In Loving memory of John Ritter
Skye Englund

Jonathan Southworth Ritter, was born to a country singer, musician and actor named Tex Ritter and his wife Dorothy Fay, also an actor. He was born in Burbank, California, on September 17, 1948. John went to Hollywood High School, and then went on to USC. He graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Drama. He studied with some of the leading acting coaches in Hollywood including Nina Foch, and Stella Adler at Harvey Lembeck’s Comedy Workshop.
John worked with one of America’s top comedians, Lucille Ball in her last comedy series "Life with Lucy." She exclaimed that while shooting a scene, she had to yell cut because she couldn’t stop laughing at him. John’s father, being an actor himself, tried to discourage him from an acting career. Although Tex didn’t live to see the celebrity status John would acquire, he did get to see him play a role on his favorite show, “The Waltons”. John’s star lays on the Hollywood Walk of Fame right next to his father's.
His major success began 1977 when he starred as Jack Tripper in “Three's Company,” a popular ABC sitcom that ran until 1984. For this role, he won an Emmy, a People's Choice Award, and a Golden Globe award. Ritter has also appeared in a wide variety of shows from Hawaii Five-0 and M*A*S*H, to Ally McBeal, Scrubs, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He had just completed the film, “Bad Santa,” with Bernie Mac, Billy Bob Thornton and Cloris Leachman.
His career was cut short when he died on September 11, 2003, while rehearsing for an episode of his latest sitcom, “8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter”. Ritter’s wife said that, "John always dealt with anything that life threw at him with humor He believed in this show and its message that a strong family can get through anything." Jason Ritter, John’s son, carries on the legacy as a third generation actor, starring in the TV series, “Joan Of Arcadia” which shoots regularly at ESHS.
“John Ritter is a great actor with his amazing comedy and he will be missed by many,” said a sophomore Syndy Roman. Others remember John as a boyish, goofy, prankster who refused to be brought down by life’s challenges. According to TV Guide, he was “A master of physical comedy with a surplus of personal charm, Ritter's was a genuinely likable persona that lit up every TV show and film he participated in, from comedy to drama.” On the set, Ritter was able to keep things relatively tame and hilariously enjoyable with his goofy charisma.
His wife and children are mourning their loss and adjusting to life without him. While John seemed like family to his fans worldwide they will still be able to experience his charm and humor through all of his work.