Jason Ritter Reflects on Heartwarming Moments with Don Knotts, His Dad’s Iconic ‘Three’s Company’ Co-Star

Jason Ritter was merely three degrees of separation from original Matlock icon Andy Griffith, yet he never had the opportunity to encounter the legendary performer.

On Sunday, March 23, Ritter, 45, gathered with fellow stars Kathy Bates, Skye P. Marshall, David Del Rio, and Leah Lewis for a unique screening and panel dialogue of CBS’s Matlock revival as part of PaleyFest L.A. Prior to the event at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Ritter revealed to PEOPLE that he possesses some “unusual and fascinating connections” to the initial series.

The actor’s father, the late John Ritter, featured alongside Don Knotts in the cherished ABC sitcom Three’s Company from 1979 to 1984. Knotts, who entered the Three’s Company ensemble in its fourth season, had previously shared the screen with Griffith on The Andy Griffith Show from 1960 to 1968. Griffith famously portrayed the titular defense attorney, Ben Matlock, in the original Matlock, which aired on NBC from 1986 until 1992 before transitioning to ABC, where it continued until 1995.

Despite this connection, Ritter stated he never had the chance to meet Griffith, who passed away in 2012 at the age of 86.

“I would’ve loved to,” Ritter expressed to PEOPLE. “It has been enjoyable to watch many of the old Matlocks, seeing what the series was like previously and how it retains those heartwarming elements of the very gratifying experience of someone being underestimated and surpassing everyone else. But yes, he was such a delightful actor, and it’s a joy to witness that endearing character.”

Nevertheless, Ritter, who portrays attorney Julian Markston in the updated Matlock, fondly remembers interacting with Knotts during his father’s tenure on Three’s Company.

“As a child, I certainly met him several times, and then I encountered him a number of times after that,” Ritter reminisced about Knotts, who passed away in 2006. “However, I think most of the instances of running into him were following my dad’s passing [in 2003] at various events and things like that, possibly at the TV Land Awards at some point.”

Ritter mentioned he only “became aware” of Three’s Company after Knotts joined the ensemble. The character he portrayed, Ralph Furley, was introduced in 1979 to take over for Norman Fell and Audra Lindley’s Mr. and Mrs. Roper, who received their own brief spin-off, The Ropers.

“He made me laugh tremendously,” Ritter remembered of Knotts. “His facial expressions and entire demeanor were so amusing to me on that show. So, it was a thrill for me to see him, to meet him.”