| On September 11, 2003, John became ill on the set of �8 Simple Rules� and was rushed to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, ironically the hospital where he was born. He was diagnosed with an aorta dissection, a hard to detect condition which occurs when the wall of the aorta dissects (or tears). He underwent surgery, but unfortunately it was too late and the aorta was already too torn to even be repaired. It was then that our beloved John Ritter passed away on the operating table just six days shy of his 55th birthday at about 10:38 PM that night. In addition to passing away only days before he would turn fifty-five, John also died on his little daughter Stella�s 5th birthday. He was an amazing man with so much talent and his main priority was to make everyone laugh. John's death was mostly shocking because he seemed to be perfectly healthy. Though he did many movies and numerous guest-appearances, John Ritter will always mainly be remembered for his role as Jack Tripper. As Billy Joel once sang, �Only the good die young�, and this is certainly the case with this talented comedian that the world lost much too soon. Rest In Peace John Ritter, you are truly missed by your family, colleagues, and your millions of fans forever. There will NEVER be another like you. You were truly a gift. |
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