October 17, 2024

Amy Yasbeck PT 1: John Ritter Legacy, Splash Too, The Mask, Days of Our lives, Drake Hogestyn, Betty White. Love, Loss, and New Beginnings.

1 hour 17 minutes

This week we are with beloved actress, advocate and friend, Amy Yasbeck, known for her iconic roles in Wings, The Mask, Splash Too and the widow of legendary actor John Ritter. She takes us on an emotional journey through her life, career, and personal challenges and shares touching stories, laughs, and moments of deep introspection.

We begin with the history of her necklace, which once belonged to John Ritter’s mother and she reminisces about his parents and their Hollywood roots, weaving family history with personal anecdotes. We discuss travel, their time in Ohio, and the quirky realities of air travel back when smoking was allowed on planes. Amy reflects on her parents’ early deaths from smoking, candidly revealing that she is now 62 years old and has overcome breast cancer herself, thanks to early detection. She emphasizes how crucial early detection has become in her advocacy work.

Amy opens about John Ritter’s tragic death in 2003 from an undiagnosed aortic dissection. She explains the medical complexities of the condition—how it can mimic a heart attack and why proper diagnostics, like a CT scan, are critical. With clarity and precision, Amy describes the mechanics of the aorta.

The John Ritter Foundation, emerged from the heartbreak of John’s passing, aiming to spread awareness about aortic dissection and discusses the life-saving efforts that her foundation has inspired, including her brother-in-law’s diagnosis. She expresses the bittersweet reality of how awareness often comes too late reflecting on with empathy and insight.

Amy’s passion for standardizing medical care has led to the development of the “Ritter Rules,” a set of guidelines now implemented in hospitals to improve diagnostics for aortic dissection. She stresses the importance of genetic testing for those with family histories of the condition and shares stories of how the foundation’s work has already saved lives.

She shares lighthearted moments of learning French—only to remember commands like “shut your mouth and sit down”—and laughs about jewelry, coffee, and experiences on set as an actress. Touching on the importance of mental health, reflecting on the loss of her longtime therapist and how therapy has helped her navigate life’s challenges.

During Pol’s coffee reading, Amy is visibly intrigued by his insights into her life. He predicts unexpected opportunities on the horizon—projects Amy has long dreamed of, like her pitch for a talk show, videos documenting California life, or a podcast centered around foundations and giving back. Amy feels a renewed sense of purpose, recognizing that she needs to balance her advocacy work with a return to her acting career.

We end on a profound note as she reflects on her love for John Ritter, describing him as the love of her life and the source of her “heaven on earth” and we touch on the afterlife, skepticism, and the importance of living life authentically. Amy reveals that she’s ready to move forward while honoring who she has become through life’s trials. Pol’s coffee reading concludes with hints of a promising future leaving her with a sense of hope, excitement, and inspiration for the next chapter of her life.

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or the HurrdatMedia YouTube channel!

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