John Ritter

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This article is about the American actor. For the Pennsylvania Congressman, see John Ritter (congressman).
John Ritter

Ritter at the 1988 Emmy Awards
Born Johnathan Southworth Ritter[1]
September 17, 1948(1948-09-17)
Burbank, California, USA
Died September 11, 2003 (aged 54)
Burbank, California, USA
Other name(s) Johnny Ritter
Years active 1971–2003
Spouse(s) Nancy Morgan (1977–1996)
Amy Yasbeck (1999–2003)

Johnathan Southworth “John” Ritter (September 17, 1948 – September 11, 2003)[1] was an Emmy- and Golden Globe award-winning American actor and comedian perhaps best known for his role of Jack Tripper in the sitcom Three's Company.

Contents

[edit] Early life

Ritter was born in Burbank, California, the son of Dorothy Fay (née Southworth), an actress, and singing-cowboy, matinee-star Tex Ritter. He attended Hollywood High School, where he was Student Body President. He went on to the University of Southern California, where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) fraternity, majored in psychology and minored in architecture.

[edit] Career

[edit] Three's Company

Main article: Three's Company

Ritter headlined several stage performances before he was made a star by appearing in the hit sitcom Three's Company (the Americanized version of the 1970s British Thames Television series Man About the House) in 1977, playing a single ladies' man and culinary student, Jack Tripper, who lived with two female roommates. Jack pretended to be gay to keep the landlords appeased over their living arrangement. The show spent several seasons near the top of the TV ratings in the U.S. before ending in 1984. Ritter went on for one more year on the spin-off Three's a Crowd. The original series has been seen continuously in reruns. It is also available on DVD. During the run of the show, he appeared in the feature films Hero at Large, Americathon, and They All Laughed. In 1978, he played Ringo Starr's manager on the television special Ringo, and in 1982, played the voice of Peter Dickinson in Flight of Dragons.

Previous to his role in Three's Company, he occasionally appeared in the first five seasons of The Waltons on CBS as the Reverend Matthew Fordwick (1972–1976). He played a disturbed soldier/patient in one episode of M*A*S*H in 1973. He appeared in the Charles Bronson film The Stone Killer alongside Norman Fell. He also guest starred in one episode of The Cosby Show in 1991.

[edit] After Three's Company

After Three's Company, he appeared in a number of movies, most notably Problem Child. He appeared in the Oscar-winning Sling Blade (almost unrecognizable as the discount store manager) and Noises Off. He starred with Markie Post in the early-1990s sitcom Hearts Afire and on the 1980s police comedy-drama Hooperman.

He starred in many made-for-TV movies including It, It Came From the Sky in 1999 with Yasmine Bleeth and made guest appearances on TV shows such as Ally McBeal, Scrubs, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Felicity. He also provided the voice of the title character in the PBS animated children's show Clifford the Big Red Dog, a role for which he received two Emmy nominations.

He played Claude Pichon in The Dinner Party (2000) at the Music Box Theatre on Broadway, which was written by Neil Simon. It ran for three hundred and sixty-four performances. Ritter won the Theatre World Award in 2001 for his performance in that work.

In 2002, he made a TV comeback with the ABC family sitcom 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter (later renamed 8 Simple Rules following his death). His final two film appearances were as the store manager in Bad Santa (2003), starring personal friend Billy Bob Thornton and Bernie Mac, and Clifford's Really Big Movie. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6631 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood.

[edit] Personal life

He married twice, once to actress Nancy Morgan (married 1977-divorced 1996) and then to actress Amy Yasbeck (married 1999-his death). Yasbeck had played his wife or love interest in the first two Problem Child movies (interestingly, she played a different character in each movie). Yasbeck also played Ritter's wife in two sitcom appearances. In 1991, both were guest stars on The Cosby Show, where Yasbeck played the in-labor wife of Ritter's basketball coach character. In 1996, Ritter guest starred on Yasbeck's sitcom Wings as the estranged husband of Yasbeck's character Casey. Ritter and Morgan had three children: Carly, Tyler, and Jason. He and Yasbeck had one daughter, Stella.

[edit] Death

John Ritter's gravestone
John Ritter's gravestone

On September 11, 2003, Ritter fell ill while rehearsing scenes for an episode of 8 Simple Rules. He was taken across the street to Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, where he died less than an hour later, at the age of 54, in the same hospital in which he was born. The cause of death was an aortic dissection caused by a previously undiagnosed congenital heart defect. Ritter's father had died of a heart attack almost thirty years earlier. Years later Ritter's wife testified in court that he had had concerns for his own health because of the cause of his father's death.[2] He was interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Los Angeles.

