John was in a movie on lifetime today called Lethal Vows where he has a very serious role where his ex-wife suspects him of killing his wife.

John has beard and threatens the woman and takes on a persona that's totally the OPPOSITE of Jack Tripper.

I think John grew the beard to distance himself from his comic persona as much as possible since without the beard people would keep thinking of John Ritter.

John grew pretty desperate later in his career as he did some pretty bad stuff like BRIDE OF CHUCKY!! LOL! :lol:

No, he is an actor, not Jack Tripper. And John had a beard in other things as well way before Lethal Vows, such as Skin Deep, which was a big screen comedy.

It's not weird to see him do serious roles. He was great at it. John was never ever type cast as Jack Tripper, so not sure why you even brought that up. No one has ever said that anywhere about him. He had steady work throughout his career. He did the Bride of Chucky cameo because he is a fan of horror movies.

He was doing serious roles before Three's Company so I don't find it strange at all.

The one that REALLY shocked me was The Only Way Out (1993) where he grabbed Henry Winkler by the throat and ended up drowning him in the kitchen sink!! That scene freaked me out for YEARS. :eek: :eek: :eek:

No, he is an actor, not Jack Tripper. And John had a beard in other things as well way before Lethal Vows, such as Skin Deep, which was a big screen comedy.

It's not weird to see him do serious roles. He was great at it. John was never ever type cast as Jack Tripper, so not sure why you even brought that up. No one has ever said that anywhere about him. He had steady work throughout his career. He did the Bride of Chucky cameo because he is a fan of horror movies.

But he is CLEARLY best known for 3's Company so when you really only know him as Jack Tripper it can be strange and weird to see him as someone so different.

But he is CLEARLY best known for 3's Company so when you really only know him as Jack Tripper it can be strange and weird to see him as someone so different.

Everyone is best known for something. It's different when you only see that actor as that role. And John's role of Jack Tripper was not a role where people just saw him as Jack. He wasn't Gary Coleman.

Heck the first time I ever saw John Ritter on TV was when he had the role as the reverend on the Waltons and he was great in it. He also was good on Hooperman. It's too bad that not many people today remember him in that role. John was never typecast like some other stars were. He went from drama to comedy and back again for the rest of his life.

Heck the first time I ever saw John Ritter on TV was when he had the role as the reverend on the Waltons and he was great in it. He also was good on Hooperman. It's too bad that not many people today remember him in that role. John was never typecast like some other stars were. He went from drama to comedy and back again for the rest of his life.
Don't forget Sling Blade - now THAT was a departure for him! :nod:

I don't think it was weird of the poster to bring the topic up at all. I agree he was a great actor who had a variety of roles, but many people first saw him as Jack and there are probably more fans of the character of Jack Tripper than maybe some of his other roles. So of course if you're used to seeing someone as one character it'd be weird to see him in a darker role. I know for one that as a kid, maybe 12 or 13, I was at my height of obsession with TC and so naturally I looked into other roles of his and seeing him as someone opposite was weird. It's a natural reaction from fans of a show, I think.

I thought his character in Slingblade was awesome. I lovee that movie. I just bought it recently and my roommate and I are always quoting it.

"Karl, that's very offensive to me. They told you to say that, didn't they?" :p

"Not funny haha, funny queer."

See, there I go.

Not too long ago I re-watched this horror anthology he did from 2000 called Terror Tract. I found the VHS I had and popped it in.

If you can get hold of it I'd recommend looking at it.

Not too long ago I re-watched this horror anthology he did from 2000 called Terror Tract. I found the VHS I had and popped it in.

If you can get hold of it I'd recommend looking at it.

Please tell us what it was about.

Please tell us what it was about.

John Ritter is a real estate agent who tries to sell a variety of homes to a young couple and tells them the horror stories of the people who used to live there.


1. A businessman discovers that his wife is cheating on him. The wife and her lover kill the husband and then the wife begins having dreams of her husband not staying dead.

2. A monkey that a young girl takes into their home brings trouble to the family.

3. A teen with psychic powers warns a therapist that she will become the next victim of a serial killer.


Not giving away spoilers but the "real story" is with John Ritter and the clients.

John Ritter is a real estate agent who tries to sell a variety of homes to a young couple and tells them the horror stories of the people who used to live there.


1. A businessman discovers his that wife is cheating on him. The wife and her lover kill the husband and then the wife begins having dreams of her husband not staying dead.

