Stars of the beloved 1970s-1980s sitcom Three’s Company reunited on Thursday, for a good cause, joined by their late co-star John Ritter’s son Tyler.
Joyce DeWitt, who played Janet Wood on all eight seasons of Three’s Company, and Priscilla Barnes, who play Terri Alden in seasons six through eight, hit the red carpet.
They attended The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health’s An Evening From the Heart LA, held at the Sunset Room in Hollywood.
The sitcom stars both posed with Tyler Ritter, the 39-year-old son of John Ritter, who passed away from Aortic dissection in September 2003 at just 54 years of age.
The event is a fundraiser for The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health, which raises awareness of thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection through research, education, and advocacy.
Tyler Ritter – 39, who followed in his father’s acting footsteps – opted for a black suit with a purple tie while sporting the early makings of a goatee.
He was flanked by both DeWitt, 75, and Barnes, 69, with DeWitt opting for a black sweater with white trim and black polka dots, plus black and dress shoes.
Barnes opted for a white blouse with black pants for the outing, as the actresses also posed with their late co-star’s widow, Amy Yasbeck.
John Ritter was rehearsing for his sitcom 8 Simple Rules (starring Kaley Cuoco as his teenage daughter), when he suddenly began having problems with his heart.
He was taken to a nearby hospital where he was being treated for a heart attack, though he was actually suffering from Aortic dissection.
Aortic dissection happens when the aorta allows blood to flow between the aortic walls, causing tremendous pressure.
Ritter was taken into surgery for a heart attack, though he passed from aortic dissection that night.
The actor’s sudden death spawned what are now known as Ritter’s Rules, a list of symptoms and risk factors to prevent Aortic dissection from being misdiagnosed again.
Ritter’s big break came with Three’s Company, following two female roommates – Janet Wood (Joyce DeWitt) and Chrissy Snow (Suzanne Somers) – who allow struggling culinary student Jack Tripper (Ritter) to move in.
While the show’s first six-episode season failed to find a strong footing, it was renewed and became a top 10 show on network TV ever since.
Ritter and DeWitt were the only two main cast members to stay on all eight seasons, with Somers leaving after Season 5.
Somers was replaced first by Jenilee Harrison as Chrissy Snow, Cindy’s cousin, and then by Barnes’ Terri Alden in the last three seasons.
