'8 Simple Rules' kids reunite at event in memory of on-screen dad John Ritter

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By stefan armitage

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Fans of the 2000s sitcom 8 Simple Rules have been delighted to see the show's three former child stars reunite at an event in memory of their late co-star John Ritter.

8 Simple Rules told the story of parents Paul and Cate Hennessy (played by John Ritter and Katey Sagal), as they tried to navigate life with their three children, Bridget (played by Kaley Cuoco), Kerry (played by Amy Davidson), and Rory (played by Martin Spanjers).

Sadly, while rehearsing for the second season of the show on the Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, California, Ritter suddenly started to experience problems with his heart, complaining of chest pains.

Nearly five hours after he was rushed across the street to the Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, he was declared dead after suffering an aortic dissection.

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Credit: Everett Collection Inc / Alamy

Ritter was just 54 years old. His death threw the future of the show into jeopardy, but the decision was eventually made to write his death into the show - with Cate, Bridget, Kerry, and Rory learning to cope with the loss of Paul.

Despite welcoming new cast members David Spade and James Gunner, the show failed to reach the same popularity that it once had, and was canceled after three seasons.

Nevertheless, the show and its cast hold a special place in the hearts of its fans, and social media users have been overjoyed to see Cuoco, Davidson, and Spanjers reunite on Thursday (May 4) at the John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health's 20th Anniversary Evening at Avalon Hollywood.

The group were also joined by John's widow, Amy Yasbeck, who posed for several photos with the cast.

On Instagram, 37-year-old Cuoco shared photos from the evening, captioning her post: "Wonderful night supporting the @johnritterfoundation ! It’s a wonderful foundation spearheaded by the incredible @yasbeckamy."

Per PEOPLE, Cuoco also spoke at the event, saying in her address: "My Hennessy family from a little show called 8 Simple Rules is also here tonight, so it's great to be back together."

"Amy Davidson, Martin Spanjers and Katey Sagal, just, thank you," Cuoco continued. "This is really awesome. I think John is laughing his a** off right now. He cannot believe we're here."

After Cuoco and Davidson shared images to Instagram, social media users flooded to comments sections to share their delight at seeing the cast back together in Ritter's honor.

"AAGGGHHHH…8 Simple Rules reunion!! I loved that show so much. Everyone looks gorgeous," one fan wrote.

A second added: "Love the last pic! It shows the Hennessey siblings all together again!"

Yasbeck - who has starred in movies such as The Mask and shows like Wings - also spoke with PEOPLE during the evening's proceedings.

Speaking about her late husband, the star revealed: "He thought everyone was connected and everyone is everyone's family, which I believe, but he believed it very deeply."

"So in my heartfelt effort to understand what aortic dissection is, understand the genetic component, which is extremely high, and trying to protect John's kids and his brother."

Featured image credit: Cinematic Collection / Alamy

'8 Simple Rules' kids reunite at event in memory of on-screen dad John Ritter

vt-author-image

By stefan armitage

Article saved!Article saved!

Fans of the 2000s sitcom 8 Simple Rules have been delighted to see the show's three former child stars reunite at an event in memory of their late co-star John Ritter.

8 Simple Rules told the story of parents Paul and Cate Hennessy (played by John Ritter and Katey Sagal), as they tried to navigate life with their three children, Bridget (played by Kaley Cuoco), Kerry (played by Amy Davidson), and Rory (played by Martin Spanjers).

Sadly, while rehearsing for the second season of the show on the Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, California, Ritter suddenly started to experience problems with his heart, complaining of chest pains.

Nearly five hours after he was rushed across the street to the Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, he was declared dead after suffering an aortic dissection.

size-large wp-image-1263210369
Credit: Everett Collection Inc / Alamy

Ritter was just 54 years old. His death threw the future of the show into jeopardy, but the decision was eventually made to write his death into the show - with Cate, Bridget, Kerry, and Rory learning to cope with the loss of Paul.

Despite welcoming new cast members David Spade and James Gunner, the show failed to reach the same popularity that it once had, and was canceled after three seasons.

Nevertheless, the show and its cast hold a special place in the hearts of its fans, and social media users have been overjoyed to see Cuoco, Davidson, and Spanjers reunite on Thursday (May 4) at the John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health's 20th Anniversary Evening at Avalon Hollywood.

The group were also joined by John's widow, Amy Yasbeck, who posed for several photos with the cast.

On Instagram, 37-year-old Cuoco shared photos from the evening, captioning her post: "Wonderful night supporting the @johnritterfoundation ! It’s a wonderful foundation spearheaded by the incredible @yasbeckamy."

Per PEOPLE, Cuoco also spoke at the event, saying in her address: "My Hennessy family from a little show called 8 Simple Rules is also here tonight, so it's great to be back together."

"Amy Davidson, Martin Spanjers and Katey Sagal, just, thank you," Cuoco continued. "This is really awesome. I think John is laughing his a** off right now. He cannot believe we're here."

After Cuoco and Davidson shared images to Instagram, social media users flooded to comments sections to share their delight at seeing the cast back together in Ritter's honor.

"AAGGGHHHH…8 Simple Rules reunion!! I loved that show so much. Everyone looks gorgeous," one fan wrote.

A second added: "Love the last pic! It shows the Hennessey siblings all together again!"

Yasbeck - who has starred in movies such as The Mask and shows like Wings - also spoke with PEOPLE during the evening's proceedings.

Speaking about her late husband, the star revealed: "He thought everyone was connected and everyone is everyone's family, which I believe, but he believed it very deeply."

"So in my heartfelt effort to understand what aortic dissection is, understand the genetic component, which is extremely high, and trying to protect John's kids and his brother."

Featured image credit: Cinematic Collection / Alamy