2. A monkey that a young girl takes into their home brings trouble to the family.

3. A teen with psychic powers warns a therapist that she will become the next victim of a serial killer.


Not giving away spoilers but the "real story" is with John Ritter and the clients.

So is it actually like 3 little mini movies that are totally seperate like Creepshow was or 1 movie with 3 flashbacks? You said anthology so it made it sound like 3 or 4 seperate movies.

I like you Bruce Lee Avatar. Did you see "How Bruce Lee Changed the World" on the History Channel? Do you have any conspiracy theories on his death?

Sorry for the OT.

So is it actually like 3 little mini movies that are totally seperate like Creepshow was or 1 movie with 3 flashbacks? You said anthology so it made it sound like 3 or 4 seperate movies.

It is one movie with three flashbacks relating to the overall story. Did you ever see Tales From The Hood? It is the same concept as that.


I like you Bruce Lee Avatar. Did you see "How Bruce Lee Changed the World" on the History Channel? Do you have any conspiracy theories on his death?

Sorry for the OT.

No I haven't seen that. I saw the trailer for it online and I've been meaning to order it on DVD. I've seen many other documentaries on him.

Nope, his death was an unfortunate accident. It was an allergic reaction to medication he was given. If he was having an affair with that actress he was with when he died, Betty Ting Pei, I do not know for certain.

There are a lot of rumors about Lee's personal life that nobody really knows if anything is true about them.

It is one movie with three flashbacks relating to the overall story. Did you ever see Tales From The Hood? It is the same concept as that.

No, I haven't but I should check this Ritter Horror movie out some time. It should be pretty strange to see him in such a movie. Do you know if it's on DVD? That would be the ONLY way I could see it.

No I haven't seen that. I saw the trailer for it online and I've been meaning to order it on DVD. I've seen many other documentaries on him.

Nope, his death was an unfortunate accident. It was an allergic reaction to medication he was given. If he was having an affair with that actress he was with when he died, Betty Ting Pei, I do not know for certain.

There are a lot of rumors about Lee's personal life that nobody really knows if anything is true about them.

Yeah, I agree. There was probably nothing else to his death other than just the medication plus exhaustion since it was well known he pushed himself too hard. Did you know he actually passed out a few month earlier but he woke up that time. The 2nd time he did not.

I think there was a pretty good chance he was having an affair with Ting Pei. If you've seen his wife he probably should've been. LOL! :lol:

It's just that a LOT of Chinese felt that as a matter of Chinese pride he should've married Chinese or at least another Oriental. After all, in his movies he was know as a CHINESE hero and he exemplified Chinese pride worldwide.

No, I haven't but I should check this Ritter Horror movie out some time. It should be pretty strange to see him in such a movie. Do you know if it's on DVD? That would be the ONLY way I could see it.

Yes, it is out on DVD.

It is released in a Double Feature disc along with a Brittany Murphy horror flick Cherry Falls.

Yeah, I agree. There was probably nothing else to his death other than just the medication plus exhaustion since it was well known he pushed himself too hard. Did you know he actually passed out a few month earlier but he woke up that time. The 2nd time he did not.

I think there was a pretty good chance he was having an affair with Ting Pei. If you've seen his wife he probably should've been. LOL! :lol:

It's just that a LOT of Chinese felt that as a matter of Chinese pride he should've married Chinese or at least another Oriental. After all, in his movies he was know as a CHINESE hero and he exemplified Chinese pride worldwide.

Yes, Lee was working himself to exhaustion since he pretty much did everything himself on his motion pictures.

He sometimes used opiates to cope with it.


The affair with Betty Ting Pei is uncertain and I don't know what to think about it.


It wasn't that he married an American girl that irked the Chinese as much as him teaching martial arts to the non-Orientals. He was hated for doing that.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I don't think it takes away from John Ritter as an actor capable of portraying a variety of roles, it's just a testament of how loved the Jack Tripper character is. Don't we all briefly think of Barney Fife when we see Don Knotts as Ralph Furley?

Yeah, I know what you mean. I don't think it takes away from John Ritter as an actor capable of portraying a variety of roles, it's just a testament of how loved the Jack Tripper character is. Don't we all briefly think of Barney Fife when we see Don Knotts as Ralph Furley?

If John Ritter was never in 3's Compnay he wouldn't have NEAR the popularity he had. Most people in America wouldn't have even known he was a preacher in the Waltons and I never did until I saw him in 3's Company and read his bio.

