John Ritter's Premature Death Has Led His Son On A Path Of Advocacy: 'Get Screened'

By all accounts, September 11, 2003, started as a regular day for John Ritter. However, while the comedian was filming "8 Simple Rules," he started having concerning symptoms, including excessive sweating, chest pains, and vomiting. When he first arrived at the hospital, doctors believed that his symptoms were all warning signs of a heart attack. After further testing, doctors began treating him for just that. However, the treatment failed to work because John was actually experiencing another life-threatening condition called aortic dissection. 

The relatively rare condition happens when a tear occurs in the inner layer of the aorta, the main artery in the body. The 54-year-old actor passed away only hours after arriving to the emergency room. Decades after his death, his children continue to spread awareness about aortic diseases. Speaking to CBS in September 2026, Tyler Ritter shared an important message, saying, "I would say if anyone has a family member who's had issues with their aorta, if they have aortic disease, then I think the most important message we can leave today is for first-degree relatives to get screened." 

Tyler then revealed that four years after John's death, the late comedian's elder brother underwent a successful surgery to fix an aortic aneurysm, which was discovered through preventative screening. He also pointed out that screening can prove particularly helpful for aortic dissection since the condition's symptoms usually only show after the dissection has occurred, which creates more of a medical emergency. Meanwhile, Tyler's brother, Jason Ritter, reminded people that prevention is key for this life-threatening heart condition.

A couple of weeks after John Ritter's death, his wife, Amy Yasbeck, founded the John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health. The nonprofit seeks to raise awareness about aortic dissection among the general public and raise funds for research. Needless to say, the "Three's Company" alum's children have been very involved in spreading the foundation's message. In a July 2026 Instagram video, Tyler Ritter underwent an echocardiogram to show viewers how easy it is to get the screening that can help diagnose aortic issues. 

"The key to beating this battle is staying ahead of the game, ahead of the curve," Tyler said of the screenings. "I always feel relief after I check in like this." Dr. David Liang, who conducted Tyler's echocardiogram, reassured people that an abnormal test isn't the end of the world because it will ultimately only empower them to make better decisions for their health. In September 2026, Tyler told People that he and his siblings have been undergoing yearly screenings ever since their father passed away. 

For Tyler, regularly undergoing health checkups has proven particularly helpful since his tests from 2024 revealed that he has type 1 diabetes. Now, there are many symptoms of diabetes that men shouldn't ignore, like excessive thirst and fatigue. However, Tyler didn't seem to have many of them because the diagnosis took him by surprise. Still, the revelation prompted him to take medication and make dietary changes that promote balanced sugar levels. Tyler ultimately summed up his views on regular health checkups by saying, "There are certain things where it's like my choices are either be vigilant or maybe cut my life pretty short."