John Ritter - wikipedia John Ritter This article is about the American actor. For the singer, see Myka Relocate. For other people, see John Ritter ( disambiguation ). This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( December 2013 ) John Ritter Ritter at the 1988 Emmy Awards Jonathan Southworth Ritter ( 1948 - 09 - 17 ) September 17, 1948 Burbank, California, U.S. September 11, 2003 ( 2003 - 09 - 11 ) ( aged 54 ) Burbank, California, U.S. Cause of death Aortic dissection Resting place Forest Lawn Memorial Park ( Hollywood Hills ) Education Hollywood High School Alma mater University of Southern California Occupation Actor, comedian Years active 1968 -- 2003 Spouse ( s ) Nancy Morgan ( m. 1977 ; div. 1996 ) Amy Yasbeck ( m. 1999 ) Children 4 ; including Jason Ritter and Tyler Ritter Parent ( s ) Tex Ritter Dorothy Fay Jonathan Southworth Ritter ( September 17, 1948 -- September 11, 2003 ) was an American actor and comedian. He was a son of the singing cowboy star Tex Ritter and the father of actors Jason Ritter and Tyler Ritter. Ritter was known for playing Jack Tripper on the ABC sitcom Three 's Company ( 1977 -- 1984 ), for which he received a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award in 1984. He briefly reprised the role on the spin - off Three 's a Crowd, which aired for one season. Ritter appeared in over 100 films and television series combined and performed on Broadway, with roles including It ( 1990 ), Problem Child ( 1990 ), Problem Child 2 ( 1991 ), 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 ). Ritter experienced discomfort during a rehearsal for the latter on the afternoon of September 11, 2003 and died later that evening of an aortic dissection at the age of 54. Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 2.1 Film and television 2.2 Theater 3 Personal life 3.1 Death 3.1. 1 Response and legacy 4 Filmography 4.1 Film 4.2 Television 4.3 Video games 5 Awards and honors 6 References 7 Further reading 8 External links Early life Ritter was born at the Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, on September 17, 1948. Ritter had a birth defect known as a coloboma in his right eye. His father, Tex Ritter, was a singing cowboy / matinee star, and his mother, Dorothy Fay ( née Southworth ), was an actress. He had an older brother, Thomas Matthews `` Tom '' ( b. January 8, 1947 ). Ritter attended Hollywood High School, where he was student body president. He attended the University of Southern California and majored in psychology with plans to have a career in politics. He later changed his major to theater arts and attended the USC School of Dramatic Arts ( formerly School of Theatre ). Ritter was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity at USC. While still in college, Ritter traveled to the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and West Germany to perform in plays. Ritter graduated in 1971. Career Film and television Ritter as Jack Tripper, 1977 Ritter headlined several stage performances. After his graduation from USC in 1970, his first TV acting experience was a campus revolutionary in the TV series Dan August starring Burt Reynolds and future Three 's Company co-star Norman Fell. Ritter made his film debut in the 1971 Disney film The Barefoot Executive. He made guest appearances on the television series Hawaii Five - O, M * A * S * H, and many others. He had a recurring role as the Reverend Matthew Fordwick on the drama series The Waltons from October 1972 to December 1976. Since he was not a weekly cast member, he had time to pursue other roles, which he did until December 1976, when he left for a starring role in the hit ABC sitcom Three 's Company ( the Americanized version of the 1970s British Thames Television series Man About the House ) in 1977. In 1978, Ritter played Ringo Starr 's manager on the TV special Ringo. In 1982, Ritter provided the voice of Peter Dickinson in Flight of Dragons. Ritter became a household name playing struggling culinary student Jack Tripper with two female roommates. Ritter co-starred opposite Joyce DeWitt and Suzanne Somers ; however, Somers left due to a contractual dispute in 1981. Jenilee Harrison and then Priscilla Barnes filled Somers 's role. Much of the comedy centered around Jack 's pretending to be gay to keep the old - fashioned landlords appeased over the seemingly sordid living arrangements. The series spent several seasons near the top of the TV ratings in the U.S. before ending in 1984. A year - long spin - off Three 's a Crowd ensued, as the Jack Tripper character has a live - in girlfriend and runs his own bistro. The original series has been seen continuously in reruns and is also available on DVD. During the run of Three 's Company, Ritter also appeared in the films Hero at Large, Americathon, and They All Laughed. In 1986, he played the role of `` Dad '' in the music video for Graham Nash 's song `` Innocent Eyes '' from the album of the same name. Hooperman was Ritter 's first regular television role after Three 's Company. Detective Harry Hooperman inherits a run - down apartment building and hires Susan Smith ( Debrah Farentino ) to run it. A relationship follows and Hooperman must juggle work, love, and the antics of Bijoux the dog. In 1988, John was nominated for both an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for his work on Hooperman. Ritter won a People 's Choice Award for this role. In 1992 -- 95, Ritter returned to television for three seasons as John Hartman, aide to a U.S. Senator in Hearts Afire. This series starred Markie Post as Georgie Anne Lahti and Billy Bob Thornton as Billy Bob Davis. He also played Garry Lejeune / Roger Tramplemain in the production Noises Off in 1992. After his time on television, he appeared in a number of movies, most notably Problem Child and its first sequel. He played the lead role in Blake Edwards ' 1989 film Skin Deep, appeared in the film version of Noises Off, rejoined Billy Bob Thornton in the Oscar - winning Sling Blade ( playing a kindhearted, gay, discount - store manager, and co-starred with Olivier Gruner in the 1996 action film Mercenary. Ritter starred in many made - for - TV movies, including Gramps ( 1995 ), co-starring with Andy Griffith, Rob Hedden 's The Colony ( 1995 ) with Hal Linden, Stephen King 's It, Danielle Steel 's Heartbeat with Polly Draper, and It Came From the Sky in 1999 with Yasmine Bleeth. Ritter also made guest appearances on TV shows, such as Felicity, Ally McBeal, Scrubs, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and an episode of Law & Order : SVU ( 2002 ). John also provided the voice of the title character in the PBS animated children 's show Clifford the Big Red Dog, a role for which he received four Emmy nominations. His final film was Stanley 's Dinosaur Round - Up ( 2006 ), an animated direct - to - DVD film based on the television series, which was released posthumously. At the time of his death he was starring in 8 Simple Rules. Theater Ritter played Claude Pichon in The Dinner Party ( 2000 ) at the Music Box Theatre on Broadway, which was written by Neil Simon. It ran for 364 performances. Ritter won the Theatre World Award in 2001 for his performance in that work. In 2003, Ritter made what was his final stage appearance in All About Eve star - studded benefit for the Actors ' Fund of America, held at the Ahmanson Theatre. Personal life In 1977, Ritter married actress Nancy Morgan, with whom he had three children : Jason ( who first appeared in the opening credits of Three 's Company ), Carly, and Tyler. They divorced in 1996. He married actress Amy Yasbeck on September 18, 1999, at the Murphy