John Ritter

(September 18, 1999) Married Amy Yasbeck in Wilmington, Ohio. The two had lived together for a couple of years.

During an interview on "Late Night with Conan OBrien" , Ritter claimed that he chose the name "Vaughan Cunningham" for his character in Sling Blade based on an in-joke with the cast of "Happy Days" .

He was a scout (but not an Eagle).

Had starred with his wife, Amy Yasbeck , in "The Cosby Show" episode, "The Cosby Show" {Total Control (#7.15)} , eight years prior to their marriage. Coincidently, they played a husband and wife expecting their first child.

He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity.

His talent for physical schtick was heralded by television comedy icon Lucille Ball , who hosted a tribute to Johns talent on "Threes Company" . John later appeared in an episode of Lucilles last comedy series "Life with Lucy" In that episode, Lucy claims that during the shooting of a scene, it was the third time in her entire career that she had to yell "cut" because he broke her up laughing.

His father, cowboy star Tex Ritter , tried to steer him away from an acting career but lived long enough to rejoice in seeing him in a recurring role on "The Waltons" , which was Texs favorite television series.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6631 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on September 28, 1983.

One of Johns last public appearances was at Disneys Prime Time Weekend at Disneys California Adventure Park, 4 days before his death.

Was the first guest of "The Wayne Brady Show" .

Died in the same hospital he was born in, which was the Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center.

Father of four children: Jason Ritter , (born on Sunday, February 17, 1980), Carly Ritter , (born on Monday, March 1, 1982), Tyler Ritter , (born on Thursday, January 31, 1985) and Stella Ritter , (born on Friday, September 11, 1998).

At the same time he attended Hollywood High School, he fell in love with The Beatles.

His favorite musical group was The Beatles , and he even appeared on Ringo Starr s television special Ringo .

Paul Hennessy, Ritters character on "8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter" , was ranked #48 in TV Guides list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" [June 20, 2004 issue].

Buried at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, California (actually borders Glendale and Griffith Park). Lot 1622 Court of Liberty near Stan Laurel s grave-site.

Was nominated for an Emmy Award, for best actor in a comedy, for "8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter" one year after his death, after appearing in 31 episodes.

Died one day before the death of country music legend Johnny Cash. Incidentally, his father, Tex, had written several songs for Johnny during the 1950s and 1960s.

Ended 20 year rift with his "Threes Company" co-star Suzanne Somers shortly before his death.

On an episode of "8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter" , he and the cast did a spoof of his situation comedy "Threes Company" . In the spoof, he played Mr. Roper, Katey Sagal played Helen Roper, Kaley Cuoco and Amy Davidson played Janet and Chrissy respectively, Billy Aaron Brown played Jack and Martin Spanjers played Larry. At the end of the episode, Don Knotts who played Mr. Furley on Threes Company, reprised his role in one short scene. It was, not surprisingly, Ritters favorite episode.

On "Threes Company" and "Threes a Crowd" , he played a straight man pretending to be gay. In Perceptions , his son, Jason Ritter , played a gay man pretending to be straight.

His final film, Bad Santa , was dedicated to his memory.

After his death, the September 29 issue of People magazine featured two different covers - issues distributed to the central and southwest United States (except Florida) showed Johnny Cash who had also recently passed away, the rest displayed a photo of John Ritter taken by veteran photojournalist Michael Germana. Appropriately, he was waving goodbye.

Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 7, 2003-2005, pages 464-465. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007.

Good friends with Jenny Sullivan Paul Linke , Ralph Waite , Henry Winkler , and Richard Kline.

Died on his youngest daughters, Stella Ritter , fifth birthday.

Was considered for the role of Dan Gallagher in Fatal Attraction , which went to Michael Douglas.

Attended and graduated from Hollywood High School in Hollywood, California in 1966.

Best remembered by the public for his starring role as Jack Tripper on "Threes Company" .

John Ritter died one week before his fourth wedding anniversary to wife Amy Yasbeck. Additionally, Ritter passed away only 6 days before his 55th birthday.

John Ritters great-grandfather Benjamin Franklin Ritter (1834-1902) was an officer in the Confederate Cavalry (37th Texas Cavalry) during the War between the States.

Before he was a successful actor, he worked with Harry Morgan in two movies of Ritters early career: The Barefoot Executive and Scandalous John .

His acting mentor was the late Harry Morgan.

Played the clarinet.

Attended Walter Reed Jr. High School in North Hollywood, California.

Lifelong friend of Kevin Tighe.

Was 3 months younger than Phylicia Rashad. He guest-starred with her on an episode of "The Cosby Show" .

Initially misdiagnosed with a heart attack, he died from an aortic dissection, following surgery, at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, in Burbank, California.. [11 September 2003].

Director Peter Bogdanovich directed him in three feature films: Nickelodeon , They All Laughed , and Noises Off... . He had earlier considered him for the role of Sonny in The Last Picture Show that went to Timothy Bottoms.

His and Joyce DeWitt s favorite episode of "Threes Company" is titled "Up in the Air" where he had a long comic dance that earned him a Emmy nomination. His least favorite episode was "Chrissy and the Guru" where he imitated a walrus.