Paul Ritter facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Paul Ritter
Born	Simon Paul Adams (1966-12-20)20 December 1966 Gravesend, Kent, England
Died	5 April 2021(2021-04-05) (aged 54) Faversham, Kent, England
Alma mater	St John's College, Cambridge
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1992–2021
Spouse(s)	Polly Radcliffe ​ (m. 1996)​
Children	2

Simon Paul Adams (born 20 December 1966 – died 5 April 2021), known as Paul Ritter, was a talented English actor. He starred in many popular films and TV shows.

Some of his well-known roles were in movies like Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) and Operation Mincemeat (2021). On television, he was famous for Friday Night Dinner (2011–2020) and Chernobyl (2019).

Early Life and Education

Paul Ritter was born Simon Paul Adams on 20 December 1966 in Gravesend, Kent, England. His father, Ken Adams, worked as a toolmaker. His mother, Joan, was a school secretary. Paul grew up with four older sisters.

He attended Gravesend Grammar School, where he studied Theatre. Later, he went to St John's College, Cambridge to study Modern Languages.

After college, he went to Germany to study acting. When he came back to the UK, he chose the stage name Paul Ritter. He picked this name because another actor named Simon Adams was already registered with the actors' union. He also admired a German actor with the last name Ritter.

Paul Ritter studied alongside actor Stephen Mangan. They later worked together in a play called The Norman Conquests.

Acting Career

Paul Ritter had a long and successful acting career. He appeared in many different types of shows and films.

He was in the TV series The Hollow Crown, which featured plays by William Shakespeare. Critics praised his performance in these shows. He also played the famous comedian Eric Sykes in a TV film.

From 2005 to 2006, Ritter performed in the play Coram Boy. His role earned him a nomination for an Olivier Award, which is a very important theatre award in the UK. In 2009, he was nominated for a Tony Award for his work in The Norman Conquests on Broadway.

He also played Dr. Billy Cartwright in the crime drama Vera from 2011 to 2013.

Chernobyl and Friday Night Dinner

One of Paul Ritter's most praised roles was as Anatoly Dyatlov in the miniseries Chernobyl (2019). This show told the story of the nuclear disaster. His acting in Chernobyl was highly praised by critics.

However, many people know Paul Ritter best for his role as Martin Goodman in the comedy series Friday Night Dinner. He played the funny dad in the show from 2011 to 2020. For this role, he received a nomination for a Best Male Comedy Performance after he passed away.

Paul Ritter's last performance was in the movie Operation Mincemeat. The film was released after his death and was dedicated to his memory.

Personal Life and Passing

In 1996, Paul Ritter married Polly Radcliffe. They lived in Faversham, Kent, and had two sons, Frank and Noah.

Paul Ritter sadly passed away on 5 April 2021, at the age of 54. He died from a brain tumour at his home, surrounded by his family. Many of his friends and co-stars shared their sadness and paid tribute to him. His friend Stephen Mangan said Paul was a "wonderful man" with "so much talent."

The cast of Friday Night Dinner also shared their memories of him. A special show celebrating the tenth anniversary of Friday Night Dinner was aired in May 2021, honoring Paul Ritter.

Film and Television Roles

Paul Ritter appeared in many films and TV shows throughout his career. Here are some of his notable roles:

Awards and Nominations

Paul Ritter was recognized for his acting with several awards and nominations: