Editing Jason Ritter (section)

==Career==

=== 1990–2007: Teen films and early career ===
Ritter made his professional acting debut at age 10, playing [[Harry Neal Baum]] in the 1990 television film ''[[The Dreamer of Oz: The L. Frank Baum Story]]''. Several years later, he had a supporting role as Martin Brockett in the 1999 film ''[[Mumford (film)|Mumford]]'', a [[comedy drama|dramedy]] directed by [[Lawrence Kasdan]].

Ritter's film work throughout the early 2000s included prominent parts in teen-oriented projects such as ''[[Swimfan]]'' (2002), ''[[Freddy vs. Jason]]'' (2003), and ''[[Raise Your Voice]]'' (2004). Between 2003 and 2005, he appeared as Kevin Girardi, the disabled brother of the titular main character, on the [[CBS]] family drama series ''[[Joan of Arcadia]]''. Next, he played a young man struggling to come terms with his sexuality in the dark comedy ''[[Happy Endings (film)|Happy Endings]]'' (2005), with [[Stephen Hunter]] of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' commenting, "The acting in this ensemble is of such a high order that the movie simply takes you in and makes you feel these lives as real".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2005/07/15/happy-endings-a-dizzying-ride-to-the-unknown/250eb7d6-256b-4ce5-a453-c5da97e0170e/|last=Hunter|first=Stephen|title='Happy Endings': A Dizzying Ride To the Unknown|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=July 15, 2005|access-date=July 10, 2023}}</ref>

[[File:JasonRitter.jpg|thumb|left|215x215px|Ritter in 2007]]

Ritter's portrayal of an [[Ivy League]] college student in ''[[The Education of Charlie Banks]]'' (2007) was met with critical acclaim: ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' referred to it as a "head-turner" performance that combined "a believably brooding intensity with a bad boy swagger that brings to mind [a] young [[Matt Dillon]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/education-charlie-banks-film-review-93006/|title=The Education of Charlie Banks — Film Review|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 26, 2009|access-date=July 12, 2023}}</ref>

=== 2008–2016: Independent film roles ===

Following a supporting role in the satirical 2008 comedy ''[[The Deal (2008 film)|The Deal]]'', Ritter appeared briefly as [[Jeb Bush]] in the biographical drama ''[[W. (film)|W]]'', directed by [[Oliver Stone]]. On preparing for the role, he said, "I watched everything that I possibly could and read some books about [the] Bush family [and] Jeb".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2008/10/w_star_jason_ritter_on_becomin.html|last=Simon|first=Brent|title='W.' Star Jason Ritter on Becoming Jeb|work=Vulture|date=October 15, 2008|access-date=July 10, 2023}}</ref> That same year, he produced and starred in the independent dramedy ''[[Good Dick]]'' with his girlfriend at the time, [[Marianna Palka]], making her directorial debut.<ref name="LALovers">{{cite web|title=L.A. Is For Lovers: Jason Ritter & Marianna Palka |first=Whitney |last=Spaner |publisher=Paper Magazine |url=http://www.papermag.com/2009/01/la_is_for_lovers_jason_ritter_marianna_palka.php |date=January 2009 |access-date=October 26, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402163250/http://www.papermag.com/2009/01/la_is_for_lovers_jason_ritter_marianna_palka.php |archive-date=April 2, 2015 }}</ref> A look at the relationship between an introverted girl (Palka) and the video store assistant (Ritter) vying for her attention, the film drew a mixed reception,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/good_dick|title=Good Dick|work=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=July 11, 2023}}</ref> but ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]''{{'}}s [[Anna Smith (critic)|Anna Smith]] was enthusiastic in her appraisal: "Ritter's character — a romantic reformed druggie — is one to root for, and [the film] entertains enough to get by, marking Palka and Ritter as talents to watch".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/good-dick-review/|last=Smith|first=Anna|title=Good Dick review|work=Empire|date=October 3, 2008|access-date=July 10, 2023}}</ref>

