---
name: "John Ritter"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/john-ritter"
fi1m_id: "john-ritter"
imdb_id: "nm0000615"
tmdb_id: 27772
wikidata_id: "Q314812"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "17 September 1948"
died: "11 September 2003"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 2
average_fi1m_score: 58
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 2
updated: "2026-10-04T21:26:41.624209+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# John Ritter

## Identity

John Ritter

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/john-ritter
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** john-ritter
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000615
- **TMDB ID:** 27772
- **Wikidata ID:** Q314812
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ritter, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q314812, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000615/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/27772

Actor. Born 17 September 1948 in Burbank, California, USA. Died 11 September 2003.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 17 September 1948, Burbank, California, USA
- **Died:** 11 September 2003
- **Active:** 1990–1996
- **Also known as:** جان ریتر, Johnathan Southworth Ritter
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 58, as actor, over 2 titles
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ritter, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q314812, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000615/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/27772

## Biography

John Ritter was an American actor and comedian. Born in Burbank, California, he was the son of country singer and actor Tex Ritter and actress Dorothy Fay. He studied theatre arts at the University of Southern California.

Ritter became widely known for playing Jack Tripper in the sitcom *Three's Company* (1977–1984). He later starred in *8 Simple Rules* (2002–2003). His film roles include Vaughan Cunningham in *Sling Blade* (1996), Ben Healy in *Problem Child* (1990) and its 1991 sequel, and Bob Chipeska in *Bad Santa* (2003). He also voiced characters in animated films and appeared in series such as *M*A*S*H* (1972) and *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* (1997).

Ritter died in Burbank in 2003.

*Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, themoviedb.org, projects.latimes.com.*

## On Fi1m (2)

- *Sling Blade* (1996), Fi1m 83, as Vaughan Cunningham — [page](https://film.one/film/sling-blade.md)
- *Problem Child* (1990), Fi1m 32, as Ben — [page](https://film.one/film/problem-child-1990.md)

