Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: John Ritter dead. So many deaths this summer.

This is topic John Ritter dead. So many deaths this summer. in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Pravin Ratnam (Member # 1417) on 09-12-2003, 03:55 AM:

I can't recall a period of a few months like we just had where so many celebs, politicians and singers have died one after the other.

Just when I was thinking Hines died young despite looking healthy, John Ritter's death is one of the more surprising ones.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 09-12-2003, 04:08 AM:

I just got a flash email from "Variety" about this. I am totally shocked about his passing. He was only 54 or so. Apparently he died from a "ruptured" aorta ...a previously undetected condition he had.

I will always remember him in 3's Company. RIP John, you made me laugh many times!

>>> Phil

Posted by David Favel (Member # 1125) on 09-12-2003, 04:59 AM:

The "duel" in Skin Deep was my favourite

Posted by Chris Hipp (Member # 1788) on 09-12-2003, 05:11 AM:

Johnny cash died today also.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 09-12-2003, 05:27 AM:

Moved my post about Cash to the new JC thread...

>>> Phil

[ 09-12-2003, 06:28 AM: Message edited by: Phil Hill ]

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 09-12-2003, 08:46 AM:

Very sad. John Ritter was genuinely funny. [Frown]

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 09-12-2003, 09:27 AM:

John Ritter was a talented physical comedian. He made a lot of people smile and laugh during his brief time here. In addition to 3's Company and Skin Deep I will also remember his wonderfully understated role in Sling Blade.

Posted by Ron Yost (Member # 1850) on 09-12-2003, 10:31 AM:

Of course, his dad was Tex Ritter. Another legend in country music. Remember that gravely voice?

RIP John and John .. and Thank You both.

Ron Yost

Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 09-12-2003, 11:15 AM:

On one of the awards shows, either the Oscars or the Baftas, I think it's the Baftas, they do a quick run-through of the deaths in the previous year, just the name and a photo on screen for a few seconds. It always surprises me how many there have been.

Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 09-12-2003, 12:55 PM:

By the time I came around, Three's Company was already in reruns on the networks, but I think I've seen just about every episode. You could apply a lot of the stuff going on these days with the social situations depicted in the show.

I always thought John Ritter was brilliant. From his physical comedy (no one could fall over a couch funnier than he could) to the way he delivered his quick one-liners. You knew it was coming, but you still weren't prepared.

John Ritter, you were my hero. [Frown]

=TMP=

Posted by Ron Lacheur (Member # 1126) on 09-12-2003, 12:58 PM:

I just watched IT the other day. Indeed a great loss.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 09-12-2003, 06:11 PM:

Ritter was also a good dramatic actor, with one example being his performance in "Sling Blade."

Posted by Sean M. Grimes (Member # 445) on 09-13-2003, 04:31 AM:

And also in the movie "Panic". Amazing performance, including his current sitcom. He definitely will be missed. [Frown]

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 09-13-2003, 04:26 PM:

If I remember correctly (and what's the chance of that?) John got his start as the minister on "The Waltons".

Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 09-13-2003, 04:43 PM:

Everyone everywhere mentions Slingblade or Three's Company, but no one mentions Problem Child! Hilarious, heh. Sad that he went so soon.

Posted by Martin Brooks (Member # 1269) on 09-13-2003, 05:18 PM:

I believe that Ritter also played L. Frank Baum, the author of The Wizard of Oz, in a TV bio. I thought it was quite well done.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 09-13-2003, 05:54 PM:

Mike, you're right. I always think of him in 3's Company...I only have watched that in the re-run circuit. But that lame "Problem Child" POS was pretty funny too.

He did show off an unknown dramatic talent and skillful execution in Sling Blade.

I agree with Tom, he always cracked me up when Jack Tripper tripped over the couch or whatever! WOW! What a master! Even better than Chevy or ex-president Ford for physical comedy!

