John Ritter
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- September 17, 1948 in Burbank, California, USA
- Died
- September 11, 2003
- Active Years
- 1944–2021 (78 Years)
- Total Credits
- 180 credits in database
Acting Born Sep 17, 1948 Died Sep 11, 2003 Burbank, California, USA 180 credits
Biography
John Ritter was an American actor and comedian. He was born on September 17, 1948, in Burbank, California. Ritter made guest appearances on several television shows, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Waltons, and Hawaii Five-O. He is perhaps best known for his roles in the ABC sitcoms "Three's Company" and "8 Simple Rules." Don Knotts referred to him as the "greatest physical comedian on the planet." Ritter passed away on September 11, 2003, at the age of 54. He had a career spanning numerous acting credits, with 169 known credits to his name.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Career overview
John Ritter was an American actor and comedian. He began his acting career with guest appearances on television shows, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Waltons in 1970, and Hawaii Five-O in 1971. These early appearances likely helped establish Ritter as a talented comedic actor.
Ritter's most notable roles were in the ABC sitcoms "Three's Company" and "8 Simple Rules." He played the characters Jack Tripper and Paul Hennessy, respectively, in these popular television shows. His performances in these roles showcased his ability to excel in comedic situations. Ritter's talent as a physical comedian was also acknowledged by Don Knotts, who referred to him as the "greatest physical comedian on the planet."
Throughout his career, Ritter accumulated a large number of acting credits, with 169 known credits listed. His work in film and television spanned multiple genres and roles, cementing his status as a versatile and accomplished actor.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about John Ritter.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Superstar
Behind Closed Doors with Natalie Morales
Stanley's Dinosaur Round-UpStanley's Dinosaur Round-Up · In Memory Of
Mr. Thornton Goes to Hollywood
Clifford's Really Big MovieClifford's Really Big Movie · In Memory Of
Jimmy Kimmel Live!Bad SantaBad Santa · In Memory OfABC's 50th Anniversary CelebrationManhood
8 Simple RulesBreaking NewsMan of the YearTadpoleWednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central)
ScrubsNuncrackers
Clifford the Big Red DogTerror TractTV FunhousePanicLost in the Pershing Point Hotel
Law & Order: Special Victims UnitBatman BeyondFamily LawThe Early ShowLethal Vows
Hollywood SquaresFelicityBride of ChuckyShadow of DoubtChance of a Lifetime
The ViewKing of the HillBuffy the Vampire SlayerAlly McBealVeronica's Closet
Sling BladeE! True Hollywood StoryMercenaryUnforgivableHarry Anderson: The Tricks of His Trade
NewsRadioThe ColonyGramps
Chicago HopeTouched by an AngelTouched by an AngelNorth
Late Night with Conan O'BrienIntimate PortraitIntimate PortraitDave's WorldThe Only Way Out
The Larry Sanders ShowHearts AfireFish PoliceNoises Off...Stay Tuned
Problem Child 2The Real Story of O Christmas TreeThe Summer My Father Grew Up
WingsItProblem ChildThe Dreamer of OzHelp Save Planet Earth
Anything But LoveMy Brother's WifeSkin Deep
LIVE with Kelly and MarkMickey's 60th BirthdayTricks of the Trade
HoopermanReal MenIt's Howdy Doody Time: A 40-Year CelebrationThe Last FlingPrison for Children
Life with LucyA Smoky Mountain ChristmasUnnatural Causes
Letting Go
The Cosby ShowMuppet BabiesThe Secret World of the Very YoungThree's a CrowdStrong Kids, Safe Kids
Sunset LimousineLife's Most Embarrassing Moments
NatureThe Flight of DragonsThe Fantastic Miss Piggy ShowPray TVIn Love with an Older Woman
Entertainment TonightThey All Laughed
The Comeback KidWholly MosesHero at LargeJohn Ritter: Being of Sound Mind and BodyJohn Ritter: Being of Sound Mind and Body · Writer
The RopersAmericathonEchoes of the Sixties: A Musical Trip
Full Filmography
180 titles- Superstar (2021) as Self (archive footage)
- Behind Closed Doors with Natalie Morales (2015) as Himself (archive footage)
- Stanley's Dinosaur Round-Up (2006) as Great Uncle Stew (voice)
- Stanley's Dinosaur Round-Up (2006) In Memory Of
- Mr. Thornton Goes to Hollywood (2005) as Self (archive footage)
- Clifford's Really Big Movie (2004) as Clifford the Big Red Dog (voice)
- Clifford's Really Big Movie (2004) In Memory Of
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self
