Buzz
Mytour highlights a collection of performers who tragically died on stage, as well as a growing number of actors who passed away during movie productions, such as Vic Morrow, John Candy, and Brandon Lee. This list, however, specifically focuses on TV series where an actor's real-life death coincided with their character's exit from the show, requiring the series to continue without them. The outcomes varied—some shows struggled briefly, others ended abruptly, and a few carried on successfully, largely depending on the importance of the actor's role.
The shows mentioned here are primarily from the U.S. It’s likely that TV series in other countries have also experienced the death of actors, leading to their characters being written out. I considered including Ronnie Barker, but the show he was part of at the time of his death was a compilation of past comedy sketches with Ronnie Corbett, and he mostly portrayed himself. Compiling this list was challenging, and you’re welcome to contribute your own additions. The entries are ranked based on the actor’s prominence; those with more central roles appear higher on the list.
10. Richard Biggs Strong Medicine (Lifetime, 2000-2006)
Biggs was a consistent supporting actor in the series. He passed away due to complications from an aortic dissection on May 22, 2004, (the same condition as the actor ranked #1, just six months earlier). His character was written off the show after being killed in an off-screen car accident. The series continued its run until 2006.
9. Jon-Erik Hexum Cover Up (CBS 1984-1985)
Hexum portrayed Mac Harper, a former Marine recruited by Dani Reynolds (Jennifer O’Neill) to find her missing husband. He appeared in only seven episodes. On October 12, 1984, during a break between scenes, Hexum jokingly pointed a .44 Magnum loaded with blanks at his head and fired. Although it was a prop gun, the wadding discharged with enough force to fracture his skull and cause severe brain hemorrhaging. He was removed from life support six days later. Australian actor Antony Hamilton was brought in to replace Hexum, playing a new team member while Harper was said to be on assignment. Eventually, it was revealed that Harper had died in action. The show was canceled after its first season.
8. Diana Hyland Eight Is Enough (ABC, 1977-1981)
Hyland portrayed Joan Bradford, the wife of Tom Bradford (Dick Van Patten) and mother of eight children. She appeared in only four episodes of the first season before her health declined. Diagnosed with breast cancer, she passed away on March 27, 1977, just 12 days after the premiere episode aired. Her character was written out for the rest of the first season, and by the start of Season 2, Tom was depicted as a widower who eventually remarried.
An interesting fact: Hyland was in a relationship with John Travolta during her illness and passed away in his arms.
7. Christopher Allport Mad Men (AMC, 2007-present)
Allport had a minor supporting role as Andrew Campbell, the father of ad executive Pete Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser), in Season 1 of this series set in a 1960s New York ad agency. An enthusiastic hiker, Allport was among three individuals who tragically lost their lives on January 28, 2008, due to avalanches near Mountain High, a ski resort close to Wrightwood in the San Gabriel Mountains, east of Los Angeles. Early in Season 2, as the agency aimed to secure American Airlines as a major client, a plane crash involving the airline created a PR crisis. Pete Campbell suggested to American Airlines that the agency understood their grief, revealing that his father had been a victim of the crash.
6. Michael Conrad Hill Street Blues (NBC, 1981-1987)
Conrad portrayed officer Phil Esterhaus, famously concluding each roll call with the line, “Let’s be careful out there.” His performance earned him two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (1981, 1982). During the fourth season in November 1983, Conrad passed away from urethral cancer. In the episode “Grace Under Pressure,” his character dies while in an intimate moment with Grace Gardner (played by Barbara Babcock), leaving the precinct in mourning.
5. Jim Davis Dallas (CBS, 1978-1991)
Davis portrayed Jock Ewing, the head of the Ewing oil dynasty and father to J.R. (Larry Hagman), Gary (Ted Shackelford), and Bobby (Patrick Duffy). He appeared in 75 episodes across the first three seasons, continuing to work despite being diagnosed with multiple myeloma and undergoing chemotherapy. As his health declined during Season 3, he often performed seated and occasionally wore a wig. The show’s storyline had Jock temporarily separate from his wife, Miss Ellie (Barbara Bel Geddes), before reuniting for a second honeymoon, which kept Davis off-screen. He passed away on April 26, 1981, while Season 3 was still airing. Instead of immediately writing his character out, Jock Ewing remained part of the story for 13 more episodes, with the explanation that he was exploring oil in South America. His character’s death was later revealed in a helicopter crash during the episode “The Search,” which aired on January 8, 1982.
