What's After the Movie
John Ritter
Johnathan Southworth Ritter (September 17, 1948 – September 11, 2003) was a beloved American actor. Born into a showbiz family, he was the son of the singing cowboy star Tex Ritter and the father of actors Jason and Tyler Ritter. Acknowledged for his exceptional acting skills, Ritter is best known for playing Jack Tripper on the ABC sitcom Three's Company (1977–1984), a role that earned him a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award in 1984. He also briefly reprised the role on the spin-off Three's a Crowd, before its eventual cancellation in 1985. Ritter's acting pedigree extended beyond the small screen. He starred in over 100 films and television series. His notable roles included a dramatic turn in Sling Blade (1996), and Bad Santa in 2003. He was also a well-known actor on Broadway. Don Knotts once referred to Ritter as the "greatest physical comedian on the planet". His final roles included 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.
Born and raised in Burbank, California, Ritter pursued his passion for acting from an early age. He attended Hollywood High School and later the University of Southern California where he majored in theatre arts. Careers in both film and on stage kept him busy, although he never forgot his roots, often returning to his alma mater to perform in plays. A career that spanned over 35 years came to a tragic end when he died at 54. His legacy continued in reruns of Three's Company and his other works, and through his children, who followed in his acting footsteps. Posthumously, he was presented with an Emmy nomination in 2004 for his role in 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about John Ritter, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how John Ritter rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Johnathan Southworth Ritter
Born: Burbank, California, U.S.
Citizenship: American
Birthday: September 17, 1948
Occupations: Actor
Years Active: 1968-2003
Children: 4
Spouses: Nancy Morgan, Amy Yasbeck
External Links and Streaming Options
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Movies Featuring John Ritter
Bride of Chucky
Bad Santa
Clifford's Really Big Movie
Problem Child
Nickelodeon
The Barefoot Executive
Noises Off...
They All Laughed
Skin Deep
Real Men
Stay Tuned
TripFall
Terror Tract
Stanley’s Dinosaur Round-Up
The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series
The Martin & Lewis Story: The Last Great Comedy Team
John Ritter: Being of Sound Mind and Body
The Flight of Dragons
The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show
The Comeback Kid
Love Thy Neighbor
Donald Duck’s 50th Birthday
Letting Go
It
In Love with an Older Woman
Sunset Limousine
A Smoky Mountain Christmas
The Last Fling
Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood
Mickey’s 60th Birthday
Hero at Large
Unnatural Causes
Wholly Moses
Tricks of the Trade
My Brother’s Wife
The Dreamer of Oz
The Dreamer of Oz
Hero at Large
Unnatural Causes
Tricks of the Trade
Wholly Moses
Leave Yesterday Behind
Ringo
The Night That Panicked America
Sex, Censorship and the Silver Screen
The Only Way Out
Scandalous John
A Gun, a Car, a Blonde
Dead Husbands
Loss of Faith
The Making of High Noon
A Child’s Wish
Mercenary
Robin Williams: Off the Wall
The Colony
Americathon
For Hope
Holy Joe
Evil Roy Slade
Heartbeat
The Prisoner of Second Avenue
The Stone Killer
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of John Ritter, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
1996
Sex, Censorship and the Silver Screen
Quote Reader
Mercenary
Jonas Ambler
For Hope
Date #5 (uncredited)
1992
Noises Off...
Stay Tuned
The Martin & Lewis Story: The Last Great Comedy Team
Self
The Making of High Noon
Self
1988
Mickey’s 60th Birthday
Dudley Goode
Tricks of the Trade
Donald Todsen (uncredited)
Tricks of the Trade
Donald Todsen (uncredited)
1986
A Smoky Mountain Christmas
Judge Harold Benton (uncredited)
Unnatural Causes
Frank Coleman
Unnatural Causes
Frank Coleman
1982
The Flight of Dragons
Peter Dickinson (voice)
The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show
Self
In Love with an Older Woman
Robert
1980
John Ritter: Being of Sound Mind and Body
Self / Various
The Comeback Kid
Bubba Newman
Hero at Large
Steve Nichols
Wholly Moses
Satan (The Devil)
Hero at Large
Steve Nichols
Wholly Moses
Satan (The Devil)
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