It’s hard to put into words the profound impact of 9/11 on our nation. But for many, the pain deepened two years later when beloved actor John Ritter unexpectedly passed away. On the very day of that tragic anniversary, John was rehearsing for his hit series 8 Simple Rules, starring alongside a young Kaley Cuoco. Suddenly, he fell ill and was rushed to the hospital. Initially thought to have suffered cardiac arrest, it was later revealed that an aortic dissection took his life far too soon. Tonight, the Reelz channel premieres the documentary John Ritter: Behind Closed Doors, a heartfelt tribute to the man who brought so much laughter into our lives.
In the world of comedy, John Ritter was more than just a star—he was a friend, a brother, and a guiding light for many. Chris Mann, author of the 1998 book Come and Knock On Our Door: A Hers and Hers and His Guide to Three’s Company, shares his reflections on John's enduring legacy. Chris is currently revising his book and working on a comprehensive biography of John. He remembers him fondly as someone who was "like everyone’s brother or best friend—or at least who we wished those people to be." John’s humor brightened our days, and his kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew him.
The Heart of Three’s Company
Reelz describes the documentary as a celebration of John Ritter’s life and career. As Jack Tripper on Three’s Company, John became one of the most talented comedians of his generation. His work in television and film made him a household name and a cherished figure in American entertainment. But his story is not just about laughter—it’s also about the tragedy that ended his life prematurely at the age of 54. An undiagnosed aortic aneurysm claimed him, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire. Through personal stories shared by close friends and co-stars such as Suzanne Somers, Joyce DeWitt, Henry Winkler, Peter Bogdanovich, Jimmy Kimmel, and Kaley Cuoco, John Ritter: Behind Closed Doors reveals the man behind the laughter—a generous soul whose spirit lives on through the lives he touched.
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Three’s Company: The Show That Made Him a Superstar
Three’s Company wasn’t just a sitcom—it was a phenomenon. The story of three roommates living together in harmony, with plenty of misunderstandings and playful innuendos, catapulted John Ritter to superstardom. But this level of fame wasn’t entirely foreign to him. Growing up in the world of entertainment, with his father Tex Ritter as a famous actor and singer, John had seen it all. Chris Mann, who has written extensively about John’s career, explains that while John was already familiar to audiences from roles like those in The Waltons and The Barefoot Executive, his upbringing gave him a unique perspective on fame. “He had these heartland values instilled in him,” Chris says. “He’d been around the block, lived it, and saw how his dad handled success. So when Three’s Company blew up, I think John was thrilled but also grounded in who he was.”