Theatre in Wilmington, Ohio. Their daughter was born on September 11, 1998, one year before they married. Yasbeck played his love interest in the first two Problem Child movies. Yasbeck also played Ritter 's wife in two sitcom appearances. In 1991, both were guest stars on The Cosby Show, in which Yasbeck played the in - labor wife of Ritter 's basketball coach character. In 1996, Ritter guest - starred on Yasbeck 's sitcom, Wings, as the estranged husband of Yasbeck 's character, Casey. Death Ritter 's gravestone On September 11, 2003, Ritter fell ill while rehearsing for 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. He began sweating profusely and vomiting, and complained of having chest pains. He was taken across the street to the Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, by coincidence the same hospital where he was born. Physicians misdiagnosed Ritter and treated him for a heart attack ; however, his condition worsened. Physicians then diagnosed Ritter with an aortic dissection, a tear in the aorta that grows. Ritter died during surgery to repair the dissection, six days before his 55th birthday. A private funeral was held on September 15, 2003, in Los Angeles, after which Ritter was interred at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles. In 2008, Yasbeck filed a $67 million wrongful - death lawsuit against radiologist Matthew Lotysch and cardiologist Joseph Lee. Yasbeck accused Lee, who treated Ritter on the day of his death, of misdiagnosing his condition as a heart attack, and Lotysch, who had given him a full - body scan two years earlier, of failing at that time to detect an enlargement of Ritter 's aorta. In 2008, at the Los Angeles County Superior Court, the jury concluded that the doctors who treated Ritter the day he died were not negligent and were not responsible for his death. According to court records, Ritter 's family received more than $14 million in settlements, including $9.4 million from Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, where he died. Response and Legacy Many of Ritter 's co-workers expressed deep sorrow and heartbreak following the news of his death. Ritter 's Three 's Company co-star Suzanne Somers said : `` I 'm so sad for the family. We lost a good one, it was so unfinished ''. Zach Braff, who worked with Ritter on Scrubs, called Ritter a `` comic hero '' of his, and said he had approached series creator Bill Lawrence to get Ritter to play his TV dad. Katey Sagal testified in the wrongful death lawsuit, calling Ritter a `` funny man who was funny like nobody 's business ''. His Three 's Company co-star Joyce DeWitt remarked he was `` impossible to forget. ( And ) Impossible not to love ''. 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter was later retitled 8 Simple Rules following Ritter 's death and continued for one and a half more seasons until its cancellation in 2005. Ritter 's character, Paul Hennessy, was said to have died after collapsing in a grocery store while buying milk. ABC aired the first three episodes of the show 's second season that had been taped before his death, each of which was introduced by Katey Sagal. The remainder of the show dealt with the family trying to grapple with Paul 's death. New male characters, played by James Garner and David Spade, were later added to the main cast as Ritter 's replacement. Shortly before his death, Ritter had done a week - long taping with Hollywood Squares, which was aired as a tribute to him, introduced by Henry Winkler, the executive producer of the show and very close friend of Ritter 's. Four days after Ritter 's death, Nick at Nite ran an all - night Three 's Company marathon dedicated to his memory. In 2004, Ritter was posthumously given an Emmy nomination for playing Paul Hennessy in 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, but