John Ritter | |
|---|---|
 Ritter in 1977 | |
| Born | Johnathan Southworth Ritter September 17, 1948 Burbank, California, U.S. |
| Died | September 11, 2003 (aged 54) Burbank, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Aortic dissection |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Southern California |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1968–2003 |
| Known for | Three's Company Three's a Crowd |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 4, including Jason and Tyler |
| Parents |
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Johnathan Southworth Ritter[1][2] (September 17, 1948 – September 11, 2003) was an American actor. He was a son of the singing cowboy star Tex Ritter and the father of actors Jason and Tyler Ritter. He is best known for playing Jack Tripper on the ABC sitcom Three's Company (1977–1984), and received a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for the role in 1984. Ritter briefly reprised the role on the spin-off Three's a Crowd, which aired for one season, producing 22 episodes before its cancellation in 1985.
He appeared in over 100 films and television series combined and performed on Broadway, with roles including adult Ben Hanscom in It (1990), Problem Child (1990), Problem Child 2 (1991), a dramatic turn in Sling Blade (1996), and Bad Santa in 2003 (his final live action film, which was dedicated to his memory). In 2002, Don Knotts called Ritter the "greatest physical comedian on the planet". His final roles include voicing the title character on the PBS children's program Clifford the Big Red Dog (2000–2003), for which he received four Daytime Emmy Award nominations, and as Paul Hennessy on the ABC sitcom 8 Simple Rules (2002–2003).
- ^ Martin, Douglas (September 13, 2003). "John Ritter, 54, the Odd Man In 'Three's Company,' Is Dead". The New York Times. Retrieved March 17, 2008.
- ^ Braxton, Greg; King, Susan (September 13, 2003). "John Ritter, 54; Versatile Star of 'Three's Company,' '8 Simple Rules'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 18, 2022.