Joyce DeWitt Reveals the Chilling Last Call With John Ritter Just Weeks Before His Tragic Death: ‘Divine Assistance’

Joyce DeWitt was mere seconds away from stepping out of her Manhattan hotel room when the landline rang, handing her one final, unforgettable evening with her beloved former co-star, John Ritter. Just weeks before Ritter died suddenly from an undetected aortic dissection, the two shared an impromptu dinner that DeWitt still regards as a moment of pure fate.

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

That August 2003 reunion in Greenwich Village became the emotional capstone of a legendary television partnership that began decades earlier on the set of Three’s Company.

Joyce DeWitt with short white hair and a black top.

A Serendipitous Final Night in New York City

The encounter almost never happened. In the pre-smartphone era of August 2003, DeWitt had no idea Ritter was visiting New York City until local paparazzi tipped her off.

She dialed his contact number to check if he was free. Hours went by with silence, and DeWitt prepared to head out alone for the evening.

Right as her hand was on the doorknob, the phone rang. Ritter was on the line, ready to meet.

Joyce DeWitt wearing a black top with three pins.

The duo met up at an Italian spot in the Village, accompanied by actor Jim Belushi. For hours, they laughed, shared stories, and celebrated their enduring bond.

“Not knowing that it would be the last time we would hang out together, it was extraordinarily special. We had such a good time. It was dear, and it was precious.”

Neither knew that mere weeks later, an undiagnosed medical emergency would cut Ritter’s life short.

Joyce DeWitt.

The Tragic Misdiagnosis That Shocked Hollywood

In September 2003, Ritter was rehearsing on the set of his hit sitcom, 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, when he was suddenly stricken with intense chest pains and extreme nausea.

He was immediately rushed to the hospital. Doctors initially treated the 54-year-old actor for a heart attack, but standard protocols failed to halt his rapid decline.

Ritter died that night from an aortic dissection—a tear in the inner layer of the body’s main artery—rather than typical coronary artery disease.

Joyce DeWitt and John Ritter.

Aortic Dissection vs. Heart Attack

A widespread misconception is that sudden cardiac deaths are always conventional heart attacks. Ritter’s fatal condition involved a structural tear in the aorta, a critical distinction that requires rapid surgical intervention instead of standard blood-thinning treatments.

Following his passing, his widow, Amy Yasbeck, established the John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health to alert medical professionals and families about the overlooked genetic warning signs of aortic disease.

John Ritter and Joyce DeWitt.

The Lasting Cultural Magic of Three’s Company

Before his tragic loss, Ritter and DeWitt captivated millions of American living rooms alongside late co-star Suzanne Somers, who passed away at age 76 after a long battle with cancer.

Airing from 1977 to 1984 across eight hit seasons, Three’s Company relied on sharp physical comedy, missed cues, and harmless romantic mischief.

Joyce DeWitt, John Ritter, and Suzanne Somers.

DeWitt views the beloved sitcom through a theatrical lens, describing it as a modern reimagining of historic stagecraft.

“When people can laugh about the thing that they are possibly most uncomfortable in public talking about, and they can laugh at it together, it allows them to be just one step closer to being comfortable with one another.”

She emphasized that relying on suggestion over graphic dialogue kept the show timeless.

Three’s Company cast members.

Comparing Sitcom Eras: Farce Over Explicit Humor

DeWitt credited the sitcom’s enduring longevity to clever writing rather than explicit themes, a dynamic that remains distinct in television history.

Classic Sitcom Element	Three’s Company Approach
Comedic Style	High-energy physical farce and misheard dialogue
Romantic Content	Innuendo and suggestive subtext instead of explicit scenes
Cast Chemistry	Fast-paced timing between roommates Jack, Janet, and Chrissy
Core Legacy	Groundbreaking mainstream humor bridging social boundaries

John Ritter and Joyce DeWitt.

Honoring Ritter’s Legacy in New York

The enduring bond between the cast continues through philanthropic action. DeWitt and Amy Yasbeck are teaming up at Joe’s Pub in New York City to host an exclusive 50th anniversary tribute to Three’s Company.

The benefit will feature an all-star staged reading with notable talent, including Jason Biggs, Christine Taylor, Richard Kind, Susie Essman, and original castmate Richard Kline.

All proceeds directly fund the John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health, turning a heartbreaking tragedy into life-saving awareness.

Three’s Company cast.

💬 John Ritter’s warmth and comedic genius continue to touch fans across generations.

✨ The serendipity of his final evening with Joyce DeWitt reminds us how precious every shared moment truly is.

👇 Were you a fan of Three’s Company growing up? Drop your favorite memories of John Ritter in the comments below!