His 3's Company popularity blows away his popularity and the Waltons and the other lower grade stuff he did. I'm referring to some of those lame Lifetime movies he did but it was work and I'm sure he was paid quite well so I can see why he did it.

Unlike Michael J. Fox (who had MEGA hits with the Back to the Future movies) Ritter never had a huge movie hit like that. Considering Ritter was a better comic actor than Fox that is really surprising. I guess the right script never came along.

I know people talk about slingblade but I had never even heard of that until after he died.

^ Did you ever see Sling Blade? John really was amazing. I used to watch Hearts Afire - which also co-starred Billy Bob Thornton. I think that show only lasted a couple of seasons. Markie Post played his wife and Ed Asner played his father-in-law.

I also liked Ritter's guest appearance as a crazy robot on an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

I'm referring to some of those lame Lifetime movies he did but it was work

He never did a Lifetime original movie. Lifetime is rerunning his network movies that aired on CBS, ABC, and NBC. He had a huge deal with CBS for TV movies (and specials) after Hearts Afire ended through about 2000.

He never did a Lifetime original movie. Lifetime is rerunning his network movies that aired on CBS, ABC, and NBC. He had a huge deal with CBS for TV movies (and specials) after Hearts Afire ended through about 2000.

I don't doubt what you're saying but I don't ever recall CBS running any previews back then for John Ritter dramas and he is so recognizable I would've instantly recognized him and thought "Jack Tripper in a serious role??"

NO WAY! :talk:

^ Did you ever see Sling Blade? John really was amazing. I used to watch Hearts Afire - which also co-starred Billy Bob Thornton. I think that show only lasted a couple of seasons. Markie Post played his wife and Ed Asner played his father-in-law.

How would I even hear about it?? I don't ever recall hearing about it when it ran but WE ALL know about Back to the Future.

I'm not saying ALL sitcom stars have hit movies but John Ritter is the funniest sitcom star ever as even Lucille Ball said that or at least it was her favorite show.

It's just sort of surprising no screenwriter ever gave John a mega hit comedy script. I know Problem Child was somewhat popular but not close to a mega hit and even though I've never seen that entire movie I think that's more about the kid than John unlike 3's Company where John was the star and you couldn't do the show without him.

I don't doubt what you're saying but I don't ever recall CBS running any previews back then for John Ritter dramas and he is so recognizable I would've instantly recognized him and thought "Jack Tripper in a serious role??"

NO WAY! :talk:

They promoted it heavily, not sure what you mean. I saw them all and they did well in the ratings. A Child's Wish, Truth About Lying, Unforgivable, Chance of a Lifetime, Lethal Vows, Holy Joe, etc. They all aired on CBS. CBS aired movies on Sundays and Wednesday nights back then. He got praised critically for them, too, especially Unforgivable. A Child's Wish had Bill Clinton make a cameo and it got a lot of press and promos.

And everyone knew about Sling Blade in 1996. It was an Oscar contender.

They promoted it heavily, not sure what you mean. I saw them all and they did well in the ratings. A Child's Wish, Truth About Lying, Unforgivable, Chance of a Lifetime, Lethal Vows, Holy Joe, etc. They all aired on CBS. CBS aired movies on Sundays and Wednesday nights back then. He got praised critically for them, too, especially Unforgivable. A Child's Wish had Bill Clinton make a cameo and it got a lot of press and promos.

Were they mostly on Saturday night or something?

They ran in 2000 and 2001 or what?

I just said Sunday and Wednesday nights. From 1996-2000 or so. He did a lot of films for them because they did well.

They promoted it heavily, not sure what you mean. I saw them all and they did well in the ratings. A Child's Wish, Truth About Lying, Unforgivable, Chance of a Lifetime, Lethal Vows, Holy Joe, etc. They all aired on CBS. CBS aired movies on Sundays and Wednesday nights back then. He got praised critically for them, too, especially Unforgivable. A Child's Wish had Bill Clinton make a cameo and it got a lot of press and promos.

And everyone knew about Sling Blade in 1996. It was an Oscar contender.

I saw a Child's Wish quite a few years ago and I actually CRIED during the movie it was that touching. I think it was during the Clinton scene that I cried and he said "I was told I have a very special visitor here."

I even called the Make A Wish foundation and tried to find out WHO that girl was in real life. Something happened and I think they told me to talk to someone else there but we never connected.

So WHO was that girl that the movie was based on??

He also played Scott Speedman's father on Felicity, if I'm not mistaken. I forget how many appearances he did on that show.

He also played Scott Speedman's father on Felicity, if I'm not mistaken. I forget how many appearances he did on that show.

LOL! WHAT is Felicity??!?

Face it guys, John Ritter would not be an icon if it wasn't for 3's Company. The Waltons doesn't have near the staying power and I've never even seen that show and I don't think he had a major role like he did in TC where he WAS the show.

He WAS the lead in Hooperman, Hearts Afire and 8 Simple Rules, not just TC. Had he lived longer, I think 8SR may very well still be on the air today. But TC was/is such a pop culture phenomenon, that is indeed John's best-known work.

Felicity was a drama series that aired on the WB from 1998-2002. Here's some more information on that show:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felicity

He WAS the lead in Hooperman, Hearts Afire and 8 Simple Rules, not just TC. Had he lived longer, I think 8SR may very well still be on the air today. But TC was/is such a pop culture phenomenon, that is indeed John's best-known work.

Felicity was a drama series that aired on the WB from 1998-2002. Here's some more information on that show:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felicity

I agree that 8SR would've been a hit and I saw it when he was ALIVE and I didn't really like it BUT it has a whole new meaning now that he's dead since that's his last work.

8SR was probably his best show since TC. I never got to see Hearts Afire so what was that about? Comedy or not?

BTW, Hooperman wasn't a hit and was cancelled pretty quickly I think.

Hearts Afire was a sitcom which aired on CBS from 1992-95. John's leading lady was Markie Post (Night Court). Billy Bob Thornton was in the cast, and of course he and John would appear together in Sling Blade and Bad Santa. Here's some more info on Hearts Afire:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearts_Afire

You're right, Hooperman was cancelled in fairly short order. It ran on ABC from 1987-89. I think it was the first show he headlined since Three's A Crowd.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hooperman

Now HERE'S a treat - John's guest spot as an annoying waiter in a 1974 episode of The Bob Newhart Show!!!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0528415/

Big3sCompanyFan, are you a TV/movie fan at all? Or are you just very young? Felicity was a very popular show in the late '90s. Even people who don't watch the show know what that is. John made about 7 guest appearances on there. He was just coming off him Emmy nominated guest role on Ally McBeal. As I said before, every actor has something they have been known for best. And Three's Company was that for John. But he was still a very accomplished actor and people recognize him by more than Jack Tripper. He was a great actor, not just comedy either.

Hooperman was critically acclaimed and should have lasted longer than it did. Hearts Afire would have also lasted longer, but the CBS censors downplayed it and totally changed the show after the first season.

I can't believe no one seems to be mentioning John's recurring role as Rev. Fordwick on the Waltons. Playing a minister was certainly a departure for John compared to many of his other roles.

I can't believe no one seems to be mentioning John's recurring role as Rev. Fordwick on the Waltons. Playing a minister was certainly a departure for John compared to many of his other roles.
He was great in that role. That was the first show I ever saw him on. My most memorable episode of him on that show was when he was going to burn all the German books and John Boy was against it. The Reverend couldn't read German and it was found out that he almost burned a Bible.

One other great guest star role of his was in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Big3sCompanyFan, are you a TV/movie fan at all? Or are you just very young? Felicity was a very popular show in the late '90s. Even people who don't watch the show know what that is. John made about 7 guest appearances on there. He was just coming off him Emmy nominated guest role on Ally McBeal. As I said before, every actor has something they have been known for best. And Three's Company was that for John. But he was still a very accomplished actor and people recognize him by more than Jack Tripper. He was a great actor, not just comedy either.

Hooperman was critically acclaimed and should have lasted longer than it did. Hearts Afire would have also lasted longer, but the CBS censors downplayed it and totally changed the show after the first season.

LOL....I WISH I was very young but I'm old enough to have seen the later years of 3's Company during it's original run.

I vaguely recall the NAME Felicity but I couldn't tell you anything about it. You must remember that CABLE shows have a strong following as well and I like a lot of science/nature/non-fiction shows so I also watch a lot of Discovery,Science, APL, National Geographic, TLC, Health, etc. channels.

I'm probably going to get season 1 of Hearts Afire on DVD since it looks interesting.

