John Ritter dead [Archive] - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

tvspy

09-12-2003, 05:46 AM

This is what I found on his death:

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Emmy award-winning actor John Ritter, who gained fame playing bumbling and lovable characters in two television comedies decades apart, has died, a representative said on Friday.
Ritter collapsed on Thursday evening while filming "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter," the ABC television comedy which had reinvigorated his career and was a centerpiece of the network's upcoming fall season.

He was taken to Providence St. Joseph hospital in Burbank, California, across from the studio where he had been working.

There he died from a "dissection of the aorta," which results from an unrecognized flaw in a main artery from the heart, his publicists, Wolf-Kasteler & Associates Public Relations, said.

Ritter was best known for his portrayal of Jack Tripper in the 1970s situation comedy "Three's Company," which won him Emmy, Golden Globe and People's Choice awards.

A prolific actor, Ritter recently reinvigorated his career as the star of "8 Simple Rules."

Ritter played Paul Hennessy in a family comedy about a father dealing with his precocious daughters which was one of the Walt Disney Co.-owned network's new hits in the 2002 season.

Born into a Hollywood family, John Ritter was the son of country singer and actor Tex Ritter and graduated from Hollywood High School, where he was student body president.

He is survived by his wife, Amy Yasbeck and their daughter, Stella and three children, Carly, Tyler and Jason, from his first marriage to Nancy Morgan.

~~~~~

I always loved John Ritter. He was my first crush as a child in the early 80's. He will forever be missed.

tvspy

09-12-2003, 05:52 AM

Christine0089

09-12-2003, 06:34 AM

Katharine Hepburn, Buddy Ebsen, Gregory Hines, Barry White, Johnny Cash, John Ritter.... is there a curse in Hollywood this year?

R.I.P. John

Doesn't he have a really young daughter? I feel so sorry for his family.

Lor3nzo

09-12-2003, 06:53 AM

my prayers go with him and his family i dont even know what to think he was so funny im about to cry and i dont even know him :(

PZelda

09-12-2003, 07:08 AM

Originally posted by *xAdFaN19x*
i know i just heard it on the radio.... gosh, he was too young! he was gonna turn 55 next week. Its just not fair, he wasnt done entairtaining the world yet. i still cant belive it. What are they gonna do on 8 simple rules now? :eek: :( May he Rest In Peace.

i still cant belive it......

That's what I'm wondering, actually. I was planning on watching the season opener of 8SR om the 23rd, too. I'm thinking maybe they're going to put 8SR on hold....you know, give everybody on the set time to go to his funeral and stuff...I really don't know if 8SR will continue...You know, I think this may be the first time ever that someone has died while on a TV show. I could be wrong, tho...

I can't believe it, either. I remember John when I was growing up and found him to be a funny father-like figure on TV. :crying:

HDfanLiz

09-12-2003, 07:18 AM

Wow, I wake up and see this, what a way to start my morning. :( This is such a tragedy, I almost don't believe it. I feel so bad for his family and his children. This is just so sudden!

Randy30

09-12-2003, 07:22 AM

You know, I think this may be the first time ever that someone has died while on a TV show. I could be wrong, tho...

It's happened many times over the years.

John will be missed.

PZelda

09-12-2003, 07:34 AM

Originally posted by HDfanLiz
Wow, I wake up and see this, what a way to start my morning. :( This is such a tragedy, I almost don't believe it. I feel so bad for his family and his children. This is just so sudden!

I agree. :( I also heard that his daughter had just turned 4 or 5 the day before (the 10th), I think. :crying:

PZelda

09-12-2003, 07:35 AM

Originally posted by Randy30
It's happened many times over the years.

John will be missed.

Yeah, I thought so. I didn't want to be sure. John Candy died halfway during the filiming of his final movie...etc. So...

theshark8777

09-12-2003, 07:38 AM

