John Ritter - Dead At 54! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

pilotguy · 09-12-2003, 07:13 AM

I am STUNNED by this news! John Ritter has passed away from an undetected heart problem.

I don't know what else to say at this point...I'm still in shock!

I just thought that it was appropriate that Mr. Ritter's death be reported on this message board, as he is part of "Wings"' "extended family".

Happenstance · 09-12-2003, 07:34 AM

Poor Amy Yasbeck. Sad situation all around.

nantucket_wings · 09-12-2003, 08:44 AM

Im in shock as well, I loved John as an actor and as a caring person for whom he cared so much in helping Jerry Lewis and the MDA in becoming that much closer to a cure for MD ... Im sure gonna miss him,

blackbeard · 09-12-2003, 08:46 AM

LOS ANGELES (AP) - John Ritter, whose portrayal of the bumbling but lovable Jack Tripper helped make the madcap comedy series "Three's Company" a smash hit in the 1970s, has died of a heart problem, his publicist said Friday. He was 54.

Ritter fell ill Thursday on the set of his ABC sitcom "8 Simple Rules ... For Dating My Teenage Daughter," said Susan Wilcox, his assistant of 22 years.

The cause of death was a dissection of the aorta, the result of an unrecognized flaw in his heart, said his publicist, Lisa Kasteler.

Ritter died at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center shortly after 10 p.m. Thursday.

Ritter, a Southern California native who lived in Beverly Hills, came to prominence for his role in "Three's Company" and had appeared in more than 25 television movies and a number of films.

Ritter, who would have turned 55 on Wednesday, made a successful return to sitcom acting with "8 Simple Rules" last year, and the ABC show was scheduled to begin its second season on Sept. 23.

At the Burbank hospital where he died, Ritter was accompanied by producers and co-workers, his wife, Amy Yasbeck, and 23-year-old son Jason, Wilcox said. He is survived by three other children, Carly, Tyler and Stella.

"It's just stunning, unbelievable," said Wilcox. "Everybody loved John Ritter. Everybody loved working with him. ... Whatever set he was working on, he made it a very fun place."

ABC released a statement saying: "All of us at ABC, Touchstone Television and The Walt Disney Company are shocked and heartbroken at the terrible news of John's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and children at this very difficult time."

Ritter was the youngest son of Western film star and country musician Tex Ritter. He graduated from Hollywood High School and earned a degree in drama from the University of Southern California.

Ritter appeared in more than 50 plays nationwide and won critical acclaim for his recent nine-month role in the Broadway premiere of Neil Simon's "The Dinner Party."

He received an Emmy and other awards for his "Three's Company" role and was honored by the Los Angeles Music Center in June with a lifetime achievement award.

denvercenter · 09-12-2003, 09:27 AM

He was great in comedy. It is a shame he was on his way to being again on top of his job with the current show.

Jencbfan1 · 09-12-2003, 09:48 AM

John was such a talented actor and seemed like such a wonderful person. My heart goes out to Amy and the rest of his family.

Jen

Mr. Television · 09-12-2003, 09:52 AM

I will pray for Amy and her family. This is just a sad day. R.I.P. John. Your fans will never forget you.

Krista2882 · 09-12-2003, 10:41 AM

Oh no! That's so sad!

I liked him. I thought he was very funny. When I've watched "Three's Company" or "8 Simple Rues..." he always made me laugh.

nantucket_wings · 09-12-2003, 11:34 AM

like the words spoken by John Edwards from Crossing Over ... the body is like an automobile and the soul is like the driver, sometimes the driver gets out and looks at the world from the outside

losthighway · 09-12-2003, 12:02 PM

As soon as I saw this news I was absolutely stunned, and I still am. I had just watched a bio on him no more then 2 days ago and several actors were talking about him and how talented he was, and he was talking abut how blessed he was wth his family, his wife, etc.....this is just shocking.

I always felt John Ritter was an excellent actor, and not just as a comedian. He did a film by Billy Bob Thornton called "Slingblade" which is a great film, and John gave an outstanding performance.

