Rise to Success: Career Highlights of John Ritter
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how John Ritter made an impact.
John Ritter was an American actor and comedian, most famously known for his role as Jack Tripper in the sitcom *Three's Company* (1977-1984). He received both a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for his performance in 1984. He was the son of actor Tex Ritter and father to actors Jason and Tyler Ritter. Ritter briefly reprised his Jack Tripper role in the spin-off *Three's a Crowd*.
1970: First Television Acting Experience
After graduating from USC in 1970, John Ritter's first television acting experience was as a campus revolutionary in the television series Dan August.
1971: Film Debut in The Barefoot Executive
In 1971, John Ritter made his film debut in the Disney film, The Barefoot Executive.
October 1972: Recurring Role on The Waltons
From October 1972, John Ritter had a recurring role as the Reverend Matthew Fordwick on the drama series "The Waltons".
December 1976: Departure from The Waltons for Three's Company
In December 1976, John Ritter left his recurring role on "The Waltons" to star in the sitcom "Three's Company".
1977: Three's Company Premiere
In 1977, John Ritter began starring as Jack Tripper on the ABC sitcom "Three's Company".
1977: Starring Role in Three's Company
In 1977, John Ritter got the starring role in the hit sitcom Three's Company.
1978: Role in Ringo
In 1978, John Ritter played Ringo Starr's manager on the television special Ringo.
1982: Voice of Peter Dickinson in The Flight of Dragons
In 1982, John Ritter provided the voice of Peter Dickinson in the animated film, The Flight of Dragons.
1984: End of Three's Company
In 1984, "Three's Company" ended its run after several seasons near the top of the ratings in the United States.
1984: Emmy and Golden Globe Awards for Three's Company
In 1984, John Ritter received a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for his role as Jack Tripper on the ABC sitcom "Three's Company".
1985: Three's a Crowd Cancellation
In 1985, "Three's a Crowd", the spin-off of "Three's Company" in which John Ritter briefly reprised his role as Jack Tripper, was cancelled after one season of 22 episodes.
1986: Role in Graham Nash's Innocent Eyes Music Video
In 1986, John Ritter played the role of Dad in the music video for Graham Nash's song "Innocent Eyes" from the album of the same name.
1987: Co-Starring in Real Men
In 1987, John Ritter co-starred with Jim Belushi in Real Men.
1988: Emmy and Golden Globe Nominations for Hooperman
In 1988, John Ritter was nominated for both an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for his work on Hooperman. Ritter won a People's Choice Award for this role.
1989: Lead Role in Skin Deep
In 1989, John Ritter played the lead role in Blake Edwards' film Skin Deep.
1990: Roles in It and Problem Child
In 1990, John Ritter appeared in the film It as adult Ben Hanscom and in the movie Problem Child.
1991: Guest Appearance on The Cosby Show
In 1991, John Ritter and Amy Yasbeck both guest-starred on The Cosby Show. Yasbeck played the pregnant wife of Ritter's basketball coach character.
1991: Role in Problem Child 2
In 1991, John Ritter appeared in Problem Child 2.
1992: Role in Hearts Afire and Noises Off
From 1992, John Ritter returned to television for three seasons as John Hartman in "Hearts Afire". He also played Garry Lejeune/Roger Tramplemain in the production "Noises Off" in 1992.
1995: Starring in Gramps and The Colony
In 1995, John Ritter starred in the television films Gramps with Andy Griffith and Rob Hedden's The Colony with Hal Linden.
1995: End of Hearts Afire
In 1995, John Ritter's role as John Hartman in "Hearts Afire" ended after three seasons.
1996: Roles in Sling Blade and Mercenary
In 1996, John Ritter appeared in the Oscar-winning Sling Blade and co-starred in the action film Mercenary.
1996: Dramatic Turn in Sling Blade
In 1996, John Ritter took on a dramatic role in the film Sling Blade.
1999: Starring in It Came from the Sky
In 1999, John Ritter starred in the television film It Came from the Sky with Yasmine Bleeth.
2000: Voice of Clifford the Big Red Dog
In 2000, John Ritter began voicing the title character on the PBS children's program, Clifford the Big Red Dog.
2000: Co-Starring in The Dinner Party on Broadway
In 2000, John Ritter co-starred with Henry Winkler in Neil Simon's The Dinner Party at the Music Box Theatre on Broadway, portraying Claude Pichon.
2001: Theatre World Award for The Dinner Party
In 2001, John Ritter won the Theatre World Award for his performance in Neil Simon's The Dinner Party.
April 21, 2002: End of "J For J" at LA's Court Theatre
On April 21, 2002, "J For J" concluded its run at LA's Court Theatre, starring John Ritter alongside Jeff Kober and Jenny Sullivan.
2003: Final Stage Appearance in All About Eve
In 2003, John Ritter made his final stage appearance in All About Eve at the Ahmanson Theatre.
2003: Final Live Action Film: Bad Santa
In 2003, John Ritter's final live-action film, Bad Santa, was released and dedicated to his memory.
2004: Release of Clifford's Really Big Movie
In 2004, Clifford's Really Big Movie, the animated film adaptation of Clifford the Big Red Dog, was released with John Ritter as the voice of Clifford. This role earned him an Emmy nomination.
2005: Cancellation of 8 Simple Rules
In 2005, 8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter was cancelled after continuing for one and a half seasons following John Ritter's death. His character's death was incorporated into the show.
2006: Release of Stanley's Dinosaur Round-Up
In 2006, John Ritter's final film, Stanley's Dinosaur Round-Up, was released, dedicated to his memory.
March 2010: Creation of Ritter Rules
In March 2010, the Thoracic Aortic Disease (TAD) Coalition, in partnership with Amy Yasbeck and the John Ritter Foundation (JRF), announced the creation of the "Ritter Rules" to help people recognize, treat, and prevent thoracic aortic dissection.
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