Net Worth Ranker
What Was John Ritter’s Net Worth?
At the time of his passing in 2003, John Ritter, the widely recognized American actor, comedian, and voice-over artist, had accumulated a net worth of approximately $20 million. This figure reflects his successful career spanning over three decades in television, film, and theater. Ritter’s financial achievements stem from his work in over 100 movies and TV shows, coupled with his Broadway appearances and voice acting roles.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Jonathan Southworth Ritter on September 17, 1948, in Burbank, California, John’s path to stardom was influenced by his parents’ involvement in the entertainment industry. His father, Tex Ritter, was a famous singing cowboy and matinee idol, while his mother, Dorothy Fay, was an actress. John’s early life provided him with a foundational understanding of the performing arts.
Ritter’s education began at Hollywood High School, where he showcased leadership skills as the student body president. He later pursued higher education at the University of Southern California (USC), initially majoring in psychology before transitioning to theater arts at the USC School of Dramatic Arts. His formal training prepared him for the competitive world of acting. During his college years, he also expanded his experience by performing on stage in the U.K., the Netherlands, and West Germany, providing him with exposure to international audiences and diverse theatrical styles. He ultimately graduated from USC in 1970, equipped with a robust academic and practical foundation for his burgeoning career.
Breakthrough with “Three’s Company” and Subsequent Roles
John Ritter’s career took off in the early 1970s, starting with his appearance on “The Dating Game” in 1970, which led to a vacation to Lake Havasu, Arizona. This was followed by his TV acting debut as a campus revolutionary in the ABC series “Dan August,” starring Burt Reynolds. His film debut was in the 1971 Disney film “The Barefoot Executive”. He also secured guest roles on shows like “Hawaii Five-O” and “M*A*S*H,” establishing his presence on television. From 1972 to 1976, he had a recurring role as Reverend Matthew Fordwick on the series “The Waltons”.
His defining role came with “Three’s Company,” where he portrayed Jack Tripper from 1977 to 1984. For this role, Ritter won both an Emmy and a Golden Globe in 1984, significantly boosting his profile and earning potential. The show became a major hit, achieving high ratings and lasting for several seasons. During his run on “Three’s Company,” Ritter diversified his portfolio by appearing in films such as “Ringo,” “Hero at Large,” “Americathon,” and “They All Laughed.” He also lent his voice to the animated movie “The Flight of Dragons.” These projects added to his income and demonstrated his versatility.
In 1986, John starred in the music video for Graham Nash’s song “Innocent Eyes.” Following “Three’s Company,” Ritter starred in “Hooperman,” where he played Detective Harry Hooperman. His work on “Hooperman” earned him Emmy and Golden Globe nominations in 1988, and he also won a People’s Choice award for this role. His continued success allowed him to negotiate favorable contracts and maintain a steady stream of income.
From 1992 to 1995, Ritter starred as John Hartman in “Hearts Afire” for three seasons, which further cemented his status as a television mainstay. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Ritter appeared in numerous films, including “Problem Child,” “Skin Deep,” “Sling Blade,” and “Mercenary.” He also starred in TV movies such as “Gramps,” “The Colony,” “It,” “Heartbeat,” and “It Came from the Sky.” He also made guest appearances on “Felicity,” “Ally McBeal,” “Scrubs,” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” demonstrating his ongoing relevance in the industry. Ritter also provided the voice of the title character in the animated children’s show “Clifford the Big Red Dog,” for which he received four Emmy nominations. His final film was “Stanley’s Dinosaur Round-Up” in 2006.
“Three’s Company” Salary Details
In 1979, during the fifth season of “Three’s Company,” a dispute arose regarding salaries. Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt were offered $30,000 per episode. While Joyce DeWitt accepted the raise, Suzanne Somers did not, as she demanded equal pay to John Ritter, reportedly $150,000 per episode, along with 10% of the show’s back-end profits. Her demands were not met, leading to her character being written off the show. This detail highlights the value placed on Ritter’s role and influence within the series, which translated into his higher earnings compared to his co-stars at the time.
Theater Career and Awards
In 2000, John Ritter starred as Claude Pichon in Neil Simon’s “The Dinner Party” at the Music Box Theater on Broadway, which ran for 364 performances. He won the Theater World Award in 2001 for his performance. In 2003, Ritter made his last stage appearance in “All About Eve,” a benefit for the Actor’s Fund of America held at the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles, California.
Personal Life and Family
Ritter’s personal life included two marriages. He was married to actress Nancy Morgan from 1977 to 1996, and they had three children: Carly, Jason, and Tyler, the latter two of whom are also actors. In 1999, he married actress Amy Yasbeck, his former co-star on “Problem Child,” and they had a daughter born in 1998.
Death, Lawsuits, and Estate
John Ritter passed away on September 11, 2003, at the age of 54, after falling ill on the set of “8 Simple Rules… for Dating My Teenage Daughter.” He was rushed to Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, where he was initially treated for a heart attack. It was later discovered that he had an aortic dissection. Following his death, his widow, Amy Yasbeck, filed lawsuits against the hospital and doctors involved in his treatment. A settlement was reached with the hospital for $9.4 million. However, a wrongful-death lawsuit against two physicians went to trial, with Yasbeck alleging misdiagnosis and failure to detect an enlargement of Ritter’s aorta. In 2008, a Los Angeles County Superior Court jury ruled that the doctors were not negligent and not responsible for his death.
Real Estate Investments
In 1996, John Ritter purchased a home in Beverly Hills, California, for $2.2 million. After his death, his widow, Amy Yasbeck, listed the home for sale in 2017 for $6.5 million. The property was eventually sold in August of that year for $6.555 million, exceeding the asking price. While specific details about the home’s features and amenities are not provided in the available information, the sale price reflects the appreciation of real estate values in Beverly Hills over the years and contributed to the overall assessment of John Ritter’s financial legacy. This sale also indicates a successful real estate investment that added to his estate.
