Jonathan Southworth Ritter was an American actor. The son of the singing cowboy star Tex Ritter and the father of actors Jason and Tyler Ritter, Ritter is known for playing Jack Tripper on the ABC sitcom Three's Company, for which he received a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award in 1984.

What happened John Ritter?

Ritter became ill Thursday while working on his ABC series and underwent surgery at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank for a tear in his aorta, a rare medical condition that can hit without warning. He died shortly after 10 p.m. Thursday, publicist Lisa Kasteler said.

Is John Ritter still alive today?

Ritter died after falling ill on the set of the sitcom on September 11, 2003. Initially thought to be having a heart attack, he was treated in hospital for that. After his condition worsened, it was identified he had an aortic dissection. He was pronounced dead later that night, six days before his 55th birthday.