OT: Did it shock you that John Ritter never had a big movie hit?? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

SitcomsHeydayfan · 09-10-2018, 04:26 AM

Like how Michael J. Fox hit it big in TV and the big screen with Family Ties & the Back to the Future trilogy?

I know Sling Blade was a critical success but it wasn't a box office success. No one's heard while everyone has heard of Back to the Future!

I guess he never got the right role??

BuffaloBill · 09-12-2018, 09:45 AM

Ritter did have a few well marketed and know theatrical releases at the time
such as Hero at Large (1980), Real Men (1987), Skip Deep (1989), Problem Child movies in early 1990's and popular supporting role movies in Sling Blade and Bad Santa.

Most TV comedians rarely have that fair amount of success.
Look at Seinfeld, he has never done movies.

As far as Fox his age, he was young on popular show, and in the eighties
his movies appealed to all. He caught lightning in a bottle for several years.

Chocolate Moose · 09-12-2018, 02:06 PM

Maybe he didn't want it. Not every one does.

Dude111 · 09-13-2018, 05:48 AM

I didnt ever see him in anything but threes company...

I did see him in PROBLEM CHILD though (That movie about that bratty kid)

SitcomsHeydayfan · 09-16-2018, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocolate Moose

Maybe he didn't want it. Not every one does.

No, he wanted it. After his run on TC was over he wanted to succeed in movies like he did in TV but it never happened because he never had a movie blockbuster like how TC was a TV blockbuster.

But it's VERY difficult to even be on a hit TV show so I'm sure Ritter was very thankful. Otherwise he might have to get a real job!

It's true Michael J. Fox was a very rare exception. I can't think of another person who has a huge TV hit AND a movie blockbuster! And look at Jason Ritter, John's son. I've not heard of him in anything since Joan of Arcadia & that wasn't anywhere NEAR as big as TC was!

TMC · 10-16-2018, 02:32 AM

Maybe John Ritter's problem in crossing over into movies is that became so well known on TV that people didn't feel like paying money to see him on the big screen. Simply put, people who spend too much time on TV have a problem making it in the movies. There are some notable exceptions like Robin Williams and Bruce Willis, who both had the talent and charisma to make it on the big screen. This isn't necessarily a direct affront against John Ritter as a performer it's just that people like Williams and Willis (and even Michael J. Fox) for whatever the reasons be it luck, timing, or a better support system managed to succeed in movies.

SitcomsHeydayfan · 10-16-2018, 08:05 AM

But a lot of TV stars never had big movie hits.

Look at Lucille Ball, Mary Tyler Moore, Larry Hagman(Dallas), Ted Knight, Bill Cosby, Sherman Hemsley(the Jeffersons), Alan Alda, and even Jerry Seinfeld!

So it's not just John Ritter.

09-10-2018, 04:26 AM	#1
SitcomsHeydayfan Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 19, 2018 Location: The Show Me state Posts: 2,966	OT: Did it shock you that John Ritter never had a big movie hit?? Like how Michael J. Fox hit it big in TV and the big screen with Family Ties & the Back to the Future trilogy? I know Sling Blade was a critical success but it wasn't a box office success. No one's heard while everyone has heard of Back to the Future! I guess he never got the right role??

09-12-2018, 02:06 PM	#3
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,886	Maybe he didn't want it. Not every one does.
	__________________ How long a minute is, depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.

09-13-2018, 05:48 AM	#4
Dude111 Forum Legend Join Date: Nov 05, 2013 Posts: 35,846	I didnt ever see him in anything but threes company... I did see him in PROBLEM CHILD though (That movie about that bratty kid)
	Last edited by Dude111; 09-20-2018 at 10:39 PM.

09-12-2018, 09:45 AM	#2
BuffaloBill Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 07, 2004 Location: Cheektowaga(Buffalo),NY Posts: 428	Ritter did have a few well marketed and know theatrical releases at the time such as Hero at Large (1980), Real Men (1987), Skip Deep (1989), Problem Child movies in early 1990's and popular supporting role movies in Sling Blade and Bad Santa. Most TV comedians rarely have that fair amount of success. Look at Seinfeld, he has never done movies. As far as Fox his age, he was young on popular show, and in the eighties his movies appealed to all. He caught lightning in a bottle for several years.

10-16-2018, 02:32 AM	#6
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 125,301	Maybe John Ritter's problem in crossing over into movies is that became so well known on TV that people didn't feel like paying money to see him on the big screen. Simply put, people who spend too much time on TV have a problem making it in the movies. There are some notable exceptions like Robin Williams and Bruce Willis, who both had the talent and charisma to make it on the big screen. This isn't necessarily a direct affront against John Ritter as a performer it's just that people like Williams and Willis (and even Michael J. Fox) for whatever the reasons be it luck, timing, or a better support system managed to succeed in movies.

10-16-2018, 08:05 AM	#7
SitcomsHeydayfan Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 19, 2018 Location: The Show Me state Posts: 2,966	But a lot of TV stars never had big movie hits. Look at Lucille Ball, Mary Tyler Moore, Larry Hagman(Dallas), Ted Knight, Bill Cosby, Sherman Hemsley(the Jeffersons), Alan Alda, and even Jerry Seinfeld! So it's not just John Ritter.