LOL @ Didn't click ridiculous.
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This always struck me when watching the show. We have this supposed woman-chaser pretending to be a gay man..yet, it didn't click because Ritter came off as a gay man himself.
Didn't click? The show was on for 8 seasons and had a couple of spin offs. I'd say it clicked just fine.

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I can't say it was necessarily in his mannerisms, or his largely physical comedy performance. BUT Jack was played rather straight forward and not the over the top alpha wannabe players like Larry or Furley. I wouldn't say he came off as gay.. but a guy who genuinely got along with, was friends with and lived with women at that time? I won't say it was entirely unheard of on TV at the time.. but at the time I think that could have been read into it as much as Ritter's or should I say Jack's natural awkwardness around women, even though he clearly did love them. I think seeing a guy like Jack presented as a "ladies man" in what was considered edgy and risque at the time.
That's just my view of it.. depending on how you perceive the character. But regardles there's little doubt as to how brilliant Ritter was and spot on in the show.

I think he came off as effeminate. At the time to the general public effeminate=gay. After famous homosexuals either were revealed through contracting HIV or came out the rest of us learned that there really isn't a correlation. I thought he was gay as well and when I came across a credit of his came here out of curiosity about whether nearly 40 year old impressions were correct.
I do understand it really doesn't matter and hope that mannerisms etc as well as orientation will go the way of left handed people are evil.

It may have been more of an attraction that I had for him, but I wouldn't have sold any homo tendencies he had short. He wouldn't have been "gay" so to speak as full-blown and he does have 3 children: his son Jason is a cutiepie.
If a so-called "straight" actor is playing gay, I find that somewhat condescending. It's as though they are projecting being accepting and tolerant within their own comfort-zone and heterosexual realm; but any staunch het male is not really going to want to acknowledge this, actor or not. It would not be "normal" to them. An actor is pretending and can then use this pretense as a cover for themselves and then the herd think they are such good actors for playing "gay", when they are not really. If an openly gay actor is playing "straight", it wouldn't be taken as seriously. Being gay must be a "serious" thing. Ritter would have been bi.
Exorcist: Christ's power compels you. Cast out, un2000clean spirit.
Destinata:

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Yes, Nan, Roseanne Roseannadanna was my favorite. She never fails to make me laugh! I'm watching the best of Gilda Radner right now.
I thought I was gonna die! - Roseanne Roseannadanna

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You got a gay vibe from him, Rascal? I never did. He could have been I guess.
I thought I was gonna die! - Roseanne Roseannadanna

You got a gay vibe from him, Rascal? I never did. He could have been I guess.
I thought I was gonna die! - Roseanne Roseannadanna

I would say being a softie and in touch with ones feminine side is a dead giveaway Mr H. I wouldn't say that Ritter was full blown homo, but I wouldn't dismiss any homosexual tendencies as being a flash in the pan. I always felt\sensed this.
Exorcist: Christ's power compels you. Cast out, unclean spirit.
Destinata:

Yeah, I liked him, too. He was born to play "Jack Tripper".

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I get how people might see John Ritter as gay. But in my gut, I don't think that he was gay. I think he was just a total softie and I think that he was probably very much in touch with his feminine side (perhaps more so than his masculine side), and, of course, his most well-known contribution was for portraying lovable Jack Tripper, who pretended to be gay. But I think people read him wrong. My hunch is that John Ritter LOVED the ladies, probably completely preferred women to the company of men.
Warren Beatty in "Shampoo" without the smirk.

I'd say he wouldn't have identified as gay, but "bisexual" and of course being an actor he would have taken the easy route.
Exorcist: Christ's power compels you. Cast out, unclean spirit.
Destinata:

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He always seemed gay to me also.

Jack Tripper sure loved the ladies !
Jesus NEVER existed! He is Judeo Christian MYTH!

How great that your paths in life crossed.He is missed.

DrinkFromTheSameFountain I agree with you wholeheartedly. I worked with John in 1985 and he was a beautiful, kind man who was always pointing out to people what was great about them. Although he was a little bit Jack Tripper personality wise he was actually very quiet and introspective on some days. He was never inappropriate but was quite a flirt too. Just an all around wonderful person. Sorry for rambling, just so grateful to have known him and so sad he is gone. Blessings to you.

As a gay man with a few years under my belt, I can say that never once did I get the impression that John Ritter was gay. I do think that John was definitely of the "lover not a fighter" variety, and I think that's what is confusing to you. I am betting he was a gentle, kind man in real life - a "softie" if you will - but that has nothing to do with one's sexuality. Do you think all gay men are "soft"? Do you think all straight men are, ahem, "tough"? Perhaps overly "self-confident", as you put it?
No, I think that John loved the ladies.

You poor little thing! You're all alone in this! Have you ever thought of getting away from the computer once in awhile? Don't see Brokeback! You can't handle it! I checked your posts. They're 99 percent negative. Do you suffer from clinical depression?
suzycreamcheese RIP Heath Ledger 1979-2008

'He also played the part of a very convincing, staunch Baptist minister, as "Reverend Fordwick" on The Waltons, in which he "seemed " to really be one. Sooogoing by your idea of "logic" I guess we are also to assume that he was really an extremely religious "holy roller" in his personal life as well, huh?'
'Ormaybe the man was just a fine and versatile actor who was, oh yes acting'.
..here comes the new age "going by your logic"/ "it's called acting" -retort. My comment has nothing to do with his talent.
DO you know what an inside-joke is? Get your comparisons straight & parallel.
The difference is that Ritter does not particulary seem like a reverend in real life, but he did seem gay. I am not referring to him acting gay when Mr. Roper was in his presence in order to fool him, but Ritter in REAL life.
On 3's Co., Ritter was very much playing the hetero guy in heat playboy characterizationthat is the irony I am referring to.