John Ritter

John Ritter - Actors, Life Achievements and Life

Violet FieldHome › AmericanJohn RitterSeptember 17, 1948679 views

0 based on 0 rates
John Ritter Biography Stories 

John Ritter's Personal Details

John Ritter was a famous American Actor

InformationDetail
BirthdaySeptember 17, 1948
Died onSeptember 11, 2003
NationalityAmerican
FamousFilm & Theater Personalities, Actors
SpousesAmy Yasbeck, Nancy Morgan
SiblingsTom Ritter
Known asJonathan Southworth Ritter
ChildrensJason Ritter
Universities
  • University of Southern California
  • 1966 - Hollywood High School
Birth PlaceBurbank
Height180
GenderMale
FatherTex Ritter
MotherDorothy Fay
Sun SignVirgo
Born inBurbank
Famous asActor
Died at Age54

// Famous Actors

Jacob Elordi

Jacob Elordi

Jacob Elordi is an Australian actor. Let’s take a look at his childhood, family, personal life, career, etc.

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller is an American actor and screenwriter who achieved recognition for his role in the TV series ‘Prison Break’.

Shemar Moore

Shemar Moore

Shemar Moore is a model turned actor best known for his role in the television series ‘The Young and the Restless’. This biography of Shemar Moore provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

John Ritter's photo

Who is John Ritter?

John Ritter was an American actor and son of renowned country singer and actor, Tex Ritter and his wife, Dorothy Fay who was also an actress. He was the father of actors Jason Ritter and Tyler Ritter. He was best known for playing the character of ‘Jack Tripper’ in ABC sitcom ‘Three’s Company’; he also won the Golden Globe Award and the Emmy Award in 1984 for his performance in the sitcom. John nurtured his acting skills since his college years when he majored in Theatre Arts. Prior to ‘Three’s Company’, he made small appearances on ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ and ‘The Waltons’ in 1970, ‘Hawaii Five-O’ in 1971 and ‘M.A.S.H.’ in 1973. He then formed his own production company in 1984. He acted in numerous films and television shows including ‘Problem Child’ (1990) and ‘Bad Santa’ (2003). He was nominated four times for Daytime Emmy Award for his voice work on the children's television series, ‘Clifford the Big Red Dog’. He was also called the "greatest physical comedian on the planet" by the famous American comedic actor Don Knotts. He died from an aortic dissection in 2003 soon after the production of an episode for the second season of ‘8 Simple Rules’.

// Famous Film & Theater Personalities

Jacob Elordi

Jacob Elordi

Jacob Elordi is an Australian actor. Let’s take a look at his childhood, family, personal life, career, etc.

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller is an American actor and screenwriter who achieved recognition for his role in the TV series ‘Prison Break’.

Skai Jackson

Skai Jackson

Skai Jackson is an American child actress with huge fan following. Find more about her family & personal life, relationships, facts and more.

Childhood & Early Life

John Ritter was born on September 17, 1948, in Burbank, California, to Tex Ritter and Dorothy Fay. Both his parents were actors, so he grew up amidst showbiz.

He received his education from Hollywood High School and was a student body president at the school. Later, he enrolled at the University of Southern California, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Architecture. Later on, he changed his major to theatre arts and graduated in 1971.

He first appeared on TV as a contestant on ‘The Dating Game’ (1965). Soon after, he joined an acting class. While still in college (1968 – 1969), he travelled to Holland, Scotland, England and Germany to act in plays.

Career

After graduation, he debuted on TV as a campus rebel in ‘Dan August’ (1970). His debut film was ‘The Barefoot Executive’ (1971).

He appeared as Reverend Matthew Fordwick in 18 episodes of ‘The Waltons’ (October 1972 - December 1976). In between, he also made guest appearances on few television series.

In 1976, he started acting in ABC sitcom ‘Three's Company’ which ran for 174 episodes (1977–1984); in the role of ‘Jack Tripper’ he became immensely popular.

In between ‘Three’s Company’, he also acted in television movie ‘Ringo’ (1978), appeared in movies such as ‘Americathon’ (1979), ‘Hero at Large’ (1980), and ‘They All Laughed’ (1981), and lent his voice in ‘Flight of Dragons’ (1982).

