and humor to his roles. His work continues to be celebrated by fans and peers alike.

Also see

• Three's Company
• Jason Ritter
• Aortic dissection
• Primetime Emmy Award
• Golden Globe Award