Part 1 of 2
Some faces never really disappear.
For fans who spent years watching John Ritter on television, seeing his sons today can bring back memories almost instantly.
A familiar smile.
A certain expression.
The way someone tilts his head while laughing.
Sometimes the resemblance appears for only a second, but that can be enough to remind longtime viewers of the actor they watched for decades.
John Ritter became one of television’s most recognizable comedy stars through roles such as Jack Tripper on “Three’s Company.”
His physical comedy, timing and warmth helped make him a familiar presence in American homes.
Later generations also knew him from “8 Simple Rules,” along with numerous film and television appearances.
His death in September 2003, after suffering an aortic dissection, came as a shock to audiences and to the people who had worked alongside him.
He was 54.
More than two decades later, fans continue to remember him through reruns, interviews and stories shared by his family and former colleagues.
But there is another reminder of John that viewers sometimes notice.
His sons.
Jason Ritter and Tyler Ritter both eventually followed their father into acting.
They built careers of their own rather than simply trying to recreate what their father had done.
Still, family resemblance can be difficult to miss.
For some fans, seeing Jason smile or make a particular expression immediately brings John to mind.
The comparison has become especially noticeable as Jason has grown older.
Jason himself has spoken about this.
He has said that with age, he sometimes notices his father’s expressions and mannerisms appearing in himself.
That recognition can be emotional.
For Jason, John was not primarily a television icon.
He was his father.
And the connection goes far beyond appearance.
Jason has spoken openly about how he still thinks about the lessons his father left behind.
He has reflected on the kindness people continue to associate with John and on the effect his father had on fans who still approach the family with stories decades later.
Those encounters have helped Jason understand how far his father’s influence extended beyond their home.
It was not only about famous roles or awards.
People remembered how John made them feel.
That legacy matters to Jason now that he is a father himself.
He has said that hearing people speak warmly about John affects how he thinks about the kind of memories he hopes to leave for his own daughter someday.
For fans, though, the resemblance remains an especially immediate connection.
A photograph can make decades seem to disappear.
For one moment, viewers may see an expression they remember from “Three’s Company” or another favorite role.
But Jason is not the only son who followed John into entertainment.
And the story of how the Ritter family has continued John’s legacy extends far beyond physical resemblance.