Noah Lee Ritter is the youngest child of legendary television actor John Ritter and actress Amy Yasbeck. He was born on September 11, 1998, in Burbank, California.
In 2016, he made headlines by publicly identifying as a trans man at the age of 18, changing his birth name Stella to Noah. As of 2026, he lives a private life in Los Angeles and honors his father’s legacy through The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health.
Noah Lee Ritter Quick Bio Facts
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Noah Lee Ritter (b. Stella Ritter) |
| Date of Birth | September 11, 1998 |
| Age (2026) | 27 years old |
| Birthplace | Burbank, California, USA |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Father | John Ritter (actor, 1948–2003) |
| Mother | Amy Yasbeck (actress) |
| Half-Siblings | Jason Ritter, Tyler Ritter, Carly Ritter |
| Grandparents | Tex Ritter (country music legend), Dorothy Fay (actress) |
| Profession | Former child actor, composer |
| Gender Identity | Trans man (he/him pronouns) |
| Transition Year | 2016 (at age 18) |
| Estimated Net Worth | ~$700,000 |
| Current Residence | Los Angeles, California |
| Social Media | Minimal / private |
| Nationality | American |
Who Is Noah Lee Ritter?
Noah Lee Ritter is the son of Three’s Company and 8 Simple Rules star John Ritter, and actress Amy Yasbeck, known for her roles in Pretty Woman and The Mask. He was the only child born between the couple, making him the youngest of John Ritter’s four children.
Growing up in a Hollywood family exposed Noah to the entertainment world from a young age. He attended Crossroads School in Santa Monica, a creative arts school popular among children of entertainment industry professionals. His childhood was shaped by both privilege and tragedy, as he lost his father on his fifth birthday.
Today, Noah is remembered not only for his famous surname but also for his courageous choice to live openly as a transgender man, making him a meaningful voice in conversations about gender identity and acceptance.
John Ritter’s Death and Its Effect on Noah
John Ritter collapsed on the set of 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter on September 11, 2003, which happened to be Noah’s fifth birthday. Doctors initially suspected a heart attack, but it was actually an aortic dissection, a tear in the body’s main artery that can be fatal if not caught in time. He passed away that same evening at the age of 54.
The timing made the tragedy especially painful. Noah lost his father on what should have been a day of celebration, at just five years old. His mother, Amy Yasbeck, later filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the treating physicians and ultimately reached settlements totaling around $14 million.
Noteworthy: John Ritter’s passing inspired his family to establish The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about aortic dissection and funding research to save lives. Noah currently serves as an active board member of the foundation.
Noah Lee Ritter’s Acting Career
Noah entered the entertainment industry as a minor, performing under the name Stella. His career was brief but showed genuine creative talent, not just in acting but also in music composition.
Film and TV Appearances
| Year | Project | Role / Contribution |
| 2007 | This Is My Friend (TV movie) | Girl at School |
| 2012 | The Namazu (animated short) | Voice actor + Composer |
| 2013 | Hannah Lost Her Smile (animated short) | Voice actor |
| Various | The Ellen DeGeneres Show | Himself (guest appearance) |
| Various | The Toy Box | Himself |
A standout moment in Noah’s career was his dual role in The Namazu, where he served as both voice actor and composer, showing a creative range that went beyond acting. As a teenager, Noah stepped away from the entertainment industry, choosing a private path over a public one.
Noah Lee Ritter’s Transition Story
Noah came out on his 18th birthday in September 2016, publicly announcing his identity as a transgender man. He began hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which helped align his appearance with his gender identity, and legally changed his name from Stella Ritter to Noah Lee Ritter.
Coming out as transgender in a high-profile family took real courage, especially at a time when trans visibility was growing but social challenges remained significant. Media coverage of his story varied in sensitivity, but Noah handled the attention with quiet dignity.
Why His Transition Story Matters
Family support: Noah received full support from his mother Amy as well as all three of his half-siblings.
Public attention: Because of his father’s fame, Noah’s experience brought broader attention to transgender stories within celebrity families.
Representation: Noah became a figure of inspiration for young trans men who rarely see their experiences reflected in mainstream narratives.
A father’s legacy: Those close to the Ritter family have noted that John Ritter, known for his warmth and openness, would almost certainly have supported his child wholeheartedly.
