An emotional and memorable evening took place in Los Angeles, where the stars of the legendary sitcom Three’s Company gathered together to pay tribute to the late actor John Ritter. The event, titled “An Evening From the Heart LA”, was organized by The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health, and attracted a lot of attention from TV fans and Hollywood stars.
Janet and Terri Reunion: Joyce DeWitt and Priscilla Barnes Reunite
On Thursday night’s red carpet event at the Sunset Room Hollywood, fans were thrilled to see Joyce DeWitt (who played Janet Wood) and Priscilla Barnes (Terri Alden) shake hands, marking a rare reunion decades after Three’s Company ended its run in 1984.
DeWitt stayed with the show for all eight seasons, playing the smart, rational Janet alongside Jack Tripper (John Ritter) and Chrissy Snow (Suzanne Somers). Meanwhile, Priscilla Barnes joined the series in season 6, after Somers left the show, and brought a breath of fresh air to the role of Terri – a sharp but funny nurse.
John Ritter – An Irreplaceable Legacy
John Ritter, who played the awkward but lovable Jack Tripper, died suddenly on September 11, 2003 due to aortic dissection – a rare but dangerous disease. At the time, he was filming his new sitcom 8 Simple Rules… for Dating My Teenage Daughter.
Ritter’s passing left a huge void not only in the hearts of his fans, but also in the artistic community. That is also the reason why The John Ritter Foundation was established – to raise awareness of aortic diseases and prevent similar sudden deaths.
The cast of “8 Simple Rules” also gathered in a touching way
In addition to the actors from Three’s Company, the event also marked a rare reunion of the stars from 8 Simple Rules, the last sitcom that Ritter participated in. Kaley Cuoco (Bridget), Amy Davidson (Kerry) and Martin Spanjers (Rory) – three of John Ritter’s on-screen children – were present to pay tribute to their special “dad”.
Kaley Cuoco, now a star of The Big Bang Theory, shared her emotional story on Instagram: “It was so wonderful to be with the people who were a part of John’s special journey. He was an irreplaceable light.”
Remembering a classic sitcom icon
Three’s Company was not only an entertaining sitcom, but also an indispensable part of American television culture in the 1970s and 1980s. With its familiar opening tune “Come and Knock on Our Door”, the story of three roommates – Jack, Janet, and Chrissy – living in an apartment in Santa Monica attracted millions of viewers every week.
Although based on the original British series – Man About the House – the American version created a separate phenomenon. The film also created the premise for many spin-offs such as The Ropers and Three’s a Crowd.
Regrettable absence: Suzanne Somers
This reunion was made even more poignant when Suzanne Somers, who played Chrissy Snow, passed away in October 2023 after a long battle with breast cancer. She died exactly one day before her 77th birthday, leaving many regrets in the hearts of fans and co-stars.
Joyce DeWitt once shared that, although the two had conflicts during the production of Three’s Company, they managed to resolve the misunderstanding and reconcile before Somers passed away, a detail that made fans extremely emotional.
An Evening of Gratitude – and Meaning
The “Evening From the Heart” event was not only a tribute to John Ritter, but also a fundraising and awareness event for aortic disease, with the message that knowledge can save lives. The John Ritter Foundation also actively funds medical research, organizes screening campaigns, and supports families with loved ones affected by the disease. Thanks to that, John Ritter’s legacy lives on not only on the screen, but also continues to live on in the mission of saving lives.
“Three’s Company” may have ended decades ago, but the humor, friendship, and kindness of the cast still live on. This reunion event not only brings back fond memories, but also reminds us that what is sincere and kind always lasts, beyond time and screen.