lost to Kelsey Grammer for playing the title character of Frasier. Upon accepting his trophy, Grammer 's remarks included comments made in tribute and remembrance of Ritter. Ritter 's final films, Bad Santa and Clifford 's Really Big Movie, along with an episode of Scrubs ( his character in this series died, as well ) and King of the Hill, were dedicated to his memory. On June 6, 2008, a mural of Ritter painted by Eloy Torrez was dedicated at Hollywood High School. In March 2010, the Thoracic Aortic Disease ( TAD ) Coalition, in partnership with Yasbeck and the John Ritter Foundation ( JRF ), announced the creation of the `` Ritter Rules '' which are life - saving reminders to recognize, treat, and prevent thoracic aortic dissection. The purpose of the JRF is to provide accurate information to the general public about the disease and its risk factors, provide support to individuals who have thoracic aortic disease or have lost a loved one to the disease, and improve the identification of individuals at risk for aortic dissections and the treatment of thoracic aortic disease through medical research. Yasbeck worked with Dianna M. Milewicz, MD, PhD at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston ( UTHealth ) to establish the John Ritter Research Program in Aortic and Vascular Diseases with the goal of preventing premature deaths due to aortic dissection by identifying genetic mutations that predispose individuals to thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections. Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1971 The Barefoot Executive Roger Debut Scandalous John Wandell 1972 The Other Rider 1973 The Stone Killer Officer Mort 1976 Nickelodeon Franklin Frank 1977 Breakfast in Bed Paul 1979 Americathon President Chet Roosevelt 1980 Hero at Large Steve Nichols Wholly Moses ! Satan ( The Devil ) 1981 They All Laughed Charles Rutledge 1982 The Flight of Dragons Peter Dickenson ( voice ) Direct - to - video Sunset Limousine Alan O'Black 1986 A Smoky Mountain Christmas Judge Harold Benton Uncredited Real Men Bob Wilson / Agent Pillbox, CIA 1989 Skin Deep Zachary ' Zach ' Hutton 1990 Problem Child Benjamin ' Ben ' Healy, Jr. 1991 The Real Story of O Christmas Tree Piney ( voice ) Direct - to - video release Problem Child 2 Benjamin ' Ben ' Healy, Jr. Noises Off Garry Lejeune / Roger Tramplemain 1992 Stay Tuned Roy Knable 1993 Heartbeat Bill Grant 1994 North Ward Nelson 1995 The Colony Rick Knowlton Sling Blade Vaughan Cunningham Mercenary Jonas Ambler 1997 Nowhere Moses Helper A Gun, a Car, a Blonde Duncan / The Bartender Hacks Hank 1998 Montana Dr. Wexler 1998 Shadow of Doubt Steven Mayer I Woke Up Early The Day I Died Robert Forrest Bride of Chucky Police Chief Warren Kincaid 1999 Lethal Vows Dr. David Farris 2000 Panic Dr. Josh Parks Lost in the Perishing Point Hotel Christian Therapist Tripfall Tom Williams Terror Tract Bob Carter Segment : `` Make Me an Offer '' 2001 Nuncrackers Narrator Direct - to - video 2002 Tadpole Stanley Grubman Man of the Year Bill 2003 Manhood Eli Bad Santa Bob Chipeska Posthumously released ; final live action film Clifford 's Really Big Movie Clifford the Big Red Dog ( voice ) Posthumously released 2006 Stanley 's Dinosaur Round - Up Great Uncle Stew ( voice ) Posthumously released ; final film Television Year Title Role Notes 1968 Crazy World, Crazy People Various characters Special 1970 Dan August Coley Smith Episode : `` Quadrangle for Death '' 1971 Hawaii Five - O Ryan Moore / Mike Welles 2 episodes 1972 -- 76 The Waltons Rev. Matthew Fordwick Recurring role ( 18 episodes ) 1973 Medical Center Ronnie Episode : `` End of the Line '' Bachelor - at - Law Ben Sykes Unsold pilot M * A * S * H Pvt. Carter Episode : `` Deal Me Out '' Kojak Kenny Soames Episode : `` Deliver Us Some Evil '' Owen Marshall : Counselor at Law Greg Episode : `` To Keep and Bear Arms '' The Bob Newhart Show Dave Episode : `` Sorry, Wrong Mother '' Movin ' On Casey Episode : `` Landslide '' Mannix Cliff Elgin Episode : `` Hardball '' The Bob Crane Show Hornbeck Episode : `` Son of the Campus Capers '' Petrocelli John Oleson Episode : `` Chain of Command '' Barnaby Jones Joe Rockwell Episode : `` The Price of Terror '' The Streets of San Francisco John ' Johnny ' Steiner Episode : `` Murder by Proxy '' The Night That Panicked America Walter Wingate ABC film The Mary Tyler Moore Show Reverend Chatfield Episode : `` Ted 's Wedding '' The Rookies Hap Dawson Episode : `` Reluctant Hero '' Rhoda Vince Mazuma / Jerry Blocker 2 episodes 1976 Starsky & Hutch Tom Cole Episode : `` The Hostages '' Phyllis Paul Jameson Episode : `` The New Job '' 1977 -- 84 Three 's Company Jack Tripper Lead role ( 174 episodes ) 1977 The Love Boat Ben Cummins / Dale Riley / Reinhardt 2 episodes 1978 Ringo Marty Movie Leave Yesterday Behind Paul Stallings ABC film 1979 The Ropers Jack Tripper Episode : `` The Party '' 1980 The Associates Chick Episode : `` The Censors '' The Comeback Kid Bubba Newman ABC film 1981 Insight Frankie Episode : `` Little Miseries '' 1982 Pray TV Tom McPherson ABC film In Love with an Older Woman Robert CBS film The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show Himself Special Sunset Limousine Alan O'Black CBS film 1984 Love Thy Neighbor Danny Loeb ABC film Pryor 's Place Himself Episode : `` The Showoff '' 1984 -- 85 Three 's a Crowd Jack Tripper Lead role ( 22 episodes ) 1985 Letting Go Alex ABC film 1986 Living Seas Host NBC film Unnatural Causes Frank Coleman NBC film A Smoky Mountain Christmas Judge Harold Benton ABC film Life with Lucy Himself Episode : `` Lucy Makes a Hit with John Ritter '' The Last Fling Phillip Reed ABC film Prison for Children David Royce CBS film 1987 -- 89 Hooperman Det. Harry Hooperman Lead role ( 42 episodes ) 1988 Mickey 's 60th Birthday Dudley Goode Special Tricks of the Trade Donald Todsen Cameo ; CBS film 1989 My Brother 's Wife Barney ABC film 1990 It Adult Ben `` Haystack '' Hanscom ABC film The Dreamer of Oz : The L. Frank Baum Story L. Frank Baum NBC film 1991 The Cosby Show Ray Evans Episode : `` Total Control '' The Summer My Father Grew Up Paul NBC film Anything but Love Patrick Serreau Recurring role ( 5 episodes ) 1992 Fish Police Inspector Gill ( voice ) 5 episodes 1992 -- 95 Hearts Afire John Hartman Lead role ( 54 episodes ) 1993 Heartbeat Bill Grant NBC film The Only Way Out Jeremy Carlisle ABC film The Larry Sanders Show Himself Episode : `` Off Camera '' 1994 Dave 's World John Hartman Episode : `` Please Wo n't You Be My Neighbor '' 1995 Gramps Clarke MacGruder NBC film The Colony Rick Knowlton USA Network film NewsRadio Dr. Frank Westford Episode : `` The Shrink '' The Larry Sanders Show Himself Episode : `` The Fourteenth Floor '' Unforgivable Paul Hegstrom CBS film Wings Stuart Davenport Episode : `` Love Overboard '' For Hope Date # 5 ABC film ( uncredited ) Touched by an Angel Mike O'Connor / Tom McKinsley 2 episodes 1997 Loss of Faith Bruce Simon Barker Movie Mercenary Jonas Ambler HBO film A Child 's Wish Ed Chandler CBS film Dead Man 's Gun Harry McDonacle Segment : `` The Great McDonacle '' Over the Top Justin Talbot Episode : `` The Nemesis '' Buffy the Vampire Slayer Ted Buchanan Episode : `` Ted '' 1997 -- 2004 King of the Hill Eugene Grandy ( voice ) 4 episodes 1998 Chance of a Lifetime Tom Maguire CBS film Ally McBeal George Madison 2 episodes Dead Husbands Dr. Carter Elston USA Network film 1999 Veronica 's Closet Tim Episode : `` Veronica 's Favorite Year '' Holy Joe Joe Cass CBS film It Came from the Sky Donald Bridges Romance Classics film Lethal Vows Dr. David Farris CBS film 2000 -- 03 Clifford the Big Red Dog