Is Noah Lee Ritter Female? Understanding His Gender Identity
This is one of the most commonly searched questions about Noah, and it deserves a clear answer. Noah Lee Ritter is a transgender man. He was assigned female at birth as Stella Ritter, but he identifies as male, uses he/him pronouns, and has legally changed both his name and gender.
Being transgender means that a person’s gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. Noah is not female. He is male. Using his correct name and pronouns is the simplest way to respect his identity and his journey.
Read more: Michael Tell: Rock Promoter, Patty Duke’s Husband & Sean Astin’s Biological Father
Noah Lee Ritter and the Ritter Family Legacy
Noah is part of one of the most well-known families in American entertainment. His grandfather, Tex Ritter, was a celebrated country music star and Hollywood cowboy. His grandmother, Dorothy Fay, was a Western film actress. John Ritter carried that legacy into television comedy, and Noah’s half-siblings have also built careers in the industry.
Noah’s Siblings at a Glance
| Sibling | Relationship | Career |
| Jason Ritter | Half-brother (18 years older) | Actor, Emmy nominee for Parenthood, married to Melanie Lynskey |
| Tyler Ritter | Half-brother (13 years older) | Actor, appeared in The Good Doctor and Arrow |
| Carly Ritter | Half-sister (16 years older) | Country/folk singer, debut album released in 2013 |
Despite the age gaps, all four Ritter children remain close. Several of them are involved with The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health, staying connected through both family bonds and a shared mission.
What Is Noah Lee Ritter Doing in 2026?
As of 2026, Noah Lee Ritter is 27 years old and living a quiet life in Los Angeles, California. He keeps a low social media presence, with his old accounts set to private. His Twitter bio once read: “I don’t use social media much nowadays. Private persons rarely accept follow requests. Have a nice day.”
His rare public appearances are almost always connected to the John Ritter Foundation. One of his most notable recent appearances was at the foundation’s Evening from the Heart LA gala in May 2022, where he appeared alongside his mother and siblings. It was one of the first times he had stepped into the spotlight since his 2016 transition announcement.
Nothing concerning has happened to Noah. He has simply chosen to live a normal, grounded life, and that is a healthy, intentional decision.
Amy Yasbeck: Noah’s Mother and Strongest Supporter
Amy Yasbeck has been a constant source of support in Noah’s life. After losing John Ritter in 2003, she raised Noah as a single mother while also pursuing accountability through legal action and raising awareness about aortic disease.
Amy stood by Noah when he came out as transgender. She accompanies him to foundation events, and by all accounts, she has been unconditionally loving and supportive throughout. Amy is reported to be in a relationship with attorney Michael Plonsker, whom she met during the wrongful death proceedings, though her close bond with Noah has never wavered.
Her example as a supportive parent has resonated beyond the Ritter family, showing others how to show up for a transgender child with love and acceptance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Noah Lee Ritter
How old is Noah Lee Ritter in 2026? Noah Lee Ritter turns 27 on September 11, 2026. He was born in 1998 in Burbank, California.
What is Noah Lee Ritter’s birth name? He was born Stella Ritter. At 18, in 2016, he came out as a transgender man and legally changed his name to Noah Lee Ritter.
Who is Noah Lee Ritter’s father? His father is John Ritter, the beloved American actor known for Three’s Company and 8 Simple Rules. John passed away on September 11, 2003, from an aortic dissection, on Noah’s fifth birthday.
Does Noah Lee Ritter have siblings? Yes. He has three half-siblings from his father’s first marriage: Jason Ritter (actor), Tyler Ritter (actor), and Carly Ritter (singer). All four remain close and several are involved with the John Ritter Foundation.
What is Noah Lee Ritter doing in 2026? Noah lives a low-profile life in Los Angeles. He serves on the board of The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health and makes occasional public appearances at foundation events. He is not active on social media.
What films or shows did Noah Lee Ritter appear in? He appeared in the 2007 TV film This Is My Friend, voiced a character and composed music for the 2012 animated short The Namazu, and provided voice acting for the 2013 short Hannah Lost Her Smile. He also appeared as himself on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
What is Noah Lee Ritter’s net worth? His estimated net worth is around $700,000, built through early acting work and family background. He does not currently maintain a public career.
What is The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health? It is a nonprofit organization founded in memory of John Ritter to raise awareness about aortic diseases, particularly aortic dissection, which caused his death. Noah, Amy Yasbeck, and his siblings all support the foundation’s mission.