[edit] Aftermath

8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter was retitled 8 Simple Rules after Ritter's death and continued for two more seasons; Paul Hennessy, Ritter's character, was said to have died after collapsing in a grocery store. The network aired the three episodes of Season 2 that had been taped before his death. The remainder of the show's season dealt with the family trying to grapple with their patriarch's death. New male characters, played by James Garner and David Spade, were later added.

In 2004, he was given an Emmy nomination posthumously for 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. He lost to Kelsey Grammer for Frasier. Upon accepting his trophy, Grammer's remarks included comments made in tribute and remembrance of Ritter.[3]

His last films, Bad Santa and Clifford's Really Big Movie, along with an episode of Scrubs, were dedicated in his memory.[4][5]

[edit] Wrongful-death lawsuit

After Ritter died, his widow Amy Yasbeck filed a $67 million wrongful death suit against radiologist Dr. Matthew Lotysch and cardiologist Dr. Joseph Lee. She alleged that Lee, who treated Ritter on the day of his death, misdiagnosed his condition as a heart attack,[2] and Lotysch, who had given him a full-body scan two years earlier, failed at that time to detect an enlargement of Ritter's aorta.[2] The trial began on February 11, 2008, in Los Angeles County Superior Court.[6] On March 14, 2008, the defendants were found not responsible for Ritter's death by a jury vote of 9–3.[7] Several other defendants have settled out of court for a total of $14 million, including $9.4 million paid by Providence St. Joseph.[8]

[edit] Filmography

Film
Year Film Role Other notes
1971 The Barefoot Executive Roger
Scandalous John Wandell
1972 The Other Rider
1973 The Stone Killer Officer Mort
1976 Nickelodeon Franklin Frank
1978 Breakfast in Bed Paul
1979 Americathon President Chet Roosevelt
1980 Hero at Large Steve Nichols
Wholly Moses! Satan (The Devil)
1981 They All Laughed Charles Rutledge
1982 The Flight of Dragons Peter Dickenson Voice Role
Direct-to-Video Release
1987 Real Men Bob Wilson/Agent Pillbox, CIA
1989 Skin Deep Zachary 'Zach' Hutton
1990 Problem Child 'Little' Ben Healy
1991 The Real Story of O Christmas Tree Piney Voice Role
Direct-to-Video Release
Problem Child 2 Ben Healy
1992 Noises Off Garry Lejeune/Roger Tramplemain
Stay Tuned Roy Knable
1994 North Ward Nelson
1996 Sling Blade Vaughan Cunningham
1997 Nowhere Moses Helper
A Gun, a Car, a Blonde Duncan/The Bartender
Hacks Hank
1998 Montana Dr. Wexler
Shadow of Doubt Steven Mayer
I Woke Up Early the Day I Died Robert Forrest
Bride of Chucky Police Chief Warren Kincaid
2000 Panic Dr. Josh Parks
Lost in the Perishing Point Hotel Christian Therapist
Tripfall Tom Williams
Terror Tract Bob Carter Segment: Make Me an Offer
2001 Nuncrackers Narrator Direct-to-Video Release
2002 Tadpole Stanley Grubman
Man of the Year Bill
2003 Manhood Eli
Bad Santa Bob Chipeska Posthumously Released
2004 Clifford's Really Big Movie Clifford the Big Red Dog Voice Role
Posthumously Released
2006 Stanley's Dinosaur Round-Up Great Uncle Stew Voice Role
Direct-to-Video Release
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1968 Crazy World, Crazy People Various Characters
1970 Dan August Episode: Quadrangle for Death
1971, 1977 Hawaii Five-O Ryan Moore
Mike Welles		 Episode: Two Doves and Mr. Heron
Episode: Dealer's Choice--Blackmail
1972–1976 The Waltons Rev. Matthew Fordwick
1973 Medical Center Ronnie Episode: End of the Line
Bachelor-at-Law Ben Sykes Unsold CBS TV-Pilot
M*A*S*H Pvt. Carter Episode: Deal Me Out
1974 Kojak Kenny Soames Episode: Deliver Us Some Evil
Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law Greg Episode: To Keep and Bear Arms
The Bob Newhart Show Dave Episode: Sorry, Wrong Mother
1975 Movin' On Casey Episode: Landslide
Mannix Cliff Elgin Episode: Hardball
The Bob Crane Show Hornbeck Episode: Son of the Campus Capers
Petrocelli John Oleson Episode: Chain of Command
Barnaby Jones Joe Rockwell Episode: The Price of Terror
The Streets of San Francisco John 'Johnny' Steiner Episode: Murder by Proxy
The Night That Panicked America Walter Wingate ABC TV-Movie
The Mary Tyler Moore Show Reverend Chatfield Episode: Ted's Wedding
The Rookies Hap Dawson Episode: Reluctant Hero
1975, 1976 Rhoda Vince Mazuma
Jerry Blocker		 Episode: Chest Pains
Episode: Attack on Mr. Right
1976 Starsky and Hutch Tom Cole Episode: The Hostages
Phyllis Paul Jameson Episode: The New Job
1976–1984 Three's Company Jack Tripper
1977, 1983 The Love Boat Dale Riley/Reinhardt