Clifford ( voice ) 64 episodes 2000 Chicago Hope Joe Dysmerski Episode : `` Simon Sez '' Batman Beyond Dr. David Wheeler ( voice ) Episode : `` The Last Resort '' Family Law Father Andrews Episode : `` Possession is Nine Tenths of the Law '' 2000 -- 02 Felicity Mr. Andrew Covington Recurring role ( 7 episodes ) 2001 Tucker Marty Episode : `` Homewrecker for the Holidays '' 2002 The Ellen Show Percy Moss Episode : `` Gathering Moss '' Law & Order : Special Victims Unit Dr. Richard Manning Episode : `` Monogamy '' Breaking News Lloyd Fuchs Episode : `` Pilot '' Scrubs Sam Dorian 2 episodes 2002 -- 03 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter Paul Hennessy Lead role ( 31 episodes ) Video games Year Title Role 2001 Clifford the Big Red Dog : Learning Activities Clifford 2002 Clifford the Big Red Dog : Musical Memory Games 2003 Clifford the Big Red Dog : Phonics Awards and honors Association Year Work Result Daytime Emmy Awards 2001 Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program Clifford the Big Red Dog Nominated 2002 Nominated 2003 Nominated Nominated Emmy Awards 1978 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Three 's Company Nominated 1981 Nominated 1984 Won 1988 Hooperman Nominated 1999 Ally McBeal Nominated 8 Simple Rules Nominated Golden Globe Awards 1979 Best Actor in a Musical / Comedy Three 's Company Nominated 1980 Nominated 1984 Won Best Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television Unnatural Causes Nominated 1988 Best TV Actor in a Musical / Comedy Hooperman Nominated People 's Choice Awards 1988 Favorite Male Performer in a New TV Program Hooperman Won Screen Actors Guild 1997 Outstanding Performance by a Cast Sling Blade ( shared w / co-stars ) Nominated 1983 : Star on the Walk of Fame -- 6627 Hollywood Boulevard ; he and Tex Ritter were the first father - and - son pair to be so honored in different categories. References Jump up ^ Douglas Martin ( 13 September 2003 ). `` John Ritter, 54, the Odd Man In ' Three 's Company, ' Is Dead ''. The New York Times. Retrieved 2008 - 03 - 17. Jump up ^ `` Biography '' John Ritter : In Good Company Air Date : 30 October 2002 ^ Jump up to : `` John Ritter : 1948 -- 2003 ''. people.com. September 18, 2003. p. 1. Jump up ^ Gliatto, Tom ( September 29, 2003 ). `` Wonderful Company ''. people.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Jump up ^ Biography.com Editors, Biography.com Editors ( n.d. ). `` John Ritter Biography ''. www.biography.com. A&E Television Networks. Retrieved December 22, 2015. CS1 maint : Extra text : authors list ( link ) ^ Jump up to : Lipton, Michael A. ( December 16, 2002 ). `` Acting His Age ''. people.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2014. Jump up ^ `` John Ritter Emmy Nominated ''. Emmys.com. 2003 - 09 - 12. Retrieved 2014 - 12 - 12. Jump up ^ Hodges, Ben ; Willis, John A., eds. ( 1 Nov 2009 ). Theatre World 2008 -- 2009 : The Most Complete Record of the American Theatre. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 978 - 1 - 4234 - 7369 - 5. ISSN 1088 - 4564. Retrieved 16 July 2013. Jump up ^ `` Jason Ritter ''. Usmagazine.com. 2013 - 03 - 08. Retrieved 2014 - 12 - 12. Jump up ^ `` Jason Ritter Biography ''. Tvguide.com. Retrieved 2014 - 12 - 12. Jump up ^ `` John Ritter ''. CBS News. Page 5 of 17. Retrieved October 4, 2012. Jump up ^ `` John Ritter ''. CBS News. Page 10 of 17. Retrieved October 4, 2012. Jump up ^ John Ritter Biography. Accessed 13 November 2014. Jump up ^ `` John Ritter Legacy Lives in `` Ritter Rules '' ``. cbsnews.com. March 17, 2010. Jump up ^ Considine, Bob ( February 4, 2008 ). `` John Ritter 's widow talks about wrongful death suit ''. today.com. Jump up ^ `` John Ritter : 1948 -- 2003 ''. people.com. September 18, 2003. p. 2. Jump up ^ Grace, Francie ( September 16, 2003 ). `` John