Next, he acted in ‘Hooperman’ (1987–1989) as Detective Harry. The role won him nominations for both Emmy and Golden Globe Awards. He also won a People's Choice Award for the role.

From 1992–1995, he acted in television series ‘Hearts Afire’ as John Hartman, an aide to a US Senator. He also starred in many television movies such as ‘Heartbeat’ (1993), ‘Gramps’ and ‘The Colony’ (1995), and ‘It Came from the Sky’ (1999).

In the same period, he acted in a number of films like ‘Skin Deep’ (1989), ‘Problem Child’ (1990), ‘Problem Child 2’ (1991), ‘Noises Off’ (1992), and ‘Sling Blade’ (1996).

From 2000–2003, he lent his voice to the title character in ‘Clifford the Big Red Dog’. He received four Emmy nominations for this role. During this period, he also acted in the series ‘8 Simple Rules’.

Major Works

In sitcom ‘Three's Company’ he played the character of ‘Jack Tripper’, a chef who shares a room with two beautiful ladies and pretends to be gay to pacify the conservative landlords.

As ‘Detective Harry Hooperman’ in ‘Hooperman’ (1987), he owns an apartment building and employs ‘Susan Smith’ to manage it. A relationship evolves and the protagonist must balance love, work, and the pranks of the dog, Bijoux.

Awards & Achievements

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6631 Hollywood Boulevard in 1983.

In 1984, John Ritter won the Emmy Award in the category ‘Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series’ for the sitcom ‘Three’s Company’. The same year, he also won the Golden Globe Awards for Best Actor in a Musical/Comedy category for the same series.

In 1988, he won the People’s Choice Awards in Favourite Male Performer in a New TV Programme category for ‘Hooperman’.

Personal Life & Legacy

John Ritter married actress Nancy Morgan in 1977. Together they had three children, Jason, Carly, and Tyler. The couple divorced in 1996.

He married actress Amy Yasbeck in 1999. Together, they have a daughter named Stella.

On September 11, 2003 he complained of chest pains while rehearsing for ‘8 Simple Rules’. Doctors misdiagnosed and treated him for a heart attack and his condition worsened. They then diagnosed him with an aortic dissection. He died during the surgery.

Trivia

He was born with a birth defect in his right eye known as a Coloboma.

He died on his youngest daughter Stella’s fifth birthday.

His final film, ‘Bad Santa’ (2003), was dedicated to him posthumously.

// Famous Virgo Celebrities peoples

Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin is a well-known American writer, autistic activist and animal expert. This biography profiles her childhood, life, achievements, career and timeline

Alex Holtti

Alex Holtti

Check out all that you wanted to know about Alex Holtti, the famous Danish Viner & YouTuber; his birthday, his family and personal life, his girlfriends, fun trivia facts and more.

Benjamin Atkinson

Benjamin Atkinson

Benjamin Atkinson is the son of the world-renowned British actor and comedian, Rowan Atkinson. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, personal life, including his age, birthday, etc.

John Ritter's awards

YearNameAward

Golden Globe Awards

1984Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or MusicalThree's Company (1976)

Primetime Emmy Awards

1984Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy SeriesThree's Company (1976)

