Ahead of the John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health’s 2026 Evening from the Heart LA, we saw an opportunity to bring greater attention to the Foundation’s mission by tapping into the enduring affection for John Ritter and the people who knew, loved and worked with him.
More than two decades after his death from an aortic dissection, John remains incredibly beloved. His story gives the Foundation a powerful way to introduce people to aortic disease and the work being done in his name to improve awareness, diagnosis and research.
This year’s event brought together several strong storytelling opportunities. John’s sons, Jason and Tyler Ritter, were carrying forward their father’s legacy. His widow, Amy Yasbeck, has been a tireless advocate for aortic health since his death. The evening also featured a reunion of cast members from Wings, including Tony Shalhoub, Tim Daly and Steven Weber.
Building the Story
Our media strategy centered on John’s legacy, his family, the Wings reunion and the Foundation’s work in aortic health.
Each gave us a different entry point for media. The Wings reunion offered a natural entertainment story. Jason and Tyler could speak personally about their father and his legacy. Amy could discuss the advocacy work that grew out of the family’s experience. And the Foundation’s work created opportunities to educate audiences about aortic disease, its risks and the importance of better recognition and diagnosis.
We tailored our outreach to individual reporters and outlets, allowing us to pursue entertainment, lifestyle, broadcast and health media with stories that made sense for their audiences.
Turning Media Interest Into Meaningful Visibility
The campaign generated significant national and local earned media attention across broadcast, entertainment, lifestyle and health outlets, including CBS Los Angeles, KTLA, FOX LA, People, Entertainment Weekly, TMZ, Parade and the New York Post.
Just as importantly, the coverage went beyond the event itself. People published a dedicated story examining John’s fatal misdiagnosis, while Parade covered Jason and Tyler’s message encouraging people to learn about aortic screening. Other national coverage used John’s relationships with his family and former castmates, as well as the Wings reunion, to introduce audiences to his legacy and the Foundation carrying its mission forward.
Broadcast gave us another opportunity to tell that story. CBS Los Angeles featured Jason and Tyler discussing their father’s legacy and the importance of the Foundation’s work, while KTLA brought Tyler together with Tony Shalhoub to talk about John, the event and the Wings reunion. Coverage from CNN and ABC News further extended the story to national audiences.
That range was important for a health issue that remains unfamiliar to many people. Someone might first encounter the story because they loved Three’s Company, wanted to see the Wings cast reunited or were interested in hearing John’s family and former castmates talk about him. From there, they were also learning why the Foundation exists and why aortic health deserves greater attention.
Extending John’s Legacy
John’s story creates an emotional connection to a health issue that can otherwise feel abstract. Millions of people grew up watching him, and the affection audiences and former colleagues still have for him gives the Foundation a unique platform for education and awareness.
Our strategy used that connection to reach audiences far beyond those attending Evening from the Heart LA. By bringing together entertainment, family, nostalgia and health advocacy, we helped generate national attention for the Foundation and greater visibility for a condition many people still know very little about.
John Ritter’s name may be what first catches someone’s attention. The opportunity is to use that attention to help more people understand aortic disease and the work being done in his memory.
