TV Deaths That Happened Because The Actor Really Died

[@GrungeHQ]

Which of these passings affected you the most?

[@jasminemarseilles5070]

Phil Hartman.

[@alexhennigh5242]

Grunge None of them because I didn't know them. Sorry to be so callus but if I don't know you and you die I don't care because I had no stock in your life as you had none in mine.

[@drfreud65]

I'm not sure which hurt the most, Phil Hartman or John Ritter. They were both very tragic. I loved them both.

[@fozzieatdetourbillnye5514]

Mr. Hopper. Still not over it.

[@marcusvachon845]

Grunge
Why didn't you mention Lee Thompson Young. He died while he was on "Rizzoli and Isles." Sadly, he committed suicide.

[@rosscharlesmcleod]

Ritter's death was a double hit. It was dealt with in Scrubs as well, as he played JD's dad. It was one of their best episodes.

[@homelesshannah50]

He played Ben's dad on Felicity too. I think they only mentioned it in passing since Ben didn't get along with him.

[@shawndamichelle639]

Yes. I remember bawling my eyes out. It was a fantastic episode.

[@oscarg1006]

That’s why they did that scrubs episode? oh man that’s a bummer:/ And an aortic dissection is an awful way to go, it feels like your chest is ripping itself apart. I’m not gonna see that episode the same way again god damn.

[@Starmadien2019]

Ross McLeod My Cake. Yes that was one of my favorite episodes. I love the little details they put in it. Like the Janitor leaving J.D. alone because he knew it was cruel to mess with someone who was dealing with loss

[@rachelmilutin7242]

He was at California Adventure when he passed away. I was at Disneyland the same day.

[@ncisforeverfan78]

Mr. Hoopers death was sad! Especially, explaining it to Big Bird 😕

[@foxythegachatuber1847]

ncisforeverfan78 I saw that episode and wondered who he was

[@TheCleaner76]

I'll give you that one 😂🤣😂🤣

[@hadleyanderson3168]

John Ritter is honestly the saddest... So sudden, so quick.

[@tinotse2007]

We all heard about John Ritter passing. And James Garner replacing him. Only to Passed Away himself

[@ama-ri_vox]

He also voice the titular character in Clifford the Big Red Dog & a Clifford movie was released after he died

[@tinotse2007]

@@ama-ri_vox He sure did voiced the loveable Dog Clifford

[@tinotse2007]

@Vlad the Inhaler We all enjoyed John.s Character as Jack Tripper on 3.s Company

[@chanceneck8072]

I loved his "Ben" in the tv mini series "It"!

[@pilotgal6191]

Ritter also played the voice of “Clifford, the Big Red Dog.” Such a loss. ☹️

[@vendettaknight104]

What?!

[@Drum_Dairy]

@@vendettaknight104 ikr

[@Groaker]

STARTING with Mr Hooper? Bloody hell, this list is going to be devastating.

[@obnoxiousbluebird6634]

It's not even just 70's kids. I was born in 1987 but I still watched some episodes with him in them (reruns obviously, probably as I'm in Australia). I still remember the episode they did, it was my first realisation death meant gone, on TV or otherwise! I cried and cried but it definitely taught me about losing someone in a very child friendly way!

[@zuzukris4952]

Video Graham I thought the same thing! 😢

[@liyah4116]

I was born in '07 and I think Mr. Hooper was great, but I'm kinda scared of him...

[@urischic1668]

liyah Why?

[@Diana-whathappenedin97]

It's not a top list. Goes from earliest to most recent.

[@TheStapleGunKid]

The one that really hit me growing up was the death of Jerry Orbach. Though he left Law and Order shortly before he died, it was still felt by all the show's fans, and I'm glad the show wrote in Lenny Briscoe's character death in an episode. I was shocked to learn Orbach had been suffering from cancer for many years while he was doing Law and Order. How you could do such an amazing acting job while suffering from a fatal disease is just baffling.

[@Lotmeister]

Jerry Orbach was a real trooper and a true professional when it came to acting. He loved performing and would often stay on the set after his scenes were done to coach other, less experienced actors. I couldn't watch L&O after he left, it just wasn't the same.

[@TheStapleGunKid]

I kept watching L&O till the end, but I agree it was never the same after Orbach left. He left behind a void that could never be filled by anyone, now matter how talented or well acted. L&O went through tons of casting changes throughout the years, but that was the one that really caused the biggest impact. I loved how in the episode where they wrote in Briscoe's character death, Curtis says that Briscoe was his normal wisecracking self all the way till he died. That's just how I'd expect him to go.

[@claire_stapley]

I could never watch Law and order after Lennie left. Not even Mccoy could save the show after he died 😥

[@TheStapleGunKid]

Still it was a testiment to the show's strength that it went on for 6 more years after Orbach left.

[@IrisWatts21]

Jerry Orbach was SO multitalented! The epitome, of course, being Lenny Brisco. But one unexpected role was in the musical "The Fantastiks." Yes, 'Lenny' could sing!

[@varianschirmer9375]

Jerry Orbach's passing doomed a spinoff of Law & Order.
His leaving Law & Order was the end of it's best years.

[@cwf1701]

And his passing was mentioned in later episodes of Law and Order and Law and Order CI by the men who played Briscoe's partners (Chris Noth on CI and Benjamin Bratt on Law and Order)

[@lucillebadger6554]

L&O definitely lost its heart when Jerry died. I watched the show to the end, but never quite enjoyed it as much.

[@raymondgerlach3148]

I don't if it did, but I remember some of his roles. Like Harry on Murder She Wrote as Jessica's private detective friend. Or voiceing Lumiair in Beauty and the Beast.

[@SneedyKetler]

I loved the Lenny Briscoe/John Munch crossover episodes of Law & Order.

[@ddivincenzo1194]

@@SneedyKetler Munch cracked me up. I loved "Homicide: Life on the Street".

[@vassa1972]

Omg I forgot about John Ritter's passing I also have a heart condition I was one of those blue Babys, at age 34 suffered a stroke and 2 years later a cardiac arrest but I'm still alive

[@allwork1980]

🙏👍💯

[@nanaabenadarkowaah1800]

Happy to hear that you are fine

[@babyhandgrenade4004]

Thank God!

[@cornerback4074]

go on lad

[@not-so-smartaleck8987]

+peter p. Hang in there.

[@danielbigham5652]

Lee Thompson Young, Detective Frost on Rizzoli and Isles. That death came as a shock to fans and cast alike. The way they handled it, a hero's police funeral, was beautiful. You could tell the cast really felt the loss in that episode.

[@a.r.partie6220]

Daniel Bigham And for the rest of the series.

[@_JoyceArt]

It was really touching how they occasionally brought him up during further episodes.

[@danielbigham5652]

Joy ce I agree. I loved the show, and really liked Detective Frost. Despite Lee's troubles, he brought depth and charm to a character who could have easily been marginalized. They honored him perfectly.

[@homelesshannah50]

Oh snap he was Jett Jackson! My niece loved that show

[@Diva380]

Young's death got me, not because of Rizzoli and Isles (only ever watched an episode or 2), but because he played a character that killed on a prior TV show (Flash Forward). When I heard the actor actually took his own life as well, it just freaked me out.

[@katterrific8286]

Now you can add Luke Perry to this list :(

[@esinger23]

KatTerrific 😢

[@bigmike9128]

You beat me too it .

[@Miss_Cherry]

Sad

[@nichollemohler307]

Yeah but we have no idea how they are going to go about his death on the show

[@TeamRocket98]

His death was truly heartbreaking. :(

[@miroslavtomic7038]

Phil Hartman was also known for his recurring roles of Troy McClure and Lionel Hatz on The Simpsons, both of whom were also quietly dropped after his death. They can still be seen in some episodes in group shots of Springfield citizens, but their voices have never been heard since Hartman's death.

[@ers586]

The television program, Give Me a Break, featured the relationship between the father, his children, and a housekeeper. When the father died in real life (Dolph Sweeney), his death was written into the story line and the housekeeper (Nell Carter) became the children's caregiver.

[@nvd2ceb4]

I remember when Nell Carter announced it on TV. Back then they never announced a star's passing but for some odd reason they did his. I remember his character. He was a grouchy father.

[@zatoth13]

i forgot about that one!

[@smeelola]

I remember this one, I used to watch the show every week. I love the episode where Nell meets Andy Gibb. Their rendition of Love Lift Us Up Where We Belong is beautiful.

[@dollydagger4306]

That's the guy I was thinking of, but I thought his name was Dolph Sweet. Either way that was sad, cos it wasn't really talked about until a character had walked into his room, upsetting the other characters but it had closure at the end.

[@carolynargabright8132]

Dolph Sweet.

[@TurboHawkV6]

I remember the Mr. Hooper died episode... It completely changed Sesame Street for me. I'm glad that the producers did what they did, by not sugar coating it, and having the kids ask the questions through Big Bird. As a 4 or 5 year old, it made Big Bird seem more relateable to me.
Phil Hartman is from my home town, and it still feels like this city lost a huge part, even though he hadn't lived here in many years. He is one of my favorite actors, because of his talent, the same home town was just a bonus.
That episode where 8 Simple Rules dealt with the passing of John Ritter was so emotional, you could tell they the actors weren't acting sad, they WERE saddened by his passing. I kinda felt sorry for them that they had cameras on them and then people watched as they mourned both in character and as the people they are.

[@starkiller18]

I didn't relize he had passed away that long ago as i remember seeing him on reruns all the time as a kid in the 2nd half of the 80s and early 90s.

[@jasminejohnston6393]

Yeah and then another character dies, but this character’s death wasn’t the result of anyone dying in real life. His name was Jack and he was Elmo’s uncle.

[@IDF1987]

They had to get the Mr. Hooper scene in 1 take as the actors just couldn't shoot it a 2nd time. When Gordon explains it to Big Bird...

[@yoda908]

I'm wondering if the whole episode of Mr. Hooper passing was a way for the whole cast to cope with the loss. Given the fact everyone deals with loss in their own way, and they are all professional actors, and they were among each other as a family; they used the show as a coping mechanism.
But I do remember watching an interview with Sylvester Stallone, and Arnold Schwarzenegger saying Stallone locked himself up away frome everyone when Stallone's son died. They both said Arnold and the other actors pushed Stallone to make the Expendables sequel just to keep busy because they were legitimately worried about Stallone.

