John Ritter
Acting • Born 1948-09-17 – Died 2003-09-11
Biography
Johnathan Southworth "John" Ritter (September 17, 1948 – September 11, 2003) was an American actor, voice over artist and comedian, perhaps best known for playing Jack Tripper and Paul Hennessy in the ABC sitcoms "Three's Company" and "8 Simple Rules," respectively. Don Knotts called him the "greatest physical comedian on the planet." Ritter's final films "Bad Santa," "Clifford's Really Big Movie" and "Stanley's Dinosaur Round-Up" were all dedicated in his memory.
Filmography
173 credits
Bad Santa
Movie • 2003
Bob Chipeska
Tricks of the Trade
Movie • 1988
Donald Todsen (uncredited)
The Stone Killer
Movie • 1973
Hart
Shadow of Doubt
Movie • 1998
Steven Mayer
The Summer My Father Grew Up
Movie • 1991
Paul
I Woke Up Early the Day I Died
Movie • 1998
Robert Forrest
Panic
Movie • 2000
Josh
Problem Child
Movie • 1990
Ben
Stay Tuned
Movie • 1992
Roy Knable
Montana
Movie • 1998
Dr. Wexler
North
Movie • 1994
Ward Nelson
Bride of Chucky
Movie • 1998
Chief Warren Kincaid
They All Laughed
Movie • 1981
Charles Rutledge
Wholly Moses
Movie • 1980
Satan (The Devil)
John Ritter: Being of Sound Mind and Body
Movie • 1980
Self / Various
Skin Deep
Movie • 1989
Zach
Sling Blade
Movie • 1996
Vaughan Cunningham
Noises Off...
Movie • 1992
Garry Lejeune / Roger Tramplemain
The Flight of Dragons
Movie • 1982
Peter Dickinson (voice)
Problem Child 2
Movie • 1991
Ben Healy
The Other
Movie • 1972
Rider
A Smoky Mountain Christmas
Movie • 1986
Judge Harold Benton (uncredited)
A Gun, a Car, a Blonde
Movie • 1997
Duncan the Bartender
Hero at Large
Movie • 1980
Steve Nichols
Real Men
Movie • 1987
Bob Wilson
It Came from the Sky
Movie • 1999
Donald Bridges
Tadpole
Movie • 2002
Stanley Grubman
Americathon
Movie • 1979
President Chet Roosevelt
Clifford's Really Big Movie
Movie • 2004
Clifford the Big Red Dog (voice)
Man of the Year
Movie • 2002
Bill
Harry Anderson: The Tricks of His Trade
Movie • 1996
Self
The Colony
Movie • 1995
Rick Knowlton
All Star Party for Lucille Ball
Movie • 1984
Self
Terror Tract
Movie • 2000
Bob Carter
TripFall
Movie • 2000
Tom Williams
Nickelodeon
Movie • 1976
Franklin Frank
Manhood
Movie • 2003
Eli
Chance of a Lifetime
Movie • 1998
Tom Maguire
Heartbeat
Movie • 1993
Bill Grant
The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show
Movie • 1982
Self
Lethal Vows
Movie • 1999
David Farris
Holy Joe
Movie • 1999
Joe Cass
Loss of Faith
Movie • 1998
Bruce Simon Barker
Mercenary
Movie • 1996
Jonas Ambler
The Lie
Movie • 1973
Bauer
Prison for Children
Movie • 1987
David Royce
Echoes of the Sixties: A Musical Trip
Movie • 1979
Self - Host
Unnatural Causes
Movie • 1986
Frank Coleman
Nuncrackers
Movie • 2001
Narrator
The Comeback Kid
Movie • 1980
Bubba Newman
The Last Fling
Movie • 1987
Phillip Reed
The Prisoner of Second Avenue
Movie • 1975
Elevator Passenger (uncredited)
A Child's Wish
Movie • 1997
Ed Chandler
The Dreamer of Oz
Movie • 1990
L. Frank Baum
Time Machine: When Cowboys Were King
Movie • 2003
Self
Sex, Censorship and the Silver Screen
Movie • 1996
Quote Reader
Scandalous John
Movie • 1971
Wendell
Evil Roy Slade
Movie • 1972
Priest (uncredited)
Letting Go
Movie • 1985
Alex
Leave Yesterday Behind
Movie • 1978
Paul Stallings
Sink Or Swim
Movie • 1997
Hank
Stanley's Dinosaur Round-Up
Movie • 2006
Great Uncle Stew (voice)
The Barefoot Executive
Movie • 1971
Roger
Unforgivable
Movie • 1996
Paul Hegstrom
Gramps
Movie • 1995
Clarke MacGruder
The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series
Movie • 2003
Narrator (voice)
Ringo
Movie • 1978
Marty Flesh
Nowhere
Movie • 1997
Moses Helper
Mickey's 60th Birthday
Movie • 1988
Dudley Goode
Lost in the Pershing Point Hotel
Movie • 2000
Christian Therapist
My Brother's Wife
Movie • 1989
Barney
The Goldie Hawn Special
Movie • 1978
Self
Love Thy Neighbor
Movie • 1984
Danny Loeb
In Love with an Older Woman
Movie • 1982
Robert
Strong Kids, Safe Kids
Movie • 1984
Himself
The Martin & Lewis Story: The Last Great Comedy Team
Movie • 1992
Self
The Making of High Noon
Movie • 1992
Self
Pray TV
Movie • 1982
Tom McPherson
Dead Husbands
Movie • 1998
