When John Ritter passed away unexpectedly on September 11, 2003, the entertainment world lost one of its most beloved comedic talents. Known for his impeccable timing, physical comedy, and warm on-screen presence, Ritter left behind not just a body of unforgettable work, but also a loving family — including four children who carry forward his spirit and sense of humor. His widow, actress Amy Yasbeck, has often said that all of the Ritter kids are naturally funny, each in their own way, a gift they inherited from their father. But among them, Jason Ritter stands out — not only because of his acting career, but also because of his uncanny resemblance to John, both in looks and mannerisms.
Recently, Jason reminded fans just how much he embodies his father’s comedic magic. In a TikTok video that quickly began making the rounds online, Jason responded to a fan’s unusual but nostalgic request: “Do the creep face your dad used to do chasing the girls around the apartment on Three’s Company… That was always my favorite thing.”
Three’s Company, which ran for eight seasons from 1977 to 1984, starred John Ritter as the bumbling yet lovable Jack Tripper — a character whose mischievous facial expressions became part of the show’s charm. Among them was the now-famous “creep face” — a cartoonishly sly look Jack would flash during the sitcom’s more farcical moments. Without hesitation, Jason recreated the expression, tilting his head, arching his eyebrows, and flashing the exact same knowing smirk that his father had perfected decades earlier.
The result was uncanny. Fans flooded the comments section, expressing a mix of delight and nostalgia. Some were struck by how perfectly Jason captured not just the look, but the same comedic energy his father brought to the role. Others admitted they were unexpectedly emotional, saying the impression brought back warm memories of watching Three’s Company in their younger years.
Although John Ritter will always be remembered most for Three’s Company, at the time of his death he was working on another sitcom, 8 Simple Rules, co-starring Katey Sagal and a then-rising star, Kaley Cuoco. His career had spanned television, film, and theater, with an ability to balance slapstick humor and heartfelt moments in a way few actors could match.
Jason, inspired by his father’s example, has gone on to forge his own successful path in Hollywood. He’s appeared in series such as Joan of Arcadia, Parenthood, and Kevin (Probably) Saves the World. While he has worked to establish his own voice and identity as an actor, Jason acknowledges that his father’s influence is deeply woven into his craft.
“I have to say, he was generally a very supportive and proud dad,” Jason shared in an earlier interview. “He would have been proud of everything. But I do think there was an element in the stuff that I was doing on Kevin (Probably) Saves the World where I felt like this is fully me there. I’m not trying to hide away some of the parts that I think might remind people of my dad. There was a lot of that performance that felt like I was almost doing an homage to him or something. I tried to make my own way, do my own thing and not be compared, but he was always so fun.”
For longtime fans of John Ritter, Jason’s impression was more than just a funny TikTok moment — it was a touching reminder that, even 20 years after his passing, the charm and joy of Jack Tripper still live on. Through Jason’s performance, audiences got a brief but vivid glimpse of the man who could light up a room with a single expression — and of a son who carries forward that legacy with pride.
