Devin Jacobs
When we tune in to our favorite shows, the characters we love become a part of our lives, making us laugh, cry, and share in their stories. But what happens when the actors who bring these beloved characters to life pass away? While the show must go on, it often does so with a sense of loss and heartfelt changes to the storyline. Here, we explore 15 TV characters who, according to WatchMojo, were written off after the untimely deaths of the actors who portrayed them.
Paul Hennessy in 8 Simple Rules
The versatile John Ritter played Paul Hennessy, the glue holding the family together in 8 Simple Rules. Ritter’s sudden death in 2003 from an aortic dissection shocked fans and cast members alike. The play addressed this real-life tragedy by having Paul Hennessy die unexpectedly, leading to a deeply emotional and impactful series of episodes. These episodes showed the family’s struggle to cope with their loss, and Paul’s departure left a noticeable void in the drama.
Adam West in Family Guy
Known for his campy take on Batman in the 1960s, Adam West experienced a resurgence in popularity playing the eccentric Mayor Adam West on Family Guy. He passed away in 2017 from Leukemia at the age of 88, and it deeply affected both fans and creators of the show. Life in Quahog carried on, with the high school being renamed in honor of West.
Finn Hudson in Glee
Cory Monteith perfectly captured the essence of a high school quarterback with a heart of gold in his role as Finn Hudson. His death in 2013 due to a drug overdose stunned the world and profoundly affected the Glee community. The drama paid homage to his memory with “The Quarterback,” a special episode that allowed both leads and fans to grieve collectively.
Fred Andrews in Riverdale
In “Beverly Hills, 90210,” Luke Perry captivated audiences as a heartthrob, later transforming into the nurturing and strong Fred Andrews in “Riverdale.” The show and its fans were devastated by Perry’s demise in 2019 due to a stroke. “Riverdale” honored Fred with a special episode titled “In Memoriam,” celebrating his heroic act of sacrificing his life to save a stranger from an oncoming car.
Leo McGarry in The West Wing
John Spencer brought depth and gravitas to his role as Leo McGarry, a complex and dedicated Chief of Staff. Spencer’s passing in 2005 from a heart attack was mirrored in the play, with Leo’s passing written into the storyline just before his character’s vice-presidential campaign. During the series, he tragically succumbed to a heart attack on Election Night. In a poignant twist, the writers revealed that Leo was destined to become Vice President.
Owen Granger in NCIS: Los Angeles
Ferrer transitioned from a recurring role as Owen Granger on “NCIS: Los Angeles” to becoming a central figure in the series, facing a real-life battle with throat cancer during his time in the play. The creators decided to incorporate this struggle into his character’s storyline, depicting Granger as also dealing with cancer due to hazardous career choices. Within the show’s narrative, Granger left the hospital where he received treatment to spend his remaining days with his family. In reality, Ferrer passed away at his home, surrounded by loved ones.
Mr. Hooper in Sesame Street
When Lee passed away in 1982, the drama addressed his death directly, creating an episode that gently explained the concept of loss to its young audience. This groundbreaking episode allowed acts, particularly Big Bird, to express their grief and ask questions, echoing the experience of the viewers. The sensitive handling of Mr. Hooper’s end became an educational tool, helping children understand and cope with the idea of loss.
Edna Krabappel in The Simpsons
Marcia Wallace’s Edna Krabappel was acclaimed for her sharp wit and distinctive laugh, becoming a beloved character on The Simpsons. Wallace’s exit in 2013 from pneumonia led to the respectful retirement of Edna’s part, with the show paying homage through a poignant chalkboard gag. The subtle tribute highlighted the respect and affection the creators and fans had for Wallace’s contribution to the series. Over her 14-year tenure voicing the act, Marcia Wallace was awarded an Emmy for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance.
Ernie ‘Coach’ Pantusso in Cheers
Ernie Pantusso in Cheers brought warmth and endearing humor to the iconic bar. Colasanto’s demise in 1985 from a heart attack led the play to write off Coach with a respectful and heartfelt goodbye. The character’s departure was acknowledged through subtle references and a moving tribute that honored Colasanto’s impact. This remains a beloved part of the series, with fans and cast members remembering his kind spirit and comedic talent.
Bill McNeal in NewsRadio
This actor was a tour de force of comedy, infusing the drama with his exceptional wit and humor. The tragic murder-suicide that claimed Hartman’s life in 1998 sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry. After the tragic events following the show’s fourth season, when Hartman was fatally shot by his wife before she took her own life, the fifth season premiere honored his character’s memory by attributing his off-screen death to a heart attack.
T’Challa (Black Panther) in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Chadwick Boseman, who portrayed King T’Challa in the Black Panther films within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), tragically passed away on August 28, 2020, after a private battle with colon cancer. Rather than recasting the iconic role, Marvel Studios chose to honor Boseman’s legacy. In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), T’Challa’s death is acknowledged within the story, with the plot centering on the grief of Wakanda’s people and his sister, Shuri, taking on the Black Panther mantle.
Barry Frost in Rizzoli & Isles
Lee Thompson Young acted the part of a Boston homicide detective named Barry Frost. Tragically, in August 2013, while working on the fourth season of “Rizzoli & Isles,” Young missed a day of filming, prompting a welfare check that revealed he had taken his own life at the age of 29. In the play, Barry’s final appearance is in the last episode of the fourth season, and the fifth season opener explains that his character met with a car accident.
Livia Soprano in The Sopranos
We’d call her the worst mother in television history while highlighting what an outstanding actress she is. She was a central antagonist during the first two seasons, frequently clashing with her son, Tony. Despite the series’ tendency for anticlimaxes, Livia’s storyline takes the cake. While the third season sets up a significant conflict between Tony and Livia, her sudden off-screen death from a stroke abruptly ends this plot due to the real-life passing of Nancy Marchand, the actress who brought Livia to life, following a struggle with lung diseases.