- Bad Santa (2003) as Bob Chipeska
- Bad Santa (2003) In Memory Of
- ABC's 50th Anniversary Celebration (2003) as Self
- Manhood (2003) as Eli
- Time Machine: When Cowboys Were King (2003) as Self
- TV Land Awards: A Celebration of Classic TV (2003)
- The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series (2003) as Narrator (voice)
- 8 Simple Rules (2002) as Paul Hennessy
- Breaking News (2002)
- Man of the Year (2002) as Bill
- Tadpole (2002) as Stanley Grubman
- Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central) (2002) as John Ritter
- Scrubs (2001) as Sam Dorian
- Nuncrackers (2001) as Narrator
- Clifford the Big Red Dog (2000) as Clifford (voice)
- Terror Tract (2000) as Bob Carter
- TV Funhouse (2000) as Narrator (voice)
- Panic (2000) as Josh
- Lost in the Pershing Point Hotel (2000) as Christian Therapist
- TripFall (2000) as Tom Williams
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Dr. Richard Manning
- Batman Beyond (1999) as Dr. David Wheeler (voice)
- Family Law (1999) as Father Andrews
- The Early Show (1999) as Self
- Lethal Vows (1999) as David Farris
- It Came from the Sky (1999) as Donald Bridges
- Holy Joe (1999) as Joe Cass
- Hollywood Squares (1998) as Self - Panelist
- Felicity (1998) as Mr. Andrew Covington
- Bride of Chucky (1998) as Chief Warren Kincaid
- Shadow of Doubt (1998) as Steven Mayer
- Chance of a Lifetime (1998) as Tom Maguire
- Montana (1998) as Dr. Wexler
- Loss of Faith (1998) as Bruce Simon Barker
- Dead Husbands (1998) as Dr. Carter Elston
- I Woke Up Early the Day I Died (1998) as Robert Forrest
- The View (1997) as Self
- King of the Hill (1997) as Eugene Grandy (voice)
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997) as Ted Buchanan
- Ally McBeal (1997) as George Madison
- Veronica's Closet (1997) as Tim Margolin
- Nowhere (1997) as Moses Helper
- Dead Man's Gun (1997) as Harry McDonacle
- Over the Top (1997) as Justin
- Sink Or Swim (1997) as Hank
- A Gun, a Car, a Blonde (1997) as Duncan the Bartender
- A Child's Wish (1997) as Ed Chandler
- Sling Blade (1996) as Vaughan Cunningham
- E! True Hollywood Story (1996)
- Mercenary (1996) as Jonas Ambler
- Unforgivable (1996) as Paul Hegstrom
- Harry Anderson: The Tricks of His Trade (1996) as Self
- For Hope (1996) as Date #5 (uncredited)
- NewsRadio (1995) as Frank Westford
- The Colony (1995) as Rick Knowlton
- Gramps (1995) as Clarke MacGruder
- Chicago Hope (1994) as Joe Dysmerski
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as Mike O'Conner
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as Sheriff Tom McKinsley
- North (1994) as Ward Nelson
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) as Self - Guest
- Intimate Portrait (1993) as Self - Interviewee
- Intimate Portrait (1993) as Self - Narrator (voice)
- Dave's World (1993) as John Ritter
- The Only Way Out (1993) as Jeremy Carlisle
- Heartbeat (1993) as Bill Grant
- The Larry Sanders Show (1992) as John Ritter
- Hearts Afire (1992) as John Hartman
- Fish Police (1992) as Inspector Gil (voice)
- Noises Off... (1992) as Garry Lejeune / Roger Tramplemain
- Stay Tuned (1992) as Roy Knable
- The Making of High Noon (1992) as Self
- Martin & Lewis: Their Golden Age of Comedy (1992) as Self
- The Martin & Lewis Story: The Last Great Comedy Team (1992) as Self
- Problem Child 2 (1991) as Ben Healy
- The Real Story of O Christmas Tree (1991) as Piney (voice)
- The Summer My Father Grew Up (1991) as Paul
- Wings (1990) as Stuart Davenport
- It (1990) as Ben Hanscom
- Problem Child (1990) as Ben
- The Dreamer of Oz (1990) as L. Frank Baum
- Help Save Planet Earth (1990) as Self
- Poochinski (1990) Executive Producer
- Anything But Love (1989) as Patrick Serreau
- My Brother's Wife (1989) as Barney
- Skin Deep (1989) as Zach
- LIVE with Kelly and Mark (1988) as Self
- Mickey's 60th Birthday (1988) as Dudley Goode
- Tricks of the Trade (1988) as Donald Todsen (uncredited)
- Hooperman (1987) as Detective Harry Hooperman
- Real Men (1987) as Bob Wilson
- It's Howdy Doody Time: A 40-Year Celebration (1987) as Himself - Guest
- The Last Fling (1987) as Phillip Reed
- Prison for Children (1987) as David Royce
- Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood (1987) as Self
- Life with Lucy (1986) as John Ritter
- A Smoky Mountain Christmas (1986) as Judge Harold Benton (uncredited)
- Unnatural Causes (1986) as Frank Coleman
- Letting Go (1985) as Alex
- The Cosby Show (1984) as Ray Evans
- Muppet Babies (1984)
- The Secret World of the Very Young (1984) as Self - Host
