Fond Farewells To Hope, Ritter

On a night for celebrating television's best, Hollywood also said goodbye to several stars of the big and small screens.

Katharine Hepburn, Gregory Peck, Charles Bronson and Gregory Hines were among those remembered during Sunday's Emmy Awards. But the show focused on the passing of Bob Hope in July and the recent death of John Ritter.

"John got by with one simple rule, and that was to do your best and really enjoy the journey," said Henry Winkler, who led the show's tribute to Ritter. "I'd like everyone to remember John not for his pratfalls, not for his goofy takes, but to remember him for his remarkable versatility."

Earlier, Walter Cronkite introduced a segment on Hope, calling him "an icon, a legend, a friend."

"His amazing run of more than 50 years provided a treasure trove of humor that was both popular and universal in its appeal," Cronkite said.

Hope already was a star of movies and radio when he ventured into television in 1950. Over the next several decades, he entertained millions with telecasts of his comedy variety shows, Christmas specials and tours overseas performing for U.S. soldiers.

Bill Cosby, who was presented with the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award, paid homage to Fred Rogers of "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood." Rogers was 74 when he died in February of stomach cancer.

Cosby remembered riding with Rogers at a Tournament of Roses parade and having fans cheer wildly — for Rogers.

"The one thing that I still remember is people waving and saying, 'Mr. Rogers, welcome to the neighborhood,'" Cosby said.

Buddy Ebsen, Nell Carter, Richard Crenna and Buddy Hackett, among others, also were remembered at the show. But it was Ritter's sudden death at the age of 54 earlier this month that remained on the minds of many in Hollywood.

He died after undergoing surgery for a tear in his aorta hours after working on his ABC series "8 Simple Rules... For Dating My Teenage Daughter."

The tribute to Ritter included a montage of his work in television. It highlighted his work in comedy, including the racy sitcom "Three's Company," which aired from 1977-84.

Wayne Brady, who won an Emmy for individual performance in a variety or music program for the show "Whose Line Is It Anyway," said he was honored to have Ritter as his new talk show's first guest.

"To be able to tell John Ritter thank you for showing me how to do a pratfall, how to do comic timing, it meant a lot," Brady said backstage.

By Alex Veiga