• Amy Marie Yasbeck was born in Blue Ash, Ohio USA and grew up in the Cincinnati suburb.
• She made her film debut in 1985 and had a regular role in the drama series “Days of Our Lives”.
• She had big-screen roles in “Pretty Woman”, “Problem Child”, and “The Mask”.
• She married actor John Ritter in 1999 and they welcomed their child, Stella Ritter.
• Her net worth as of early 2020 is estimated at around $12 million.



Known for movies

Short Info

Date Of BirthSeptember 12, 1962
SpouseJohn Ritter
MarkLong red hair
FactStepmother of Jason Ritter (born on February 17, 1980), Carly Ritter (born on March 1, 1982), Tyler Ritter (born in 1984).


Introduction

This redhead actress is mostly known for her roles in the films “Pretty Woman” and “Problem Child”. However, most people don’t know that Amy Yasbeck’s life hasn’t been easy. Where did she grow-up, and what happened to her husband?

Early life and Education

Amy Marie Yasbeck was born on 12 September 1962, in Blue Ash, Ohio USA, and grew-up in the Cincinnati suburb with her parents, Dorothy Loise Mary and John Anthony Yasbeck, who was a butcher and an owner of a grocery store. Through her father she has Lebanese ancestry, and through her mother she is of Irish descent. Even as a child, she was under the spotlight, as she was featured on the “Betty Crocker Easy-Bake Oven” package art.

She spent her first several years at Catholic schools, Ursuline Academy and Summit Country Day School. After matriculation, she enrolled at the University of Detroit, where she took acting classes. When she was around 20 years old she lost her father to a heart attack, and soon after her mother died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. After their deaths, she relocated to New York, so that she could pursue a career in acting.

Career

Yasbeck made her film debut in 1985, when she appeared in the TV movie “Rockhopper”. Two years later, she was cast in several TV series, most notably she had a guest appearance as Margo in an episode of “Spies”, and landed a regular role in the drama series “Days of Our Lives”, in which she portrayed Olivia Reed.

That same year, she was a guest character in many other TV series, such as “Werewolf’, “J. J. Starbuck”, and “Dallas”.

In 1988 she continued with her TV series roles. -She was a recurring character in “Magnum, P. I.”, portraying Diana in four of the show’s episodes, and had a guest role in “Generations”. In the following year, she was in two TV movies, “Little White Lies” and “Trenchcoat in Paradise”, and was also a guest in an episode of “Dragnet”, in which she played Allison Warner. In 1990, Yasback had a small part in a worldwide popular romance movie starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, “Pretty Woman”, portrayed Elizabeth Stuckey, the snobby and sarcastic wife of Phillip Stuckey, who was played by Jason Alexander.

That same year, Yasbeck had another big-screen role, this time in Dennis Dugan’s movie “Problem Child”, a role she reprised in 1991 in the movie’s sequel, “Problem Child 2”, joined by John Ritter.

In the following years, Yasbeck had small roles in several TV series, such as “Designing Women”, “Get a Life”, “Quantum Leap” and “Diagnosis Murder”. She played the love interest of the main character in “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” that premiered in 1993, and in 1994  was co-starred as Casey Chapel Davenport in a David Lee sitcom, “Wings” – she first appeared in the third season and remained on the set until the show ended in 1997.

In 1994 she landed a role in the comedy film “The Mask”, co-starring alongside Jim Carrey, Cameron Diaz and Peter Riegert.

This movie helped her to become a more prominent face in Hollywood, and so in the next few years she appeared in big movies such as “Dracula: Dead and Loving It”, playing the reincarnation of Dracula’s love interest, Mina, “Home for the Holidays”, “Up Above the World” and “The Odd Couple II”. In 1997 she co-starred as Renee in Carol Leifer’s short-lasting TV series “Alright Already”.

For several years Yasbeck went quiet and could only be seen in support roles in several TV shows and short movies. However, she made her comeback in 2005, when she once again landed a co-starring role, this time as Michelle Lackerson in the first season of “Life on a Stick”, a TV series about two teenagers who are trying to find their place in life.

Amy Yasbeck

In 2006, she appeared in the episode “The Ice Girl Cometh” of Disney Channel’s “That’s So Raven”, playing the character named Joni Daniels. During the middle of the 2000s, Yasbeck was a part of “Shorty McShorts’ Shorts”, “Hot in Cleveland” and “Worst Week”.

Yasbeck starred in the 2012 comedy movie “Little Women, Big Cars”, as a character named Meg. Later that year, she portrayed Sylvia in the television movie “The 4 to 9ers”. She also had guest roles in three big television sitcoms – “Modern Family”, “Bones” and “Pretty Little Liars”.

As of April 2020, Yasbeck hasn’t been seen on television since 2016. It isn’t known if she plans to return to acting, or if she has taken a different career path.

Personal Life

Yasbeck first met actor John Ritter when they were together in a 1990 episode of “The Cosby Show”, but they were connected during filming the movie “Problem Child 2”. The actor is known for his roles in movies such as “Sling Blade”, “Bad Santa” and “Man of the Year”. Ritter was 14 years her senior, but this didn’t stop the two from starting a relationship. They welcomed their child, Stella Ritter, even years later, and married in 1999 at the Murphy Theater, located in Wilmington, Ohio US. On their wedding day, the marquee in front of the theater simply stated: “Congratulations John and Amy”.

