John Ritter's Final TV Role
John Ritter was starring in the ABC sitcom 8 Simple Rules when he died on September 11, 2003. He played Paul Hennessy, the father in a family sitcom. The show premiered in 2002 and became one of his best-known later roles.
What Happened During Filming
Ritter had been experiencing chest pains and dizziness before his death. He collapsed during rehearsals on the 8 Simple Rules set and was rushed to a hospital. He was pronounced dead at age 54 from an aortic dissection.
How the Show Continued
After Ritter's death, 8 Simple Rules continued for two more seasons. ABC aired reruns and dedicated episodes to him. The show ended in 2005, and later reports confirmed that Ritter had been underused in the final season of the series.