>>> Phil

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 09-13-2003, 06:15 PM:

I thought John Ritter did a great job in Sling Blade. His hairdo was hilarious! I honestly believed his character was gay while watching that movie. And of course, Three's Company kicks ass. I am still having a hard time believing he is dead. I never had a chance to catch his new show with Katey Sagal.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 09-14-2003, 11:04 PM:

According to the IMDB, he started in 1971's Barefoot Executive, but yes, he was the minister in The Waltons...
>>Waltons, The" (1972) TV Series .... Rev. Matthew Fordwick (1973-1976)
Stone Killer, The (1973) .... Officer Mort
... aka Assassino di pietra, L' (1973) (Italy)
Other, The (1972) .... Rider
Evil Roy Slade (1972) (TV) .... Minister
Scandalous John (1971) .... Wandell
Barefoot Executive, The (1971) .... Roger
<<

Da da da da daaa dummmmmmmm...

Posted by Bruce McGee (Member # 131) on 09-15-2003, 07:26 AM:

As one of the oldsters that watched Threes Company on the network in the late 1970's every week, I remember how the critics trashed every episode. Funny how it is still running after all these years. The producers (and owners) got the last laugh.

A ruptured aorta is how Lucille Ball died, too. It sure can happen fast.

I loved his movie, "Pray TV."

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 09-15-2003, 08:53 AM:

I know the weak aorta is likely a genetic abnormality. But the coincidence of two actors who did lots of "physical" comedy is interesting. Wonder if there is any chance they "toughed it out" when they got injured from some of the pratfalls, and the damage eventually took its toll? Has there been any study of increased incidence among stuntpeople or those involved in tough physical sports?

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 09-15-2003, 10:00 AM:

I saw John and Henry Winkler when they were on Broadway in the show "The Dinner Game". They were both wonderful in that show. [thumbsup]

Posted by Don E. Nelson (Member # 1049) on 09-15-2003, 03:00 PM:

A coworker said John was always upbeat, and had a good word for everyone.

Posted by William Hooper (Member # 71) on 09-16-2003, 01:39 AM:

quote:
I know the weak aorta is likely a genetic abnormality. But the coincidence of two actors who did lots of "physical" comedy is interesting.

I think it's just a non-statsitically-significant but distracting conicidence.

Buster Keaton died of lung cancer at 71, Laurel & Hardy lived to 70 or older.

Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 09-17-2003, 12:59 PM:

Well, they say celebs die in threes. John Ritter, Johnny Cash, and now this guy.

[Frown]

=TMP=

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 09-17-2003, 03:10 PM:

While I knew that Sheb Wooley was famous for his "Purple People Eater" song, I had no idea he did any films or TV appearances.

>>> Phil

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 09-17-2003, 05:05 PM:

Actually Wooley would have been the fifth in a week that began with Warren Zevon's passing.

1. Warren Zevon
2. Johnny Cash
3. John Ritter
4. Larry Hovis (Was on 'Hogan's Heroes')
The above three all died on the 11th- three at once!
5. Sheb Wooley

RIP to them all.

-Aaron

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 09-17-2003, 06:04 PM:

I can't explain why, but the death of John Ritter makes me very sad. I watched his tribute show on ABC last night. It seemed like all the actors and other showbiz people who were interviewed genuinely liked him. They were very emotional. Lots of tears among the cast of 8 Simple Rules. [Frown]

They said John preferred to park his car with the rest of the show's crew instead of in his "special" reserved space. Martin Short said John was the kind of man you talk to for 10 mins. and feel like you've known him for 20 years. I think somehow the audience knows when a celebrity is genuine and not full of himself, and grows attached more than to most celebs who let's face it, are pretty shallow.

Posted by Darren Crimmins (Member # 1116) on 09-17-2003, 10:35 PM:

I remember Wooley playing the principal in "Hoosiers" who gives Gene Hackman's character the basketball coaching job.

Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 09-20-2003, 10:17 AM:

Wow, three celebrities pass away AND Tommy Chong is indicted for selling glass pipes.

September 11th is finally starting to have some impact. [uhoh]

=TMP=