- Three's a Crowd (1984) as Jack Tripper
- Strong Kids, Safe Kids (1984) as Himself
- Donald Duck's 50th Birthday (1984) as Self
- Love Thy Neighbor (1984) as Danny Loeb
- All Star Party for Lucille Ball (1984) as Self
- Sunset Limousine (1983) as Alan O'Black
- Life's Most Embarrassing Moments (1983) as Self - Host
- Nature (1982) as Narrator (voice)
- The Flight of Dragons (1982) as Peter Dickinson (voice)
- The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show (1982) as Self
- Pray TV (1982) as Tom McPherson
- In Love with an Older Woman (1982) as Robert
- Entertainment Tonight (1981) as Self
- They All Laughed (1981) as Charles Rutledge
- The Comeback Kid (1980) as Bubba Newman
- Wholly Moses (1980) as Satan (The Devil)
- Hero at Large (1980) as Steve Nichols
- John Ritter: Being of Sound Mind and Body (1980) as Self / Various
- John Ritter: Being of Sound Mind and Body (1980) Writer
- The Ropers (1979)
- Americathon (1979) as President Chet Roosevelt
- Echoes of the Sixties: A Musical Trip (1979) as Self - Host
- Ringo (1978) as Marty Flesh
- Robin Williams: Off the Wall (1978) as Self
- Leave Yesterday Behind (1978) as Paul Stallings
- How to Survive the '70s and Maybe Even Bump Into Happiness (1978) as Self
- The Goldie Hawn Special (1978) as Self
- The Love Boat (1977) as Dale Riley
- The Love Boat (1977) as Ben Cummins
- Three's Company (1977) as Jack Tripper
- Nickelodeon (1976) as Franklin Frank
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Audience Member (uncredited)
- Starsky & Hutch (1975) as Tom Cole
- People's Choice Awards (1975) as Self - Host
- Doc (1975)
- The Night That Panicked America (1975) as Walter Wingate
- The Bob Crane Show (1975)
- The Prisoner of Second Avenue (1975) as Elevator Passenger (uncredited)
- Dinah! (1974) as Self
- Rhoda (1974) as Vince Mazuma
- Rhoda (1974) as Jerry Blocker
- Petrocelli (1974) as John Oleson
- Kojak (1973) as Kenny Soames
- Barnaby Jones (1973) as Joe Rockwell
- The Stone Killer (1973) as Hart
- The Lie (1973) as Bauer
- M*A*S*H (1972) as Private Carter
- The Waltons (1972) as Rev. Matthew Fordwick
- The Bob Newhart Show (1972) as Dave
- The Rookies (1972)
- The Streets of San Francisco (1972) as John 'Johnny' Steiner
- The Other (1972) as Rider
- Evil Roy Slade (1972) as Priest (uncredited)
- Great Performances (1971) as Richard
- Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law (1971) as Greg
- Scandalous John (1971) as Wendell
- The Barefoot Executive (1971) as Roger
- The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970) as Reverend Chatfield
- Dan August (1970) as Coley Smith
- Medical Center (1969) as Ronnie
- Hawaii Five-O (1968) as Ryan Moore
- Hawaii Five-O (1968) as Mike Welles
- Mannix (1967) as Cliff Elgin
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Co-Host
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Self
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Nominee
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is John Ritter best known for?
John Ritter is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Clifford's Really Big Movie (2004), Clifford's Really Big Movie (2004), Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003), Bad Santa (2003).
When and where was John Ritter born?
John Ritter was born on September 17, 1948 in Burbank, California, USA. They passed away on September 11, 2003.
How many credits does John Ritter have?
John Ritter has accumulated over 180 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1944 to 2021.
What is John Ritter's background in cinema and television?
John Ritter was an American actor and comedian. He was born on September 17, 1948, in Burbank, California. Ritter made guest appearances on several television shows, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Waltons, and Hawaii Five-O. He is perhaps best known for his roles in the ABC sitcoms "Three's Company" and "8 Si...
John Ritter by the numbers
180credits
97films
83TV series
1944–2021active years
Age in their best-rated roles
- My Brother's Wife (1989) as Barney — aged about 40
- People's Choice Awards (1975) as Self - Host — aged about 26
- Batman Beyond (1999) as Dr. David Wheeler (voice) — aged about 50
- Scrubs (2001) as Sam Dorian — aged about 52
- Family Law (1999) as Father Andrews — aged about 50
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997) as Ted Buchanan — aged about 48
Full filmography (180) Born on September 17 In memoriam 2003
What viewers say
No comments yet. Be the first to share your take on John Ritter.