Remembering the actor and comedian John Ritter
Born on this day in 1948, John Ritter’s career spanned television, film, and theater, and he became widely recognized for his physical comedy, charm, and warm persona
Remembering the actor and comedian John Ritter
The beloved American actor and comedian John Ritter, best known for his role as Jack Tripper on the hit sitcom Three’s Company, was born on September 17, 1948, in Burbank, California into a show business family. His father, Tex Ritter, was a famous country music singer and actor, and his mother, Dorothy Fay, was an actress. Despite initially pursuing a career in politics at the University of Southern California, Ritter discovered a love for acting and switched his major to drama.
His early career in the 1970s consisted of guest appearances on various TV shows, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show and MASH*. His breakthrough came in 1977 when he was cast as Jack Tripper on Three’s Company, a role that made him a household name. Ritter’s physical comedy and impeccable timing as the bumbling, lovable Jack earned him an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award. The show ran until 1984 and became one of the most popular sitcoms of its era.
After Three’s Company, Ritter continued to work steadily in television and film. He starred in the short-lived spinoff Three’s a Crowd and took on dramatic roles in films like Sling Blade (1996) and Problem Child (1990), showcasing his range as an actor.
Ritter married actress Nancy Morgan in 1977, and they had three children before divorcing in 1996. He later married actress Amy Yasbeck in 1999, with whom he had a daughter, Stella. His son, Jason Ritter, followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming a well-known actor.
Ritter also returned to television in the early 2000s with 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, where he played a loving, yet overprotective father. His performance on the show was highly praised, but tragically, Ritter passed away unexpectedly on September 11, 2003, at age 54, due to an undiagnosed heart condition.
Look back at a 1997 Conan O’Brien interview with John Ritter
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