John Ritter
ActingAbout John Ritter
Johnathan Southworth "John" Ritter (September 17, 1948 – September 11, 2003) was an American actor, voice over artist and comedian, perhaps best known for playing Jack Tripper and Paul Hennessy in the ABC sitcoms "Three's Company" and "8 Simple Rules," respectively. Don Knotts called him the "greatest physical comedian on the planet." Ritter's final films "Bad Santa," "Clifford's Really Big Movie" and "Stanley's Dinosaur Round-Up" were all dedicated in his memory.
John Ritter Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of John Ritter reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of John Ritter's work falls within the Comedy genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 42% of John Ritter's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series, which stands out as a key performance.
Best John Ritter Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from John Ritter's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie John Ritter has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Mr. Thornton Goes to Hollywood | Self (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2004 | Clifford's Really Big Movie | Clifford the Big Red Dog (voice) | Average | Similar → |
| 2003 | Bad Santa | Bob Chipeska | Hit | Similar → |
| 2003 | The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series | Narrator (voice) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2002 | Tadpole | Stanley Grubman | Average | Similar → |
| 2001 | Nuncrackers | Narrator | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2000 | Panic | Josh | Average | Similar → |
| 2000 | Terror Tract | Bob Carter | Average | Similar → |
| 1999 | Lethal Vows | David Farris | Average | Similar → |
| 1998 | Bride of Chucky | Chief Warren Kincaid | Average | Similar → |
| 1998 | Chance of a Lifetime | Tom Maguire | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1998 | Montana | Dr. Wexler | Average | Similar → |
| 1997 | Nowhere | Moses Helper | Hit | Similar → |
| 1997 | A Child's Wish | Ed Chandler | Average | Similar → |
| 1996 | For Hope | Date #5 (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1996 | Sling Blade | Vaughan Cunningham | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1996 | Unforgivable | Paul Hegstrom | Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | Gramps | Clarke MacGruder | Hit | Similar → |
| 1992 | Stay Tuned | Roy Knable | Average | Similar → |
| 1992 | Noises Off... | Garry Lejeune / Roger Tramplemain | Hit | Similar → |
| 1992 | The Making of High Noon | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1991 | The Real Story of O Christmas Tree | Piney (voice) | Average | Similar → |
| 1991 | Problem Child 2 | Ben Healy | Average | Similar → |
| 1990 | The Dreamer of Oz | L. Frank Baum | Hit | Similar → |
| 1990 | Problem Child | Ben | Average | Similar → |
| 1989 | Skin Deep | Zach | Average | Similar → |
| 1988 | Mickey's 60th Birthday | Dudley Goode | Hit | Similar → |
| 1987 | Real Men | Bob Wilson | Average | Similar → |
| 1987 | Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1986 | A Smoky Mountain Christmas | Judge Harold Benton (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1986 | Unnatural Causes | Frank Coleman | Hit | Similar → |
| 1985 | Letting Go | Alex | Hit | Similar → |
| 1984 | All Star Party for Lucille Ball | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1984 | Donald Duck's 50th Birthday | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1984 | Strong Kids, Safe Kids | Himself | Average | Similar → |
| 1982 | The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | The Flight of Dragons | Peter Dickinson (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | They All Laughed | Charles Rutledge | Average | Similar → |
| 1980 | John Ritter: Being of Sound Mind and Body | Self / Various | Hit | Similar → |
| 1980 | The Comeback Kid | Bubba Newman | Average | Similar → |
| 1980 | Hero at Large | Steve Nichols | Average | Similar → |
| 1978 | Robin Williams: Off the Wall | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1976 | Nickelodeon | Franklin Frank | Average | Similar → |
| 1975 | The Night That Panicked America | Walter Wingate | Hit | Similar → |
| 1975 | The Prisoner of Second Avenue | Elevator Passenger (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1973 | The Stone Killer | Hart | Average | Similar → |
| 1973 | The Lie | Bauer | Average | Similar → |
| 1972 | The Other | Rider | Hit | Similar → |
| 1972 | Evil Roy Slade | Priest (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1971 | Scandalous John | Wendell | Average | Similar → |
John Ritter - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of John Ritter?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring John Ritter is "The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series" with a rating of 9.4/10.
How many movies has John Ritter acted in?
John Ritter has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by John Ritter?
Other notable films include "Nuncrackers", "The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show", and "Chance of a Lifetime".