## Complete filmography (132)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Stanley's Dinosaur Round-Up* (2006), as Great Uncle Stew (voice) · In Memory Of
- *Clifford's Really Big Movie* (2004), as Clifford the Big Red Dog (voice) · In Memory Of
- *Bad Santa* (2003), as Bob Chipeska · In Memory Of
- *TV Land Awards: A Celebration of Classic TV* (2003), series, Actor
- *Manhood* (2003), as Eli
- *The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series* (2003), as Narrator (voice)
- *8 Simple Rules* (2002), series, as Paul Hennessy
- *Tadpole* (2002), as Stanley Grubman
- *Breaking News* (2002), series, Actor
- *Man of the Year* (2002), as Bill
- *Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central)* (2002), series, as John Ritter
- *Nuncrackers* (2001), as Narrator
- *Scrubs* (2001), series, as Sam Dorian
- *TV Funhouse* (2000), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Panic* (2000), as Josh
- *Terror Tract* (2000), as Bob Carter
- *Clifford the Big Red Dog* (2000), series, as Clifford (voice)
- *Clifford The Big Red Dog: Best Buddies* (2000), series, as Clifford
- *TripFall* (2000), as Tom Williams
- *Lost in the Pershing Point Hotel* (2000), as Christian Therapist
- *Lethal Vows* (1999), as David Farris
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Dr. Richard Manning
- *Family Law* (1999), series, as Father Andrews
- *It Came from the Sky* (1999), as Donald Bridges
- *Holy Joe* (1999), as Joe Cass
- *Batman Beyond* (1999), series, as Dr. David Wheeler (voice)
- *Dead Husbands* (1998), as Dr. Carter Elston
- *Bride of Chucky* (1998), as Chief Warren Kincaid
- *Loss of Faith* (1998), as Bruce Barker
- *Felicity* (1998), series, as Mr. Andrew Covington
- *I Woke Up Early the Day I Died* (1998), as Robert Forrest
- *Shadow of Doubt* (1998), as Steven Mayer
- *Chance of a Lifetime* (1998), as Tom Maguire
- *Montana* (1998), as Dr. Wexler
- *Over the Top* (1997), series, as Justin
- *Veronica's Closet* (1997), series, as Tim Margolin
- *Sink Or Swim* (1997), as Hank
- *Ally McBeal* (1997), series, as George Madison — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/ally-mcbeal.md)
- *A Gun, a Car, a Blonde* (1997), as Duncan the Bartender
- *Nowhere* (1997), as Moses Helper
- *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* (1997), series, as Ted Buchanan — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/buffy-the-vampire-slayer.md)
- *Dead Man's Gun* (1997), series, as Harry McDonacle
- *A Child's Wish* (1997), as Ed Chandler
- *King of the Hill* (1997), series, as Eugene Grandy (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/king-of-the-hill-1997.md)
- *For Hope* (1996), as Date #5 (uncredited)
- *Mercenary* (1996), as Jonas Ambler
- *Sling Blade* (1996), as Vaughan Cunningham — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/sling-blade.md)
- *E! True Hollywood Story* (1996), series, Actor
- *Unforgivable* (1996), as Paul Hegstrom
- *The Colony* (1995), as Rick Knowlton
- *Gramps* (1995), as Clarke MacGruder
- *NewsRadio* (1995), series, as Frank Westford
- *Touched by an Angel* (1994), series, as Mike O'Conner, Sheriff Tom McKinsley
- *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Joe Dysmerski
- *North* (1994), as Ward Nelson
- *The Only Way Out* (1993), as Jeremy Carlisle
- *Dave's World* (1993), series, as John Ritter
- *Heartbeat* (1993), as Bill Grant
- *Hearts Afire* (1992), series, as John Hartman
- *The Larry Sanders Show* (1992), series, as John Ritter — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-larry-sanders-show.md)
- *Stay Tuned* (1992), as Roy Knable
- *Noises Off...* (1992), as Garry Lejeune / Roger Tramplemain
- *Fish Police* (1992), series, as Inspector Gil (voice)
- *The Real Story of O Christmas Tree* (1991), as Piney (voice)
- *Problem Child 2* (1991), as Ben Healy
- *The Summer My Father Grew Up* (1991), as Paul
- *The Dreamer of Oz* (1990), as L. Frank Baum
- *It* (1990), series, as Ben Hanscom
- *Problem Child* (1990), as Ben — Fi1m 32, [page](https://film.one/film/problem-child-1990.md)
- *Poochinski* (1990), Executive Producer
- *Wings* (1990), series, as Stuart Davenport
- *My Brother's Wife* (1989), as Barney
- *Anything But Love* (1989), series, as Patrick Serreau
- *Skin Deep* (1989), as Zach
- *Tricks of the Trade* (1988), as Donald Todsen (uncredited)
- *Mickey's 60th Birthday* (1988), as Dudley Goode
- *Real Men* (1987), as Bob Wilson
- *Hooperman* (1987), series, as Detective Harry Hooperman
- *Prison for Children* (1987), as David Royce
- *The Last Fling* (1987), as Phillip Reed
- *A Smoky Mountain Christmas* (1986), as Judge Harold Benton (uncredited)
- *Unnatural Causes* (1986), as Frank Coleman
- *Life with Lucy* (1986), series, as John Ritter
- *Letting Go* (1985), as Alex
- *Muppet Babies* (1984), series, Actor
- *Three's a Crowd* (1984), series, as Jack Tripper
- *The Cosby Show* (1984), series, as Ray Evans
- *Love Thy Neighbor* (1984), as Danny Loeb
- *Sunset Limousine* (1983), as Alan O'Black
- *In Love with an Older Woman* (1982), as Robert
- *Nature* (1982), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *The Flight of Dragons* (1982), as Peter Dickinson (voice)
- *Pray TV* (1982), as Tom McPherson
- *They All Laughed* (1981), as Charles Rutledge
- *Wholly Moses* (1980), as Satan (The Devil)
- *John Ritter: Being of Sound Mind and Body* (1980), Writer
- *The Comeback Kid* (1980), as Bubba Newman
- *Hero at Large* (1980), as Steve Nichols
- *Americathon* (1979), as President Chet Roosevelt
- *The Ropers* (1979), series, Actor
- *Leave Yesterday Behind* (1978), as Paul Stallings
- *Ringo* (1978), as Marty Flesh
- *The Love Boat* (1977), series, as Dale Riley, Ben Cummins
- *Three's Company* (1977), series, as Jack Tripper
- *Nickelodeon* (1976), as Franklin Frank
- *The Night That Panicked America* (1975), as Walter Wingate
- *Doc* (1975), series, Actor
- *Starsky & Hutch* (1975), series, as Tom Cole
- *The Prisoner of Second Avenue* (1975), as Elevator Passenger (uncredited)
- *The Bob Crane Show* (1975), series, Actor
- *Petrocelli* (1974), series, as John Oleson
- *Rhoda* (1974), series, as Vince Mazuma, Jerry Blocker
- *Kojak* (1973), series, as Kenny Soames — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/kojak.md)
- *The Stone Killer* (1973), as Hart
- *The Lie* (1973), as Bauer
- *Barnaby Jones* (1973), series, as Joe Rockwell
- *The Streets of San Francisco* (1972), series, as John 'Johnny' Steiner
- *M*A*S*H* (1972), series, as Private Carter — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/m-a-s-h-1972.md)
- *The Bob Newhart Show* (1972), series, as Dave
- *The Waltons* (1972), series, as Rev. Matthew Fordwick
- *The Rookies* (1972), series, Actor
- *The Other* (1972), as Rider
- *Evil Roy Slade* (1972), as Priest (uncredited)
- *Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law* (1971), series, as Greg
- *Scandalous John* (1971), as Wendell
- *The Barefoot Executive* (1971), as Roger
- *Great Performances* (1971), series, as Richard
- *Dan August* (1970), series, as Coley Smith
- *The Mary Tyler Moore Show* (1970), series, as Reverend Chatfield — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mary-tyler-moore-show.md)
- *Medical Center* (1969), series, as Ronnie
- *Hawaii Five-O* (1969), series, as Ryan Moore, Mike Welles
- *Mannix* (1967), series, as Cliff Elgin