Redd Foxx also died while filmimg a TV Show, The Royal Family I think it was. I don't really remember it was around 1991.

Thats so sad, I liked John Ritter.

Thats 3 this week
John Ritter
Johnny Cash, and
Warren Zevon...

.:Illusion:.

09-12-2003, 07:50 AM

Originally posted by Randy30
It's happened many times over the years.

John will be missed.

AMEN, BROTHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HDfanLiz

09-12-2003, 07:54 AM

Originally posted by PZelda: VICKI!!
I agree. :( I also heard that his daughter had just turned 4 or 5 the day before (the 10th), I think. :crying:

Oh, that's so sad, that poor little girl. :(

Crimson and Clover

09-12-2003, 07:57 AM

Originally posted by PZelda: VICKI!!
People are saying he died of a heart attack just this morning :(. It's on Reuters and AP and on Yahoo now and a few people have heard it on the radio, as well. RIP John, I will miss you. :crying:

I think you know how I feel Allison :( :crying: :crying:

.:Illusion:.

09-12-2003, 07:58 AM

O man! Having your father die the day after your birthday! And I doubt he was there to celebrate because he was probably filming. On a radio station I was listening to this morning, it had a sound clip of John's line that he was saying, then when he fell and had the heart attack, and all like the people yelling on stage "GET HELP!!!!!!!!" and stuff like that. It was really sad!

Crimson and Clover

09-12-2003, 07:59 AM

Originally posted by Randy30
It's happened many times over the years.

Phil Hartman died while on NewsRadio

Mr. Television

09-12-2003, 08:04 AM

This is horrible. I just saw it on the news. They also said that Johnny Cash just died. It's a sad sad day.:(

Mr. Television

09-12-2003, 08:09 AM

Originally posted by PZelda: VICKI!!
That's what I'm wondering, actually. I was planning on watching the season opener of 8SR om the 23rd, too. I'm thinking maybe they're going to put 8SR on hold....you know, give everybody on the set time to go to his funeral and stuff...I really don't know if 8SR will continue...You know, I think this may be the first time ever that someone has died while on a TV show. I could be wrong, tho...

I can't believe it, either. I remember John when I was growing up and found him to be a funny father-like figure on TV. :crying: Redd Foxx died on the set of his sitcom The Royal Family. Thats what this reminds me of.

David

09-12-2003, 08:18 AM

no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When I woke up, I just found out!!!!! :(!!!

What happens to this show?

Gosh Im crying! This wasnt expected! Im gonna miss John Ritter!

PZelda

09-12-2003, 08:23 AM

Originally posted by Crimson and Clover
Phil Hartman died while on NewsRadio

Wasn't it towards the end of the season, though? If I remember correctly, I think the date was something like May 28, 1998. Somewhere around there. :( I remember Phil Hartman. I loved him as Tony McClure on "The Simpsons" and the other voices he did there.

Pitooey

09-12-2003, 08:26 AM

My heart is absolutely broken this morning. I loved John Ritter. My sympathies go out to his family. :crying:

Lor3nzo

09-12-2003, 08:27 AM

and whats weird is it all happend on 9/11 :(

Crimson and Clover

09-12-2003, 08:34 AM

Originally posted by PZelda: VICKI!!
Wasn't it towards the end of the season, though? If I remember correctly, I think the date was something like May 28, 1998. Somewhere around there. :( I remember Phil Hartman. I loved him as Tony McClure on "The Simpsons" and the other voices he did there.

Yes the show ended in May 1999 and he was murdered on the day you said. I loved him too, he was funny, horrible how he died.

David

09-12-2003, 08:36 AM

Originally posted by Kaleys#1Fan
and whats weird is it all happend on 9/11 :(

well what time did he die?? If it was after midnight, its technically 9/12.

but still, i get ur point :(.

Unwanted Angel

09-12-2003, 08:37 AM

8SR will probably be canceled. It would not be the same without John. Maybe Pav. will tell us. :(

http://www.fluffytails.ca/ritter/john1.jpg

Crimson and Clover

09-12-2003, 08:39 AM

Originally posted by Unwanted Angel
8SR will probably be canceled. It would not be the same without John. Maybe Pav. will tell us. :(

