How B&B Helped DAYS Alum Amy Yasbeck From the Heart for John Ritter

DAYS alumn Amy Yasbeck, who was wed to the late, great John Ritter, has never been on Bold and the Beautiful, but the half-hour soap helped the actress bring in some funds to benefit The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health. Soap Hub was at the Hollywood gala and chatted with Yasbeck and some B&B stars to get the scoop on the big night.

BOLD Generosity

In 2003, Ritter, an Emmy award-winning actor for his iconic role as Jack Tripper on Three’s Company, was starring on another series — 8 Simple Rules (For Dating My Teenage Daughter). On September 11, 2003, the 54-year-old actor became ill at work and died at a nearby hospital — not from a heart attack but from an aortic dissection. Since his passing, Yasbeck and her and Ritter’s family have worked tirelessly through the John Ritter Foundation to help save others.

It’s been over 20 years since Ritter passed away, but the turnout for the gala — From the Heart — at the Sunset Room in Hollywood was well-attended. “I’m glad I learned how to delegate,” Yasbeck tells Soap Hub with a smile. “Three years ago, we started bringing on a staff [to help with this event]. I’m a very independent person. I wouldn’t say I don’t work well with others, but because this is for John, it’s so hard for me [emotionally].”

Yasbeck found a wonderful CEO for the organization, who is ideally equipped to champion aortic dissection. “She had open chest surgery and a cesarean [birth] on the same night on the same table,” the actress marvels. “She’s doing beautifully. She worked with the American Heart Assocation. She’s going strong now and we’re able to help many others.”

The most sought-after item on the auction table at From the Heart was a featured extra appearance on B&B. Ashey Jones (Bridget) is real life pals with actress Kaley Cuoco (Penny, The Big Bang Theory), who played Ritter’s daughter on 8 Simple Rules and was the host for this year’s gala, was the evening’s host.

“I have loved this organization for a long time,” Jones says. “I have dear friends who have worked with John Ritter. I love what they’re doing to try to bring awareness to [aortic dissection]. The work they do is invaluable.”

Jones is super-grateful to B&B for donating the featured extra auction item, which went for an impressive $26,000! “This is what I love about the daytime community,” the TV doctor says. “I love that people who watch our show want to be with us.”

Jones wasn’t the only “Logan” who was at the event. Katherine Kelly Lang, who plays Brooke, told Soap Hub, “Who wasn’t a fan of John Ritter’s, right? We all were. I grew up with him.”

“This is going to be a fun night,” adds Heather Tom (Katie). “Hopefully, we’ll raise a lot of money and have fun!”

The lucky featured extra winner may be appearing on a TV show for the first time. Do Lang and Tom recall their first TV appearances? “I remember the electricity when we started B&B,” Lang says. “There were some nerves but mostly I remember the creative energy.” Adds Tom: “My first set was a commercial set back in Chicago. I remember coming to L.A. and doing Who’s the Boss? That was big.”

What would Amy Yasbeck think about reprising her DAYS character who was the sister-in-law of wicked Orpheus (George DelHoyo)? “Absolutely!” the actress responds. “Olivia Reed should absolutely pop back onto the scene!”

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