The Hollywood audition. It is known as one of the most excruciating, humbling processes in the acting profession. It does not matter how big of a star you think you are or who you are related to, if a movie requires a very specific role, one simple line or mannerism could make you a mega superstar. Or in the case of Jason Ritter, it can almost make you one.
Actor Jason Ritter, for people who do not know, is the son of the late, great comedic actor, John Ritter and actress, Nancy Morgan. He is best known for his roles in the films Swimfan , Freddy vs. Jason , W. (where he played Jeb Bush), and countless television appearances including Joan of Arcadia, The Event, Parenthood, and the animated Gravity Falls (voice actor).
It also seems Jason Ritter was a huge comic book fan who may have missed his biggest film opportunity in the nerve-racking audition process. Watch as John explains to the “The Talk” how he felt he must have lost the role of a lifetime by going a bit too comic book geek in his portrayal of young Peter Parker. Peter Parker, who we all know is Marvel Comics most popular superhero, Spider-Man!
It is not clear if this was for the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man or Andrew Garfield’s Amazing Spider-Man roles, but it leaves to the imagination what could have been if he had landed the role.
John first appeared on national television when he was one years old. In the “Three’s Company” (1977) opening credits from Seasons 6-8, he is seen standing next to ‘Janet Wood’ as she is petting a goat. This was revealed by Joyce DeWitt in a special feature found on the “Three’s Company” (1977) DVD set.
Jason graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts where he studied at the Atlantic Theatre Company. He is the co-creator of “Morning Knight, Inc.” with actress/writer/director Marianna Palka.
His theater credits include Wendy Wasserstein’s “Third” directed by Daniel Sullivan (Lincoln Center, NYC), Neil LaBute’s “The Distance From Here” directed by David Leveaux (Almeida at King’s Cross, London) and Tom Donaghy’s “The Beginning of August” directed by Neil Pepe (The Atlantic Theater Company, NYC).
