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Jason Ritter.

Jason Morgan Ritter

Jason Ritter — Actor
Born Los Angeles, United States
Citizenship United States
Age 46 yr Today

9 min read

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TL;DR

Jason Ritter earned an Emmy nomination for his recurring role as Mark Cyr on NBC’s Parenthood and voiced the lead character Dipper Pines in Disney Channel’s Gravity Falls. Born in Los Angeles to actor John Ritter and Nancy Morgan, he graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts in 2002. He has appeared in films like The Tale 2018 opposite Laura Dern and television series such as Raising Dion and Candy. He is married to actress Melanie Lynskey, with whom he has a daughter.

Identity & family.

KIN · 4

Names, aliases, and relatives of Jason Ritter — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Jason Morgan Ritter
Nicknames Jace the Ace from Outer Space
Aliases Jason Morgan
Parents
Nancy Morgan John Ritter
Spouses
Melanie Lynskey
Siblings
Tyler Ritter

At a glance.

STATS

Jason Ritter by the numbers — life, work, and family.

46 Age
1 Award
1 Marriage

Who is Jason Ritter?

BIOGRAPHY

Jason Ritter — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Jason Ritter was born on February 17, 1980 in Los Angeles, California, the son of actor John Ritter and actress Nancy Morgan. He first appeared on national television as a one-year-old in the opening credits of Three’s Company, standing next to Janet Wood. After Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences, he earned a BFA in Drama from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, studying at the Atlantic Theatre Company. Additional training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art followed. The 2003 deaths of his father, grandmother, and grandfather had a lasting impact on him.

Career

In 2010, Jason Ritter joined the cast of NBC’s Parenthood as Mark Cyr, a young teacher who becomes the love interest of Lauren Graham’s character, earning him an Emmy nomination. He also voiced the lead role of Dipper Pines in Disney’s Gravity Falls from 2012 to 2016, a performance that resonated with viewers. His television work also includes a recurring role on ABC’s A Million Little Things, a starring role on Comedy Central’s Another Period, and an appearance in the Hulu limited series Candy. In film, he starred in the Emmy-nominated HBO film The Tale 2018 opposite Laura Dern, and in The Intervention 2016 directed by Clea Duvall. He also portrayed a Clicker uncredited in HBO’s The Last of Us 2023. Upcoming projects include starring opposite Kathy Bates in CBS’s Matlock and voicing Captain Fall in Netflix’s animated series Captain Fall.

Personal life

Jason Ritter married actress Melanie Lynskey on March 31, 2020, after a February 2017 engagement. Their daughter was born in December 2018. Before Lynskey, Ritter dated actress Marianna Palka. He is the son of actor John Ritter, who died in 2003, and brother of Tyler Ritter. On his wedding day, he lost his wedding ring but later found it. Close friends include Bryce Dallas Howard and Seth Gabel.

Legacy

Jason Ritter’s legacy includes his Emmy-nominated performance on Parenthood and his signature voice role as Dipper Pines in Gravity Falls, which remains a touchstone for a generation of viewers. His work earned him a Clarence Derwent Award. As the son of actor John Ritter, he has carried on a family tradition of comedic and dramatic performance. His upcoming role in Matlock alongside Kathy Bates and the animated series Captain Fall will keep him active in Hollywood.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 1

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Jason Ritter — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

  • Clarence Derwent Awards

Did you know?

FACTS · 12

Little-known facts about Jason Ritter — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

  1. At one year old, Jason Ritter appeared in the opening credits of Three’s Company seasons 6 through 8, standing next to Janet Wood as she pets a goat. Joyce DeWitt revealed this on a DVD special feature.

  2. In 2003, Jason Ritter lost his father John Ritter, his grandmother, and his maternal grandfather.

  3. On February 16, 2017, Jason Ritter became engaged to Melanie Lynskey, his girlfriend of four years.

  4. Jason Ritter earned a BFA in Drama from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in 2002.

  5. He graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, having studied at the Atlantic Theatre Company.

  6. With his wife Melanie Lynskey, Jason Ritter has a daughter born in December 2018.

  7. Jason Ritter counts Bryce Dallas Howard and Seth Gabel among his close friends.

  8. He played the love interest of two Gilmore Girls stars: Lauren Graham on Parenthood 2010 and Alexis Bledel on Us & Them 2014.

  9. On his wedding day, Jason Ritter lost his wedding ring, but later recovered it.

  10. Joseph Potts, a coach in the Kansas City Royals organization, is Jason Ritter’s cousin.

  11. Actress Marianna Palka is a former girlfriend of Jason Ritter.

  12. Jason Ritter’s ancestry includes English, German, Scottish, Dutch, French, Welsh, Irish, and Northern Irish roots.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 40

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Jason Ritter.

Audited & updated by

Sophia Bennett

Associate Editor & Editorial Content Coordinator

Sophia has 4 years of editorial experience and a habit of becoming the person any team leans on when they need to know where something stands. At Famousy, she manages the content pipeline, coordinates reviews, and handles the detail work that keeps a large editorial operation from falling apart. She reads a lot of profiles in the process and she's developed a sharp instinct for when something doesn't feel right. She flags it. It usually is.

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