This is a tragic loss.

c5guy · 09-12-2003, 01:18 PM

This has been a tragic year in the entertainment industry. I can't recall another year where so many big names have died so close together. John Ritter, son of Tex, rest in peace!

Johnny Cash is a giant in American music history & one of the founders of Rock & Roll. A true icon. His final music video, his cover of 9 Inch Nail's "Hurt" is one of the most astonishing videos I have ever seen, given who is singing it & the message it is conveying. Of all music videos I have seen, that one is the most profound to me. Rather than it making me think about going out & buy the CD, it made me think about the singer & his extaordinary life. Rest in Peace, Man in Black!

Krista2882 · 09-12-2003, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by c5guy
This has been a tragic year in the entertainment industry. I can't recall another year where so many big names have died so close together. John Ritter, son of Tex, rest in peace!

Johnny Cash is a giant in American music history & one of the founders of Rock & Roll. A true icon. His final music video, his cover of 9 Inch Nail's "Hurt" is one of the most astonishing videos I have ever seen, given who is singing it & the message it is conveying. Of all music videos I have seen, that one is the most profound to me. Rather than it making me think about going out & buy the CD, it made me think about the singer & his extaordinary life. Rest in Peace, Man in Black!

what? Johnny Cash died?!
I didn't know that. Sometimes I think I live under a rock.
I also liked his cover of Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt". I like it better than the Nine Inch Nails one. I've never seen the video though..

peter may · 09-12-2003, 02:16 PM

oh my god, i cant believe it

Unwanted Angel · 09-12-2003, 02:46 PM

RIP John. You may be gone, but we will never forget you!

Ice Cream Man · 09-12-2003, 02:58 PM

I'm just as stunned as everyone else about this news, but also I didn't know he was married to Amy Yasbeck. I would imagine NaN will be doing a tribute to him in the near future with a martahon of Three's Company episodes.

09-12-2003, 07:13 AM	#1
pilotguy Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 09, 2003 Posts: 1,305	John Ritter - Dead At 54! I am STUNNED by this news! John Ritter has passed away from an undetected heart problem. I don't know what else to say at this point...I'm still in shock! I just thought that it was appropriate that Mr. Ritter's death be reported on this message board, as he is part of "Wings"' "extended family".

09-12-2003, 08:44 AM	#3
nantucket_wings " Wing Nut " Senior Member Join Date: Apr 08, 2003 Location: Mansfield, Ohio Posts: 1,042	Im in shock as well, I loved John as an actor and as a caring person for whom he cared so much in helping Jerry Lewis and the MDA in becoming that much closer to a cure for MD ... Im sure gonna miss him,
	__________________ Stace aka: Nantucket_Wings

09-12-2003, 09:27 AM	#5
denvercenter Airline Historian Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 07, 2003 Location: KDEN, DEN this is Aviation Talk for Airport Location. Posts: 79	Sad news! He was great in comedy. It is a shame he was on his way to being again on top of his job with the current show.

09-12-2003, 09:52 AM	#7
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I will pray for Amy and her family. This is just a sad day. R.I.P. John. Your fans will never forget you.
	__________________ Sonny

09-12-2003, 02:58 PM	#15
Ice Cream Man DieHard Wing Fan Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 30, 2003 Posts: 107	I'm just as stunned as everyone else about this news, but also I didn't know he was married to Amy Yasbeck. I would imagine NaN will be doing a tribute to him in the near future with a martahon of Three's Company episodes.
	__________________ But seriously, let's talk about jocularity.

09-12-2003, 07:34 AM	#2
Happenstance Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 08, 2003 Posts: 29	Poor Amy Yasbeck. Sad situation all around.

