It is kind of rare to find a Hollywood couple that doesn't make you want to roll your eyes, but Jason Ritter, also known as Melanie Lynskey's husband, somehow manages to be the exception. Most people know him as the son of the late, great John Ritter, or maybe from that show Parenthood. But honestly? In the last few years, he has become the internet’s favorite "supportive spouse" for reasons that go way beyond just showing up on a red carpet.
Their relationship isn't some polished PR stunt. It’s messy. It involves a "panic wedding" on a front porch, a battle with alcoholism, and a deliberate choice to step back so the other person can shine. If you’ve been following Melanie Lynskey’s massive career explosion with Yellowjackets and The Last of Us, you’ve seen Jason right there, usually tweeting something adorable or literally dressed as a zombie just to be in a scene with her.
How Melanie Lynskey and Jason Ritter Actually Met
They didn't meet at some glitzy after-party. It was on the set of a 2013 dramedy called The Big Ask. Funny enough, Melanie almost didn't do the movie. She was tired, but she showed up, and there was Jason.
The hilarious part? Jason kept forgetting they had met. Melanie has joked in interviews that she had to reintroduce herself multiple times because he just didn't register their previous encounters, including a brunch at Sundance. Eventually, the penny dropped. They started dating shortly after filming wrapped, but it wasn't exactly a fairytale start.
The Struggle Most People Missed
Jason has been incredibly open about the fact that he didn't feel like he "deserved" Melanie in those early days. He was struggling with alcohol abuse. It’s a heavy topic, but he spoke about it on The Drew Barrymore Show, getting visibly emotional while explaining that he had to get sober before he could truly commit to her. He didn't want to drag her down.
That "slow burn" of recovery is what solidified them. It took about a year of sobriety before he felt he could be the partner she needed. That’s a level of self-awareness you don't often see in celebrity profiles.
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The Famous "Panic" Front Porch Wedding
By 2020, they’d been together for years and had a daughter (born in late 2018). They were engaged—Jason proposed on a sofa, which Melanie says was "cute" but apparently so low-key he keeps "re-proposing" to make it more romantic.
Then the pandemic hit.
Melanie got the lead in Yellowjackets, which filmed in Canada. Someone told her—incorrectly, as it turns out—that Jason wouldn't be allowed across the border to visit her unless they were legally married.
- The Timeline: They found out on a Tuesday.
- The Action: They panicked.
- The Result: They got married on their front porch in Atlanta the very next day.
It wasn't a Vera Wang affair. It was just them, a local officiant, and their close friends Ali Ahn and William Jackson Harper. They had a cake, some flowers, and that was it. No big guest list, no paparazzi, just a "we need to get this done so we can be together" vibe. Honestly, it's way more romantic than a $2 million destination wedding.
Why Everyone Calls Him a "True Feminist"
In late 2024 and throughout 2025, Melanie has been vocal about how Jason handles her fame. In an industry where egos are massive, Jason Ritter has frequently turned down acting roles to stay home with their daughter so Melanie can film.
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"He's a true feminist," she told People. He recognizes that for her to take these massive opportunities—like playing Kathleen in The Last of Us—someone has to be the primary parent. Jason was the one who pushed her to take that role, telling her there was "no way" she could pass it up while he took over dad duties for months.
His Career in 2026: Matlock and the DC Universe
Don't think he’s just sitting on the sidelines, though. As of early 2026, Jason is busier than ever, proving you can balance a supportive home life with a real career.
- Matlock: He’s currently starring as Julian Markston in the CBS reboot of Matlock alongside Kathy Bates. The show has been a huge hit, recently moving into its second season.
- Lanterns: He’s also joined the DC Universe. He’s playing Billy Macon in the HBO series Lanterns, a "grounded" superhero show that everyone is talking about.
- Poker Face: He’s also slated for a guest spot in the second season of Natasha Lyonne’s Poker Face.
He even had to grow a pretty intense mustache for Lanterns that he recently had to shave off to get back into character for Matlock. He posted a video saying "bye-bye moustachio," which is exactly the kind of goofy content his fans love.
The Secret to Their Longevity
What can we actually learn from them? It basically comes down to communication. Melanie has mentioned that even in their "darkest moments," Jason was always willing to have the conversation. He doesn't shut down.
They also work together. A lot.
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- They were in The Intervention (2016).
- He had a cameo in her show Candy.
- He played a "clicker" (a zombie) in The Last of Us just to hang out on set.
- He appeared in Season 2 of Yellowjackets.
They treat Hollywood like a family business rather than a competition.
Actionable Takeaways from the Ritter-Lynskey Model
If you’re looking at this couple and wondering how they make it work while everyone else in LA is getting divorced, here are the real-world lessons:
- Prioritize the "Hot Hand": They use a system where they prioritize whichever partner has the most exciting or lucrative career opportunity at that moment. It’s not about 50/50 every day; it’s about 100/0 when it matters.
- Own Your Baggage: Jason’s transparency about his sobriety shows that you can't build a healthy house on a shaky foundation. Deal with your stuff before you try to "save" someone else.
- Support Isn't Silent: Being a "supportive spouse" isn't just about nodding. It’s about actively sacrificing your own time and ego to let the other person win.
Melanie Lynskey and Jason Ritter are basically the blueprint for a modern, high-functioning relationship. They’re weird, they’re loud about their love, and they don't care about the traditional "rules" of stardom.
To keep up with their latest projects, you can catch Jason on CBS's Matlock on Thursday nights or look for the premiere of Lanterns on HBO later this year. For Melanie, keep an eye out for the next installment of Yellowjackets, where the stakes (and the drama) only seem to be getting higher.