“Three’s Company” star Joyce DeWitt credits ‘divine’ intervention for last hang with late costar John Ritter

Kaitlin SimpsonSat, November 7, 2026 at 1:40 PM UTC

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Credit: Joe Scarnici/Getty; M. Caulfield/WireImageKey Points -

Joyce DeWitt recalled the last time she saw Three’s Company costar John Ritter before his unexpected death.

Ritter died in Sept. 2003 after suffering from an undiagnosed aortic dissection.

The actress looked back on the moment, calling it “divine assistance.”

Three’s Company star Joyce DeWitt is looking back on the last moments she shared with former costar John Ritter before his unexpected death.

In a recent interview with Page Six, DeWitt recalled a paparazzo telling her that she and Ritter were in New York at the same time. DeWitt and Ritter starred in Three’s Company for all eight seasons which aired from 1977 to 1984.

“Not knowing that it would be the last time we would hang out together,” the actress reflected. “It was extraordinarily special.”

DeWitt explained that she learned from the a photographer where Ritter was staying and decided to give him a call. Since cellphones were not as prevalent as they are today, she called his hotel and left a message for the phone in his room.

Ritter ultimately got the message and called DeWitt back hours later. When the phone rang in her hotel room, The Rogers star was gearing up to head out for the evening. DeWitt answered the call and made plans with Ritter for that evening.

Joyce DeWitt, John Ritter, and Jeffrey Tambor in ‘Three’s Company’Credit: Courtesy Everett

“If he had called one minute later, I would have been out walking to Lincoln Center on my way to a movie,” she said. “I mean, it’s like there was divine assistance in allowing us that time together.”

The pair ultimately went out for a meal at an Italian restaurant with Jim Belushi.

“We had such a good time,” she said. “It was dear, and it was precious.”

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Ritter and DeWitt’s impromptu outing took place in Aug. 2003, one month before the 8 Simple Rules star’s unexpected death. The actor died on Sept. 11, 2003 at age 54. He suffered from a thoracic aortic dissection while rehearsing for the sitcom. Following his death, a nonprofit was created in the actor’s name. The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health funds research, provides education, and raises awareness for the condition.

Ritter and DeWitt starred in Three’s Company alongside Suzanne Somers. The show followed the three single roommates who platonically lived together. DeWitt is the last surviving member of the Three’s Company cast. Somers died in Oct. 2023 following a battle with breast cancer. She was 76.

Earlier this year, DeWitt recalled her experience working with Ritter on Three’s Company and their sizzling on-screen chemistry.

“For John and I, the day that we met, our bodies were talking to each other,” the actress told PEOPLE of their connection as costars. “It’s like we knew instantly, like if he swung high, I ducked low. If I ran low, he would swing high. I always say we communicated kinesthetically. We didn’t even have to talk. My body knew what his body was going to do and his knew what mine was going to do. And that was just there from the moment that we met.”

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DeWitt added that her experience on Three’s Company was a “joyous” experience.

“If as an actor you are given the opportunity to do something that will cause laughter, it’s a great gift that you get to do this,” she reflected. “The truth is we were willing to do any stupid thing we could think of that we thought would make people laugh. I always used to say Three’s Company is a safe place for grownups to play. They know that whatever disaster happens, by 9:30 everything’s going to be fine.”

on Entertainment Weekly

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”