Ritter

[Stephon]

John Ritter passed today, too, very unexpectedly.

He may not have been a legend, but he was a terrific physical comedian and an inspiration to many performers.

[Jim]

My first exposure to a "rola bola" was on Three's Company.

I remember Jack (John Ritter) got some cooking gig on a cruise ship and he wanted to practice cooking on a ship, so he went into the kitchen of their apartment and, to simulate the rocking of the boat, he put a rolling pin and wooden cutting board on the floor and stood on it. I think he even had a knife in his hands and he started chopping away at some vegetables or something. I remember thinking it was cool, but it looked hard.

It wasn't something I went and tried at the time (I was probably 10 years old) but later in college I saw someone doing a rola bola and I remember making the connection that I had seen John Ritter do that trick.

I definitely remember seeing him juggle on camera, too, but I can't remember where it was.

So yeah, I was never a huge fan, but I do admit he was a fine physical comic and excellent dramatic actor... and in a strange way, sort of an inspiration to me. He was the first person I ever saw doing the trick I've made my living at for the past 10 years.

I was sad to hear the news.

Jim

[scot]

I'm going to assume a lower profile for a while until all these celebs stop dying.