Ritter, who would have turned 55 this week, collapsed on Thursday evening while filming 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, his most recent sit-com hit.

The acclaimed host of the First Annual TV Land Awards Show and former star of Three's Company passed away at Providence St. Joseph hospital in Burbank, California, across from the studio where he had been working.

While best known for his portrayal of Jack Tripper in the 1970s sit-com Three's Company, which won him Emmy, Golden Globe and People's Choice awards, Ritter also appeared in a host of guest starring roles including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Waltons, Felicity, and literally dozens of made for TV movies.

A prolific and versatile actor, with a star on the Walk of Fame, Ritter also won critical acclaim for his work in the Neil Simon Broadway comedy The Dinner Party.

The son of country singer and actor Tex Ritter, John was born into a Hollywood family. He graduated from Hollywood High School, where he served as student body president.

John is survived by his ex-wife, Nancy Morgan, his 4 children and his current wife, actress Amy Yasbeck with whom he guest starred in an episode of The Cosby Show 10 years prior to their marriage. By chance that appearance mirrored what life would later bring them, as they played a husband and wife expecting their first child.

We will all miss you, John.