threes-company-star-john-ritter-final-movie-featured-ncis-lead

‘Three’s Company’ Star John Ritter’s Final Movie Featured an ‘NCIS’ Lead

Actor and comedian John Ritter was first known for the classic sitcom “Three’s Company.” He played the role of Jack Tripper from 1977 to 1984. Featured in over 100 films and TV shows, his final role was the main character of “Clifford’s Really Big Movie.”

Can you guess what the big red dog has in common with “NCIS” and Ritter?

The answer is actor Wilmer Valderrama. Both Ritter and the “NCIS” star worked together in the “Clifford” movie.

Playing the main character, Ritter is the voice behind Clifford. He’s an enormous red Labrador Retriever who joins a traveling show called “Larry’s Amazing Animals,” along with two friends. On the other hand, Valderrama’s part was the role of Rodrigo. He’s a chihuahua that’s been with Larry’s traveling show for some time.

‘Clifford’s Really Big Movie’ Starred Many Famous Actors

Based on the PBS children’s TV series, “Clifford’s Really Big Movie” was released on February 20, 2004. The film, directed by Robert Ramirez, originated from the book series by Norman Bridwell.

The film depicts Clifford joining a traveling animal show known as “Larry’s Amazing Animals” with his best friends. Larry Gablegobble (Judge Reinhold) presenter of the animal show, doesn’t allow animals who have owners, so they pretend their dog tags are fake. The film takes place on the fictional island of “Birdwell Island,” reads the IMDb bio.

In addition to Ritter and Valderrama, the movie featured other famous names. It included actors like “Let’s Make a Deal” host Wayne Brady, as Shackelford the blue ferret in “Larry’s Amazing Animals,” John Goodman plays the story’s antagonist George Wolfsbottom, and Kel Mitchell, who voices a yellow bulldog named T-Bone, to name a few.

According to IMDb, the movie, dedicated in memory of Ritter, served as the series finale for the original show.

Remembering the Late ‘Problem Child’ Star John Ritter

John Ritter continued to make an impact on popular culture through his many movies. After “Three’s Company” ended, he became known as the troublesome boy’s father in both “Problem Child” and its sequel. Also, he’s remembered for playing the kind-hearted store manager in the Oscar-winning film “Sling Blade.”

Ritter made guest appearances in a variety of TV shows, including “Felicity,” “Ally McBeal,” “Scrubs,” as well as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” read IMDb.

Five months prior to releasing “Clifford’s Really Big Movie” in theatres, Ritter had passed away on September 11, 2003. He’d been working on the show “8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter” at the time of his death.