By Elice Giorgione
Staff Writer
Until very recently, I had never really experienced a true emotional reaction to the death of a celebrity to the extent that I’ve actually mourned their passing. That changed when John Ritter died Sept. 11.
When I first saw the news flash, I was completely speechless – it seemed unreal. I didn’t want to believe what I was seeing. I caught enough of the TV report to gather that there had been some sort of a heart problem and that he’d passed out on the set of his ABC show, “8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter.” The story sounded like some sort of a nightmare that was too awful to be real. I blocked out the news as I sat through my humanities class and then lunch. It wasn’t until that evening as I scoured the Internet for information that it really hit me.
When I was growing up, the “Problem Child” movies were two of my all-time favorites, and watching them almost every weekend with my mom gave me some very fond childhood memories. I was a big “Nick at Night” fan when I was a kid too, and “Three’s Company” reruns entertained me for hours on end. John could always make me laugh or cheer me up, no matter what.
I didn’t watch “8 Simple Rules” very often, but when I did flip through the channels and catch the show, seeing John’s unsurpassed comedic talent would make me smile and remember the countless hours he had entertained me growing up.
My friend Dana Workman, a Santa Monica College student, was lucky enough to guest star on the show last year, and I remember her telling me about her experience on set. She said that John was just about the nicest man she had ever met. I didn’t doubt her for a second. From all I’ve ever heard, read or seen, John was truly a kind-hearted, selfless and wonderfully giving person. The kind of man everyone loves. His co-stars couldn’t say enough nice things about him. He was just genuinely caring by nature and had an instantly lovable personality. He was truly an incredible talent as well, a gifted actor comedian.
I only saw John in person once – when I was in the red carpet bleachers for the People’s Choice Awards earlier this year. He was with his wife, Amy Yasbeck, and they were so happy and vibrant together, smiling and laughing the entire walk down the aisle. I only wish I had been privileged enough to meet him.
When I look at photos of him out and about at various functions so recently, it makes his death seem even more unreal. To think that he could be completely fine one day, walking around, meeting fans, attending events, filming his TV show, and then be gone the next! He should have been around for decades more – to continue being the loving husband, the doting father and the exceptionally gifted entertainer that he was. It is unfathomable to me that his life could be cut so brutally and unexpectedly short.
It breaks my heart to think about the grief that his friends, family and co-workers must be experiencing right now. I have cried several nights when I’ve thought about his death. I cannot even begin to imagine what it must be like for his family.
It was his little girl’s fifth birthday the day he died. John wanted to go home early to be with her and celebrate. He never got that chance. Now his youngest daughter will always have to remember her birthday as the day that Daddy died. It was his wife’s birthday the next day and then his own birthday and their anniversary the week after. A time that was meant for celebration instead became a time of tragedy.
I recently saw an Entertainment Tonight segment where John and his wife, Amy, candidly interviewed each other. It brought tears to my eyes to see how completely in love they were, so devoted to one another and their daughter, Stella. John was still so young and had a beautiful family. That fact alone makes his death even more tragic.
Although the world lost one of its brightest stars, I have no doubt that John will never be forgotten. His memory and spirit will carry on in the hearts and memories of his family, friends and fans. He brought so much love, laughter and joy into the world, he will undoubtedly live on.
September 25, 2003