## Gallery

- ![Photo of the roommates from the television program Three's Company. From top-Joyce DeWitt (Janet), John Ritter (Jack), Suzanne Somers (Chrissy). (1977)](https://film.one/media/person/86773/gallery-b6107e8b34d2.jpg) Photo of the roommates from the television program Three's Company. From top-Joyce DeWitt (Janet), John Ritter (Jack), Suzanne Somers (Chrissy). (1977) — ABC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/1977_Three%27s_Company.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Actors Cecilia Hart and John Ritter in a publicity photo for the ABC series Three's Company (1978)](https://film.one/media/person/86773/gallery-482483f4d08b.jpg) Actors Cecilia Hart and John Ritter in a publicity photo for the ABC series Three's Company (1978) — American Broadcasting Company, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9c/Cecilia_Hart_and_John_Ritter_in_Three%27s_Company_%281978_ABC_Press_Photo%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![John Ritter at the 40th Emmy Awards, August 1988](https://film.one/media/person/86773/gallery-621fb706f9a9.jpg) John Ritter at the 40th Emmy Awards, August 1988 — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/John_Ritter.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Photo of John Ritter from Three's Company where he played the character Jack Tripper. (1977)](https://film.one/media/person/86773/gallery-b9170dc887a7.jpg) Photo of John Ritter from Three's Company where he played the character Jack Tripper. (1977) — ABC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/John_Ritter_1977.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![John Ritter](https://film.one/media/person/86773/gallery-ca36f4ca1083.jpg) John Ritter — Image via TMDB
- ![John Ritter](https://film.one/media/person/86773/gallery-4fb462dc21d8.jpg) John Ritter — Image via TMDB
- ![John Ritter](https://film.one/media/person/86773/gallery-f8f54c0d0c29.jpg) John Ritter — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b4/John_Ritter_at_the_1988_Emmy_Awards.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won

- 1984: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (won), for *Three's Company*

### Other awards — 1 won

- Theatre World Award 2001: Theatre World Award (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/john-ritter