Tex ritter father of john ritter

The Untold Truth Of John Ritter

ByBrian Boone

At least two generations grew up watching John Ritter act, crack wise, and take some amazing pratfalls on television. From his early TV movie and guest star work in the '70s through to his star-making, Emmy-winning turn as Jack Tripper on Three's Company and headlining role on 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, TV wasn't ever without the charming Ritter for long. A talented and daring clown, he elevated simple sitcoms with cheesy premises into consistently watchable television.

Up until his untimely death at age 54 in , Ritter starred in lots more shows, and popped up in movies too, notably the Problem Child series, the Oscar-winning Sling Blade, and Bad Santa. But even after spending all that time in the spotlight, Ritter remained largely a mystery to the public at large. Here's a look into the little known parts of the private and professional lives of one of the most beloved television stars of all time — and the untold truth of John Ritter.

His death led to increased awareness of a heart ailment

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On September 11, , Ritter reported for work to the set of 8 Simple Rules for Dating My

John Ritter

Jonathan Southworth Ritter (September 17, – September 11, ) was an American actor and comedian. He was the son of the singing cowboy star Tex Ritter and the father of actors Jason and Tyler Ritter. Ritter is known for playing Jack Tripper on the ABC sitcom Three's Company (–), for which he received a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award in He briefly reprised the role on the spin-off Three's a Crowd, which aired for one season. Ritter appeared in over films and television series combined and performed on Broadway, with roles including It (), Problem Child (), Problem Child 2 (), and Bad Santa in (his final live action film, which was dedicated to his memory). In , Don Knotts called Ritter the "greatest physical comedian on the planet". His final roles include voicing the title character on the PBS children's program Clifford the Big Red Dog (–), for which he received four Daytime Emmy Award nominations, and as Paul Hennessy on the ABC sitcom 8 Simple Rules (–).

John Ritter's Stand-up Specials


Who was John Ritter?

John Ritter was an American actor who was probably best known for his role as Jack Tripper in the television sitcom Three's Company. He won both an Emmy and a Golden Globe award in for his role on the show. John Ritter died tragically in from an aortic dissection shortly after production of an episode for his sitcom 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. He was the son of famous singing cowboy Tex Ritter.

Famous Kin

In addition to his father Tex Ritter, some of John Ritter's closest famous kin are former U.S. Presidents. These include Abraham Lincoln, George W. Bush, and William Howard Taft. He also has kinship to a couple of fellow celebrities, actress Raquel Welch and singer/songwriter Grace Slick. Other famous kin include aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, women's rights advocate Susan B. Anthony, and cowboy hat inventor John Batterson Stetson.


Some of the most recently added connections of famous kin for John Ritter

Matthew Modine

TV and Movie Actor

15th cousin 2 times removed
via Robert White

Richard A. Snelling

76th and 78th Governor of Vermont

10th cousin 1 time removed
via Richard Warren

Jim Douglas

John Ritter&#;s Father Did Not Respect His Career Until He Took One Role

John Ritter once revealed that his father, country singer Tex Ritter, did not approve of his acting career at first. Tex was very proud of his other son who became a lawyer. Even though Tex acted himself, he didn’t want his son John to follow in his footsteps.

However, when John booked a gig on The Waltons, his father changed his tune. Tex loved that John played a preacher on the wholesome show The Waltons. Before Tex died, the two had a very good talk.

John Ritter’s father Tex Ritter did not approve of his acting career for a long time

John once said, “Before he died, I did tell him I can&#;t really do anything else but act.” Before he passed away, Tex said he respected John’s role in The Waltons. When John had children, he wanted to be a bit softer than his father was to him.

RELATED:Whatever Happened To John Ritter, Jack Tripper From ‘Three’s Company’?

Things worked out and John’s son Jason is now an actor just like his late father! Unfortunately, John died suddenly in He will forever be remembered by his many roles on shows including Three&#;s Company, Eight Simple Rules, Hooperman,


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