hen filming the award-winning feature Sling Blade, Billy Bob Thornton, the director, writer and star of the film, insisted that John Ritter play a role. They had both recently co-starred in the TV series Hearts Afire and not only had they hit it off almost immediately, Thornton had been so impressed by Ritter's acting ability that he promised the two would work together again.

  When Ritter landed a starring role as the father in the hit sitcom 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, his schedule suddenly became very busy, but during a break from the show, he managed to squeeze in some time to appear with Thornton in the holiday comedy, Bad Santa.

  In the film, Ritter plays a mall manager who becomes suspicious of the Santa Claus who is appearing there. Played by Thornton, this Kris Kringle is one of the most crooked, corrupt and wickedly funny Santas ever to grace the screen.
actors
Billy Bob Thornton
Tony Cox
Lauren Graham
Brett Kelly
John Ritter
Bernie Mac

director
Terry Zwigoff

location
Los Angeles

outtake
Bill Murray was in negotiations to play the lead, but signed on for Lost in Translation instead.

  Turns out the manager's instincts are right on - Santa is a con artist named Willie T. Stokes. Along with his partner-in-crime (Tony Cox) who's masquerading as an elf, Willie is planning to crack the store safe and make off with the holiday stash. After all, who would suspect the jolly old elf? But when Ritter's character begins to wonder what Santa is up to, he asks mall detective (Bernie Mac) to investigate.

  Sadly, Bad Santa turned out to be John Ritter's last motion picture. He died September 11 at age 54 from a previously undiagnosed heart ailment. The son of western movie star Tex Ritter, John was destined for the spotlight. He made his feature film debut in Disney's The Barefoot Executive, starring Kurt Russell.  Although best known for his television work in shows such as Three's Company, The Waltons and Hooperman, Ritter appeared in over 30 feature films.

  However, the Ritter family tradition continues with John's 23-year-old son Jason, who played a role in the 2002 hit summer flick Swimfan and starred in the summer blockbuster, Freddy vs. Jason. Currently, he plays Kevin on the new CBS TV series Joan of Arcadia.

  "It just broke my heart to hear about it," Bad Santa's director Terry Zwigoff (Ghost World) told the San Francisco Chronicle after Ritter's death. "He was the sweetest, kindest guy and so quick and funny. (He) had this facial expression that was so funny… I couldn't stand it. I told him, 'John, I'm going to have to move back 30 feet…because I can't keep trying to muffle my laughter behind the camera.'"

- Alexandra Heilbron