[@jane1975]

Phil Hartman was also the voice of Troy McClure and Lyle Lanley and Lionel Hutz in The Simpsons, he was going to play Zap Brannigan in Futurama but, because he was killed the role went to Billy West who decided to do an impression of Phil for the voice of Zap to tribute him in a way.

[@Flutterbutt225]

They also re-named Fry to honor him. Fry's first name was originally going to be Yancey as a tribute to Doug Funnie, whom Billy West also voiced (Yancey was Doug's middle name) on the Nickelodeon cartoon _Doug,_ but they changed it to Phillip.

[@TheForeverRanger]

@@Flutterbutt225 And Yancey became the name of Fry's brother.

[@1Raptor85]

If you like Phil Hartman check out "Blasto" on PS1, the game is ridiculously hard but his voice acting makes it worth at least watching someone play the game, IIRC it's the last work before he was killed and Sony was intending for his character to be the official playstation mascot.

[@X2011racer]

@@1Raptor85 And I heard that Hartman's lawyers requested Sony to keep the character retired as to respect Hartman's work on the character and never recast him. It's why he was never considered for Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale nor did Sony ever recall Blasto ever since.

[@1Raptor85]

@@X2011racer I mean, the game kinda failed either way, it just wasn't a fun or interesting game and didn't really sell well. His VO is the only thing notable about it at all

[@taylors1974]

Cory Montieth 😭😭😭 I grew up with him and watched him on Glee. Glee was never the same with him gone, he was the glue that held the show together.

[@jennquinn1117]

After Corey then Mark I was like nope. Can't watch anymore.

[@jennquinn1117]

@@lorij3786 Mark Salling. He played Puck. He got caught with child porn and then committed suicide.

[@jennquinn1117]

@@lorij3786 yeah he hung himself.

[@briannafaith4033]

Taylor ! Yep I miss him so much still cry over his death to this day

[@zakkaj9105]

What??!!

[@motleydude73]

John Ritter got me so bad. I still get teary watching that 8 Simple Rules episode.

[@erinmefford8041]

Chris Terry same I loved him in threes company I still watch it on logo john Ritter was a icon

[@not-so-smartaleck8987]

+motleydude73 I think I watched the first few episodes of 8 Simple Rules after his death (the only episodes of that show that I ever watched, ironically), just to see how they would handle it. James Garner's character seemed to help...I was won-dering if David Spade was already on the show, or if they brought him in along with Garner. I didn't care for Spade's character, though.

[@j.k.murray146]

Phil Hartman was also on simpsons as troy mclure and other characters that disappeared after he died

[@Iceferno]

Surprised they didn't mention that, and also Miguel Ferrer being on Twin Peaks.

[@clarice525]

I was so angry when I found out that his cause of death was that his wife murdered him. I believe that she thought that Phil would be able to get her acting gigs. When she realized that he had no such intention, her insane reaction was to murder him and then kill herself.

[@DavidBaillie1986]

I think it's also fair to say that The Simpsons quality start to plummet within a year or 2 of his passing. Not caused by it obviously but the void left behind with the writers no longer being able to call on Lionel Hutz or Troy McClure was massive

[@orionred2489]

If i remember...he was also currently playing a character on Third Rock from the Sun, which was on right after News Radio. They had to work his death into both shows.

[@angie-tq4ew]

sasquatch 420 I remember Phil Hartman playing the rival neighbor from Jingle All the Way,

[@willowraine725]

The last one effected me the most. In 1964 my family vacationed in Bristol NH, where my Mother grew up and met my Father while he was vacationing from MA. We were visiting with cousins I'd never met before any my Father's sister and brother in law and my Father's parents , whom I only met twice before. I was born in Indiana so this was my first vacation in NH. One day my Father, brother and cousins went to climb Mount Cardigan. Mom was tired so she stayed behind to read and take a nap. She died in her sleep with her book opened on her chest. I was two weeks shy of fourteen. Dad passed a year and a half later.
So the last story has me still in tears.

[@WickedWonder1979]

I'm so sorry for your losses.

[@SisterPegasus]

Sorry for your losses...

[@not-so-smartaleck8987]

Tough stuff for a teenager to go through. Sorry.

[@timfart9414]

That must have been so hard for you growing up. I feel they would be amazed and proud of the person you became!

[@garethwilliams3819]

Woody was great but Coach was a legend with come of the greatest lines on TV. "Is there an Ernie Pantusso in the bar?" - "That's you Coach" - "Speaking"

[@not-so-smartaleck8987]

Agree. Woody was fine, even Kirstie Alley was fine, but it wasn't the same without Coach and Diane, respectively.

[@RajaReign78]

What about Jerry Orbach? I mean he was Law & Order to me. 😕

[@indy_go_blue6048]

Jerry had retired just prior to his death, so his character had already been written out of the show... but I agree with you, L&O was never the same after he left (although he died after that spinoff.)

[@candice_ecidnac]

No, he didn't retire from acting. His *character* retired from law enforcement and went into law (as an investigator) which is why he left regular Law & Order for the spinoff Law & Order: Trial by Jury. He was filming episodes even though he was dying, which is why his pancake makeup was so thick and he looked unwell. Cancer is cruel, and it took Jerry and his wonderful Lennie.

[@qhsperson]

ua-cam.com/video/ycPoxZ1NPBY/v-deo.html

[@ADFeldbauer]

+RajaReign78 He was also Cogsworth from Beauty & The Beast (the original not the Emma Watson mess)

[@dlxmarks]

Orbach did the voice of Lumiere. David Ogden Stiers did Cogsworth's.

[@doclewis8927]

I loved John Ritter. I grew up watching him. My favorite Miguel Ferrer movie was "Deep Star Six". Mrs. Wolowitz (Carol Ann Susi) was awesome. RIP to all.

[@evknucklehead]

He was also doing the voice of Clifford in PBS's _Clifford, the Big Red Dog_ series at the time of his passing. Instead of writing him out of the series or replacing the voice actor, they went a different direction and started _Clifford's Puppy Years_ instead of continuing the series.

[@136jab]

Don Davis on Stargate (General Hammond) he wasn't actually still filming at the time since they had moved his character off screen, but they did acknowledge his passing by naming a ship after his character.

[@doughorton3635]

Jack Soo played Nick Yemana and died during the fifth season of "Barney Miller". Although the character's fate was never mentioned on screen, a few episodes mentioned him with a touch of sadness; but most importantly, the final episode of Season 5 was a tribute, by the entire cast, to Jack Soo's greatest moments on "Barney Miller".

[@not-so-smartaleck8987]

What year did he die? The earliest one here is 1982, I think.

[@scottknode898]

Not-so-smart aleck Jack Soo died in 1979 at age 61 of esophageal cancer and was on the first season of Mash in 1972 in the episode Market To Market as Charlie Lee but sadly died during 5th season of Barney Miller

[@soulman71901]

Stanley Kamel played Dr. Kroger on MONK. He died of a heart attack.

[@stacey.617]

He’s conspicuous missing here. Loved him.

[@Soapie0]

That's the one I came to see! Stanley Kamel was wonderful and the show did a fantastic job handling his death. It was a beautiful episode.

[@rachelgarber1423]

I remember, Monk had a framed photo of him (at home I think)

[@Adamguy2003]

@@Soapie0 Me too!

[@laydeesilknwraith5590]

Aw that was the one that really got to me. Can’t believe he’s missing from this list. Watching Monk deal with his passing was sooo sad. I actually cried during that episode. RIP Stanley, very much missed.

[@Racingirl911]

May they all RIP...😢

[@Weresosorry]

rip in peace :(

[@Mang0M4ngo]

Rest in pepperoni

[@d.t.w1390]

Res in piss

[@smashinationproductionsoff7318]

@@Mang0M4ngo it's not *FUNNY*

[@jamesbailey8408]

BL4CK KINGZ fuck off

[@irisgalixia1990]

I loved John Ritter in problem. child RIP John

[@87dramarama]

his worst movie

[@babyhandgrenade4004]

I forgot about that movie lol. He drove that poor man crazy LOL.

[@venomizedcarnage6532]

He was great in almost everything.

[@dj-yf9jg]

Freaking loved that movie!
Watch it bout 10 times a year!

[@MrCzechers]

Don't forget Selma Diamond, who played Selma on Night Court.

[@LoveClassicMusic0205]

And also her replacement Florence Halop.

[@MrCzechers]

Absolutely.

[@NORMAN728]

Glad and sad I'm not the only one who remembered Flo and selna

[@not-so-smartaleck8987]

Right--they went through 3 different actors for that one part! Wasn't Marsha Warfield the last one?

[@mattd8700]

And Harry Anderson

[@katemaloney4296]

Nice, but you missed Lynne Thigpen from "The District". Her character died during filming and was memorialized in the last ep of the third season (LOTS of tissues required for that ep!). And there was Anna Lee on "General Hospital". Then there was Selma Diamond and Florence Halop on "Night Court"; Jack Soo on "Barney Miller"; Dolph Sweet on "Gimme A Break". And one of the saddest losses of all: Michael Conrad aka Phil Esterhaus on "Hill Street Blues" (check out that ep but have TONS of tissue on hand!).

[@habsphannn]

Good additions. I actually watched this video to see Phil Esterhaus/Hill Street Blues. Disappointed that it wasn't there.

[@gator9339]

I remember Lynn from Where in the world is Carmen SanDiego?

[@josem.figueroajr.4532]

Kate Maloney And also John Ingle, who played Edward Quartermaine on General Hospital.

[@biggingeryeti]

And also Nancy Marchand, who played Tony Soprano's evil mother.

[@thunderfoot11]

Good catches Kate, I'm especially glad you got both the Night Court additions, that was a show I was very fond of during it's run.

[@oldenweery7510]

Thank you for this list. I'm a fan of "NCIS: LA" and disliked "Assistant Director Owen Granger," though Ferrer brought humanity to the character, softening Granger, particularly after becoming a father to his long lost daughter, gradually becoming a likable man who meshed well with the team. I hadn't known he'd passed and will miss him. Re-edit: I just remembered an earlier series he starred in, "Crossing Jordan," where he played a good guy, but I still remember the memorable episode of "Magnum, P.I." where Miguel and his father, Jose, played the same character, 40 years apart, while June Lockhart and her daughter, Anne, played the same character, his lover. It was one of my favorite episodes of one of my favorite shows.