http://www.fluffytails.ca/ritter/john1.jpg

It certainly wouldnt be the same. I doubt people would watch without him. Hes what pulled the show together.:(

Pitooey

09-12-2003, 08:39 AM

For a long time I had felt that John was putting too much energy on the show. I had commented before on how John should calm down when he did the Emmy awards last year. I am so broken hearted over his death. :crying:

Unwanted Angel

09-12-2003, 08:45 AM

Originally posted by Crimson and Clover
It certainly wouldnt be the same. I doubt people would watch without him. Hes what pulled the show together.:(

Yes he did, IMO John was the king of comedy. No one ever made me laugh as much as he did. I just don't understand why great people have to die. :( Today is the worst day ever for me. :crying:

I think i'll have a John Ritter day. I'll watch all of his movies and TC and 8SR. And tonight me and my mom are going to light a candle in honer of his memory.

Pitooey

09-12-2003, 08:46 AM

Originally posted by SomersCompany3
well what time did he die?? If it was after midnight, its technically 9/12.

but still, i get ur point :(. I heard he died after 10:00 PM last night. :crying:

Crimson and Clover

09-12-2003, 08:54 AM

Originally posted by Christine0089
Katharine Hepburn, Buddy Ebsen, Gregory Hines, Barry White, Johnny Cash, John Ritter.... is there a curse in Hollywood this year?

R.I.P. John

Doesn't he have a really young daughter? I feel so sorry for his family.

Yeah this year sucks

Brad Russ

09-12-2003, 09:01 AM

I just heard this news about 15 minutes ago, and am still in complete shock. He was just way too young to die. Him, and his family will be in my prayers! R.I.P. John

Lor3nzo

09-12-2003, 09:02 AM

i made a tribute page for my website i would love to hear your thoughts about this sad loss for the page go here:

http://www.kaleycuoco.org/rip_john.php

DetectiveGriffin

09-12-2003, 09:02 AM

That is so scary, he was not even 55 yet. The terrifying thing about aortic aneurysms is that most of the time, it has no symptoms. Often, no one knows what's happening unless the
aneurym causes a heart attack or stroke and has to have a CAT scan or MRI. Very few people have any pain symptoms, unlike an aneurysm in the brain where people might have a blinding headache. And, man, the aorta arises from the heat and distributes blood to all parts of the body - if it ruptures, thats just serious trouble.
I'd be interested to know if he had *very* high blood pressure,
which often contributes.

***scary, scary, scary***

*GoodMorningCalgary*

09-12-2003, 09:32 AM

oh my god....this is so sad.:( I'm really gonna miss him. he was the coolest

so whats happening now? are they ending the show or bringing a new guy?

Crimson and Clover

09-12-2003, 09:34 AM

Originally posted by *GoodMorningCalgary*

so whats happening now? are they ending the show or bringing a new guy?

imo, they should just end it. it wouldnt work with a new guy, i know i sure wouldnt watch it and many others probably wouldnt either. and it wouldnt work without it.:( :(

Mr. Television

09-12-2003, 09:38 AM

Originally posted by *GoodMorningCalgary*
oh my god....this is so sad.:( I'm really gonna miss him. he was the coolest

so whats happening now? are they ending the show or bringing a new guy? I don't know. They tried to continue The Royal Family after Redd Foxx died. They even did a tribute show. I watched it up to then. I don't know if I could watch 8 Simple Rules without John.

HDfanLiz

09-12-2003, 10:07 AM

I don't see how they could continue the show. He was the star of the show, and the entire premise is built around the premise of a father dealing with his daughters becoming teenagers. Bringing on a new guy would almost seem blasphemous, not to mention that no one could ever replace John Ritter. This is truly a sad day. :(

Christopher

09-12-2003, 10:08 AM

Originally posted by *GoodMorningCalgary*

so whats happening now? are they ending the show or bringing a new guy?

It would be a disgrace if they replaced him. I hope they end it or try to do like a spin off with the characters, give the show a new name. John Ritter made 8 Simple Rules funny, they shouldn't continue it imo.

