I was just reading the hundreds of posts on this site regarding the loss of John Ritter, how hard people (including myself) are taking it, the loss to the entertainment community and more that everyone feels.

So I was wondering when great actors in the past have passed on (Lucille Ball, Jackie Gleason, etc) did people react with this same vigor? I was sad to hear that Johnny Cash died but I compensate that with his age and health problems and it doesn't nearly have the effect on me that John's death has.

I don't remember feeling like this over the death of another actor aside from Rebecca Schaeffer many years ago (and I was young so it didn't really hit me like Ritter's has). It's always sad when someone famous dies but this is different for me.

:(

I agree with you completely Jamie. I feel the same way. John Ritter's death has really hit hard. The last time I've felt such a loss was the death of Josh Ryan Evans (from Passions). Yeah, deaths are so sad, but those two, especially Ritters, have hit extremely hard.

I remember watching the Family awards on the WB not too long ago, seeing him with his son, Jason, how close they are/were and... I don't know, I've just never been this affected by a celebrity's death. My two favorite sitcom actors are Lucille Ball and John Ritter (who were both, ironically, fans of the other). I was too young to remember Lucy's death.

Sigh.

I'm so sad, but it still just doesn't seem real.

I think the reason people are reacting to this is because he was so young. If he died in his 70s, everyone would remember him as a good and funny actor who lived a long life but the fact that he died at 54 is just shocking to everyone, cut down while he was still in his prime

I also am too young to remember Lucy's Death but I'm sure it was worldwide mourning at that time