[@gailaldea8933]

So that is why he look so sick on his last appearances on NCIS...

[@oldenweery7510]

Amen, Darryl Ruiz. As a nonsmoker whose grandfather died of throat and lung cancer and whose father damaged his health smoking a pack a day of unfiltered Camels for 30 years before quitting, the message was always strong for me. However, I also know the addiction is one of the hardest to beat and how vigilant those who manage it have to be, I wish the message had been more prevalent---and early.

[@SumDumGai5]

Oldenweery Dick Jones!

[@dawnwinkelmann8800]

Oldenweery I agree

[@mattkaustickomments]

Had no idea Miguel Ferrer died. :( He played an especially menacing bad guy - was very believable.

[@varianschirmer9375]

Ralph Waite (Cliffhanger)
His death affected Bones (Boothe's grandfather) & NCIS (Gibbs's father)
Ritter's death affected Scrubs as well as 8 Simple Rules.
Night Court lost 2 cast members in 3 years. Selma & her replacement. Most shows barely survive 1 death.

[@leilanihanaike]

For John Ritter they also addressed his passing in the other show he had been on for a bit. He played the father of Zach Braff’s character on Scrubs.

[@dbush2216]

Richard Crenna played Jared Duff on Judging Amy (2003). When he died in real life they wrote his characters death into the show.

[@SoTypicallyMeh]

That was one of my favorite TV shows. I'm so angry that whoever owns the rights to the show won't release it on DVD.

[@MiSSJUiCEBOXXLiVE]

Pen pals that exchanged pens..😂. I didn’t think I’d laugh during this video but that made me chuckle.
RiP to everyone that passed 🙏🏽

[@jasminejohnston6393]

Yeah pen pals usually only exchange letters in the mail to get to know each other even if they’re unable to meet each other in person

[@a_really_awkward_queer_person]

If only this were more recent, Luke Perry would be on this list. 😭😭 rip luke

[@darkangel_1978]

Phil Hartman's death is the one that hurt me the most. I loved watching him on SNL, and when I was leaving work one day, one of my co-workers told me about his death. When I got home and saw it on the news, I cried. He was so funny and so talented. I felt worse for his two young kids.

[@Indigodelta383]

Also After Marcia Wallace They retired Edna Crabapple

[@mauricephillips9805]

Indigodelta383

[@dustman247]

Actually, Edna died when Marcia did; Ned Flanders is a 2X widower...

[@davidroddick91]

But they never had an episode in which Edna died; it was only mentioned that she had died.

[@wlessfanable]

Michael Conrad of "Hill Street Blues"?
"Let's be careful out there!"

[@233bedson]

Yes, he should definitely be here. In real life, Michael Conrad died of cancer, but in the show he died
while having sex, which was fitting. The character Renko drunkenly called Captain Furillo to celebrate it.

[@Jfieri1]

First one I thought of when I saw the title of this video.

[@raymesquite9157]

I think the character known as Sgt. Belker looked up to him. In the scene where the ashes where scattered, Sgt. Belker went back to keep some of the ashes.

[@lifeisaadventure9948]

RIP to all screen actors who died while being part of the script 😢

[@raymesquite9157]

I heard when Radar stated on MASH that Colonel Blake had died when his helicopter was shot down, even McLean Stevenson was shocked and teary-eyed.

[@charlottebuchanan3193]

I watched Cheers faithfully when it was on nbc. I really was devastated when Coach died. RIP Coach!

[@DarthSideous63]

You forgot Larry Hagman aka JR Ewing died during the Dallas reboot.

[@SchofieldAJ]

It was a Reboot dude it was a Contiuation as a REBOOT doesn't include any OG Cast Members as it was Just A Few NEW SEASONS but I agree as they gave JR 1 HEELUVA ENDING ON THE FLY TO HELL SEND OFF.

[@Danielle0785]

Thank you! It was sad as hell.

[@stpaulimdog]

I remember in the original Dallas he went to hell and back or something. The devil was trying to get him to kill himself. Do it! he said.

[@zvimur]

Speaking of Dallas, wasn't Jock (father of the family, played by Jim Davis) officially killed off a season after "disappearance" due to the actor's death?

[@phalynwilliams4119]

@@zvimur , you are correct. Jim Davus died of cancer and for many months his character was "away on business." Jock later died in an airplane crash. Prior to so-called reality tv, tv shows usually made a large effort to protect or separate the performer/character from the audience. In other words, the objective was to entertain or create an illiusion of a reality for its audience and not blend or merge reality alongside entertainment as is the current trend in entertainment. Entertainment is suppose to be an escape from reality not just another form of reality.

[@WolverinaPagan]

Some other Brilliant actors missed were, Ralph Waite, (played Mark Harmon's Father in NCIS and Character Seely Booth's Grandfather in Bones). Don S. Davis (Played General Hammond in SG1 and Senator Ellis in the Dead Zone). Lee Thompson Young (played Barry Frost in Rizzoli and Isles).

[@brandonpage7087]

How in the hell could you guys completely leave out the tragic passing of Dolph Sweet, on Gimme A Break??? Especially since, like the other deaths mentioned here, his character of Carl Kininski died on the show, as well??

[@not-so-smartaleck8987]

What year did he die? The earliest one here is 1982, I think.

