Gone Too Soon: The Shocking Resignation of 10 Beloved TV Characters
Behind-the-scenes drama took its toll on these TV characters, leading to their untimely demise From the controversial Roseanne Conner to the iconic Charlie Harper, discover the shocking reasons behind their on-screen departures
The decision to eliminate a character in a TV show can be a risky move, often due to conflicts behind the scenes involving the actor. The success or failure of a TV show heavily relies on the strength and growth of its characters. While audiences can overlook a weaker storyline, they are typically unforgiving when a beloved character is mistreated or portrayed in a manner contradictory to their established personality.
Undoubtedly, the creation of a memorable character involves both the writing and the actor's performance, with the latter arguable being the most crucial element. A perfectly cast actor can breathe life into an iconic character, leaving a lasting impact even after the show ceases airing new episodes. This ideal character can hold a show together during times of transition or weaker plotlines. However, there are instances, whether justified or not, where showrunners and executives are left with no choice but to dismiss an actor and write off their character due to conflicts arising on set. Presented here are 10 TV characters who met this fate.
10 Roseanne Conner (Roseanne Barr) - Roseanne
9 Charlie Harper (Charlie Sheen) - Two and a Half Men
Out of all the actors mentioned on this list, the most widely recognized incident among present-day viewers is undoubtedly Roseanne Barr's abrupt expulsion from the eponymous show. After a nearly two-decade hiatus, the revival of the show in its tenth season proved to be exceptionally successful, effectively relaunching Roseanne's career. Throughout her professional journey, Barr has been notorious for her controversial behavior. However, when she took to Twitter and posted a series of racist tweets targeting Valerie Jarrett, an African-American woman and former presidential advisor, she crossed a line that couldn't be overlooked. Rather than axing the entire reboot, ABC decided to rework the series into The Conners, opting to write Roseanne's character off-screen through an opioid overdose.
Charlie Sheen's portrayal of the sleazy yet charismatic Charlie Harper propelled the sitcom Two and a Half Men to wild success. This role not only revived Sheen's career but also thrust him back into the limelight, albeit not always for the most favorable reasons. Sheen's public interviews became increasingly manic and peculiar, coupled with erratic behavior. However, the final straw occurred when he publicly criticized Chuck Lorre, the producer and co-creator of the show. In the series, Charlie Harper meets a tragic demise at the hands of a jealous lover. It is revealed that she pushed him in front of a subway train upon discovering his infidelity.
8 Maude Flanders (Maggie Roswell) - The Simpsons
Tumult can also arise in the realm of animated TV series. This was evident in the case of The Simpsons, where voice actress Maggie Roswell departed in 1999. Roswell lent her voice to the character of Maude Flanders but became increasingly dissatisfied with her compensation. Despite earning $1-2,000 per episode, she had to cover all the expenses for her frequent travel between Denver and Los Angeles for the recording sessions. Seeking better remuneration, Roswell requested a raise to $6,000 per episode. Unfortunately, the executives offered her a meager raise of $150, prompting her departure. In her absence, voice actress Marcia Mitzman Gaven was brought in as a replacement. However, the character of Maude Flanders was tragically killed off in the episode "Alone Again, Natura-Diddily."
7 Pierce Hawthorne (Chevy Chase) in Community
Chevy Chase's notoriously disruptive conduct during the production of Community has become a Hollywood legend. Despite his brilliant portrayal of Pierce Hawthorne on the show, Chase proved to be an extremely challenging presence on set, causing friction among his colleagues. Publicly expressing his dissatisfaction with the show and engaging in conflicts with show creator Dan Harmon, Chase played a significant role in Harmon's departure during the show's fourth season, which stemmed from long-standing issues. Following an incident where he used a racial slur during an extensive outburst on set, NBC reached an agreement with Chevy Chase to eliminate the character of Pierce Hawthorne from Community. Consequently, the actor bid farewell to the show, much to the relief of all parties involved.