09-12-2003, 08:46 AM	#4
blackbeard B.O.G. Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 05, 2001 Location: Constitution State Posts: 712	LOS ANGELES (AP) - John Ritter, whose portrayal of the bumbling but lovable Jack Tripper helped make the madcap comedy series "Three's Company" a smash hit in the 1970s, has died of a heart problem, his publicist said Friday. He was 54. Ritter fell ill Thursday on the set of his ABC sitcom "8 Simple Rules ... For Dating My Teenage Daughter," said Susan Wilcox, his assistant of 22 years. The cause of death was a dissection of the aorta, the result of an unrecognized flaw in his heart, said his publicist, Lisa Kasteler. Ritter died at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center shortly after 10 p.m. Thursday. Ritter, a Southern California native who lived in Beverly Hills, came to prominence for his role in "Three's Company" and had appeared in more than 25 television movies and a number of films. Ritter, who would have turned 55 on Wednesday, made a successful return to sitcom acting with "8 Simple Rules" last year, and the ABC show was scheduled to begin its second season on Sept. 23. At the Burbank hospital where he died, Ritter was accompanied by producers and co-workers, his wife, Amy Yasbeck, and 23-year-old son Jason, Wilcox said. He is survived by three other children, Carly, Tyler and Stella. "It's just stunning, unbelievable," said Wilcox. "Everybody loved John Ritter. Everybody loved working with him. ... Whatever set he was working on, he made it a very fun place." ABC released a statement saying: "All of us at ABC, Touchstone Television and The Walt Disney Company are shocked and heartbroken at the terrible news of John's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and children at this very difficult time." Ritter was the youngest son of Western film star and country musician Tex Ritter. He graduated from Hollywood High School and earned a degree in drama from the University of Southern California. Ritter appeared in more than 50 plays nationwide and won critical acclaim for his recent nine-month role in the Broadway premiere of Neil Simon's "The Dinner Party." He received an Emmy and other awards for his "Three's Company" role and was honored by the Los Angeles Music Center in June with a lifetime achievement award.

09-12-2003, 09:48 AM	#6
Jencbfan1 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 19, 2002 Posts: 86	John was such a talented actor and seemed like such a wonderful person. My heart goes out to Amy and the rest of his family. Jen

09-12-2003, 10:41 AM	#8
Krista2882 Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 10, 2003 Location: CT Posts: 1,370	Oh no! That's so sad! I liked him. I thought he was very funny. When I've watched "Three's Company" or "8 Simple Rues..." he always made me laugh.

09-12-2003, 11:34 AM	#9
nantucket_wings " Wing Nut " Senior Member Join Date: Apr 08, 2003 Location: Mansfield, Ohio Posts: 1,042	like the words spoken by John Edwards from Crossing Over ... the body is like an automobile and the soul is like the driver, sometimes the driver gets out and looks at the world from the outside

09-12-2003, 12:02 PM	#10
losthighway Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 14, 2003 Posts: 370	As soon as I saw this news I was absolutely stunned, and I still am. I had just watched a bio on him no more then 2 days ago and several actors were talking about him and how talented he was, and he was talking abut how blessed he was wth his family, his wife, etc.....this is just shocking. I always felt John Ritter was an excellent actor, and not just as a comedian. He did a film by Billy Bob Thornton called "Slingblade" which is a great film, and John gave an outstanding performance. This is a tragic loss.

09-12-2003, 01:18 PM	#11
c5guy Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 16, 2003 Location: Lone Star Posts: 75	This has been a tragic year in the entertainment industry. I can't recall another year where so many big names have died so close together. John Ritter, son of Tex, rest in peace! Johnny Cash is a giant in American music history & one of the founders of Rock & Roll. A true icon. His final music video, his cover of 9 Inch Nail's "Hurt" is one of the most astonishing videos I have ever seen, given who is singing it & the message it is conveying. Of all music videos I have seen, that one is the most profound to me. Rather than it making me think about going out & buy the CD, it made me think about the singer & his extaordinary life. Rest in Peace, Man in Black!

09-12-2003, 02:16 PM	#13
peter may The SO Limey Senior Member Join Date: Feb 26, 2002 Location: LONDON Posts: 1,883	oh my god, i cant believe it

09-12-2003, 02:46 PM	#14
Unwanted Angel Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 17, 2002 Posts: 12,658	RIP John. You may be gone, but we will never forget you!