[@trinarichardson6682]

@@not-so-smartaleck8987 1985

[@bobthebear1246]

You forgot Diana Hyland, who played the original Mrs. Bradford on the hit 70's ABC TV show "Eight Is Enough" for just the first 4 episodes in 1977 before rapidly succumbing to a highly malignant form of breast cancer at the age of 41.

[@maricarar4522]

Bob Schneider Good thing I read the comments before mentioning this.

[@TimCarter]

That's right. Abby was the step mom.

[@happydayz7857]

Bob Schneider I just caught her in a great old episode of The Twilight Zone.

[@eunaekim9216]

I am glad you put Mr Hooper on this list. He is often overlooked in lists of TV characters who have died, but he deserves recognition, as he was one of the most famous human characters in the show!

[@TA_Plus_Hemi]

This is one of the saddest videos I've ever given a thumbs-up to

[@charleskuckel3173]

How about John Erik Hexum? He played Mac Harper on the TV show Cover Up with Jennifer O'Neill. He died of an accidental self inflicted gunshot wound in 1984. He later was written out of the show by saying that he died on another mission and was replaced by another actor playing a different although similar character.

[@mishmashmedley]

i knew him from _Voyagers!_
very sad that....

[@magusxxx]

Here's what happened...He was on set and picked up a gun which had blanks in it. Put it to his head and said something like, "Is this for me?" And then fired. He didn't realize that even though they were blanks, at such close range they still would have caused damage or in this case death.
After this, many production companies and studios now equire actors to have a safety talk before even picking up a weapon.

[@charleskuckel3173]

magusxxx Yes I remember reading about it and hearing it on the news. SAD and tragic story. His career was JUST taking off.

[@LindaTuttleat1140]

magusxxx I remember that and I admit I cried. I just pray he passed quickly and without feeling the shot. Very sad day on set

[@Laffy1345]

magusxxx To bad they didn't check the weapon when Brandon Lee was killed.

[@disneyfan8178]

How about Jim Davis (Jock Ewing on "Dallas")?

[@marianlincoln9008]

Sean Connery has passed this year AND yet his passing in Robin and Marian was probably the most poignant death of a character I can remember and my FAVORITE part he ever played was MEDICINE MAN. He was Human, Flawed, Obsessed, Possesive, Dedicated, and Magnificent. His like will never come again.

[@darrylpope7740]

I really liked the Owen Granger character on NCIS LA show. They haven’t found a better replacement for that role.

[@goodhumourwagon]

I miss John (Ritter)...

[@svhwdwnut]

goodhumourwagon me too

[@jenlwilder]

Lee Thompson Young from Rizzoli and Isles, suicide, RIP. :(

[@anthonycaldeira1030]

What, when, damn'!

[@Deborahtunes]

@@anthonycaldeira1030~ He died August 19, 2013...

[@chikarar7931]

I loved Jett Jackson 😪

[@margerywright3599]

@@toiletpaper4 Utterly tragic!!!

[@sophiarieber7558]

Very sad, and I notice in the comments that people bring up those were left out, but I notice also one who is not mentioned........Dan Blocker, Hoss Cartwright......Dan passed away from a blood clot in his lung, just a month away from the start of the new/last season of Bonanza......and his death is mentioned in the first episode "Forever"......It hurts to lose our loved ones, even those we've never met

[@elissamcnair8927]

David Strickland from Suddenly Susan. The shows tribute to him was beautiful. Loved that rizzoli & Isles carried their tribute through to the very last episode of the show.

[@agoogleuser4443]

The show wasn't nearly as good without Hoss!

[@forthebrats9467]

I still remember the original episode of Mr Hooper's passing. Made me tear up again tonight. Ritter was a great comedic loss.

[@AlirioAguero2]

Thanks for the video. Also, both Nina Foch (Victoria Mallard) and Ralph Waite (Jackson Gibbs) were killed off on NCIS off-screen after their actual deaths.

[@JunkionMarnot2005]

Noticed Redd Foxx as Al Royal isn’t on here......

[@lyndabell6266]

JunkionMarnot2005 î

[@IrisWatts21]

There's another video on this page that includes Redd Foxx.

[@Lorelei98]

The Glee/Finn Hudson/Cory Monteith one also ended with them taking his memorial plaque with them to Nationals that year, they dedicated it to him that year with the songs used, and Sam/Chord holding up the drumsticks at the end. There were also flashbacks to the character in the final song they sang.
The series finale had a bit of a tribute when Rachel/Lea sang "This Time", as well as at the end when Sue announced that the auditorium was renamed to "The Finn Hudson Auditorium".
"The show must go... all over the place... or something."

[@theironredbaron]

Dan Blocker??? Aka Hoss Cartwright.

[@timfart9414]

Fire up the way-back machine!

[@elc1960]

Phil Hartman also did album cover artwork. That's his work on the cover of "History: America's Greatest Hits" and Poco's "Legend" album. The man was a serious talent all the way around.

[@Lotmeister]

One of my favorite music videos on MTV when I was a kid (shows you how old I am, I can remember when MTV actually played music) was Van Halen's "Hot for Teacher." Years later I learned that Phil Hartman was the voice of "Waldo" when he talks to his mom at the start of the video (before the song starts.)