Dr. Virgil Swann in Smallville
In a tribute to the legacy of the Superman films, Smallville included a cameo by Christopher Reeve. After a tragic accident in 1995 left Reeve paralyzed and using a wheelchair, the drama incorporated this into the role of Dr. Virgil Swann as a nod to his real-life circumstances and honoring Superman’s storied history. Sadly, Reeve’s life ended on October 10, 2004, following a coma induced by cardiac arrest. When the episode “Sacred” from the fourth season aired, it included a newscast announcing the passing of Dr. Swann.
Neil Winters in The Young and the Restless
“The Young and the Restless” has been a cornerstone of TV soap operas since its debut in 1973, with over 12,000 episodes. Kristoff St. John, played by Neil Winters from 1991 to 2019, earned two Daytime Emmy Awards for his role. Tragically, St. John passed away at 52 due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which causes the heart to thicken and impede its ability to pump blood. His death on February 3, 2019, led to his part being written out of the play just two months later after suffering a stroke.
Dr. David Kroger in Monk
Remember Stanley Kamel, the kind and patient therapist on Monk? He was such a beloved part of the drama until he sadly passed away from a heart attack in 2008. The drama paid tribute to him by writing his character’s death in the episode “Mr. Monk Buys a House.” Kamel’s genuine presence in his role throughout the years made the on-screen grief palpable, and the storyline of Monk’s difficulty in finding a new therapist poignantly resonated with the audience’s sense of loss.
Sergeant Nick Yemana in Barney Miller
If you have ever watched Barney Miller, you know it’s a drama filled with quirky actors set in a police station. Sergeant Nick Yemana, known for his hilariously terrible coffee, was played by Jack Soo, who tragically died from cancer on January 11, 1979, during the show’s fifth season. The series subtly addressed Nick’s absence with a special episode where the cast stepped out of character to honor Soo, finishing with a touching coffee toast in his memory.
Carl Kanisky in Gimme a Break!
Dolph Sweet played the lead role of Chief Carl Kanisky, a widowed police officer frequently clashing with his daughters. During the fourth season of the popular sitcom that ran from 1981 to 1987, Sweet received a stomach cancer diagnosis but continued to work on the drama. Tragically, he succumbed to the illness on May 8, 1985. The fifth season begins with the show’s characters acknowledging Chief Kanisky’s death and gracefully navigating their grief.
Sergeant Phil Esterhaus in Hill Street Blues
This drama series changed the game for police dramas back in the day. Michael Conrad brought us Sergeant Phil Esterhaus, and who could forget his iconic catchphrase, “Let’s be careful out there”? He received two Emmys for Outstanding Supporting Actor before his death from urethral cancer in November 1983 at 58. Instead of a dramatic end, Esterhaus’s character went out in style while making love, leaving us with a twist that only added to the show’s legacy.
Peter Gregory in Silicon Valley
You might recall Peter Gregory from the first season of Silicon Valley. He was that quirky tech investor with a bit of social awkwardness, always looking to back Pied Piper. The talented Christopher Evan Welch brought him to life, but sadly, he was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2010 and lost the battle three years later at the age of 48. While filming the first season, he managed to complete five episodes, but it’s heartbreaking to think that his character was written off as having died while fleeing a gunshot during a trip to the Serengeti.
Richard Gilmore in Gilmore Girls
Let’s get into Richard Gilmore from Gilmore Girls, played by the talented Edward Herrmann. He was Lorelai’s dad and Rory’s grandpa, and while he wasn’t exactly the most lovable character, he left his mark on the show. Herrmann succumbed to brain cancer in 2014 at the age of 71. In the aftermath of his passing, the character of Richard also met his end in the series after collapsing during a lecture at Yale. Although he initially survives the heart attack, he ultimately dies due to subsequent complications.
Gramps in Lassie
There are just a few shows that can wrap you in nostalgia, like Lassie, and let’s be honest—Gramps is one of those performers that pulls at your heartstrings. George Cleveland brought Gramps to life until his unfortunate heart attack in California in 1957. Before that, the writers were already working on a storyline where Gramps would get hurt to drive the plot forward. So, when the time came, it was pretty easy for them to transition that into his actual death. We’d say it’s a bittersweet way to remember such a beloved character, isn’t it?
Lennie Briscoe in Law & Order
Lennie Briscoe, the iconic detective from Law & Order, played by the talented Jerry Orbach, sadly passed away in 2004 at the age of 69 after battling prostate cancer. Interestingly, around that time, his character was being transitioned to a new show, Law & Order: Trial by Jury, which made it easier for the writers to write him out of the original series. They didn’t make a big deal out of it, and eventually, Lennie was replaced. It wasn’t until about a year later that they even mentioned his character’s death.
Angela in Family Guy
You probably know her as the iconic Princess Leia from Star Wars, but she was also a talented writer with plenty of accolades who voiced Angela on Family Guy. She passed away in 2016 due to a heart failure while en route from London to Los Angeles. In a eulogy delivered by Peter for his boss on the show, he noted how Angela met her end by swimming too soon, shortly after a meal.
Selma Hacker & Florence Kleiner in Night Court
In the show’s first two seasons, we met Selma Hacker, a tough, chain-smoking character brought to life by Selma Diamond. Just four days after the season two finale, tragedy struck when Diamond lost her battle with lung cancer on May 13, 1985. They replaced her character with Flo Kleiner, played by Florence Halop, but history repeated itself. Halop sadly passed away from lung cancer shortly after season three wrapped up, and Judge Harry Stone was the one who announced Flo’s death, mirroring the earlier loss. It’s a haunting pattern, wouldn’t you say?
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