Jonathan Southworth Ritter, born on September 17, 1948, in Burbank, California, was destined for a life in entertainment, born to country music legend Tex Ritter and actress Dorothy Fay. While his early academic pursuits led him to psychology and architecture at the University of Southern California, a spark ignited after a brief TV appearance on The Dating Game. This experience steered him towards acting classes with Nina Foch and Stella Adler, ultimately earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Drama in 1971. Before making his mark in Hollywood, Ritter honed his craft on stage, performing in plays across England, Scotland, Holland, and Germany between 1968 and 1969.
Ritter’s television career began with guest roles in the early 1970s. He appeared in Dan Oakland and notably as Reverend Matthew Fordwick in The Waltons. His early TV credits showcase a wide range of roles in popular series like Medical Center, M*A*S*H, The Bob Newhart Show, The Streets of San Francisco, Kojak, Rhoda, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. During this period, while working on The Waltons, Ritter faced personal sorrow with the passing of his father, Tex Ritter, in 1974.
The mid-1970s marked a turning point in John Ritter’s career when he landed the role of Jack Tripper in the ABC sitcom Three’s Company (originally Herzbube mit zwei Damen in its initial German adaptation context, but known as Three’s Company for English-speaking audiences). Initially, the series faced hurdles, with a rejected pilot and cast changes. However, with Joyce DeWitt and Suzanne Somers joining the cast, the show found its magic. Three’s Company, debuting in 1977, quickly became a massive hit. Ritter’s portrayal of Jack Tripper, a culinary student pretending to be gay to share an apartment with two women, was comedic gold and catapulted him to stardom. This role defined a significant portion of his career and remains one of his most iconic performances.
Image alt text: John Ritter portraying Jack Tripper in a scene from Three’s Company, showcasing his comedic timing and physical comedy.
Before the immense success of Three’s Company, Ritter also ventured into film, making his movie debut in Nickelodeon (1976). He continued to balance television and film roles, appearing in Breakfast in Bed (1977) and Americathon (1979). Beyond acting, Ritter, alongside his brother, became actively involved with the United Cerebral Palsy Telethon, a cause he passionately supported for over 15 years. His film career gained further momentum with roles in Hero at Large (1980) and They All Laughed (1981), showcasing his versatility beyond sitcoms.
The 1980s solidified Ritter’s position as a leading comedic actor. Three’s Company‘s syndication success amplified his fame. He received critical acclaim for his role as Jack Tripper, winning a Golden Globe in 1983 and an Emmy Award in 1984. After Three’s Company concluded in 1984, Ritter briefly starred in the spin-off Three’s a Crowd, which, despite his presence, only lasted a single season. He also explored voice acting, lending his voice to the animated film The Flight of Dragons (1982).
Moving into the late 1980s, Ritter demonstrated his range by starring in the comedy-drama Hooperman (1987). His performance as Detective Harry Hooperman earned him Emmy and Golden Globe nominations in 1988 and a People’s Choice Award, proving his appeal extended beyond pure comedy. He continued to appear in films like Skin Deep (1989), showcasing a more mature and complex comedic persona. In the early 1990s, Ritter took on family-oriented comedy roles in Problem Child (1990) and Problem Child 2 (1991). He also participated in ensemble comedies such as Noises Off… (1992) and Stay Tuned (1992), further diversifying his filmography. He returned to sitcoms with Hearts Afire (1992) alongside Billy Bob Thornton, although the show, despite its quality writing, faced cancellation after a few seasons.
Image alt text: Movie poster of Problem Child featuring John Ritter as Ben Healy, highlighting his role in family comedy films.
During the 1990s, Ritter continued to work steadily in both television and film. He appeared in the movie North (1994) and reunited with Billy Bob Thornton in the critically acclaimed Sling Blade (1996), where he played a supporting role as a department store manager. Ritter also ventured into voice acting for children’s animation, most notably as the voice of Clifford in Clifford the Big Red Dog, beginning in 2000. His consistent work and talent were recognized with multiple Emmy nominations, including four consecutive Daytime Emmy nominations for his voice work and a Primetime Emmy nomination for a guest role in Ally McBeal (1999).
In the early 2000s, John Ritter landed his final prominent television role as Paul Hennessy in 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter (2002). This sitcom showcased his ability to portray a relatable and humorous father figure navigating the challenges of raising teenage daughters. 8 Simple Rules was a ratings success and earned a People’s Choice Award and a Family Television Award. While working on 8 Simple Rules, Ritter also appeared in the film Manhood (2003). Tragically, in 2003, while on the set of 8 Simple Rules, Ritter became ill and passed away on September 11, 2003, due to an aortic dissection, just days before his 55th birthday. His final film appearance was in Bad Santa (2003), released posthumously and dedicated to his memory.
John Ritter’s career spanned decades and encompassed a wide range of roles in television and film. From his iconic portrayal of Jack Tripper in Three’s Company to his later role as Paul Hennessy in 8 Simple Rules, Ritter consistently delivered comedic performances that resonated with audiences. Beyond comedy, he also demonstrated his dramatic abilities in various roles throughout his career. John Ritter’s legacy is that of a talented and dedicated actor who brought laughter and joy to millions through his memorable movies and shows.
