John Ritter

John Ritter
Background information
Born	Jonathan Southworth Ritter September 17, 1948 Burbank, California, United States
Died	September 11, 2003 (aged 54) Burbank, California, United States
Cause of death	Aortic dissection
Nationality	American
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1968–2003
Family information
Spouse	Nancy Morgan (1977–1996) Amy Yasbeck (1999–2003; his death)
Children	With Morgan: Jason Carly Tyler With Yasbeck: Noah
Parents	Tex Ritter † (father) Dorothy Fay † (mother)

Jonathan Southworth "John" Ritter was an American actor, who was best known for his role as Jack Tripper in the ABC sitcom Three's Company. He was also well-known for voicing the titular dog protagonist of the 2000 PBS Kids animated series Clifford the Big Red Dog and Clifford's Really Big Movie. Additionally, he played Ben Healy in the 1990 black comedy film Problem Child and its 1991 sequel, as well as Ben Hanscom in the ABC thriller miniseries It.

For Disney, he played Roger in The Barefoot Executive (his film debut). He also portrayed Paul Hennessy in 8 Simple Rules, as well as appeared in some television specials in the 1980s, including guest-starring in Donald Duck's 50th Birthday in 1984, playing Dudley Goode in Mickey's 60th Birthday, and hosting Disney's Living Seas in 1986. Additionally, he played Vaughan Cunningham in the 1996 Miramax drama film Sling Blade and Bob Chipeska in Bad Santa (the latter of which was dedicated to him). He also voiced Great Uncle Stew in Stanley's Dinosaur Round-Up. This was his final film role, and it was dedicated to him as well.

On September 11, 2003, Ritter felt ill while he was rehearsing scenes for the second season of 8 Simple Rules. He was sweating very profusely and vomiting and complained of having chest pains, so he was rushed to the Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center (the same hospital he was born in). Doctors believed Ritter suffered a heart attack, but it turned out to be an aortic dissection, and he died that evening during the surgery at age 54, six days before his 55th birthday.

Roles

Roger
(The Barefoot Executive)

Himself
(Donald Duck's 50th Birthday)

Host
(Disney's Living Seas)

Paul Hennessy
(8 Simple Rules)

Great Uncle Stew
(Stanley's Dinosaur Round-Up)

Gallery

John Ritter attending the 40th annual Emmy Awards in August 1988.

John Ritter with his first wife, Nancy Morgan.

John Ritter with his second wife, Amy Yasbeck, attending the 2001 People's Choice Awards.

John Ritter with his youngest son, Tyler, at the premiere of Reign of Fire in June 2002.

John Ritter with (L-R) Martin Spanjers, Kaley Cuoco, Katey Sagal, and Amy Davidson on set of 8 Simple Rules.

John Ritter with his eldest son, Jason, attending the 5th annual Family TV Awards in July 2003.

Trivia

• Ritter's slightly distorted iris in his right eye was a result of birth defect known as coloboma, a congenital malformation of the eye causing defects in the lens, iris, or retina.
• Shortly after his death, Amy Yasbeck founded the John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health in honor of him and to give other people life-saving reminders to recognize, treat, and prevent thoracic aortic dissection.

External links

• John Ritter on Wikipedia