Her husband fell unconscious on September 11, during a rehearsal for his next sitcom, “8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter”. He fell into a coma, and despite immediately being taken to the hospital, he passed away that same night.

Amy Yasbeck

Posted by W le rosse on Sunday, April 4, 2010

The cause of death was first thought to be a heart attack but was later confirmed to have been an aortic dissection that was caused by a congenital heart defect which was undiagnosed. After her husband’s death, Yasbeck filed a wrongful death lawsuit and asked for a $67 million payment from Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, claiming that the doctors and nurses who worked there misdiagnosed Ritter and thus lead to his death. In the end, she and several of the defendants settled for a sum of $14 million,however, in March 2008, the jury cleared the doctors of any wrongdoing.

In 2010, Yasbeck wrote a book that described her life with her late husband, called “With Love and Laughter , John Ritter”. She feels connected with September, as that was the month almost everyone in her family was born. She was born on the 12th, her daughter on the 11th and her late husband on the 17th.

Yasbeck’s daughter, Stella Ritter, came out of the closet when she was 18, and said that she was born in the wrong body. She had support from her mother, and changed her name to Noah Lee Ritter and her gender to male. The transition process was kept hidden from the public for a long time.

Net Worth

Yasbeck is a successful TV and film actress, and has earned a nice income from her career, and her net worth as of early 2020 is estimated at around $12 million! As for her assets, she owned a big mansion in Beverly Hills, California US, that she shared with John Ritter that she eventually sold for $6.55 million.

Physical characteristics

Yasbeck’s most notable features are her red hair and bright blue eyes. She stands at a height of 5ft 7ins (1.70 m) tall, and weighs around 120lbs (54kgs), with body measurements of 35-25-36. She has an hourglass figure, and is usually seen wearing elegant dresses.

General Info

Full NameAmy Yasbeck
Date Of BirthSeptember 12, 1962
Height1.7 m
ProfessionActor
EducationUniversity of Detroit Mercy
NationalityAmerican

Family

SpouseJohn Ritter
ChildrenStella Ritter
ParentsDorothy Murphy, John Yasbeck

Accomplishments

MoviesProblem Child, The Mask, Problem Child 2, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Dracula: Dead and Loving It, Pretty Woman, Splash, Too, House II: The Second Story, The Nutt House, Home for the Holidays, Denial, The Odd Couple II, Dead Husbands, Sweet Dreams, Trenchcoat in Paradise, House Blend, Poochinski, Dil...
TV ShowsLife on a Stick, Alright Already, Wings, Generations

Social profile links

Marks

#Marks / Signs
1Long red hair

Quotes

#Quote
1I've started the John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health. The big focus is helping people get the correct diagnoses.
2I certainly wouldn't want to be the man who was compared to John Ritter through my eyes.
3I have a whole collection of angels and cherubs and dragonfly jewelry. Whenever somebody gives me a gift, it has wings.
4On her part in the sitcom Wings (1990): I cried like Miss America when I got the part.
5I have a, you know, a John Ritter-shaped hole in my heart. Nobody can replace that.
6"After you play husband and wife on camera multiple times, it becomes easy to be husband and wife off camera as well." -About her relationship and marriage to the late John Ritter.

Facts

#Fact
1Friends with Steven Weber.
2Release of her book, "With Love and Laughter, John Ritter". [September 2010]
3Daughter Stella Ritter was born one day before her 36th birthday.
4Studied theater at the University of Detroit.
5Married John Ritter at the Murphy Theater, Wilmington, Ohio, the same theater used for the movie-watching scene (and external scene outside the theater) in the movie, Lost in Yonkers (1993). On the date of their marriage, the marquee outside the Murphy Theater said simply, "Congratulations John and Amy".
6Amy and John Ritter were seen as a married couple having a baby on the 1991 The Cosby Show (1984) episode, The Cosby Show: Total Control (1991).
7Stepmother of Jason Ritter (born on February 17, 1980), Carly Ritter (born on March 1, 1982), Tyler Ritter (born in 1984).
8The month of September is related to all the members of her family. Amy was born on the 12. Her husband was born on the 17th and died on the 11th. Her daughter was born on the 11th. Amy was married on the 18th.
9Her late husband, John Ritter, died on their daughter Stella Ritter's fifth birthday, and a day before Amy's 41st birthday.
10She moved to New York after losing both of her parents - her father from a heart attack and her mom from emphysema.
11She spent her elementary, middle and high school years at two different Catholic schools: Summit Country Day School and Ursuline Academy.
12She first met John Ritter at director Dennis Dugan's house during a read-through of Problem Child (1990) in 1989. She said he forced her to eat a bagel and cream cheese because he thought she was too thin. He also thought she was too young to play his wife.
13Her father was of Lebanese descent and her mother was of Irish ancestry.
14Starred with her husband, John Ritter, in The Cosby Show (1984) episode, The Cosby Show: Total Control (1991), 8 years prior to their marriage.
15As a child, Yasbeck was featured on the cover of the Betty Crocker Easy Bake Oven. She was recently presented with a new Easy Bake Oven on the show I've Got a Secret (2000) for which she is a regular panel member.
16Daughter, with John Ritter, Stella Ritter, was born. [September 1998]

