Jason Ritter Opens Up About Keeping His Father’s Memory Alive

More than two decades after the sudden death of actor John Ritter, his son Jason says he still feels a strong connection to his father.

Jason Ritter, known for roles in I Love Boosters and other television and film projects, recently spoke about grief, memories and the ways he continues to seek his father’s guidance during an appearance on Hoda Kotb’s Joy 101 podcast.

John Ritter, best known for playing Jack Tripper on Three’s Company, died on September 11, 2003, after suffering an aortic dissection while working on the set of 8 Simple Rules. He was 54.

Jason remembered his father as a man with enormous energy who loved making people laugh.

“He had so much energy and constantly wanted to make us laugh,” Jason said. After his father’s death, he recalled feeling as though the world had suddenly been turned upside down.

More than 20 years later, Jason says he sometimes still turns to his father when he needs advice. He imagines his dad sitting beside him and thinks about what John might have said in a particular situation.

“There’s so much about this world that’s such a mystery,” Jason explained. Whether he believes his father is somehow still present or simply carries his memory within him, the result is the same: he can still feel connected to him.

Jason also recalled finding comfort in sunsets after his father died. At times, the sunsets felt almost like personal messages.

One particularly meaningful memory came five years ago, on the anniversary of John’s death. Jason said the sky turned completely purple, one of his father’s favorite colors. John had even owned a purple car, something Jason remembered being embarrassed by as a teenager.

As an adult, however, Jason chooses to see moments like that differently. Rather than dismissing them as coincidences, he finds comfort in believing there may be things in life that he simply does not understand.

When grief or difficult emotions become overwhelming, Jason has another way of reconnecting with the present: taking “beauty walks” with his young daughter.

During their walks, they look for small things they find beautiful, such as leaves, collect them in a bag and later examine them together. Other discoveries, such as overheard arguments or birds, can also become part of the experience.

For Jason, these simple moments offer a way to find joy even during difficult periods.

His reflections show how grief can change over time. The pain of losing someone may never completely disappear, but memories, rituals and everyday moments can create new ways of feeling close to the person who is gone.