Ritter 's Family Says Goodbye ''. cbsnews.com. Jump up ^ `` Where Celebrities Are Buried In LA ''. cbslocal.com. September 30, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Deutsch, Linda ( 2 April 2008 ). `` John Ritter 's family seeks $67 M in medical trial ''. Retrieved 7 November 2014. Jump up ^ `` Associated Press '' ( 2008 - 02 - 11 ). `` Trial Begins Over John Ritter 's Death ''. `` ABC News ''. Retrieved 2008 - 02 - 29. Jump up ^ `` E ! News -- Jury Clears Ritter Doctors ''. Ca.eonline.com. Retrieved 2014 - 12 - 12. Jump up ^ Charles Ornstein ( 2008 - 01 - 24 ). `` Ritter 's family says he did n't have to die ''. Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2008 - 01 - 27. Retrieved 2008 - 02 - 29. Jump up ^ Warner Bros. Online ( 2003 - 09 - 12 ). `` Extratv.com : John Ritter Dies at 54 ''. Telepixtvcgi.warnerbros.com. Retrieved 2013 - 01 - 20. Jump up ^ Hammel, Sara. `` Katey Sagal Testifies in John Ritter 's Wrongful Death Trial ''. People. Jump up ^ DeWitt : Ritter ' so full of joy and love ' Jump up ^ Jen Chung ( 2003 - 09 - 15 ). `` Three 's Company Marathon ''. Gothamist. Archived from the original on 2015 - 10 - 17. Retrieved 2012 - 09 - 16. Jump up ^ Tim Lammers ( 2004 - 09 - 20 ). `` ' Angels, ' ' Sopranos ' Win Big At Emmys ''. KGTV. Archived from the original on 2012 - 03 - 07. Retrieved 2008 - 02 - 29. I 'd like to take a minute to pay respect to John Ritter and his family ``, Grammer said the actor who received a posthumous nomination in the category. `` He was a terrific guy and his death was a shock to all of us. He will be missed not only for his kindness, but for his work. Jump up ^ Louise Kennedy ( 2004 - 04 - 23 ). `` Clifford 's ' Big Movie ' will charm his small TV fans ''. Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008 - 02 - 29... Clifford ( voiced, as on TV, by the late John Ritter, to whom the movie is fittingly dedicated )... Jump up ^ `` John Ritter photo added to mural ''. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2015 - 12 - 26. Jump up ^ ( 1 ). Retrieved 2017 - 9 - 21. `` Features popular characters and voices from the hit TV show '' Jump up ^ ( 2 ). Retrieved 2017 - 9 - 21. `` Features :... Popular characters and voices from the hit TV show '' Jump up ^ ( 3 ). Retrieved 2017 - 9 - 20. Further reading Yasbeck, Amy ( 2010 ). With Love and Laughter, John Ritter. ISBN 978 - 1 - 4165 - 9841 - 1. External links Biography portal California portal Film portal Television portal Wikimedia Commons has media related to John Ritter. John Ritter on IMDb John Ritter at the TCM Movie Database John Ritter at the Internet Broadway Database John Ritter at Find a Grave John Ritter at Emmys.com Famously Dead John Ritter Foundation `` Ritter Rules '' John Ritter Research Program in Aortic and Vascular Diseases Awards for John Ritter Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Alan Young ( 1950 ) Sid Caesar ( 1951 ) Jimmy Durante ( 1952 ) Donald O'Connor ( 1953 ) Danny Thomas ( 1954 ) Phil Silvers ( 1955 ) Sid Caesar ( 1956 ) Jack Benny ( 1957 ) Jack Benny ( 1959 ) Dick Van Dyke ( 1964 ) Dick Van Dyke ( 1965 ) Dick Van Dyke ( 1966 ) Don Adams ( 1967 ) Don Adams ( 1968 ) Don Adams ( 1969 ) William Windom ( 1970 ) Jack Klugman ( 1971 ) Carroll O'Connor ( 1972 ) Jack Klugman ( 1973 ) Alan Alda ( 1974 ) Tony Randall ( 1975 ) Jack Albertson ( 1976 ) Carroll O'Connor ( 1977 ) Carroll O'Connor ( 1978 ) Carroll O'Connor ( 1979 ) Richard Mulligan ( 1980 ) Judd Hirsch ( 1981 ) Alan Alda ( 1982 ) Judd Hirsch ( 1983 ) John Ritter ( 1984 ) Robert Guillaume ( 1985 ) Michael J. Fox ( 1986 ) Michael J. Fox ( 1987 ) Michael J. Fox ( 1988 ) Richard Mulligan ( 1989 ) Ted Danson ( 1990 ) Burt Reynolds ( 1991 ) Craig T. Nelson ( 1992 ) Ted Danson ( 1993 ) Kelsey Grammer ( 1994 ) Kelsey Grammer ( 1995 ) John Lithgow ( 1996 ) John Lithgow ( 