Dr. Carter Elston
Sunset Limousine
Movie • 1983
Alan O'Black
How to Survive the '70s and Maybe Even Bump Into Happiness
Movie • 1978
Self
Donald Duck's 50th Birthday
Movie • 1984
Self
Robin Williams: Off the Wall
Movie • 1978
Self
Mr. Thornton Goes to Hollywood
Movie • 2005
Self (archive footage)
The Real Story of O Christmas Tree
Movie • 1991
Piney (voice)
The Only Way Out
Movie • 1993
Jeremy Carlisle
The Night That Panicked America
Movie • 1975
Walter Wingate
For Hope
Movie • 1996
Date #5 (uncredited)
Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood
Movie • 1987
Self
ABC's 50th Anniversary Celebration
Movie • 2003
Self
Help Save Planet Earth
Movie • 1990
Self
The Secret World of the Very Young
Movie • 1984
Self-Host
Life with Lucy
TV • 1986
John Ritter
Batman Beyond
TV • 1999
Dr. David Wheeler (voice)
M*A*S*H
TV • 1972
Private Carter
Muppet Babies
TV • 1984
The Rookies
TV • 1972
Three's a Crowd
TV • 1984
Jack Tripper
Ally McBeal
TV • 1997
George Madison
Starsky & Hutch
TV • 1975
Tom Cole
The Love Boat
TV • 1977
Dale Riley
Touched by an Angel
TV • 1994
Mike O'Conner
Hawaii Five-O
TV • 1968
Ryan Moore
King of the Hill
TV • 1997
Eugene Grandy (voice)
The Cosby Show
TV • 1984
Ray Evans
The Bob Newhart Show
TV • 1972
Dave
The View
TV • 1997
Self
The Streets of San Francisco
TV • 1972
John 'Johnny' Steiner
Wings
TV • 1990
Stuart Davenport
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
TV • 1999
Dr. Richard Manning
Hearts Afire
TV • 1992
John Hartman
Mannix
TV • 1967
Cliff Elgin
The Ropers
TV • 1979
NewsRadio
TV • 1995
Frank Westford
Three's Company
TV • 1977
Jack Tripper
Kojak
TV • 1973
Kenny Soames
Medical Center
TV • 1969
Ronnie
The Early Show
TV • 1999
Self
E! True Hollywood Story
TV • 1996
8 Simple Rules
TV • 2002
Paul Hennessy
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
TV • 1993
Self - Guest
Chicago Hope
TV • 1994
Joe Dysmerski
Doc
TV • 1975
Clifford the Big Red Dog
TV • 2000
Clifford (voice)
Intimate Portrait
TV • 1993
Self - Interviewee
Hooperman
TV • 1987
Detective Harry Hooperman
Family Law
TV • 1999
Father Andrews
Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central)
TV • 2002
Dave's World
TV • 1993
John Ritter
Breaking News
TV • 2002
Fish Police
TV • 1992
Inspector Gil (voice)
Nature
TV • 1982
Narrator (voice)
It
TV • 1990
Ben Hanscom
The Bob Crane Show
TV • 1975
TV Land Awards: A Celebration of Classic TV
TV • 2003
Life's Most Embarrassing Moments
TV • 1983
Self - Host
Felicity
TV • 1998
Mr. Andrew Covington
The Larry Sanders Show
TV • 1992
John Ritter
Intimate Portrait
TV • 1993
Self - Narrator (voice)
Superstar
TV • 2021
Self (archive footage)
The Mike Douglas Show
TV • 1961
Self - Co-Host
The Bob Hope Show
TV • 1950
Self
The Mike Douglas Show
TV • 1961
Self
Hawaii Five-O
TV • 1968
Mike Welles
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
TV • 1988
Self
Martin & Lewis: Their Golden Age of Comedy
TV • 1992
Self
Over the Top
TV • 1997
Justin
Behind Closed Doors with Natalie Morales
TV • 2015
Himself (archive footage)
Touched by an Angel
TV • 1994
Sheriff Tom McKinsley
Petrocelli
TV • 1974
John Oleson
Entertainment Tonight
TV • 1981
Self
TV Funhouse
TV • 2000
Narrator (voice)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
TV • 1997
Ted Buchanan
The Waltons
TV • 1972
Rev. Matthew Fordwick
Anything But Love
TV • 1989
Patrick Serreau
Veronica's Closet
TV • 1997
Tim Margolin
Golden Globe Awards
TV • 1944
Self - Nominee
Great Performances
TV • 1971
Richard
Golden Globe Awards
TV • 1944
Self
The Love Boat
TV • 1977
Ben Cummins
Rhoda
TV • 1974
Vince Mazuma
Rhoda
TV • 1974
Jerry Blocker
Barnaby Jones
TV • 1973
Joe Rockwell
Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law
TV • 1971
Greg
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
TV • 1970
Reverend Chatfield
Dan August
TV • 1970
Coley Smith
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
TV • 1962
Self
The Merv Griffin Show
TV • 1962
Self
Dinah!
TV • 1974
Self
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
TV • 2003
Self
People's Choice Awards
TV • 1975
Self - Host
Hollywood Squares
TV • 1998
Self - Panelist
Scrubs
TV • 2001
Sam Dorian