[@lyndabell6266]

elc1960 o

[@ericf1328]

BILL PAXTON

[@akmarksman]

game over man..

[@scottkester7178]

But this article is about characters in shows who died because the actor died. Or did you even read that part of it?

[@bubbles0706ah]

Bill isn't dead 🤔

[@rachaelallen2185]

@@bubbles0706ah yes he died a while back. Not sure when.

[@anthonycaldeira1030]

Sadness over Bill Paxton. Forever.

[@shananalexander9789]

Phil Hartman, John Ritter is who I miss so much.

[@not-so-smartaleck8987]

I agree, those two.

[@andreap9869]

What about Michael Clarke Duncan from The Finder and Lee Thompson Young from Rizzoli & Isles?

[@davidjackson2524]

We'll also remember Phil Hartman as Troy McClure Lionel Hutz two recurring characters in the Simpsons

[@gerryhall914]

Yes, and out of respect for Hartman the Simpsons producers refused to revoice either of those characters even though they were both comedy gold. Pretty classy. You occasionally see one of them in the background though.

[@joshuaswanson1977]

gerry hall They were comedy gold because it was Hartman doing the voices.

[@gerryhall914]

He was definitely the perfect voice for the characters - especially hutz.

[@alextepe4309]

Lavern Merriweather hard to believe it’s been 20 years since we lost Phil Hartman. What makes his death tragic is because being murdered, he did not bring it on himself. It’s not like he was on drugs and overdosed like chris Farley.

[@liquidasylum2362]

Didn't his wife or someone like that kill him?

[@MsCupcake0920]

John Ritter 😢 His breaks my heart to this day.
And Cory's too. Makes me so sad. 💔

[@pjj9491]

Alias Smith and Jones...Pete Dual...
Loved that show

[@valsptsd814]

P Jj I was a kid, but I LOVED that show. Even named my grandfathers dog “Jones”, because he was the cute one. 😁

[@granvillefriel1877]

John ritter was Awesome in slingblade

[@willhuey4891]

he played that asshole police chief that chucky kills

[@ithilnin123]

I liked him in the original “It,” too.

[@debbiebronstad679]

John Ritter was just awesome in general. ❤

[@lorriesmith5086]

Yes, he absolutely was!

[@madhonib]

Miguel Ferrer was George Clooney's cousin. he played really good characters. Rosmary Clooney was an Amazine Singer/Actress too. quite a talented family.

[@alltheragegeorgepageakatheperv]

His father Jose was a legend. He worked with Humphrey Bogart in the American version of Mutiny.

[@angie-tq4ew]

Yes. I will always remember Miguel Ferrer as Lloyd, from The Stand.

[@jameslamprell4189]

Miguel was awesome as the nasty tempered sleazy journalist in the Night Flyer. He was great in Robocop as well.

[@reginamills7055]

I didn't know that!

[@suzycreamcheesez4371]

always had a crush on him

[@suzzannelson1708]

I miss Edward Herrmann grandfather to. Rory and head vampire of the lost boys 😁

[@BoundyMan]

I was born in 1976, saw Mr Hopper on Sesame Street and remember seeing the episode about his death.

[@LindaTuttleat1140]

One that touched many Will Geer AKA Grandpa Zeb Walton

[@chayakohn1974]

I was going to say what about Grampa Walton!

[@LindaTuttleat1140]

Chaya Kohn ♡

[@hlengiwezungu8152]

Yea he was one of my favorite

[@carolynargabright8132]

Oh yeah, that was grossly overlooked.

[@WWAHP]

What about Freddie Prinze from Chico & the Man?

[@s.b.155]

He died?

[@lisam4066]

Freddie Prinze Sr did. He shot himself in the head when Freddie Jr was just a baby.

[@joannwilderman8921]

Loved coach from "Cheers"...

[@candacebolton8345]

8 simple rules was my favorite show, I cried like I knew him,still effected 😢

[@mgb4692]

Dan Blocker in between seasons of Bonanza, effectively ending the series

[@lisam4066]

Was his death written in to Bonanza?

[@kevinnelson66]

@@lisam4066 Yes. Hoss' death was the focus of the 1972-73 season premiere. Those final season episodes are very seldom rebroadcast.

[@hydrolito]

They also started running Bonanza reruns five days a week calling it the Ponderosa had something to do with it's ending. Guess people didn't need to watch it six times a week. After the series was no longer in production and all new episodes shown, they just called the reruns by the original title of Bonanza.

[@hydrolito]

They also started syndicating reruns 5 days a week before the show left the air as The Ponderosa, when the show was no longer being made they changed title back to original title of Bonanza.

[@michaeleasterwood6558]

William Frawley died after the fifth season of My Three Sons,replaced by William Demerest( as Uncle Charlie)

[@DarthSideous63]

Technically true but William Frawley was released cause he was too ill and the studio won't insure him.

[@davidgreen5099]

Michael Easterwood I remember.

[@Lotmeister]

Not exactly. Frawley was in poor health and the studio wouldn't insure him anymore, so he was fired from the show and his character was written off. I read somewhere that Frawley almost started a brawl with Demarest when they were on the set together.

[@number62]

First season I think.

[@Serai3]

Doesn't count. The character wasn't killed off.

