Let me tell you a story about John Ritter, a man who not only became a beloved actor but also carried the values his parents instilled in him throughout his life. Growing up in Los Angeles, John and his brother Tom were just like any other kids—except they had a little extra flair. “There were plenty of arguments in the backyard over a Wiffle ball, but they always ended in laughter,” Tom shares with Closer. That’s the kind of upbringing John had—a mix of fun, challenges, and heartfelt moments.
Tom looks back on their childhood as a “pretty standard suburban experience in Los Angeles,” but with a twist. Their family wasn’t just any family—they were showbiz royalty. Their dad, Tex Ritter, was a singing cowboy star in the 1930s and 1940s, and their mom, Dorothy Fay, had a role in The Philadelphia Story alongside Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant. Show business was in their blood, and John felt it from a young age. “I remember John being captivated when we went to see our cousin Jamie in a play,” Tom reminisces. “He was only about 8 years old, but he was determined to follow in the family footsteps and become an actor.”
Young John soaked up the comedic styles of legends like Dick Van Dyke and Jerry Lewis. “He spent hours practicing their moves and creating his own routines,” Tom recalls. “Our house was filled with laughter, and John was at the center of it all. He had a knack for making people smile, even back then.”
Read also:Melissa Gilbert Pays Heartfelt Tribute To Jack Lilley A Cowboy Legend Departed
During the summer, the whole family would hit the road when Tex went on tour. These trips weren’t just about performances—they were about teaching their kids important life lessons. “We learned patience and kindness by watching our parents interact with people,” Tom explains. “My mom was the most positive person I’ve ever known, and she had a way of making everyone feel special.” Tex and Dorothy made sure their sons understood the value of treating others with respect and compassion.
John carried this lesson into his own life, especially when it came to his brother Tom, who was born with cerebral palsy. “Growing up, John was my protector. Even though I’m technically older, he always had my back,” Tom says. “He stood up for me and shielded me from bullies. That’s the kind of brother he was—always there for me.”
The Path to Acting: John Ritter's Passion Takes Flight
John initially pursued psychology at the University of Southern California, but his heart was always in the arts. He eventually switched to theater, enrolling in the USC School of Dramatic Arts. His father, Tex, knew the challenges of the entertainment industry and wasn’t immediately supportive. “Dad was the last to come around,” Tom admits. “But when he saw one of John’s college performances, he turned to Mom and said, ‘I guess we lost him.’ What he meant was, John had the talent, and there was no stopping him.”
Even Tom had his doubts when John landed the role of Jack Tripper on Three’s Company in 1976. “The idea of unmarried people living together seemed outdated by the end of the ’70s,” Tom explains. “But John and the cast turned it into pure gold. They made it so much fun that America couldn’t get enough.”
Tom loved attending tapings with their mom. “There was a sparkle in her eye whenever she watched the show,” he says. “Of course, she was proud of John, but I think she was also just happy to see her son doing what he loved—and doing it so well.”
Giving Back: John Ritter's Legacy of Service
Tex and Dorothy believed in giving back, and they passed that belief onto their sons. “Mom was an officer for the United Cerebral Palsy national organization and worked tirelessly for the Commission on Disability,” Tom says. “John carried that torch by hosting the annual United Cerebral Palsy Telethon for years.”
Read also:Donnie Wahlberg Steals The Show In Dunkinrsquo Super Bowl Ad A Blockheadrsquos Delight
Fame only deepened John’s commitment to helping others. “He believed we’re all in this together, and no one is the captain of the ship,” Tom explains. “Everyone has a role to play, and John took that to heart.”
John’s children inherited his kindness and humor. “They all have a piece of him, his spirit, and his comedic timing,” Tom says. “It’s amazing to see glimpses of him in them.”
Today, the family keeps John’s memory alive through the John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health, which funds research and raises awareness about the preventable heart condition that took his life in 2003. “John’s legacy is like a ripple effect,” Tom says. “The love and laughter he brought into the world are still spreading, touching lives in ways we might never fully know.”