In 2010, Ritter began playing the recurring role of Mark Cyr on [[NBC]]'s
''[[Parenthood (2010 TV series)|Parenthood]]''. The performance earned him a nomination for the 2012 [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/parenthood-emmy-nominee-jason-ritter-talks-mark-sarahs-020033383.html|last=Masters|first=Megan|title=Parenthood Emmy Nominee Jason Ritter Talks Mark and Sarah's Future, New Foe Ray Romano|work=Yahoo!|date=July 20, 2012|access-date=July 10, 2023}}</ref> His next project was the 2011 independent comedy ''[[A Bag of Hammers]]'', where he starred as a felon who winds up taking care of a neglected child; in a mixed review, ''The Hollywood Reporter'' felt that its tone was "muddled", but believed it "starts off strong, offering funny, well timed dialogue between Sandvig [and] Ritter".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/a-bag-hammers-sxsw-film-167162/|title=A Bag of Hammers: SXSW Film Review|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 13, 2011|access-date=July 11, 2023}}</ref> Also that year, he co-starred in ''[[The Perfect Family (2011 film)|The Perfect Family]]'', which critic [[Frank Scheck]] felt worked solely on the strength of its performances: "[[Kathleen Turner|Turner]] is deeply sympathetic as the religious matriarch ... while Ritter and [[Emily Deschanel|Deschanel]] are thoroughly believable as the grown children who love their mother despite her oft-expressed disapproval of their actions".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/perfect-family-tribeca-review-182222/|first=Frank|last=Scheck|title=The Perfect Family: Tribeca Review|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 26, 2011|access-date=July 11, 2023}}</ref>

Between 2012 and 2016, Ritter starred in the voice role of [[Dipper Pines]] on the [[Disney Channel]] animated series ''[[Gravity Falls]]'', a show about a pair of twins deciphering the weird goings-on in the mysterious titular town. The series was universally praised,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/gravity_falls/s02|title=Gravity Falls (2014 - 2016)|work=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=July 11, 2023}}</ref> with Alasdair Wilkins of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' calling it "funny, emotional, beautiful, and terrifying in equal measure".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/gravity-falls-has-the-perfect-ending-1798186581|first=Alasdair|last=Wilkins|title=Gravity Falls has the perfect ending|work=The A.V. Club|date=February 15, 2016|access-date=July 11, 2023}}</ref> Ritter had prominent parts in five independent features between 2012 and 2013: ''[[The End of Love]]'', ''[[Free Samples]]'', ''I Am I'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://collider.com/jason-ritter-i-am-i-interview/|title=Jason Ritter Talks I AM I, How He Got Involved, Why the Kickstarter Campaign Was Successful, and More|first=Christina|last=Radish|date=June 17, 2014|website=Collider|access-date=November 14, 2023}}</ref> ''[[The Big Ask (film)|The Big Ask]]'', and ''[[The East (2013 film)|The East]]''. It was announced in February 2013 that he would star as Gavin in ''[[Us & Them]]'', a sitcom pilot based on the British television comedy ''[[Gavin & Stacey]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2013/02/jason-ritter-to-star-in-foxs-comedy-pilot-friends-family-430799/|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|title=Jason Ritter To Star In Fox's Comedy Pilot 'Friends & Family'|work=Deadline|date=February 14, 2013|access-date=November 14, 2023}}</ref> While subsequently picked up as a series by [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]], ''Us & Them'' was cancelled before it could premiere,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2014/06/09/us-them-alexis-bledel-jason-ritter-fox-air-date/|title=''Us & Them'' Update: 6 Produced Episodes of Fox's Jason Ritter-Alexis Bledel Comedy Will Never Air|website=TVLine|first=Michael|last=Ausiello|date=June 9, 2014|access-date=September 30, 2018|archive-date=January 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123014659/http://tvline.com/2014/06/09/us-them-alexis-bledel-jason-ritter-fox-air-date/|url-status=dead}}</ref> with the show's seven episodes eventually being released by [[Crackle (service)|Crackle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2018/09/14/alexis-bledel-jason-ritter-us-and-them-streaming-sony-crackle-unaired-fox-sitcom/|title=Jason Ritter/Alexis Bledel Unaired Fox Sitcom Us & Them to Debut on Crackle|website=TVLine|first=Ryan|last=Schwartz|date=September 14, 2018|access-date=September 30, 2018}}</ref>

