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Real-life tragedies have plagued TV series like Glee, Diff’rent Strokes, Family Affair... earning them the label of being 'cursed' and haunting American television history the most.
Most TV shows, whether comedic, dramatic, or reality-based, depict characters with scripted issues. However, sometimes real-life troubles intervene.
Throughout the 75-year history of American television, many actors have faced scandals or unwarranted tragedies. Yet, for some shows, more than one actor has encountered off-screen turmoil, or worse. When that happens, the show gets branded as 'cursed'.
Below are the most hauntingly cursed TV shows.
Glee
The Family Chronicles
The Family Chronicles is a delightful comedy sitcom aired on CBS from 1966 to 1971. The show follows the talented bachelor Bill Davis (Brian Keith) as he takes on the responsibility of caring for his late brother's orphaned children – 15-year-old Cissy (Kathy Garver) along with the lively 6-year-old twins Buffy and Jody (Anissa Jones, Johnnie Whitaker) - in their luxurious New York apartment.
Anissa Jones tragically passed away at the age of 18 in a friend's upstairs bedroom in Oceanside, California, five years after the show concluded. She overdosed on a lethal combination of cocaine, PCP (hallucinogen), Quaaludes (sedative), and Seconal (sedative) at a party and was cremated, with her ashes scattered in the Pacific Ocean.
Brian Keith took his own life at the age of 75 in 1997, just two months after his daughter's death. Before his passing, he battled lung cancer and pulmonary emphysema.
The Superman Saga
The Superman Saga (1952 - 1958) was one of America's earliest beloved television shows. The series, starring George Reeves as the iconic superhero, aimed to inspire young viewers by showcasing acts of heroism towards the vulnerable.
George's portrayal in the film brought him fame in Hollywood, yet it marked his final contribution to the industry.
In 1959, a year after the cancellation of the show, George passed away at the age of 45 in his bedroom on the upper floor of his private residence in Benedict Canyon, Los Angeles, in the early hours of the morning. At the time, a party was taking place downstairs. Authorities discovered a gunshot wound to his head.
To this day, the cause of death remains a mystery. While authorities deemed George's death a suicide, many remain skeptical. Suspicions have been directed towards his fiancée, Leonore Lemmon.
His enigmatic life and death served as inspiration for the 2006 film Hollywoodland , starring Ben Affleck.
The Gang Chronicles
The Gang Chronicles (also known as The Little Rascals , 1922-1944) may not have been produced for television, but it remains a beloved series known to generations of fans who watched it on local television stations. The comedic American short film series follows a group of children in a poor neighborhood and their adventures.
Our Gang spanned over 22 years, featuring a talented ensemble cast including Carl Switzer as the freckle-faced Alfalfa, George McFarland as Spanky, Matthew Beard as Stymie, Norman Chaney as Chubby, Darla Hood as Darla, and Billie Thomas as Buckwheat...
Switzer, just 12 years old when his role in Our Gang concluded, struggled to find substantial roles in Hollywood thereafter, only landing minor parts in films and television shows. Despite getting married, his life took a tragic turn. In 1958, he was shot in the arm outside a bar (the shooter was never apprehended). Later that year, he was arrested in Sequoia National Forest for illegally cutting down 15 pine trees and was sentenced to a year of probation.
In 1959, Switzer was hired by a friend, Bud Stiltz, to train a dog. The dog later went missing, sparking financial disputes between Switzer and Stiltz. When Switzer drove to Stiltz's house to demand payment, he was shot in the groin and died on the way to the hospital. He was only 31 years old. The shooting was deemed justifiable self-defense.
Tragedy also struck Norman Chaney (Chubby). He continued to gain uncontrollable weight, eventually reaching 300 pounds despite maintaining a normal diet and regular exercise. Diagnosed with an illness, he underwent treatment at Johns Hopkins Hospital, dropping to under 140 pounds. However, rapid weight loss took a toll on his body, and he passed away from heart disease in 1936 at the age of 21.
Matthew Beard (Stymie) left Our Gang at the age of 10 and drifted into drug use, becoming addicted to heroin, living on the streets for a while, and getting involved in criminal activities. In the early 1960s, he participated in a drug rehabilitation program in Los Angeles, later appearing in minor roles on television shows such as Sanford and Son , Maude , and The Jeffersons . He suffered a stroke and fell down a staircase just before his 56th birthday. In January 1981, he passed away from pneumonia.
Robert Hutchins, who portrayed Weezer, didn't pursue acting and joined the Air Force. In 1945, he lost his life while attempting to land an airplane during a training exercise. He was only 19 years old.
William Laughlin was tragically struck from behind by a truck and fatally run over at the age of 16 while delivering newspapers on his motorbike.
Scott Becket (Scotty) battled alcohol and drug addiction, endured two failed marriages, had a history of violence, and committed multiple legal offenses. In 1968, he entered a nursing home in Hollywood after being assaulted. He passed away two days later at the age of 38. A suicide note and a bottle of pills were found beside his bed, but the official cause of death has never been confirmed.
As reported by NY Post