6 Murray Goldberg (Jeff Garlin) - The Goldbergs
5 Dr. Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) - Grey's Anatomy
Jeff Garlin, who portrayed the role of Murray Goldberg in The Goldbergs, faced years of troubling behavior on set, leading to his dismissal. Throughout his tenure, Garlin's inappropriate jokes and offensive language, particularly towards his female co-stars, caused unrest among the cast. Following a controversial interview with Vanity Fair and his refusal to mend relationships with his colleagues, a thorough 3-year-long HR investigation ultimately resulted in Garlin's departure. As a consequence, Murray's demise unfolded off-screen during the 10th season of The Goldbergs.
Patrick Dempsey's character, Dr. Derek Shepherd, was involved in more than just medical drama on the long-running show, Grey's Anatomy. Alongside other actors who departed due to behind-the-scenes issues, his character met a tragic end. In her book, How to Save a Life: The Inside Story of Grey’s Anatomy, author Lynette Rice reveals that Dempsey caused disruptions on set, contributing to tension between him, star Ellen Pompeo, and creator Shonda Rhimes. Consequently, Derek's demise occurred in season 11, resulting from fatal head injuries sustained in a car accident.
4 Dale Horvath (Jeffrey DeMunn) - The Walking Dead
In an uncommon turn of events, actor Jeffrey DeMunn took the initiative to write off his character, Dale, from The Walking Dead. Although his departure involved some behind-the-scenes turmoil, it was not directly linked to him. Instead, he made the decision to leave after AMC dismissed the original showrunner, Frank Darabont. Darabont was highly regarded by the cast and crew, but when AMC decided to reduce The Walking Dead's budget to prioritize Mad Men, Darabont was dissatisfied. As a result, the network terminated his contract midway through the season. DeMunn was deeply angered by the unfair treatment his friend faced and hence, requested for his character to be killed off:
The decision to kill off Dale was mine. I was infuriated by the way Frank was forced out of the show. It left me feeling suffocated for an entire week. It dawned on me that I had the option to quit, so I reached out to them and declared, 'It's a zombie series. Let me be killed off. I no longer wish to continue.' It was an immense sense of relief for me.
3 Prue Halliwell (Shannen Doherty) - Charmed
2 Tasha Yar (Denise Crosby) - Star Trek: The Next Generation
The original run of Charmed, which aired on the WB from 1998 to 2006, holds a special place in the hearts of TV audiences who grew up during a time before the internet dominated our screens. The show introduced us to the enchanting world of the Halliwell sisters – Prue, Piper, and Phoebe – who possessed extraordinary magical abilities. However, the harmony within the cast was shattered when issues between Shannen Doherty, who played Prue, and Alyssa Milano, who portrayed Phoebe, escalated into a tumultuous backstage feud. As a result, Prue Halliwell's fate took a tragic turn in Charmed season 3, when she was abruptly killed by the formidable demon, Shax. Initially, Prue's demise was left ambiguous as producers contemplated recasting the character. However, after two prominent actresses declined the role, the decision was ultimately made for Prue's death to be irrevocable.
Despite her impact on the show, Tasha Yar, a character in Star Trek: The Next Generation, was unexpectedly killed off after just one season. What initially seemed like a promising role turned into a distressing experience for actress Denise Crosby. The first season of TNG was plagued with challenges. The franchise's creator, Gene Roddenberry, suffered from poor health during its production, causing a constantly changing lineup of showrunners and writers. This turmoil resulted in a string of poorly-written episodes and the neglect of various supporting characters. Frustrated by the lack of character development, Crosby requested to be released from her contract. Consequently, Tasha Yar met her demise, becoming the first Star Trek character to perish.
1 Martin Riggs (Clayne Crawford) - Lethal Weapon
Clayne Crawford, like several others on this list, had his character, Martin Riggs, killed off in the 2016 TV reboot of Lethal Weapon due to problematic behavior on-set. The actor was fired from Lethal Weapon after season 2 due to a series of incidents, despite receiving multiple warnings. One incident involved co-star Damon Wayans being hit by shrapnel while filming an episode that Crawford himself was directing. However, because Crawford refused to change his behavior, Fox and Warner Bros. had no choice but to let him go. Riggs met his demise in season 2 after sustaining multiple fatal gunshot wounds during a shootout.