1997 ) Kelsey Grammer ( 1998 ) John Lithgow ( 1999 ) Michael J. Fox ( 2000 ) Eric McCormack ( 2001 ) Ray Romano ( 2002 ) Tony Shalhoub ( 2003 ) Kelsey Grammer ( 2004 ) Tony Shalhoub ( 2005 ) Tony Shalhoub ( 2006 ) Ricky Gervais ( 2007 ) Alec Baldwin ( 2008 ) Alec Baldwin ( 2009 ) Jim Parsons ( 2010 ) Jim Parsons ( 2011 ) Jon Cryer ( 2012 ) Jim Parsons ( 2013 ) Jim Parsons ( 2014 ) Jeffrey Tambor ( 2015 ) Jeffrey Tambor ( 2016 ) Donald Glover ( 2017 ) Golden Globe Award for Best Actor -- Television Series Musical or Comedy 1970 -- 2000 Flip Wilson ( 1970 ) Carroll O'Connor ( 1971 ) Redd Foxx ( 1972 ) Jack Klugman ( 1973 ) Alan Alda ( 1974 ) Alan Alda ( 1975 ) Henry Winkler ( 1976 ) Ron Howard / Henry Winkler ( 1977 ) Robin Williams ( 1978 ) Alan Alda ( 1979 ) Alan Alda ( 1980 ) Alan Alda ( 1981 ) Alan Alda ( 1982 ) John Ritter ( 1983 ) Bill Cosby ( 1984 ) Bill Cosby ( 1985 ) Bruce Willis ( 1986 ) Dabney Coleman ( 1987 ) Michael J. Fox / Judd Hirsch / Richard Mulligan ( 1988 ) Ted Danson ( 1989 ) Ted Danson ( 1990 ) Burt Reynolds ( 1991 ) John Goodman ( 1992 ) Jerry Seinfeld ( 1993 ) Tim Allen ( 1994 ) Kelsey Grammer ( 1995 ) John Lithgow ( 1996 ) Michael J. Fox ( 1997 ) Michael J. Fox ( 1998 ) Michael J. Fox ( 1999 ) Kelsey Grammer ( 2000 ) 2001 -- present Charlie Sheen ( 2001 ) Tony Shalhoub ( 2002 ) Ricky Gervais ( 2003 ) Jason Bateman ( 2004 ) Steve Carell ( 2005 ) Alec Baldwin ( 2006 ) David Duchovny ( 2007 ) Alec Baldwin ( 2008 ) Alec Baldwin ( 2009 ) Jim Parsons ( 2010 ) Matt LeBlanc ( 2011 ) Don Cheadle ( 2012 ) Andy Samberg ( 2013 ) Jeffrey Tambor ( 2014 ) Gael García Bernal ( 2015 ) Donald Glover ( 2016 ) Aziz Ansari ( 2017 ) VIAF : 42039384 LCCN : no92016169 ISNI : 0000 0001 1949 0693 GND : 1011885298 BNF : cb14026259s ( data ) BNE : XX1297548 SNAC : w6k64xv2 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Ritter&oldid=832962964 '' Categories : 1948 births 2003 deaths 20th - century American comedians 21st - century American comedians 21st - century American male actors American male comedians American male film actors American male stage actors American male television actors American male voice actors Best Musical or Comedy Actor Golden Globe ( television ) winners Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park ( Hollywood Hills ) Comedians from California Contestants on American game shows Deaths from aortic dissection Male actors from Burbank, California Male actors from Los Angeles Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Primetime Emmy Award winners USC School of Dramatic Arts alumni Hidden categories : CS1 maint : Extra text : authors list All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from September 2010 Articles needing additional references from December 2013 All articles needing additional references Articles with hCards All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from June 2016 Articles with unsourced statements from July 2015 Turner Classic Movies person ID same as Wikidata Articles with IBDb links Find a Grave template with ID same as Wikidata Wikipedia articles with VIAF identifiers Wikipedia articles with LCCN identifiers Wikipedia articles with ISNI identifiers Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers Wikipedia articles with BNF identifiers Wikipedia articles with SNAC - ID identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia Asturianu تۆرکجه Dansk Deutsch Español Euskara فارسی Français Galego 한국어 Italiano עברית Nederlands 日本 語 Polski Português Română Русский Simple English Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Suomi Svenska Tagalog Türkçe Українська Vèneto 17 more Edit links This page was last edited on 28 March 2018, at 22 : 37. 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Question: who played jack tripper on three's company
Answer: Jonathan Southworth Ritter