Jason Ritter

Ritter in 2013, photo by Prphotos

Birth Name: Jason Morgan Ritter

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Birth: February 17, 1980

Ethnicity: English, German, Scottish, Dutch, French, Welsh, Irish, Northern Irish

Jason Ritter is an American actor. He is known for his roles in the films Freddy Vs. Jason, Raise Your Voice, Happy Endings, The Meddler, and Frozen II, and on the series Joan of Arcadia, Parenthood, The Class, The Event, Gravity Falls, Raising Dion, and Kevin (Probably) Saves the World.

He is the son of actors John Ritter (Johnathan Southworth Ritter) and Nancy Morgan, and the grandson of actor, country music singer, and politician Tex Ritter and actress Dorothy Fay. Jason is married to New Zealand actress Melanie Lynskey, with whom he has a daughter.

Most branches of his family have lived in the United States for many generations. His ancestry includes English, German, Scottish, Dutch, French, Welsh, Irish, and Northern Irish.

His great-uncle, John C. Morgan, was a U.S. Army Air Forces pilot, who received the Medal of Honor during World War II.

Jason’s paternal grandfather was Tex Ritter (born Woodward Maurice Ritter, the son of James Everett Ritter and Martha Elizabeth/Lizzie Matthews). Tex was born in Murvaul, Panola, Texas. James was the son of Benjamin Franklin/Frank Ritter and Margaret Ann Ball. Martha was the daughter of James Pinkney H. Matthews and Edna A. Murray/Murry.

Jason’s paternal grandmother was Dorothy Fay Southworth (the daughter of Harry Thomas Southworth and Harriett/Harriette/Harriet Fay Fox). Dorothy was born in Prescott, Yavapai, Arizona. Harry was the son of Thomas F. Southworth and Elizabeth Lamb “Eliza” Livesay. Harriett was the daughter of William P. L. Fox and Harriett/Hattie Lucina Tilton.

Jason’s maternal grandfather was Samuel Asa Leland Morgan (the son of Samuel Asa Leland Morgan and Verna M. Johnson). Jason’s grandfather Samuel was born in Texas. Jason’s great-grandfather Samuel was the son of John Robert Morgan and Narcissus Evelyn Lewis. Verna was the daughter of Cary Jefferson Johnson and Sarah Harper “Sallie” Spell.

Jason’s maternal grandmother was Marjorie Romaine Greenfield (the daughter of Harlan Gantt Greenfield and Constance Wood Loar). Marjorie was born in Illinois. Harlan was the son of Charles W. Greenfield and Alice Gantt. Constance was the daughter of James Lazear Loar and Mildred Wood.

Sources: Genealogy of Jason Ritter – https://www.geni.com

Genealogy of Jason’s father – http://famouskin.com

Jason’s maternal grandmother, Marjorie Romaine Greenfield, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Jason’s maternal great-grandmother, Constance Wood Loar, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org