A Surprise That Stopped Him in His Tracks
During downtime on the set of Poker Face Season 2, Jason Ritter was sitting in his trailer when he stumbled upon a single working TV channel. It happened to be playing an episode of King of the Hill—and to his astonishment, he heard a familiar voice. It was his late father, John Ritter, playing the role of Eugene Grandy, the school’s music teacher. Jason had never known his dad had worked on the show.
The Bittersweet Shock
Jason described the moment as both surprising and deeply moving. Hearing his father’s voice unexpectedly, years after his passing, felt like a sudden visit from the past—an unplanned, yet heartwarming connection that instantly brought back memories.
A Legacy That Crossed Genres
While John Ritter is best remembered for his legendary role as Jack Tripper in Three’s Company, his career spanned far beyond sitcoms. He appeared in dramas, feature films, stage productions, and voice roles in animation—some of which even his own family didn’t fully realize until years later.
Jason on Following in His Father’s Footsteps
Jason has often spoken about how his father helped him get his first acting job, admitting with a laugh that it was “a full-on nepotism hire.” As a child, he voiced a character in a holiday cartoon alongside his dad—only later learning his high-pitched voice wasn’t sped up but was entirely his own.
Why This Moment Resonates
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Unexpected Connection: A simple TV glitch led to a treasured emotional discovery.
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Timeless Legacy: John Ritter’s work continues to surprise and inspire, even for his own family.
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Range and Talent: From slapstick comedy to heartfelt animated characters, his versatility lives on.
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Personal and Universal: Jason’s story speaks to anyone who has been unexpectedly reminded of a loved one.
In Short:
Jason Ritter’s unplanned encounter with his father’s voice is a beautiful reminder of how art can outlast time. Even years later, a performance can reach out, touch the heart, and make us feel close to someone we’ve lost.