I'm very sorry he passed away.

Unwanted Angel

09-12-2003, 10:22 AM

I think they will end it. No one could ever take John's place!

phylagain

09-12-2003, 12:06 PM

I agree. He wasnt done entertaining the world. No where near done.
Hugs.

Crimson and Clover

09-12-2003, 12:19 PM

From tvland.com

On TV Land, Sunday September 14, 2003 we will feature a special block of shows in which Mr. Ritter either starred or guest starred, bringing his unique delivery and humor to the casts of shows other than Three's Company.http://www.tvland.com/schedule/

On Nick at Nite, Monday September 15, 2003 from 9 PM - 6 AM (ET/PT) we will feature a special block of Three's Company episodes highlighting some of John Ritter's best moments in the series that made him famous.http://www.tvland.com/nickatnite/schedule/index.jhtml

LuMaria

09-12-2003, 12:47 PM

I've been crying off and on all day. I can't remember a time in my life when I haven't known who John Ritter was. I was born during the Three's Company era, and I've loved watching him all my life. I just...I can't even put into words how sad this makes me.

I agree with most of the others--I can't see anyone else replacing him on the show. They tried that with Phil Hartman (replacing him with Jon Lovitz) on NewsRadio, and it tanked. Phil wasn't necessarily the "star" of the show, either. At least I got to meet Phil Hartman before he died, though. Sigh. Anyway, so I think replacing John on '8 Simple Rules' would just be an insult to the fans who, like myself, appreciated the show for John's humor and delivery in the first place.

omalleyfan

09-12-2003, 02:36 PM

this is a horrible week :(

Three's Company is one of my favorite shows ever.

John Ritter, Johnny Cash and Warren Zevon dying in the same week is both sad and eerie, since all three of them had recently enjoyed comebacks.

He will be missed

phylagain

09-12-2003, 02:50 PM

Originally posted by Crimson and Clover
From tvland.com

On TV Land, Sunday September 14, 2003 we will feature a special block of shows in which Mr. Ritter either starred or guest starred, bringing his unique delivery and humor to the casts of shows other than Three's Company.http://www.tvland.com/schedule/

On Nick at Nite, Monday September 15, 2003 from 9 PM - 6 AM (ET/PT) we will feature a special block of Three's Company episodes highlighting some of John Ritter's best moments in the series that made him famous.http://www.tvland.com/nickatnite/schedule/index.jhtml

THANK YOU FOR THIS INFO :)

Krusty

09-12-2003, 03:22 PM

One has to look at Cheers and see how they were able to maintain success with character changes. Coach died and they brought in Woody Harrelson. Shelley Long left and they brought in Kirstie Alley.

Now, I don't think the producers can replace John Ritter. But if they could bring in an uncle or grandfather that has a comedy background, that might help keep the show alive.

Crimson and Clover

09-12-2003, 05:09 PM

Originally posted by phylagain
THANK YOU FOR THIS INFO :)

My pleasure.

CheersChild4life

09-12-2003, 05:36 PM

I loved Jhon.....Goodbye

Simpson_10

09-12-2003, 05:54 PM

cheer up guys

daytripper_16

09-12-2003, 06:08 PM

God, this is the saddest thing ever! Im gonna cry.I still cant believe he's dead, he was so young. It was so sudden too. I fell really bad for his family.

Thanks john for making this a better funnier world, we will truly miss you!!!

jazzybill

09-12-2003, 06:25 PM

This year has been really really scarey with lots of talented actors/actress dying. I am afraid to see who is next!!!

I hope they will show all of the 8SR that John Ritter has completed
then I hope they cancel the show. NOONE could ever replace John's shoes in any case. We really don't need a spin off let the show die like he did. Let the show go off with a BANG!!!!

I just hope the network with air the new episodes of 8RM that have been completed! I know a lot of people would love to see them such as myself.

I hope everyone is doing fine out here. WE ALL need to hold on and be strong. John Ritter will be missed dearly and my blessings go out to his friends and family!! Let John Rest In Peace.