People's Choice Awards

1988Favorite Male Performer in a New TV ProgramWinner

John Ritter biography timelines

  • // 17th Sep 1948
    John Ritter was born on September 17, 1948, in Burbank, California, to Tex Ritter and Dorothy Fay. Both his parents were actors, so he grew up amidst showbiz.
  • // 1965
    He first appeared on TV as a contestant on ‘The Dating Game’ (1965). Soon after, he joined an acting class. While still in college (1968 – 1969), he travelled to Holland, Scotland, England and Germany to act in plays.
  • // 1970 To 1971
    After graduation, he debuted on TV as a campus rebel in ‘Dan August’ (1970). His debut film was ‘The Barefoot Executive’ (1971).
  • // 1971
    He received his education from Hollywood High School and was a student body president at the school. Later, he enrolled at the University of Southern California, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Architecture. Later on, he changed his major to theatre arts and graduated in 1971.
  • // Oct 1972 To Dec 1976
    He appeared as Reverend Matthew Fordwick in 18 episodes of ‘The Waltons’ (October 1972 - December 1976). In between, he also made guest appearances on few television series.
  • // 1977 To 1996
    John Ritter married actress Nancy Morgan in 1977. Together they had three children, Jason, Carly, and Tyler. The couple divorced in 1996.
  • // 1983
    He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6631 Hollywood Boulevard in 1983.
  • // 1984
    In 1984, John Ritter won the Emmy Award in the category ‘Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series’ for the sitcom ‘Three’s Company’. The same year, he also won the Golden Globe Awards for Best Actor in a Musical/Comedy category for the same series.
  • // 1987 To 1989
    Next, he acted in ‘Hooperman’ (1987–1989) as Detective Harry. The role won him nominations for both Emmy and Golden Globe Awards. He also won a People's Choice Award for the role.
  • // 1987
    As ‘Detective Harry Hooperman’ in ‘Hooperman’ (1987), he owns an apartment building and employs ‘Susan Smith’ to manage it. A relationship evolves and the protagonist must balance love, work, and the pranks of the dog, Bijoux.
  • // 1988
    In 1988, he won the People’s Choice Awards in Favourite Male Performer in a New TV Programme category for ‘Hooperman’.
  • // 1999
    He married actress Amy Yasbeck in 1999. Together, they have a daughter named Stella.
  • // 2000 To 2003
    From 2000–2003, he lent his voice to the title character in ‘Clifford the Big Red Dog’. He received four Emmy nominations for this role. During this period, he also acted in the series ‘8 Simple Rules’.
  • // 2003
    His final film, ‘Bad Santa’ (2003), was dedicated to him posthumously.
  • // 11th Sep 2003
    On September 11, 2003 he complained of chest pains while rehearsing for ‘8 Simple Rules’. Doctors misdiagnosed and treated him for a heart attack and his condition worsened. They then diagnosed him with an aortic dissection. He died during the surgery.

// Famous American peoples

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller is an American actor and screenwriter who achieved recognition for his role in the TV series ‘Prison Break’.

Jason Simpson

Jason Simpson

Jason Simpson is the son of former NFL running back, broadcaster and actor O. J. Simpson. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, life, and little known facts about him.

Melissa Brim

Melissa Brim

Melissa Brim is the ex-girlfriend of former professional boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.

Skai Jackson

Skai Jackson

Skai Jackson is an American child actress with huge fan following. Find more about her family & personal life, relationships, facts and more.

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer is a Christian author and speaker. This biography provides detailed information about her childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline

Zoe LaVerne

Zoe LaVerne

Zoe LaVerne is an American musical.ly star. Check out this biography to know more about her family, personal life, including her age, birthday, etc.

John Ritter's FAQ

  • What is John Ritter birthday?

    John Ritter was born at 1948-09-17

  • When was John Ritter died?

    John Ritter was died at 2003-09-11

  • Where was John Ritter died?

    John Ritter was died in Burbank

  • Which age was John Ritter died?

    John Ritter was died at age 54

  • Where is John Ritter's birth place?

    John Ritter was born in Burbank

  • What is John Ritter nationalities?

    John Ritter's nationalities is American

  • Who is John Ritter spouses?

    John Ritter's spouses is Amy Yasbeck, Nancy Morgan

  • Who is John Ritter siblings?

    John Ritter's siblings is Tom Ritter

  • Who is John Ritter childrens?

    John Ritter's childrens is Jason Ritter

  • What was John Ritter universities?

    John Ritter studied at University of Southern California, 1966 - Hollywood High School

  • How tall is John Ritter?

    John Ritter's height is 180

  • Who is John Ritter's father?

    John Ritter's father is Tex Ritter

  • Who is John Ritter's mother?

    John Ritter's mother is Dorothy Fay

  • What is John Ritter's sun sign?

    John Ritter is Virgo

  • How famous is John Ritter?

    John Ritter is famouse as Actor