[[File:Jason Ritter Paleyfest 2013.jpg|thumb|left|215x215px|Ritter at the 2013 [[Paley Center for Media|Paleyfest]]]]

Ritter's appearance in ''[[Wild Canaries]]'' (2014), a throwback to classic [[whodunit]]s, was met with praise: [[Justin Chang]] of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' called the film "eventful, plot-driven [and] fun", adding that "[[Kevin Corrigan|Corrigan]] and especially Ritter are solid in their hefty supporting roles".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/festivals/sxsw-film-review-wild-canaries-1201128518/|title=SXSW Film Review: 'Wild Canaries'|work=Variety|first=Justin|last=Chang|date=March 10, 2014|access-date=July 11, 2023}}</ref> He headlined the independent drama ''[[About Alex]]'' that same year, playing a young man who finds solace in a group of old friends after attempting to take his own life. In his review for ''[[RogerEbert.com]]'', Brian Tallerico said, "What's kind of refreshing about ''About Alex'' is that the predictable map through the clichés of this subgenre that seems to be charted in the opening scenes isn't quite followed", adding, "Ritter finds [the] emotional undercurrent that's often missing from these troubled characters. There's something honest in the way his voice quivers that makes his depression seem more genuine".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/about-alex-2014|first=Brian|last=Tallerico|title=About Alex|work=RogerEbert.com|date=August 8, 2014|access-date=July 13, 2023}}</ref>

Ritter had a supporting role as the main character's movie star ex-boyfriend in the 2015 comedy-drama ''[[The Meddler]]'', and began playing Lord Frederick Bellacourt—an illiterate twin—that same year on the acclaimed historical sitcom ''[[Another Period]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/another_period/s01|title=Another Period (2015)|work=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=July 11, 2023}}</ref> a parody of ''[[Downton Abbey]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jun/23/another-period-downton-abbey-satire-comedy-centra|title=Another Period: historical TV parody takes the starch out of Downton Abbey|first=Brian|last=Moylan|date=June 23, 2015|website=The Guardian|access-date=November 14, 2023}}</ref> In their review of ''Period'', which ran for three seasons on [[Comedy Central]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/11/comedy-central-cancels-another-period-after-3-seasons.html|title=Comedy Central Cancels Another Period After 3 Seasons|first=Megh|last=Wright|date=November 29, 2018|website=Vulture|access-date=November 14, 2023}}</ref> ''The A.V. Club'' felt that Ritter brought "an earnestness" to the wacky material.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/another-period-nails-two-genres-at-once-1798184150|title= Another Period nails two genres at once|first=Kayla|last=Kumari Upadhyaya|date=June 23, 2015|website=The A.V. Club|access-date=November 14, 2023}}</ref> Next, he starred as a man suffering from [[retrograde amnesia]] in the post-apocalyptic drama ''[[Embers (2015 film)|Embers]]'' (2015); ''[[Sight and Sound]]'' critic Anton Bitel called it "a reflection of the human condition as philosophically compelling as it is emotionally intelligent", adding, "No film has either moved or provoked me as much this year".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/sight-sound-magazine/comment/festivals/lost-inner-space-ten-highlights-sci-fi-london|first=Anton|last=Bitel|title=Lost in inner space: ten highlights of Sci-Fi-London 2016|work=British Film Institute|date=April 28, 2016|access-date=July 12, 2023}}</ref> In 2016, Ritter co-starred in the well-reviewed ensemble comedy ''[[The Intervention (film)|The Intervention]]'' and received positive notices for his role in ''[[Carrie Pilby (film)|Carrie Pilby]]'', an adaptation of the [[Carrie Pilby|novel of the same name]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_intervention|title=The Intervention|work=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=November 15, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/carrie-pilby-review-bel-powley-toronto-1201856412/|first=Dennis|last=Harvey|title=Toronto Film Review: 'Carrie Pilby'|work=Variety|date=September 9, 2016|access-date=November 15, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thefilmstage.com/tiff-review-carrie-pilby/|first=Jared|last=Mobarak|title=[TIFF Review] Carrie Pilby|work=The Film Stage|date=September 18, 2016|access-date=November 15, 2023}}</ref>