4. Nicholas Colasanto Cheers (NBC, 1982-1983)
Nicholas portrayed Ernie “Coach” Pantusso, a beloved character on “Cheers” for its first three seasons. Colasanto passed away from a heart condition on February 12, 1985, with his final episode being “Cheerio, Cheers.” The show, which became a massive success, continued for eight more seasons (11 in total). Instead of abruptly removing Coach from the storyline, the character was frequently mentioned, with excuses like him being away on trips or occupied elsewhere. Colasanto remained in the credits until the end of Season 3. Woody Harrelson joined the cast to fill the gap left by his absence. Colasanto had a cherished picture of Geronimo in his dressing room, which the cast and crew later displayed on the main set as a tribute. In the series finale, Sam (Ted Danson) quietly adjusts the picture before leaving the bar.
3. John Ritter 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Daughter (ABC, 2002-2005)
Ritter starred as Paul Hennessy, a sports writer who steps up as a more involved father to his two teenage daughters and son. During rehearsals for the fourth episode of Season 2, Ritter experienced discomfort and was rushed to the hospital. He passed away on September 11, 2003, due to an aortic dissection (a tear in the aorta causing internal bleeding), initially mistaken for a heart attack. In the series, Paul collapses in a grocery store, presumed to suffer from a heart condition. A special one-hour episode, “Goodbye,” aired on November 4, 2003, in tribute to Ritter. The show continued, addressing Paul’s death within the storyline. Despite shifting timeslots and adding new cast members like Suzanne Pleshette, James Garner, and David Spade, ratings declined, leading to the show’s cancellation after Season 3 in May 2005.
An interesting fact: Ritter also provided the voice for the title character in the animated series “Clifford: The Big Red Dog.” By the time of his death, he had completed 68 TV episodes and work on a feature film, released posthumously. PBS had recently launched “Clifford’s Puppy Days” before Ritter’s passing, ensuring the continuation of the Clifford legacy.
2. Phil Hartman NewsRadio (NBC, 1995-1999)
Hartman portrayed Bill McNeal, a co-anchor at the fictional TV station WNYX. Tragically, Hartman was fatally shot by his wife, Brynn, on May 28, 1998, who then took her own life. By then, “NewsRadio” had finished four seasons. At the start of Season 5, Bill’s character was said to have died from a heart attack. As a final gesture, Bill left personal notes for each of his colleagues, which were read after his passing.
At the time of his death, Phil Hartman was guest-starring on “3rd Rock from the Sun” (as Vicki’s former lover) and “The Simpsons.” Hartman lent his voice to multiple characters across 54 episodes of the latter, including the recurring role of Troy McClure, a faded actor. McClure’s final appearance was in the episode “Bart the Mother,” which aired four months after Hartman’s death. The episode was dedicated to his memory.
1. Redd Foxx The Royal Family (CBS, 1991)
Best known for his iconic role in “Sanford and Son,” Redd Foxx sought a career revival with this new series. The show revolved around Alphonso Royal (Foxx) and his wife Victoria (Della Reese), a couple anticipating a peaceful retirement until their daughter Elizabeth and her three children disrupted their plans. During rehearsals, Foxx collapsed. Initially mistaken for part of his act, it was later revealed to be a fatal heart attack. Seven episodes had already been completed, receiving positive ratings. While cancellation was considered, the decision was made to continue the show, writing out Al’s character and making cast adjustments. However, after 15 episodes and declining viewership, “The Royal Family” was ultimately canceled.
+ George Reeves and John Hamilton Adventures of Superman (ABC, 1952-1958)
Reeves became iconic as Superman, portraying the titular hero throughout the series. Hamilton played Perry White, the editor of the ‘Daily Planet.’ On October 15, 1958, Hamilton passed away from a heart attack at 71, disrupting plans to extend the series until 1960. Pierre Watkin was introduced as Perry White’s brother to fill the void. Then, on June 15, 1959, Reeves died from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, though his death has been shrouded in controversy and conspiracy theories. Despite this, producers aimed to continue the show by focusing more on Jimmy Olsen (Jack Larson), using archived footage of Reeves and stand-ins for distant shots. Larson outright rejected the idea, effectively ending the series. (Larson later reprised his role as an older Jimmy Olsen in a 1996 episode of “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman”).
