John Ritter’s Wife Still Refuses to Date Other Men Even After 20 Years Since His Death, and She Reveals the Reasons

John Ritter brought immense joy to his fans and colleagues throughout his career. His unexpected departure in 2003 created a significant void in the hearts of many. However, none have felt the pain as deeply as his widow, Amy Yasbeck. She continues to honor the memory of her late husband and has a compelling reason for doing so.

John Ritter was a cherished television actor, beloved by audiences far and wide.

Ritter’s initial breakthrough in television occurred with Three’s Company, a beloved sitcom featuring three single roommates that aired from 1977 to 1984. His undeniable charisma on the show earned him both a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. Following this success, Ritter made another significant career move on television with 8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter later renamed 8 Simple Rules after the actor’s untimely death.

A pivotal role that significantly impacted John Ritter’s personal life was his portrayal of Ben Healy Jr. in the renowned comedy Problem Child in 1990 and its sequel. In these films, Ritter’s co-star was Amy Yasbeck, who later became his second wife and arguably his soulmate.

John and Amy’s love story was one for lifetime.

During the filming of Problem Child, Ritter was still married to his first wife, Nancy Morgan. Their marriage, which lasted from 1977 to 1996, resulted in three children: Jason, Carly, and Tyler. The exact timeline of Ritter and Yasbeck’s relationship is not precisely known. However, it is established that they tied the knot in 1999, just a year after welcoming their first child together.

After getting married, Amy and John lived in complete bliss, but their happiness was cut short in 2003 when he passed away due to a heart attack. Four years together weren’t enough for the couple and to this day, Yasbeck is inconsolable and misses him dearly.

In 2022, nearly two decades since losing John, Amy said she still couldn’t move on and refused the idea of dating: “I don’t date... I think I would miss John more if I was dating, as weird as that sounds. But because I always feel like he’s with me, and that would be weird because in that case, three is not company.”

Ritter’s sudden passing hit hard.

The impact of the late actor’s death extended beyond his family. Throughout his career, he had touched numerous lives, and the pain of his absence reverberated among many colleagues. Zach Braff, his on-screen son in Scrubs, referred to him as a “comic hero,” and Joyce DeWitt, Ritter’s co-star in Three’s Company, expressed that he was “impossible to forget” and “impossible not to love.”

The loss of John also greatly affected his last show 8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter. He started experiencing severe problems with his heart in 2003 while rehearsing one of the episodes. Ritter was rushed to the hospital, but his conditioned worsened and, ultimately, the doctors couldn’t save him. Since he played the main role on the show, the writers had to include his character’s sudden on-screen death, which continued to affect the entire plot for the rest of the series’ run.

Amy still holds dear her late husband’s legacy.

In 2010, Yasbeck penned a heartfelt book in honor of her late husband titled “With Love and Laughter, John Ritter,” the same phrase he used to sign autographs for his fans. Amy revealed that following John’s sudden passing, she grappled with intense grief. To cope, she channeled her emotions into writing, documenting her journey of healing while navigating the responsibilities of motherhood. The book is described as a blend of biography and self-help, offering insights into her personal experiences and the process of overcoming loss.

Amy also founded The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health to raise awareness about aortic dissection, the ultimate cause of her husband’s death.

Yasbeck’s unwavering love for John Ritter and her continued faithfulness to him remind us of Liam Neeson and his late wife, Natasha Richardson. The talented actor also faced the sudden loss of his soulmate and chose not to remarry.