=== 2017–present: Television and film work ===

In the satirical dark comedy ''[[Bitch (film)|Bitch]]'' (2017), Ritter re-teamed with director Marianna Palka to play Bill, a promiscuous husband whose wife suddenly takes on the mannerisms of a wild dog. Writing for ''[[IndieWire]]'', Erick Kohn said, "The usually sweet-natured Ritter boldly plays against type ... an ''[[American Psycho (film)|American Psycho]]''-like creep ... leaving the care of his three young children to his clearly unstable wife", adding that "[the film] works best when it focuses on Bill's ongoing shock at the sudden demand for his responsibility, as he fights through the task of delivering his kids to school and suddenly loses traction in the workplace. A fierce portrait of unwieldy comeuppance, it's both hilarious and terrifying to watch Bill take in the strange events around him".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/bitch-review-jason-ritter-marianna-palka-sundance-2017-1201771627/|first=Erick|last=Kohn|title=Palka's Vicious Feminist Satire Has Plenty of Bark and Bite — Sundance 2017|work=IndieWire|date=January 22, 2017|access-date=July 11, 2023}}</ref>

Ritter's portrayal of Kevin Finn—a depressed financial worker tasked with preventing humanity from self-destruction—in ''[[Kevin (Probably) Saves the World]]'' was warmly received by critics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2017/10/03/kevin-might-not-save-the-world-but-jason-ritter-might-save-the-show.html|first=Johanna|last=Schneller|title=Kevin might not save the world, but Jason Ritter might save the show|work=The Toronto Star|date=October 3, 2017|access-date=July 11, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/recap/kevin-probably-saves-the-world-series-premiere/|first=Jodi|last=Walker|title= Kevin (Probably) Saves the World series premiere react: 'Pilot'|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=October 3, 2017|access-date=July 11, 2023}}</ref> The show ran for a single season on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] between October 2017 and March 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/kevin-probably-saves-the-world-canceled-jason-ritter-abc-1202379823|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512022852/http://deadline.com/2018/05/kevin-probably-saves-the-world-canceled-jason-ritter-abc-1202379823/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 12, 2018|last=Pedersen|first=Erik|title='Kevin (Probably) Saves The World' Canceled After One Season On ABC|work=Deadline|date=May 11, 2018|access-date=November 14, 2023}}</ref> Next, he appeared in ''[[The Tale]]'' (2018), a drama based on the childhood sexual abuse suffered by [[Jennifer Fox (documentary filmmaker)|Jennifer Fox]]—the film's writer and director—at the hands of her running coach. Ritter played perpetrator William "Bill" Allens, earning strong reviews for his performance: "Ritter has never been better" said Matt Goldberg of ''[[Collider (website)|Collider]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url= https://collider.com/the-tale-review-laura-dern-jennifer-fox/|first=Matt|last=Goldberg|title='The Tale' Review: One of the Bravest Movies You'll Ever See|work=Collider|date=May 25, 2018|access-date=July 11, 2023}}</ref> while ''[[The Atlantic]]''{{'}}s David Sims commented, "Handed the tough roles of mentors who shift into monsters, Ritter and [[Elizabeth Debicki|Debicki]] subtly calibrate their performances as necessary, projecting a protective edge in one moment and a predatory one in the next. Their transformations are extraordinary to watch, and necessary to reckon with".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2018/05/the-tale-jennifer-fox-laura-dern-review/561104/|first=David|last=Sims|title=The Tale Is a Searing Investigation of Past Abuse|work=The Atlantic|date=May 25, 2018|access-date=July 11, 2023}}</ref> Ritter said the experience of making the film had been a challenging one, and that there were times after a day's shooting when he "had to go home and let it all out".<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.amny.com/entertainment/jason-ritter-the-tale-hbo-1-18663980/|title='The Tale' star Jason Ritter reveals the rage he felt playing a predator|first=Niki|last=Cruz|date=May 21, 2018|website=AM New York|access-date=July 11, 2023}}</ref>

