Biography
The son of famed country-western star Tex Ritter, he first emerged with dozens of small television guest spots, including a recurring role as the serious-minded Reverend Fordwick on "The Waltons" (CBS, 1971-1981). Ritter rose to fame on the small screen as the irascible, klutzy Jack Tripper on the hit sitcom "Three's Company" (ABC, 1977-1984), where his boyish charm and affinity for physical comedy made him an audience favorite. Efforts to …
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John Ritter SlideShow
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Career Milestones
2004 | Received an Emmy nomination ten months after his death for Best Actor in a Comedy Series for his work on "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter" | |
2004 | Voiced Clifford in the animated feature "Clifford the Big Red Dog"; movie released after his death | |
2003 | Played Bob Chipeska, a department store manager in "Bad Santa"; movie released after his death | |
2002 | Starred in the ABC comedy series "8 Simple Rules" | |
2001 | Starred in the L.A. production of the play "J for J", writer-director Jenny Sullivan's autobiographical play about her developmentally disabled older brother | |
2000 | Made Broadway debut co-starring with Henry Winkler in "The Dinner Party", a comedy written by Neil Simon | |
1998 | Had recurring role as a client-turned-love interest for Calsita Flockhart's "Ally McBeal"; earned an Emmy nomination | |
1996 | Delivered a change of pace performance as a gay man who befriends a co-worker in Billy Bob Thornton's "Sling Blade" | |
1992 | Had third teaming with Bogdanovich with the backstage comedy "Noises Off" | |
| Starred in the CBS sitcom "Hearts Afire"; first screen collaboration with Billy Bob Thornton | ||
1992 | Reprised role in the sequel "Problem Child 2" | |
1990 | Played the surrogate father of the "Problem Child" | |
1990 | Had title role in the NBC biopic "The Dreamer of Oz: The L. Frank Baum Story" | |
1990 | Co-starred in the ABC miniseries "Stephen King's 'IT'" | |
1989 | Executive produced the short-lived sitcom, "Have Faith" (ABC) | |
| Executive produced the first season of the popular ABC sitcom, "Anything But Love"; also played recurring role on the series as Richard Lewis' nemesis | ||
| Formed Adam Productions | ||
| Had title role in the ABC half-hour comedy-drama "Hooperman" | ||
1986 | Delivered strong dramatic performance as a Vietnam veteran who may be suffering from the effects of Agent Orange in the NBC TV-movie "Unnatural Causes" | |
| Headed the cast of the spin-off sitcom "Three's a Crowd" (ABC) | ||
1982 | Hosted the syndicated special "The Singing Cowboys Ride Again" | |
1981 | Had one of the leads in Bogdanovich's ill-fated "They All Laughed" | |
1980 | Hosted the ABC variety special "John Ritter: Being of Sound Mind and Body" | |
| Starred in the popular ABC sitcom, "Three's Company" | ||
1976 | Co-starred in Peter Bogdanovich's "Nickelodeon" | |
1975 | TV-movie debut in "The Night That Panicked America" (ABC) | |
1972 | Had role of Reverend Fordwicke on the CBS drama "The Waltons" | |
1971 | Made TV debut as a guest in an episode of ABC's "Dan August", starring Burt Reynolds | |
1971 | Film acting debut in "The Barefoot Executive"; billed ninth | |
1968 | Made professional acting debut on stage at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland | |
Awards
2004 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 8 Simple Rules |
1999 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor In a Comedy Series in Ally McBeal |
1997 | Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture in Sling Blade |
1988 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in Hooperman |
1987 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy Or Musical in Hooperman |
1986 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television in Unnatural Causes |
1984 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in Three's Company |
1983 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy Or Musical in Three's Company |
1981 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in Three's Company |
1979 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy Or Musical in Three's Company |
1978 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy Or Musical in Three's Company |
1978 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in Three's Company |