John Ritter died

Another great has passed away too soon. The Associated Press reports that John Ritter, whose portrayal of the bumbling but lovable Jack Tripper helped make the madcap comedy series Three's Company a smash hit in the 1970s, has died of a heart problem, his publicist said Friday. He was only 54.

Ritter fell ill Thursday on the set of his ABC sitcom "8 Simple Rules ... For Dating My Teenage Daughter," said Susan Wilcox, his assistant of 22 years.

The cause of death was a dissection of the aorta, the result of an unrecognized flaw in his heart, said his publicist, Lisa Kasteler.

Ritter died at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center shortly after 10 p.m. Thursday.

Ritter, a Southern California native who lived in Beverly Hills, came to prominence for his role in "Three's Company" and had appeared in more than 25 television movies and a number of films.

Ritter was to have turned 55 next Wednesday and his youngest daughter turned 5 the day of his death. The future of 8 Simple Rules is still undecided since 3 episodes of the second season have already been shot.

He's not a "Problem Child" anymore 🙁

Sucks doesn't it Diego ? 8 Simple Rules was hilarious and I know he is most well known for "Three's Company" but I have never seen an episode of that.

I wonder what they are going to do with his demise on the show? they were well into filming the next season...

I think it would be better if they cancelled it because I would hate to see a substitute, and I don't think it would be as cool if they say that Paul died because the funniest thing from that show was watching Kerry and Bridget arguing with Paul.

yea, it sux. it wasn't a really good two days for celebrites named john or something like it, was it??

Yeah Johnny Cash.

Awww he was on Buffy, he played a psycho robot who killed all his wives 🙁 Its so sad that he died 🙁

Hey Linds, you kinda look like his character's daughter on 8 Simple Rules.

*moment of silence*......... and on with life...

meanie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hey man thats the truth

not man-girl, i'm a girl,yup, that's what i am

I heard about that a few other places, too. seems like it's big news.

to bad i really really liked that show i cant belive that he just died i was like what r u serious i mean he looked so halthy and stuff so wow i cant belive that shit but i hope they just cancell the show cause it will be horrible with out him

I feel the same way D.

u know who the best was on the show was rory i liked that kid alot he was funny as hell but john was just a plain out great guy cant belvie he is gone wow

I liked it whenever his daughters had some conflict with him.

i think the best line like ever was when the red head was wating for a guy jason to call and rory was like oo kerry u know that guy jason that u have been waiting for him to call u and she is like yea yea and he goes yeah he didnt call lol

i loved john ritter i cried for hours when he died