In 2019, Ritter played the voice role of Ryder—a member of the Northuldra tribe—in [[Walt Disney Animation Studios|Walt Disney]]'s ''[[Frozen II]]'', which broke box office records upon its release.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/frozen-2-box-office-all-records-broken-1257703/|title='Frozen 2' Box Office: All the Records Broken|website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Pamela|last=McClintock|date=November 25, 2019|access-date=November 14, 2023}}</ref> He began starring as [[Biotechnology|biotech engineer]] Pat Rollins on the critically acclaimed superhero series ''[[Raising Dion]]'' the same year,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/raising_dion/s01|title=Raising Dion (2019)|work=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=July 11, 2023}}</ref> with Aaron Pruner of ''[[Thrillist]]'' commenting that Ritter's involvement "adds the nuanced character work he's known for".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thrillist.com/amphtml/entertainment/nation/netflix-raising-dion-superhero-review|title=Netflix's Superhero Origin Story 'Raising Dion' Is a Breath of Fresh Air|website=Thrillist|first=Aaron|last=Pruner|date=October 5, 2019|access-date=November 14, 2023}}</ref> The show ran for two seasons on [[Netflix]] before being cancelled in April 2022.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a39839144/raising-dion-cancelled-season-3/|title=Why was Raising Dion cancelled?|website=Digital Spy|first=Janet A.|last=Leigh|date=April 27, 2022|access-date=July 11, 2023}}</ref>

In a casting choice that drew attention for being "[[Meta (prefix)|meta]]",<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/candy-hulu-jessical-biel-justin-timberlake-1235145380/|title=Jessica Biel on the "Meta on Meta" Surprise Roles in Her and Melanie Lynskey's 'Candy'|website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Strause|last=Jackie|date=May 12, 2022|access-date=November 15, 2023}}</ref> Ritter appeared as Deputy Denny Reese in two episodes of the true crime [[Hulu]] miniseries ''[[Candy (miniseries)|Candy]]'' (2022), where the character—along with his colleague, played by [[Justin Timberlake]]—investigates the 1980 murder of Texan housewife Betty Gore. Gore was portrayed by Ritter's wife, Melanie Lynskey, while the perpetrator—[[Candy Montgomery]]—was played by Timberlake's wife, [[Jessica Biel]]. The following year, Ritter voiced principal character Jonathan Fall in the animated series ''[[Captain Fall]]'', a dark comedy that ran for one season on Netflix.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/shadow-and-bone-glamorous-agent-elvis-captain-fall-farzar-canceled-strike-impact-1235611562/|title='Shadow And Bone', 'Glamorous' & 'Agent Elvis' Among 5 Series Canceled By Netflix Amid Strike Impact|website=Deadline|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=November 15, 2023|access-date=March 5, 2024}}</ref>

It was announced in March 2023 that Ritter had been cast in the CBS reboot of ''[[Matlock (2024 TV series)|Matlock]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2023/03/matlock-jason-ritter-cast-cbs-reboot-pilot-kathy-bates-1235299160/|title='Matlock': Jason Ritter Joins Cast Of CBS Reboot Pilot|website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=March 14, 2023|access-date=July 11, 2023}}</ref> which began airing in October 2024.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://tvline.com/news/matlock-reboot-delayed-cbs-postponed-2024-2025-1235078975/|title=Matlock Reboot, Wayans Sitcom Poppa's House Pushed to 2024-25 Season at CBS|website=TVLine|first=Rebecca|last=Iannucci|date=November 13, 2023|access-date=November 15, 2023}}</ref> In his review of the first season, ''IndieWire''{{'}}s Ben Travers found Ritter to be one of the show's biggest assets, writing, "Ritter has long deserved a regular showcase like [this]".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/matlock-review-kathy-bates-new-matlock-twist-1235056040/|title=The New ‘Matlock’ Isn’t the Old ‘Matlock,’ but Is That Enough?|website=[[IndieWire]]|first=Ben|last=Travers|date=October 17, 2024|access-date=March 19, 2025}}</ref>