 Episode: A Oh Dale...
Episode: Japan Cruise...(1)
Episode: Japan Cruise...(2)
1978 Ringo Marty TV-Movie
Leave Yesterday Behind Paul Stallings ABC TV-Movie
1979 The Ropers Jack Tripper Episode: The Party
1980 The Associates Chick Episode: The Censors
The Comeback Kid Bubba Newman ABC TV-Movie
1981 Insight Frankie Episode: Little Miseries
1982 Pray TV Tom McPherson ABC TV-Movie
In Love with an Older Woman Robert CBS TV-Movie
1983 Sunset Limousine Alan O'Black CBS TV-Movie
1984 Love Thy Neighbor Danny Loeb ABC TV-Movie
Pryor's Place Episode: The Showoff
1984–1985 Three's a Crowd Jack Tripper
1985 Letting Go Alex ABC TV-Movie
1986 Living Seas Host NBC TV-Special
Unnatural Causes Frank Coleman NBC TV-Movie
A Smoky Mountain Christmas Judge Harold Benton ABC TV-Movie
1987 The Last Fling Phillip Reed ABC TV-Movie
Prison for Children David Royce CBS TV-Movie
1987–1989 Hooperman Det. Harry Hooperman
1988 Mickey's 60th Birthday Dudley Goode TV-Special
Tricks of the Trade Donald Todsen Cameo Role
CBS TV-Movie
1989 My Brother's Wife Barney ABC TV-Movie
1990 It Adult Ben 'Haystack' Hanscom ABC TV-Movie
The Dreamer of Oz: The L. Frank Baum Story L. Frank Baum NBC TV-Movie
1991 The Cosby Show Ray Evans Episode: Total Control
The Summer My Father Grew Up Paul NBC TV-Movie
Anything But Love Patrick Serreau Episode: Say it Again, Han
Episode: Martus Interruptus
Episode: Hello...Mali
Episode: Stop Me Before I...Again (1)
Episode: Stop Me Before I...Again (2)
1992 Fish Police Inspector Gill Voice Role
1992–1994 Hearts Afire John Hartman
1993 Heartbeat Margaret Gibson NBC TV-Movie
The Only Way Out Jeremy Carlisle ABC TV-Movie
1994 Dave's World John Hartman Episode: Please Won't You Be My Neighbor
1995 Gramps Clarke MacGruder NBC TV-Movie
The Colony Rick Knowlton TV-Movie
NewsRadio Dr. Frank Westford Episode: The Shrink
1996 Totally Animals Host TV-Special
Unforgivable Paul Hegstrom CBS TV-Movie
Wings Stuart Davenport Episode: Love Overboard
For Hope Date #5 Uncredited Role
ABC TV-Movie
The World's Greatest Magic III Host TV-Special
1996, 1999 Touched by an Angel Mike O'Connor
Tom McKinsley		 Episode: Random Acts
Episode: Black Like Monica
1997 Loss of Faith Bruce Simon Barker TV-Movie
Mercenary Jonas Ambler HBO TV-Movie
A Child's Wish Ed Chandler CBS TV-Movie
Dead Man's Gun Harry McDonacle Segment: The Great McDonacle
Over the Top Justin Talbot Episode: The Nemesis
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Ted Buchanan Episode: Ted
The World's Greatest Magic IV Host TV-Special
1997, 2000, 2003 King of the Hill Eugene Grandy Episode: The Son that Got Away
Episode: What Makes Bobby Run?
Episode: The Witches of East Arlen
1998 Chance of a Lifetime Tom Maguire CBS TV-Movie
Ally McBeal George Madison Episode: It's My Party
Episode: The Story of Love
The World's Greatest Magic V Host TV-Special
Dead Husbands Dr. Carter Elston TV-Movie
1999 Veronica's Closet Tim Episode: Veronica's Favorite Year
Holy Joe Joe Cass CBS TV-Movie
It Came from the Sky Donald Bridges TV-Movie
Lethal Vows Dr. David Farris CBS TV-Movie
2000 Chicago Hope Joe Dysmerski Episode: Simon Sez
Batman Beyond Dr. David Wheeler Voice Role
Episode: The Last Resort
Family Law Father Andrews Episode: Possession is Nine Tenths of the Law
2000–2003 Clifford the Big Red Dog Clifford the Big Red Dog Voice Role
2000, 2001, 2002 Felicity Mr. Andrew Covington
2001 Tucker Marty Episode: Homewrecker for the Holidays
2002 The Ellen Show Percy Moss Episode: Gathering Moss
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Dr. Richard Manning Episode: Monogamy
Breaking News Lloyd Fuchs Episode: Pilot
Scrubs Mr. Sam Dorian Episode: My Old Man
Episode: My Lucky Day
2002–2003 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter Paul Hennessey