[@nunosoares2329]

RIP all these great actors. Condolences to all the families :-(

[@viviennepopek]

Miguel Ferrer looks so much
like his father, Jose, both very
handsome and adorable.
Together forever now 💖

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

His best role was in Twin Peaks.

[@magpieone9390]

What about Freddie Prinze,(SR) if "Chico&The Man?Its a shame that his demons took his life

[@indy_go_blue6048]

Did he die during filming? I thought it was after the show ended.

[@magpieone9390]

indy_go_blue60 If I remember correctly, it was the end of the 2nd season

[@johnw8984]

Magpie One they missed Freddie Prinze and I they missed the big roll call sergeant "be careful out there" from Hill Street Blues, Robert prosky took over for him I think after the third season.

[@magpieone9390]

John W I can't remember his name,but I know who u mean.

[@charlesclark9627]

Magpie One. Freddie Prinze death hit hard he was the star and the preeminent Latino comic of his era. Sad his demons took him.

[@TheFujac]

aaahhh john ritter....what a legend...

[@TimCarter]

How could you miss Freddie Prinze from Chico and the Man?

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

Yeah, that's an obvious one.

[@wilfru1]

very well done thanx for sharing

[@skullman8942]

RIP John Spencer, a great actor from a great show The West Wing.

[@alltheragegeorgepageakatheperv]

Dolph Sweet Chief Carl Kanisky of Gimme A Break. The show was really the same when he died. He was the straight man and had the best lines. Also Night Court loss two Baliffs, Selma and Flo. I remember Marsha Warfield doing a interview thinking the role was curse.

[@principecaprincipeca2243]

Jim Davis. Remember? Jock Ewing. He died while season four of Dallas was being aired.

[@limpnjen]

What about the lady from "Petticoat Junction"? Super sad story. Her son was married to Travolta's sister, he just died a yr or so ago.

[@stephengiorgis7072]

Bea Benadaret.
Cousin Pearl (Jethro's Mom) in Beverly Hillbillies and voice of Betty Rubble

[@trainjacobsweden]

You forgot Edna Krabappel in my favourite show The Simpsons!

[@melaniekaufman6565]

She sadly suffered for years

[@samdangergrove5678]

and phil hartan, you might remember him from such simpsons characters as troy mcclure and lionel hutz

[@dannythomas417]

@@samdangergrove5678 One of the greatest recurring guest stars ever! But at least we still have Kelsey Grammer, Joe Mantegna and Jon Lovitz!

[@arri275555]

I worked with John Spencer. He was was wonderful. ❤❤

[@freqeist]

good video, thankyou. Dont forget in the 70`s a soldier called Walker (Dads Army) died and they wrote a piece announcing that he was "staying in London"

[@AnnabelleJARankin]

Coach looked years older than 61!

[@not-so-smartaleck8987]

Yeah, I thought he was in his 70s.

[@myahollandia3552]

@@not-so-smartaleck8987 me too he looked 75

[@mslivewire007]

Mr. Hooper was cool. I remembered that episode. It was sad.

[@bonitawauls6274]

Bless his heart, Miguel Ferrer. Bravely working til his death! So sad.

[@agoogleuser4443]

Yep, he was so good on Crossing Jordan.

[@patrickwall8517]

I think the one that got me the most was John Ritter. I also remember when Jack Soo, who played Nick Yemana on Barney Miller died they not only killed his character but ended the season by acknowledging his death with an hour long tribute episode which paid tribute to both Jack and his character Nick.

[@melissamaylath2943]

This is sad & touching. I remember watching John Ritter on three's company. And in the films stay tuned & the original version of the movie IT . Phil Hartman on SNL , news radio. In the flim the 3 amigos. He had a brief cameo in the movie. but he was lol as always. So many of these celbs are gone but definitely not forgotten. 🌹 R.I.P

[@larryfisher7056]

Ralph Waite...Gibbs father

[@abigaildeeks8328]

Larry Fisher He also play Booth’s grandpa on Bones

[@karlsmith2570]

cpk1994 which season did that happen??

[@mv4nce]

comments about a character in NCIS and bones. YES! Reason... no😢

[@raxtbk]

His death was also acknowledged on Bones by naming Bones and Booth's son after his character.

[@BloodylocksBathory]

Also Lynne Thigpen, whose character died in The District. They had filmed enough of a future episode with her to have the character show up in the memories of other characters.

[@lyndabell6266]

BloodylocksBathor08

[@thunderfoot11]

I stopped watching the show after that... I remember her fondly watching "Where in the World is Carmen San Diego" with my kids.

[@kirstendodson30]

Lynne voiced the moon in Bear and the big blue house!

[@sassycat5856]

Lynne also was the voice and the lips of the DJ in the movie the Warriors.😊 Yeah, I'm old enought to remember😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ryancaughill5662]

Thanks Boss 💔🥺 Love The West Wing. It has transcended generations.

[@zuzukris4952]

Mr. Hooper! First one on the list. Way to break my heart! I remember when he died. I was 8. I turned on Sesame Street and everyone was sad and Mr. Hooper’s store was closed. My mother told me he had passed away. I cried all day!

[@vintage1950]

Don’t know why, the Big Bang theory one gets me every time

[@nullvoid6156]

What about Dolph Sweet from ‘Gimme a Break’.