12 Probing Questions for... Jason Ritter

Is Jason Ritter sporting the facial hair because he wants to or has to?

Jason Ritter has been making a name for himself for years be it in film (Happy Endings, W) and television (The Event, Joan of Arcadia), but this season he’s been appearing as a love interest to Lauren Graham on NBC’s family drama Parenthood. In fact, Parenthood creator Jason Katims is developing a new TV drama with Ritter set to star.

The always-jovial Ritter, 31, took a break from his busy schedule to answer a few probing questions for us.

iPhone or BlackBerry?
I have an iPhone. I do need a new one. I’ll look down and there are lines all the way across it. I have to restart it and the volume button fell off.

Facial hair or no facial hair.
Facial hair just because I cannot shave without cutting myself. I guess facial hair out of laziness and fear.

If you weren’t an actor you’d be _________?
I think I would be a videogame reviewer or some kind of tester. I don’t even know how you break into that world but that seems like it would be fun.

Las Vegas or Hawaii?
Hawaii. Las Vegas makes me sad.

Boxers or briefs?
I do both but mostly boxers. When I start getting into my briefs I know that it’s laundry time.

Just how long can Ritter’s Mark be patient with Sarah (Lauren Graham) on Parenthood?

Favorite pizza toppings?
I like pepperoni and pineapple.

Last movie you saw in the theater.
It was a movie called The Hammer about Matt ‘The Hammer’ Hamill, who is a UFC champion fighter but he’s deaf and it was about his life in college.

Most embarrassing show on your DVR?
I have a problem with Monster In-Laws and Intervention. I can’t stop watching either one of those shows.

Coffee or tea?
Coffee. I can’t stop.

What book are you reading right now?
I’m still in the middle of A Prayer For Owen Meany (by John Irving). I started it years ago. It’s one of those books that I keep on beginning and then I lose it or something stops me from continuing. But now I’m determined. I’m the farthest I’ve ever been in it, so I’m totally into it.

Christmas at home or travel?
Christmas at home.

Who inspires you on a daily basis?
Jon Stewart on The Daily Show. One day I’d love to meet him. He’s so knowledgeable and fast and funny and just riding the crest of the waves of politics.

Parenthood airs Tuesdays at 10pm et/pt on NBC.