[edit] Awards & Nominations

Chlotrudis Awards

  • 1997: Nominated, "Best Supporting Actor" - Sling Blade

DVD Exclusive Awards

  • 2003: Nominated, "Best Audio Commentary, Library Release" - High Noon (shared w/Maria Copper & Tim Zinnemann)

Daytime Emmy Awards

  • 2001: Nominated, "Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program" - Clifford the Big Red Dog
  • 2002: Nominated, "Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program" - Clifford the Big Red Dog
  • 2003: Nominated, "Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program" - Clifford the Big Red Dog
  • 2004: Nominated, "Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program" - Clifford the Big Red Dog

Emmy Awards

  • 1978: Nominated, "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series" - Three's Company
  • 1981: Nominated, "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series" - Three's Company
  • 1984: Won, "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series" - Three's Company
  • 1988: Nominated, "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series" - Hooperman
  • 1999: Nominated, "Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series" - Ally McBeal
  • 2004: Nominated, "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series" - 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter

Golden Globe Awards

  • 1979: Nominated, "Best TV Actor in a Musical/Comedy" - Three's Company
  • 1980: Nominated, "Best TV Actor in a Musical/Comedy" - Three's Company
  • 1984: Won, "Best TV Actor in a Musical/Comedy" - Three's Company
  • 1987: Nominated, "Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television" - Unnatural Causes
  • 1988: Nominated, "Best TV Actor in a Musical/Comedy" - Hooperman

People's Choice Awards

  • 1988: Won, "Favorite Male Performer in a New TV Program" - Hooperman

Screen Actors Guild Awards

  • 1997: Nominated, "Outstanding Performance by a Cast" - Sling Blade (shared w/co-stars)

Hollywood Walk of Fame

  • 1983: "Star on the Walk of Fame" - 6627 Hollywood Blvd.

[edit] References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
  1. ^ a b Douglas Martin. "John Ritter, 54, the Odd Man In 'Three's Company,' Is Dead". Retrieved on 2008-03-17. 
  2. ^ a b c Jury hears actor John Ritter's final message to wife, a 2008 Associated Press story via CNN
  3. ^ Tim Lammers (2004-09-20). 'Angels,' 'Sopranos' Win Big At Emmys. KGTV. Archived from the original on 2008-02-21. Retrieved on 2008-02-29. “"I'd like to take a minute to pay respect to John Ritter and his family", Grammer said of the actor, who received a posthumous nomination in the category. "He was a terrific guy and his death was a shock to all of us. He will be missed not only for his kindness, but for his work."”
  4. ^ Trivia for Bad Santa (2003). Retrieved on 2008-02-29. “This was John Ritter's final acting appearance in a movie and it is dedicated to his memory.”
  5. ^ Louise Kennedy (2004-04-23). Clifford's 'Big Movie' will charm his small TV fans. Boston Globe. Retrieved on 2008-02-29. “...Clifford (voiced, as on TV, by the late John Ritter, to whom the movie is fittingly dedicated)...”
  6. ^ "Associated Press" (2008-02-11). "Trial Begins Over John Ritter's Death". "ABC News". Retrieved on 2008-02-29.
  7. ^ http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=8f8550e0-9024-43e0-8e82-d2ee012f0486&entry=index&sid=rss_topstories&utm_source=eonline&utm_medium=rssfeeds&utm_campaign=rss_topstories
  8. ^ "Charles Ornstein" (2008-01-24). "Ritter's family says he didn't have to die". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 2008-02-29.

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor - Comedy Series

Jack Albertson (1976) · Carroll O'Connor (1977) · Carroll O'Connor (1978) · Carroll O'Connor (1979) · Richard Mulligan (1980) · Judd Hirsch (1981) · Alan Alda (1982) · Judd Hirsch (1983) · John Ritter (1984) · Robert Guillaume (1985) · Michael J. Fox (1986) · Michael J. Fox (1987) · Michael J. Fox (1988) · Richard Mulligan (1989) · Ted Danson (1990) · Burt Reynolds (1991) · Craig T. Nelson (1992) · Ted Danson (1993) · Kelsey Grammer (1994) · Kelsey Grammer (1995) · John Lithgow (1996) · John Lithgow (1997) · Kelsey Grammer (1998) · John Lithgow (1999) · Michael J. Fox (2000)
Persondata
NAME Ritter, John
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Ritter, Jonathan Southworth; Johnny Ritter
SHORT DESCRIPTION Actor
DATE OF BIRTH September 17, 1948
PLACE OF BIRTH Burbank, California, USA
DATE OF DEATH August 11, 2002
PLACE OF DEATH Burbank, California, USA