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I've always believed you can learn a lot about someone by listening to what other people say about them when they're no longer around.
Not how much money they made. Not how famous they became. Not how many awards they collected.
How they treated people.
And when I read what Joyce DeWitt and Amy Davidson recently said about John Ritter, I found myself thinking that his greatest talent might not have been making people laugh.
It might have been making people feel good about themselves.
Now, I don't expect television stars to be saints. Being funny on television doesn't automatically make someone a wonderful human being. Some people can be perfectly charming in front of an audience and absolutely miserable to deal with the minute the cameras stop rolling.
But the memories Ritter's colleagues have been sharing tell a rather different story.
And I think there's something we can all learn from them.
Joyce DeWitt Remembers the Man Behind Jack Tripper
On November 3, 2026, People published an interview with Joyce DeWitt, who played Janet Wood opposite Ritter's Jack Tripper on Three's Company.
DeWitt had attended a celebration of the sitcom's approaching 50th anniversary in New York the previous evening.
She recalled how naturally she and Ritter worked together from the moment they met. Their physical comedy depended on trust. When one actor stumbled, lunged, or threw himself into some ridiculous situation, the other had to know what was coming.
You can't have someone falling all over the furniture while his fellow actors wonder whether he's about to land on them.
Well, you can, but I doubt you'd keep the same cast for very long.
DeWitt described the "absolute trust" they shared and remembered Ritter as someone who wanted everyone included in the fun.
She also admired his willingness to look ridiculous if it would get a laugh.
That's one of the things I appreciate about good comedy.
You can't be overly impressed with yourself and still be willing to look like a complete fool.
And John Ritter was exceptionally good at looking like a fool.
Jack Tripper Was Funny Because John Ritter Wasn't Afraid to Be Silly
Think about Jack Tripper for a minute.
The man could turn answering a telephone, opening a door, or walking into the wrong room into a physical comedy routine.
He'd misunderstand something, panic, invent an explanation, and then spend the rest of the episode making the situation ten times worse.
Half the time, a simple honest conversation would've solved everything.
But where's the sitcom in that?
What made Ritter so entertaining was his willingness to commit to the foolishness. He didn't play Jack as someone who knew he was funny. Jack generally thought he was being terribly clever while everything around him fell apart.
There's a difference.
An actor who spends all his time trying to look cool doesn't have much room for that kind of comedy.
And in ordinary life, people who are constantly protecting their dignity can be exhausting.
I don't mean anyone should turn himself into the neighborhood clown.
But there's something refreshing about a person who can laugh at himself without worrying that doing so will somehow diminish his importance.
That willingness to look ridiculous is one reason Three's Company still makes me laugh. I've also written about why Jack Tripper's misunderstandings were so funny and what they taught us about jumping to conclusions.
A little humility goes a long way.
Especially when it's accompanied by good manners.
What John Ritter Said to a Nervous Young Actress
Another recent interview tells us even more about how Ritter treated people.
Amy Davidson, who played his daughter Kerry on 8 Simple Rules, recalled her first table read with him.
Davidson was nervous. She had an emotional scene to perform, and she was sitting beside a television star with years of experience.
Rather than make her feel intimidated, Ritter quietly reached for her hand beneath the table and encouraged her.
He told her she was talented.
And here's the remarkable part.
More than twenty years after Ritter's death in 2003, Davidson still remembers that moment. She told Entertainment Weekly that his words continue to reassure her when she doubts herself.
Think about that.
A few seconds of kindness from someone with more experience stayed with another person for decades.
Ritter probably didn't realize how important that moment would become to her.
Most people don't.
We go through life saying things to one another without always knowing which words will stick.
Unfortunately, that works both ways.
A careless insult can follow someone for years.
So can a sincere compliment.
You Don't Need to Be Famous to Make Someone Feel Valued
I have a pretty simple philosophy about this.
If somebody does something well, tell them.
If a young person is nervous about trying something new, encourage them.
If someone works hard, acknowledge the effort.
And if you're in a position of authority, don't use that position to make everyone beneath you feel small.
It costs absolutely nothing to be decent.
I know, I know. Apparently that's a radical concept in some circles.
But I've never understood people who believe they have to withhold compliments to maintain their authority.
A boss doesn't become less important because he praises an employee. A parent doesn't lose control because she acknowledges her child's effort. An experienced professional doesn't diminish his accomplishments by encouraging someone who's just starting out.
Quite the opposite.
Imagine being the person who makes someone feel more capable rather than more insecure.
That's a reputation worth having.
And you don't need a television career to earn it.
What I'd Actually Do in Everyday Life
Suppose someone you work with has just given a presentation and seems nervous about how it went.
You could say, "Good job," and walk away.
Nothing wrong with that.
But I'd rather be specific.
"You explained that really clearly. I could tell you put a lot of thought into it."
Or imagine a child who's worked hard on something but doesn't think it's good enough.
Instead of automatically telling the child everything he does is wonderful, point out something real.
"I noticed how much effort you put into that. You didn't give up when it got difficult."
There's no reason to make up praise. Children and adults alike deserve honesty.
But when there's something genuinely worth recognizing, why keep it to yourself?
And here's another habit I'd encourage: compliment people when they aren't in the room.
If a coworker deserves credit, give it to her. If somebody went out of his way to help, mention it. If a friend did something thoughtful, don't act as though it was nothing.
Being a mensch isn't only about avoiding bad behavior.
It's also about noticing good behavior.
The Kind of Legacy That Impresses Me
John Ritter died in September 2003 at just 54 years old.
He left behind a television career that included Three's Company, 8 Simple Rules, and many other performances.
His family also established the John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health, which continues working to raise awareness of aortic disease and support affected families.
That's an important part of the legacy surrounding his name.
But what struck me about these recent interviews was something much smaller and more personal.
Joyce DeWitt remembers the trust they shared.
Amy Davidson remembers a few encouraging words.
Kaley Cuoco, who also worked with Ritter on 8 Simple Rules, has spoken about the support and humor he brought to the set.
Different people. Different memories.
But a common thread runs through them.
He made people feel comfortable, supported, and included.
I can't claim to know everything about a man I never met. None of us can.
But I can admire the behavior his colleagues describe.
And I can take something useful from it.
If you want people to remember you fondly, start with the way you treat them today.
Not when there's an audience. Not when somebody important is watching. Not because you expect something in return.
Just because it's the decent thing to do.
John Ritter spent years making audiences laugh. Judging by the memories his colleagues still carry, he also knew how to make people feel valued.
That's the sort of thing I call being a mensch.
Sources and Further Reading
People — Joyce DeWitt Remembers Working With John Ritter
Entertainment Weekly — Amy Davidson Recalls John Ritter's Encouragement
The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health
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