Pictures

Movies

Actress

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Pretty Little Liars2016TV SeriesClaudia
Workaholics2015TV SeriesAnnette
Modern Family2013TV SeriesLorraine
Bones2013TV SeriesDiana Malkin
The 4 to 9ers2012TV MovieSylvia
Little Women, Big Cars 22012TV SeriesMeg
Little Women, Big Cars2012Meg
Royal Reunion2011Short
Hot in Cleveland2010TV SeriesHailey Nash
Worst Week2009TV SeriesToni
Shorty McShorts' Shorts2007TV SeriesDanielle
That's So Raven2006TV SeriesJoni Daniels
Life on a Stick2005TV SeriesMichelle Lackerson
Untitled Phil Hendrie Project2004TV Movie voice
Just Shoot Me!2003TV SeriesSkyler
House Blend2002TV MovieSally Harper
It's Like, You Know...1999TV SeriesKaren
Dead Husbands1998TV MovieBetty Lancing
Denial1998/IIClaudia
Alright Already1997-1998TV SeriesRenee
The Odd Couple II1998Stewardess
Up Above the World1997
Wings1994-1997TV SeriesCasey Chapel Davenport
Sweet Dreams1996TV MovieLaura Renault
Bloodhounds II1996TV MovieSharon
Dracula: Dead and Loving It1995Mina
Home for the Holidays1995Ginny Johnson Drewer
Platypus Man1995TV SeriesWendy
The Mask1994Peggy Brandt
Dave's World1994TV SeriesJulie
Diagnosis Murder1994TV SeriesKaren Davis
Robin Hood: Men in Tights1993Marian
Street Justice1993TV SeriesNancy
Matlock1990-1993TV SeriesCheryl Atkinson / Model Lauren Chadwick
The Nutt House1992Diane Nutt
Quantum Leap1992TV SeriesFrankie Washarskie
Designing Women1992TV SeriesTiffany
Get a Life1992TV SeriesEvelyn
Problem Child 21991Annie Young
The Cosby Show1991TV SeriesAlicia Evans
Dillinger1991TV MovieElaine
Murder, She Wrote1991TV SeriesConnie Canzinaro
Problem Child1990Flo
Poochinski1990TV ShortFrannie Reynolds
Midnight Caller1990TV SeriesMary Lou Harper
Pretty Woman1990Elizabeth Stuckey
Little White Lies1989TV MovieVicki
Dragnet1989TV SeriesAllison Warner
Trenchcoat in Paradise1989TV MovieNan Thompson
Generations1989TV SeriesCarla (1989)
Murphy Brown1989TV SeriesYoung Lady in Bar
Magnum, P.I.1987-1988TV SeriesDiana / Diane
Splash, Too1988TV MovieMadison Bauer
Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color1988TV SeriesMadison
China Beach1988TV SeriesAirplane Stewardess
J.J. Starbuck1987TV SeriesDoreen
Werewolf1987TV SeriesDeidra
House II: The Second Story1987Lana
Spies1987TV SeriesMargo
Days of Our Lives1987TV SeriesOlivia Reed
Dallas1987TV SeriesMary Elizabeth
Rockhopper1985TV MovieSonia Petrova

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Good Day L.A.2013-2014TV SeriesHerself
Hollywood Today2013TV SeriesHerself
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Mel Brooks2013TV MovieHerself - In Attendance (uncredited)
Hollywood Uncensored with Sam Rubin2012TV SeriesHerself
The Talk2010TV SeriesHerself
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?2010TV SeriesHerself - Contestant
Rachael Ray2010TV SeriesHerself
The View2005-2010TV SeriesHerself
Entertainment Tonight2008-2010TV SeriesHerself
Larry King Live2008TV SeriesHerself
Access Hollywood2008TV SeriesHerself
Today2008TV SeriesHerself
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson2005-2007TV SeriesHerself
E! True Hollywood Story2005TV Series documentaryHerself
Good Day Live2004-2005TV SeriesHerself
Only in LA2005TV SeriesHerself
American Idol2004TV SeriesHerself - Audience Member
The 29th Annual People's Choice Awards2003TV SpecialHerself
20/202003TV Series documentaryHerself
Hollywood Squares2002-2003TV SeriesHerself
Biography2002TV Series documentaryHerself
I've Got a Secret2000TV SeriesHerself
The Single Guy1997TV SeriesHerself
Sex, Censorship and the Silver Screen1996TV Series documentaryQuote Reader
Lauren Hutton and...1995TV SeriesHerself
Late Night with Conan O'Brien1995TV SeriesHerself
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1990TV SeriesHerself

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
5 Second Movies2008TV SeriesPeggy Brandt
Matlock1993TV SeriesModel Lauren Chadwick

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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