While I am sad about Johnny Cash, his death was hardly a suprise. John Ritter was out of the blue and totally surprised me.
Unexpected (to me anyway) deaths, like Jim Henson or Douglas Adams hit me worse. Tho there are some deaths that are probably not too far away that will hit me hard.
Brian
Hero at Large? Bad? Bite your tongue!
It’s actually been a while since I’ve seen it. I was older (ahem) than 8 at the time, and I quite liked it.
My wife told me when I got up this morning. I immediately replied “Oh, no! he was so young!”
I thought about it and realized that I had liked him as an actor a lot more than I was consiously aware. Damn.
DtC, was that the “glow-in-the-dark condom” scene?
To be honest I was told it was “bad.” But as I have not seen it as an adult I can’t corroberate its alleged badness. I quite liked it and was surprised that no one else seemed to even know about it.
Weirddave, I’m sure it was.
“What were you arrested for?”
“Cockfighting.”
I’m very sad about this.
Remember the Three’s Company when Janet wanted Jack to go with her to a party, but they had to take an airplane? Jack was terrified to fly, so he took some type of tranquilizer to calm his nerves. At the party, he had some drinks, and got so out of control. He danced around and just acted so funny. I seriously believe that that is one of the funniest moments on TV.
I will miss him.
I found out that John died at 10:00 p.m. on September 11th, his daughter’s birthday. Poor child.
One of the great physical comedic actors I think, right up there with John Cleese and Jackie Gleason.
Ain’t that the truth! A close friend’s dad, apparently in perfect health, died of an aortic aneuyrism–on a ski lift! The rest of his family was waiting for him at the bottom of the mountain joking about how he was the last one down so they’d make him take the last shower. Little did they know, he’d already taken his last shower. 
I’m very saddened by John Ritter’s death. Like so many people, I got to know him in Three’s Company, and was surprised to discover what a fine and versatile actor he was. I will miss him.
I just found out when I logged onto AOL and saw the news on the welcome screen. Very sad and startling news. Who would ever expect that Don Knotts would outlive John Ritter? It’s definitely a loss, since he seemed like a nice guy and made a lot of people laugh.
I feel bad for his young daughter in particular. Losing a parent can really destroy a child’s sense of security. Even if she doesn’t quite understand the loss now, it may hit her pretty hard as she gets older.
The first season of “Three’s Company” is supposed to come to DVD next year. I wonder if his death will speed up the process a bit.
Yet again an actor who has seriously great comic timing has gone. His serious roles were just as quality as the comedy bits. It and the Frank Baum movie being the two that stick out most in my mind. As I don’t watch much regular commercial network dreck, I never got to see 8 Simple Rules, but have seen my share of Clifford episodes.
What a frikkin’ shock!
Too bad. I was lucky enough to have met John Ritter a few times when he was doing theater in LA. He was very down to earth, friendly to the fans waiting backstage and he took his acting very seriously. A far better actor than just his work on sitcoms.
(I’ll bet Tony Danza is already lurking around the set of 8 Simple Rules…)
Yep, that was it. I couldn’t believe they actually showed such a thing on screen. 
This might be the saddest thing I’ve ever heard. I’m just … without words.
Goodbye, John … you will be missed.
Come and knock on our door sniffle
We’ve been choke waiting for you sniffle
Where the kisses are hers sniffle and hers and his sob
Threes company too!
Man, that show ruled… I saw the reruns.
Are they still going to air 8 simple rules for dating my teenage daughter?
Good night, fair prince!
Just saw this too. So sad.
Brings a dose of reality to you.
Rest in Peace, John and Johnny.
I know about it. I loved that movie. It was the one that made me realize what a talented and gifted performer Ritter was and I was only a kid the last time I saw it. His sudden death was an utter shock. I feel for his family.
And just last night I was singing Ring of Fire to my kid. Now who does that if its not an omen?
Another movie that he was in which is an undiscovered gem, IMHO, is called “Noises Off” which also starred Carol Burnett, Michael Caine, Christopher Reeves, Marilu Henner, Mark Linn-Baker, Nicolette Sheridan. A great slap-stick comedy …
I, as well, was very shocked and saddened to hear this news this morning.
I always thought he was a class act and I’ll miss him. The strange thing is that he was at Disneys California Adventure on Saturday along with a bunch of other ABC stars. A friend of mine considered going because we have season passes. We decided not to but I remember saying to my friend, “Yeah, but it would be cool to meet John Ritter!” Later in the day, the radio was interviewing him at the event and he couldn’t have sounded happier or been more gracious. Now, I really wish I would have gone there. I might not have met him but who knows. I feel awful for his family.
Something else I just remembered is a movie I saw him as a kid called “Hero at Large”, where he played a normal guy who dresses like a superhero and fights crime. I remember loving that movie.
Thanks for the laughs, John.