Kaley Cuoco honored the memory and impact of her former co-star John Ritter from the show “8 Simple Rules.”
At the An Evening From The Heart gala, a fundraising event for the John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health, the 38-year-old actress, who had worked alongside Ritter in the sitcom from 2002 to 2003, shared heartfelt words about the late actor. Ritter, who sadly passed away in 2003 at the age of 54 due to an undetected thoracic aortic dissection, was remembered fondly by his former co-star.
“He meant a lot to me,” the star of “Big Bang Theory” shared with Access Hollywood at the Sunset Room Hollywood in Los Angeles.
Kaley Cuoco paid tribute to her late co-star John Ritter at a charity gala.
“He was truly beloved by many,” Cuoco expressed. “Not only was he an exceptional actor, but he also left a remarkable impact on people’s lives as a genuinely extraordinary human being.”
“He only spent a year and a half with me, but the impact he had on my life far surpasses that short amount of time,” she reflected, referring to Ritter, her on-screen father.
“I am committed to supporting anything associated with his name, particularly in raising awareness about the tragic experiences that families like his have endured. I will continue to be an advocate for this important cause.”
Kaley Cuoco and John Ritter portrayed the roles of a daughter and father, respectively, in the beloved sitcom “8 Simple Rules.” They shared an endearing on-screen bond that captivated audiences.
The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health is dedicated to increasing awareness about thoracic aortic disease through research, education, and advocacy efforts.
Cuoco was also kind enough to share some valuable advice that Ritter had given her, which she has cherished and followed for the past twenty years.
“I have vivid memories of my past experiences where I would make mistakes in front of the audience,” the star of “The Flight Attendant” recalled during an interview with Access Hollywood. “In those moments, he would reassure me, saying, ‘They love it! They absolutely love it when you mess up.’ I was taken aback by this and asked for clarification. He explained, ‘Sometimes, I intentionally make mistakes to entertain them.'”
“I observed him intentionally making mistakes and messing up on purpose, and the audience would go wild,” she exclaimed.
Cuoco expressed that she has carried that lesson with her for two decades. She highlighted how he was able to give people what they wanted, serving as the class clown. The actor never took himself too seriously, and Cuoco believes that it is essential for everyone to adopt this mindset and not take themselves too seriously.
Cuoco took on the role of co-chair and co-host for the annual gala, An Evening from the Heart, which aimed to raise funds for The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health.
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The hit sitcom “8 Simple Rules” featured John Ritter in the role of Paul Hennessey, the head of the Hennessey family. Joining him were Katey Sagal as his wife Cate, Cuoco as their daughter Bridget, Amy Davidson as Bridget’s sister Kerry, and Martin Spanjers as her brother Rory.
John Ritter, the beloved actor who played the lead role in the sitcom “8 Simple Rules,” tragically passed away during the filming of the show’s second season. In order to address this devastating loss, the decision was made to incorporate Paul’s death into the storyline. As a result, “8 Simple Rules” went on a brief hiatus and returned for a third season, which aired from 2004 to 2005.
During an interview with People magazine, Cuoco expressed the impact that Ritter had on many people’s lives. She mentioned her close bond with Ritter’s family, including his widow Amy Yasbeck and their four children.
In addition, he has a son named Noah, whom he shares with Yasbeck. The couple exchanged vows in 1999 and remained happily married until his passing.
The family of Ritter, who has been nominated for an Emmy Award, was commended by the actress for their diligent efforts in spreading awareness about thoracic aortic disease, as she expressed to People magazine.
“I will do anything for his wife and kids,” Cuoco expressed. “I’m incredibly proud to be here, paying tribute to him.”
Ritter’s co-stars from “Three’s Company,” Joyce DeWitt and Priscilla Barnes, shared a warm embrace as they reunited on the red carpet.
Amy and Tyler were present at the gala, which Cuoco co-chaired and co-hosted. It was a heartwarming moment when Ritter’s former “Three’s Company” co-stars, Joyce DeWitt and Priscilla Barnes, embraced each other on the red carpet.
Ritter became a household name portraying Jack Tripper, a student at a culinary school who decides to live with two female roommates, Janet Wood (played by DeWitt) and Chrissy Snow (played by Suzanne Somers). In order to secure his living arrangement, he pretends to be gay, fooling their landlord into allowing him to stay.
“Three’s Company” aired on ABC for eight seasons, captivating viewers from 1977 to 1984. While Somers bid farewell to the sitcom during its fifth season, Ritter and DeWitt remained dedicated cast members throughout its entire run. Later on, Barnes joined the ensemble in the sixth season, portraying nurse Terri Alden, a new roommate for Jack and Janet after Chrissy’s departure.
Cary Elwes, Cheri Oteri, Holly Robinson Peete, Katherine Kelly Lang, Heather Tom, and Ashley Jones were also present at the gala.
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