Explanation of John Ritter's Death. His grandfather Benjamin Franklin Ritter (1834-1902) was a Confederate officer (2nd lieutenant) in Company F the 37th Texas Cavalry (Terrel's) during the War between the States. From the WebMD Archives. Tex Ritter died January 2, 1973 after a heart attack at the Metro Jail, Nashville, where he was arranging bail for one of his band members. Comic actor John Ritter’s widow says a wrongful death lawsuit going to trial Monday is more about seeking accountability and educating the … Jonathan Southworth Ritter was born in Burbank, California, on September 17, 1948. Tex Ritter would have been 68 years old at the time of death or 110 years old today. Who Was John Ritter? He made guest appearances on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Waltons in 1970, Hawaii Five-O in 1971 and M.A.S.H. Benjamin saw action in the saddle in Texas and Louisiana. John Ritter was an American actor and comedian. Tex Ritter was born on January 12, 1905 and died on January 2, 1974. He was the son of legendary country singer/actor Tex Ritter and his wife, actress Dorothy Fay.The couple married in 1941 and had their first child, Tom Ritter, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.John was destined to follow in his parents footsteps. Popular TV Star Dies After Falling Ill From Aortic Dissection. Woodward Maurice "Tex" Ritter came from a long line of Texas horsemen. His son John Ritter has carried on the family name as a popular actor in TV sitcoms and a handful of Hollywood movies. Ritter’s family says he didn’t have to die By Charles Ornstein ... Defense attorneys say their clients did nothing wrong and that Ritter would have … Recommended Listening An American Legend (Capitol 1973) Hall Of Fame (MCA 1992)