Kaley Cuoco Honors John Ritter's Legacy at Charity Gala 20 Years After His Death

On Thursday, actress Kaley Cuoco paid tribute to her late co-star John Ritter at An Evening From The Heart, a gala benefiting the John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health. The event, held at the Sunset Room Hollywood in Los Angeles, marked 20 years since Ritter's untimely death from an undetected thoracic aortic dissection in 2003 at the age of 54.

Cuoco, who starred alongside Ritter in the ABC sitcom 8 Simple Rules from 2002 to 2003, spoke warmly of the actor in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE. "He was very special to me... He was also very special to a lot of people. He left quite a legacy not only as an incredible actor but as an incredible human," shares, advice, years Cuoco said. She added that she will always support causes related to Ritter's name, especially raising awareness about thoracic aortic disease.

The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health, established by Ritter's family, works to raise awareness of thoracic aortic disease through research, education, and advocacy. Cuoco shared words of advice Ritter gave her during their time working together: "I remember when I would mess up in front of the audience, he'd go, 'They love it. They love it. They love when you mess up.' And I'd go, 'What?' He'd go, 'Sometimes I do it on purpose.'" Cuoco said this advice has helped her for the past 20 years.

The gala was attended by Ritter's widow Amy Yasbeck, his son Tyler Ritter, and other celebrities, including three, company, star Joyce DeWitt and Priscilla Barnes, Ritter's former Three's Company co-stars. Cuoco, who wore a stunning silver floor-length sequined dress with flowy sleeves, co-chaired and co-hosted the event. "I will do anything for his wife and his kids. And I'm so really very proud to be here and honoring him," Cuoco told PEOPLE.

John Ritter, best known for his roles in Three's Company and 8 Simple Rules, died suddenly on September 11, 2003, from an aortic dissection that was initially misdiagnosed as a heart attack. The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health aims to educate people about the risks and symptoms of aortic dissection to prevent similar tragedies. As Kaley Cuoco and others gathered to remember Ritter's life and legacy, the event served as a poignant reminder of the importance of raising awareness about this often-overlooked condition.