He was great in that role. That was the first show I ever saw him on. My most memorable episode of him on that show was when he was going to burn all the German books and John Boy was against it. The Reverend couldn't read German and it was found out that he almost burned a Bible.

One other great guest star role of his was in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
I remember this episode Sonny. The scene at the end was very powerful when John Boy got Flossie Brimmer to read the German Bible and then translate it to English. And Reverend Fordwick's reaction (and that of the gathered crowd) was very thought provoking.

I remember this episode Sonny. The scene at the end was very powerful when John Boy got Flossie Brimmer to read the German Bible and then translate it to English. And Reverend Fordwick's reaction (and that of the gathered crowd) was very thought provoking.
Which season did that air? I'd like to see that episode.

Which season did that air? I'd like to see that episode.
This episode, which is entitled "The Fire Storm", originally aired on October 21, 1976 during the 5th season of "The Waltons".

This episode, which is entitled "The Fire Storm", originally aired on October 21, 1976 during the 5th season of "The Waltons".
Thanks!! :cool:

Thanks!! :cool:
You're welcome. This episode is definitely worth looking for. It all starts with John-Boy deciding to publish excepts from "Mein Kampf" in the Blue Ridge Chronicle. This gets the community riled up and results in the book burning in the final scene.

How do you guys even SEE the Waltons?? I have not seen it in reruns my entire life which is over 30 years and I've definitely not seen it anywhere in the last 15 years or so.

You don't just blindly buy DVDs of shows you've never seen before. At least not usually.

Usually you see a show in reruns and you like and THEN you get the DVD. Plus the Waltons isn't a comedy right? LOL

How do you guys even SEE the Waltons?? I have not seen it in reruns my entire life which is over 30 years and I've definitely not seen it anywhere in the last 15 years or so.

You don't just blindly buy DVDs of shows you've never seen before. At least not usually.

Usually you see a show in reruns and you like and THEN you get the DVD. Plus the Waltons isn't a comedy right? LOL
Yeah, The Waltons is a drama. The reruns were on the Hallmark Channel (not sure if they're still on). I usually check TV shows on DVD out of the library. It's free and you're not stuck with them if you don't like them. :cool:

How do you guys even SEE the Waltons?? I have not seen it in reruns my entire life which is over 30 years and I've definitely not seen it anywhere in the last 15 years or so.

You don't just blindly buy DVDs of shows you've never seen before. At least not usually.

Usually you see a show in reruns and you like and THEN you get the DVD. Plus the Waltons isn't a comedy right? LOL
What are you talking about? The Waltons may not be on tv now but they were in reruns for years. My Mom used to watch it everynight through most of the 90's. It clearly had a better syndication life then most dramas from the 1970's. It was also in local syndication for years as well. It and LHOTP were probably the most syndicated dramas from the 1970's. You want to talk about a drama from the 70's not being seen, try Police Woman. I haven't seen that show since it went off the air in 1978.

What are you talking about? The Waltons may not be on tv now but they were in reruns for years. My Mom used to watch it everynight through most of the 90's. It clearly had a better syndication life then most dramas from the 1970's. It was also in local syndication for years as well. It and LHOTP were probably the most syndicated dramas from the 1970's. You want to talk about a drama from the 70's not being seen, try Police Woman. I haven't seen that show since it went off the air in 1978.
Has anyone seen John on Law & Order Special Victim Unit?

Has anyone seen John on Law & Order Special Victim Unit?
No, but I did see his good friend Henry Winkler on the same show.

Yeah, The Waltons is a drama. The reruns were on the Hallmark Channel (not sure if they're still on). I usually check TV shows on DVD out of the library. It's free and you're not stuck with them if you don't like them. :cool:

I'm really not THAT interested in it because I'm not really into dramas. The ONLY drama I was ever into was Dallas and I was obsessed with that at one point but Dallas has a cult following to this day and is arguably the most popular TV program EVER period.

I've talked to people who've seen the Waltons and they've told me it's corny and cheesy and it certainly seems that way with characters called John Boy??!?!! LOL!

I'm sure John was a fine dramatic actor but if you saw him for the very FIRST time pull all those stunts and gags on TC then it's just bizarre to see him so serious and I KNOW many agree with me.

P.S. I'm NOT part of Dallas cult following these days!! :lol:

Here in Canada The Waltons airs on Vision TV on weekday afternoons.

Here in Canada The Waltons airs on Vision TV on weekday afternoons.

:lol: