Did the popularity of John Ritter's character "Jack Tripper" on Three's Company harm his later career? Granted, while Three's Company pretty much launched his career (had it not been for that, Ritter quite possibly would be primarily known for being Rev. Matthew Fordwick in The Waltons) in the very first place, there was also likely a sense that he became typecast. That's a danger of any popular TV show.

From my understanding, after Three's Company and the spin-off Three's a Crowd, he had to take small roles in independent films to get his name out there. This isn't necessarily always a bad thing however as that's how you hone your craft. And John Ritter did have two more series (Hooperman and Hearts Afire) albeit short-lived. An had John not passed away when he did, who knows how many more seasons 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter could've lasted.

I don't think it did, at least not as much as Batman hurt Adam West or Ginger hurt Tina Louise. Compared to these examples, Ritter still had good acting jobs elsewhere as a different character.

I don't think it did, at least not as much as Batman hurt Adam West or Ginger hurt Tina Louise. Compared to these examples, Ritter still had good acting jobs elsewhere as a different character.
Yeah, Ritter avoided typecasting compared to most sitcom stars. Tripper was his biggest role, but he was always working, and doing things miles apart from Jack Tripper post-Threes Company. People like Bob Denver never got that luxury.

I don't think so. John was too talented to be typecast.

I'm curious here, did anyone here see John Ritter on the Waltons?

He first appeared in 1972, a few episodes into the series. It was the only episode that was about his character. Rev. Fordwick raged about sin back in 1972. I wonder what he would of thought about Jack Tripper. After his initial appearace, he only appeared on the Waltons whenever the minister was needed.

It wasn't until a few years later that John Ritter guested on comedy shows. He also played a minister on the Mary Tyler Moore show. He played a jerk on Rhoda.

Nah, he was always working and not always in Jack Tripper type roles. He starred in "Hero at Large" (an underrated feel good movie from 1980) and "Skin Deep", also underrated, in 1989. He had the Hearts Afire show in the early 1990s, and other roles, including a great turn in "Sling Blade."

I never heard him talk much about his role in Three's Company; I wonder if he ever thought it held him back or not?

No, I don't think he was typecast. I do think Three's Company was his best work, though. He was a genius at physical comedy and TC allowed him to show that. His later acting roles, as successful as they were, did not show him doing what he did best. If he had allowed himself to become typecast (be a physical comic a la Jack Tripper), he probably would have been a much bigger star.

Nah, he was always working and not always in Jack Tripper type roles. He starred in "Hero at Large" (an underrated feel good movie from 1980) and "Skin Deep", also underrated, in 1989. He had the Hearts Afire show in the early 1990s, and other roles, including a great turn in "Sling Blade."

I never heard him talk much about his role in Three's Company; I wonder if he ever thought it held him back or not?

Re watched Hero At Large not too long ago. I agree, underrated.

He was also excellent, and really showed off his comedic timing in Bad Santa, yes John was a great psychical comedian, but there was more to his comedy skill than falling down, Bad Santa proved that.

Re watched Hero At Large not too long ago. I agree, underrated.

He was also excellent, and really showed off his comedic timing in Bad Santa, yes John was a great psychical comedian, but there was more to his comedy skill than falling down, Bad Santa proved that.

I agree, he was great in Bad Santa. Love that movie. I think his genius was in his timing, which is what lifts physical comedy from "falling down" to an art form. Take the era silent movies, for example--Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton were two geniuses. No shame in being a physical comedian if you're good at it.

I'm curious here, did anyone here see John Ritter on the Waltons?

He first appeared in 1972, a few episodes into the series. It was the only episode that was about his character. Rev. Fordwick raged about sin back in 1972. I wonder what he would of thought about Jack Tripper. After his initial appearace, he only appeared on the Waltons whenever the minister was needed.

It wasn't until a few years later that John Ritter guested on comedy shows. He also played a minister on the Mary Tyler Moore show. He played a jerk on Rhoda.
Other than having a crush on the daughters when I was a kid, I couldn't stand The Walton's. Still don't like the show now either.

Another film he did in 1987 called Real Men with Jim Belushi, although a total dud I still watch it from time to time.

And of course the Problem Child films he did in the 90's although dumb are saved by Ritter's performance.

I forgot about "Hooperman" on TV, and his neat turn in "Bride of Chucky".

I worked with John Ritter on the film Stay Tuned 1992. Well, worked with is a stretch, I was an extra. John was very gracious to us. But, I did notice that he wasn't looking right.

I worked with John Ritter on the film Stay Tuned 1992. Well, worked with is a stretch, I was an extra. John was very gracious to us. But, I did notice that he wasn't looking right.
Really? maybe you caught him in a moment of exhaustion on the set.

Really? maybe you caught him in a moment of exhaustion on the set.


Yeah, given the fact he didn't die until eleven years after "Stay Tuned", I'd say it's unlikely whatever was up had anything at all to do with his demise.

I saw him in a dramatic role. It was the movie Slingshot with Billy Bob Thorton. He played a homosexual but not the stereotype. He played him like a regular person and he was great.

I wonder why John Ritter was considerably less impressive in every other leading TV role he did? I don't mean to repeat what I already said but just about all of his post-Three's Company shows (Three's a Crowd, Hooperman, and Hearts Afire) didn't last longer than three seasons. Of course, will never know how potentially long lasting and successful 8 Simple Rules... could've been had John not tragically pass away so suddenly early into its second season.

Maybe it partially boils down to the character. On Three's Company, Jack Tripper was such an appealing character because he was really a good guy frat boy than a Lothario.

I wonder why John Ritter was considerably less impressive in every other leading TV role he did? I don't mean to repeat what I already said but just about all of his post-Three's Company shows (Three's a Crowd, Hooperman, and Hearts Afire) didn't last longer than three seasons. Of course, will never know how potentially long lasting and successful 8 Simple Rules... could've been had John not tragically pass away so suddenly early into its second season.

I think it's because after Three's Company he avoided straight-up physical slapstick but he also never went for serious drama. The two times he embraced full silliness or deep drama he was fantastic (I'm thinking of Bad Santa and Slingblade). But mostly he stayed in the middle of his range and delivered decent but un-distinctive performances.

And you're right, the character of Jack Tripper was so iconic. Sometimes lightning strikes once and that's that.

He was just acting so NO I dont think it did........

Don't forget John Ritter was in some of those awful Lifetime movies and Bride of Chucky! :lol:

I don't know if he ever admitted it but he must have been sorely disappointed that he really never had a hit after TC and failed as a movie star. I even read an article once on his failure in the movies.

Typecasting may have a slight effect but not much. John just couldn't party the MAGIC & hilarity of Jack Tripper into any other substantial roles in his career.

You may be thinking of 8 Simple Rules but it wasn't NEARLY as funny as TC and one of the main reasons it got so much attention is because John died during filming. John said he wanted it to last 8 seasons but even if John lived it may have lasted 3 to 5 seasons.

I remember I saw a couple episodes in season 1 when we had NO idea John was doomed and although there were funny moments it wasn't worth watching more than 2 episodes.

He did appear on Broadway in Neil Simons' The Dining Room as well as appearances on shows like Law and Order SVU.