John Ritter - John Ritter Dies

EMMY AWARD-winning actor JOHN RITTER has died suddenly, after collapsing on the Hollywood set of his ABC TV sitcom 8 SIMPLE RULES FOR DATING MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER.

According to his publicist LISA KASTELER, Ritter, who was due to celebrate his 55th birthday next week (17SEP03), was rushed to hospital last night (11SEP03) after suffering an aortic dissection, but surgeons were unable to save him.

The condition is described as "an abnormal separation of tissues within the walls of the aorta" caused by high blood pressure, family history of the condition, disease of connective tissue, or severe trauma to the chest.

The actor - whose father was legendary country singer TEX RITTER - was best know for his role in long-running eighties sitcom THREE'S COMPANY, which won him an Emmy and a GOLDEN GLOBE award, and movies SLING BLADE and PROBLEM CHILD 2.

A statement from Ritter's bosses at ABC reads, "All of us at ABC, TOUCHSTONE TELEVISION and THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY are shocked and heartbroken at the terrible news of John's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and children at this very difficult time."

He is survived by his wife, AMY YASBECK and their daughter, STELLA and three children, CARLY, TYLER and JASON, from his first marriage to NANCY MORGAN.