JOHN RITTER
17 September 1948 - 11 September 2003
JOHN RITTER...A BRILLIANT, WARM AND EXUBERANT FLAME, TRAGICALLY EXTINGUISHED PREMATURELY...WE LOVE YOU AND WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU. YOUR LIGHT WILL CONTINUE TO BURN BRIGHTLY IN THE HEARTS OF MILLIONS
The world will never forget the date that has become known as "9/11" because it changed that day. John's wife, Amy, was asleep while he watched the terrible events unfolding, and he said later that he didn't want to wake her because when she awoke it would be to a world changed for ever.
Now the entertainment world has a new "9/11" because on 11 September 2003, just 6 days from his 55th birthday, John Ritter collapsed and died, suddenly, tragically and at the height of his 4th decade of success and popularity. The cause of his death was a dissected aorta, a tear in the main artery to the heart, a condition from which he was unaware he was at risk, and one that can be misdiagnosed as a heart attack due to its similar symptoms.
John's family has sufered a monumental personal loss which must be almost unbearable; they had no warning; no time to prepare. He had gone to work that morning to tape the 4th episode of the 2nd series of his award-winning comedy, "Eight Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter"...he had been looking forward to celebrating his little daughter, Stella's 5th birthday when he went home, and giving her the presents he and Amy had bought for her.
John never went home.
When he became ill, he was rushed to Providence St Jospeh Medical Center (where he was born) across the road from the studio, for emergency surgery, but the doctors were unable to save him. John was a beloved husband, father, son and brother and their grief must be overwhelming. For his extended family too...the friends and fans (celebrity and non-celebrity alike) the loss is devastating. He was loved by so many, all united now, mourning his loss; his legendary humour, his sunny disposition and his wealth of talent displayed in hundreds of performances on screen and on stage. He never gave less than 100% as an actor or as a human being. He enriched our lives with his wonderful acting and his warm personality and it is almost inconceivable to believe he has left us. When I created this website I never, ever dreamed I would be writing these words.
* NOTE: PLEASE TAKE CARE TO ENTER YOUR MESSAGE ONCE ONLY, AS MANY DUPLICATE ENTRIES ARE BEING MADE ACCIDENTALLY AND IT IS VERY TIME CONSUMING REMOVING THEM. THANK YOU...
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Although only 150 messages are visible in the Condolence Book, well over2,800 have now been written and the first 1100 or so, were passed to the family. 3 years later, tributes continue to pour in. John must be one of the most beloved actors in screen history.
This website will continue to celebrate John's life and work.
