This is a thread dedicated to actors who died within ten years of their show ending. Dying during the show doesn't count. If they left the show before it was finished, then you can count from their departure in the show, rather than the show's end.

William Frawley - Fred Mertz in I Love Lucy. The show ended in 1957. Frawley passed away on March 3, 1966. That's nine years after the show ended. If you include The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour as part of the same show, then Frawley died six years after the show ended.

Peter Boyle - Frank Barone in Everybody Loves Raymond. The show ended in 2005. Boyle passed away on December 12, 2006. That's just over one year after the show ended.

Bob Crane - Col. Hogan in Hogan's Heroes. The show ended in 1971. Crane was murdered on June 29, 1978. That's seven years after the show ended.

Andy Kaufman - Latka Gravas in Taxi. The show ended in 1983. Kaufman passed away on May 16, 1984. That's just one year after the show ended.

Ted Knight - Ted Baxter in The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The show ended in 1977. Knight passed away on August 26, 1986. That's nine years after the show ended.

Earl Hindman - Wilson in Home Improvement. The show ended in 1999. Hindman passed away on December 29, 2003. That's over four years (5 months shy of five years) after the show ended.

Bernie Mac - Himself in The Bernie Mac Show. The show ended in 2006. Mac passed away on August 9, 2008. That's two years after the show ended.

Michelle Thomas - Myra Monkhouse in Family Matters. The show ended in 1998. Thomas died on December 22, 1998. That's just over five months after the show ended.

Cathryn Damon - Mary Campbell in Soap. The show ended in 1981. Damon died on May 4, 1987. That's six years after the show ended.

John Ritter - John Hartman in Heart's Afire. The show ended in 1995. Ritter passed away on September 11, 2003. That's just over eight years after the show ended.

Lou Costello - Himself in The Abbott and Costello Show. The show ended in 1954. Costello passed away on March 3, 1959. That's just over four years after the show ended.

Glenn Quinn - Mark Healy in Roseanne. The show ended in 1997. Quinn passed away on December 3, 2002. That's just over five years after the show ended.

Agnes Moorehead - Endora in Bewitched. The show ended in 1972. Moorehead passed away on April 30, 1974. That's just two years after the show ended.

I'm sticking with sitcoms in this first post, but you can include any genre you want.

Kiel Martin (Hill Street Blues) - HSB ended in May of 1987, he died in the very taile end of late 1990, about 3 years after HSB ended.

Rene Enriquez (Hill Street Blues) - like Kiel Martin, he too died in 1990, 3 years after HSB ended.

David Janssen (The Fugitive and Harry O) - the original Fugitive ended in 1967 and Harry O ended in 1976. He died in 1980, 4 years after Harry O and about 13 years after The Fugitive ended.


Rebecca Schaffer (My Sister Sam) - My Sister Sam ended in 1988, she was murdered in 1989, just exactly one year after MSS ended.

Ozzie Nelson.

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet ended in 1966 and he died in 1975 of cancer. :(

Bill Bixby - Died 10 years after Goodnight, Beantown ended (I think it ended in 1983?). He died in 1993.

Michael Landon died in 1991 with in 10 years of both the finales of Little House on the Prairie (1983) and Highway to Heaven (1989).

Vic Tayback, Mel on Alice died in 1990. Alice ended in 1985.

Edward Platt, The Chief on Get Smart died in 1974. Get Smart ended in 1970.

Phil Foster, Frank DeFazio on Laverne & Shirley died in 1985. L & S ended in 1983.

Howard McNear, Floyd on The Andy Griffith Show died in 1969. TAGS ended in 1968, although McNear left the series before that.

Irene Ryan, Granny on The Beverly Hillbillies died in 1973. BH ended in 1971.

Raymond Bailey, Mr. Drysdale on The Beverly Hillbillies died in 1980.

Edgar Buchanan, Uncle Joe on Petticoat Junction died in 1979. PJ ended in 1970.

Howard Rollins and Hugh O'Connor both died shortly after "In the Heat of the Night" ended in 1995. Howard was initially barred from the show after S6 and permanently barred for good during the late filmings of S7 after his guest-starred cameos earlier during that season in 1993.

Hugh died just a few days after "In the Heat of the Night" just finished its series run in 1995.

Howard died in 1996 a year after In the Heat of the Night ended and a few years after his banishment from the show.


Richard Mulligan died 5 years after "Empty Nest" ended its run.


Rock Hudson died about 8 years after "McMillan and Wife" (titled just "McMillan" during the 1976-77 season)

George Peppard - he died 7 years after The A-Team ended and days after his guest-star appearance on "Matlock" in 1994.

Family Affair
Buffy died in 1976
Mr French in 1977

Carl Betz died in 1976. Ten years after The Donna Reed Show was cancelled and seven years after Judd For The Defense was cancelled.

Life With Lucy last aired on November 15, 1986

Lucille Ball died on April 26, 1989 ( two and a half years later)

Gale Gorden died on June 30, 1995 (eight and a half years later)

Jack Albertson - died in 1981, 3 years after Chico and the Man ended in 1978.

Scatman Crothers - died in 1986, 8 years after Chico and the Man ended.

Ray Combs - died 2 years after his reign on Family Feud ended and 1 year after he was fired from his other game show "Family Challenge".

Bert Convy - died 2 years after Super Password ended, 1 year after his other game show "3rd Degree" he hosted and created ended.

Mary Frann, Bob Newhart's wife on Newhart. The show ended in 1990, while Mary died eight years later.

Stafford Repp, who played Chief O'Hara on Batman died in 1974, about six years after Batman ended.

Heather O'Rourke, who played Fonzie's girlfriend's daughter during I think, the second to last season of Happy Days (the 1982-83 season) died about five years later.

Le Tari, who played Dudley's dad on Diff'rent Strokes died of a heart attack at the age of 40 in 1987, only one year after Diff'rent Strokes ended.

Cleavon Little died of colon cancer shortly after the sitcom True Colors was cancelled in early 1992. Ironically, Little replaced Frankie Faison as Ronald Freeman. As of typing this, Frankie Fazion is still alive and well.

Kiel Martin (Hill Street Blues) - HSB ended in May of 1987, he died in the very taile end of late 1990, about 3 years after HSB ended.

Rene Enriquez (Hill Street Blues) - like Kiel Martin, he too died in 1990, 3 years after HSB ended.

David Janssen (The Fugitive and Harry O) - the original Fugitive ended in 1967 and Harry O ended in 1976. He died in 1980, 4 years after Harry O and about 13 years after The Fugitive ended.


Rebecca Schaffer (My Sister Sam) - My Sister Sam ended in 1988, she was murdered in 1989, just exactly one year after MSS ended.

There seems to be a slight misconception that the reason why My Sister Sam ended was because of Rebecca Schaffer's murder, not that it had already been cancelled a year in advance.

Peter Boyle died in 2006 approximately a year after Everybody Loves Raymond ended in 2005.

There seems to be a slight misconception that the reason why My Sister Sam ended was because of Rebecca Schaffer's murder, not that it had already been cancelled a year in advance.

My Sister Sam was cancelled by CBS in 1988 because CBS moved the show from Monday (where it aired with Newhart and Kate and Allie) to Thursdays (the death night for many shows that aired up against NBC's Powerhouse shows at the time).

Rebecca herself murdered one year after CBS cancelled My Sister Sam.

John Sylvester White (aka Mr. Woodman on Welcome Back Kotter) - died 9 years after WBK ended.

Bud Collyer - he died one year after his version of To Tell the Truth ended (He hosted TTTT from 1956-68). Ironically, he died the very same day that Garry Moore's (Collyer was also good friends w/ Garry Moore) version debuted.

Bill Bixby - Died 10 years after Goodnight, Beantown ended (I think it ended in 1983?). He died in 1993.

Very close to ten years, actually. The show ended on Sept. 2, 1984. Bill Bixby died on Nov. 21, 1993.

Very close to ten years, actually. The show ended on Sept. 2, 1984. Bill Bixby died on Nov. 21, 1993.
Ah, ok. I couldn't remember if it made it to 1984 or not. :)

John Sylvester White (aka Mr. Woodman on Welcome Back Kotter) - died 9 years after WBK ended.

Bud Collyer - he died one year after his version of To Tell the Truth ended (He hosted TTTT from 1956-68). Ironically, he died the very same day that Garry Moore's (Collyer was also good friends w/ Garry Moore) version debuted.
That's spooky!

James Broderick (Family). The show ended in 1980 and he passed in 1982. He is probably better known as Matthew Broderick's dad these days.

That's spooky!

Days before Bud Collyer died, he gave Garry Moore his blessings.

Howard Rollins and Hugh O'Connor both died shortly after "In the Heat of the Night" ended in 1995. Howard was initially barred from the show after S6 and permanently barred for good during the late filmings of S7 after his guest-starred cameos earlier during that season in 1993.

Hugh died just a few days after "In the Heat of the Night" just finished its series run in 1995.

Howard died in 1996 a year after In the Heat of the Night ended and a few years after his banishment from the show.


Carroll O'Connor himself died in 2001, just 6 years after that show ended.

Carl Betz died in 1976. Ten years after The Donna Reed Show was cancelled and seven years after Judd For The Defense was cancelled.

Carl Betz didn't die until Jan. 18, 1978, age 56, but that was less than 10 years after the cancellation of Judd for the Defense in 1969.

Sadly I'm going to have to add the wonderful Stanley Kammel to this thread. He was Dr. Stanley Kammel on Monk. He died on April 8th, 2008 and this is the last season of Monk. To quote Tony Shalhoub, "I miss him terribly".

I guess it's safe to include Robert Reed, who died in 1992, since he was on The Bradys (a continuation of The Brady Bunch), which ended in 1990.

I guess it's safe to include Robert Reed, who died in 1992, since he was on The Bradys (a continuation of The Brady Bunch), which ended in 1990.

Good call!


I got some more:

Bruce Lee - He died in 1973, about 6 years after "The Green Hornet" ended in 1967.

Bill Cullen - He died in 1990 from lung cancer, just 4 years after he finished his tenure with "The Joker's Wild" in 1986 and 3 years after his guest star appearance on "The (New) $25,000 Pyramid" w/ Clark in 1987.

Jester Hairston (aka Rolly Forbes on "Amen") - He died 9 years after "Amen" ended in 1991. Sad part about his death is that he lived another 1 1/2 years, he would've been one of the few actors to have lived until the age of 100.

John Hoyt (aka Grandpa Kanisky of "Gimme a Break!") - he died 4 years after Gimme a Break! ended. GaB! ended in 1987, he died in 1991. He also died a month shy of his 86th birthday.

Rosetta LeNoire (aka Mother Winslow on Family Matters and Maybelle Harper on Gimme a Break!) - she died 4 years after Family Matters ended in 1998, though she left the year before FM ended.

Nell Carter - she died in 2003, about 6 years after Hangin' with Mr. Cooper ended (though she was gone 2 years before that show ended) and 4 years after her stint as a regular panelist on the disastrous 1998-99 revival of "Match Game."

John Banner, Sgt. Schultz died in 1973, two years after Hogan's Heroes (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/forumdisplay.php?f=71) ended.

I got a new one here:

Nathan Cook - he died a month after "Hotel" ended in 1988.

Rufe Davis died in 1974 four years after "Petticoat Junction" ended in 1970.

Richard Long died Dec. 1974, just a few years after Nanny & the Professor ended in 1971. That was also less than 10 years after The Big Valley ended in '69.

Pamela Britton, a regular on My Favorite Martian, died in 1974. The show had ended in 1966.

Mary Frann died in 1998, less than 10 yrs. after Newhart ended in 1990.

Nell Carter - she died in 2003, about 6 years after Hangin' with Mr. Cooper ended (though she was gone 2 years before that show ended) and 4 years after her stint as a regular panelist on the disastrous 1998-99 revival of "Match Game."

I liked Match Game. Ok, the host might have sucked, but I thought the regular panelists were great. Nell, Vicki Lawrence, Judy Tenuta and George Hamilton. They always seemed to be having so much fun together.

Philip Ahn, who played Master Kan on Kung Fu, died in 1978 -- just a few years after the series ended in 1975.

I liked Match Game. Ok, the host might have sucked, but I thought the regular panelists were great. Nell, Vicki Lawrence, Judy Tenuta and George Hamilton. They always seemed to be having so much fun together.

MG with Gene Rayburn, Brett Sommers, Charles Nelson Reilly, and Richard Dawson always has and always will be THE Match Game. Ok.

I do agree with you about Michael Burger, the guy that hosted that particular version of MG from 1998.

Lorne Greene - died in 1987, 7 years after Galactica 1980 ended and about 8 years after the original Battlestar Galactica ended.

Michelle Thomas (aka Myra on Family Matters) died months after Family Matters ended in 1998 and months after she left Young and the Restless.

I got some new ones here:

Sorrell Booke (aka Boss Hog from The Dukes of Hazzard) - he died 9 years after The Dukes of Hazzard ended its run in 1985.

Robert Urich - he died 6 years after The short-lived western The Lazarus Man ended.

Billie Bird - she died approx. 10 years after Dear John ended.

Hervé Villechaize - he died 9 years after the original Fantasy Island ended and 10 years after he was fired from the show.

Another new one here:

Madge Sinclair - She died just months after the short-lived sitcom Me and the Boys ended in very late 1995.

Frank Sutton (Sgt Carter) died on June 28th, 1974, 5 years after Gomer Pyle USMC ended it's run.

Hank Patterson (Fred Ziffel) died on August 23rd, 1975, 4 years after Green Acres ended it's run.

Milburn Stone (Doctor Galen Adams) died on June 12th, 1980, 5 years after Gunsmoke ended it's run.

Paul Hartman (Emmett Clark) died on October 2nd, 1973, 5 years after The Andy Griffith Show ended it's run.

Tim Moore (George 'Kingfish' Stevens) died on December 13th, 1958, 5 years after The Amos 'N Andy Show ended it's run. Oddly enough, His costar, Spencer Williams Jr (Andrew H. Brown) also died on December 13th (1969)

Emmaline Henry (played Mrs. Amanda Bellows on I Dream of Jeannie) died in 1979, which was 9 years after the ending of IDOJ in 1970.

Vinton Hayworth (played General Schaeffer on IDOJ) died in May, 1970, which was right after the last episode of IDOJ aired.

Don't know if this was said or not:

Andy Kaufman - he died one year after Taxi ended in run.

Denver Pyle Died on Decrember 25. 1997 12 year's after The Dukes of Hazzard ended.

Another one: Several hours ago, Britany Murphy has died in December 2009. In September 2009 King of the Hill aired its last episode.

what charry she play in king of the hill i just read about it rip britney

what charry she play in king of the hill i just read about it rip britney

She voiced 'Luanne'.

Now that you mention,nell Carter,her name was on a cd of Joey Lawrence,It has him Thanking her,It was made probably before she passed away.It has Nothing My Love Can't Fix on it. It's spooky that her name's on it.Someone who's no longer with us.:(

Andy Hallett who played Lorne on Angel died in March 2009. Angel ended in May 2004.

Now that you mention,nell Carter,her name was on a cd of Joey Lawrence,It has him Thanking her,It was made probably before she passed away.It has Nothing My Love Can't Fix on it. It's spooky that her name's on it.Someone who's no longer with us.:(

Incidentally Nell Carter left Hangin' with Mr. Cooper in 1995 and that show ended in '97.

She died 8 years after leaving that show and 6 years after that show ended.

Good call!

Did anybody mention Vic Tayback? Alice ended in 1985 and he died in 1990
Merlin Santana from "The Steve Harvey Show" which ended in 2002 and he died in Novemer or December 2002.
Hermione Baddeley died 1986 and Maude ended in 1978

She voiced 'Luanne'.

Brittany Murphy was also on Drexell's Class as Dabney Coleman's daughter and The Torkelsons when it was revamped as Almost Home. Not to mention her recurring role during the early years of Sister, Sister.

I have another one here:

Leo G. Carroll - he died in 1972, 4 years after The Man from U.N.C.L.E. ended in 1968.

Charles Hallahan - he died in 1997, 2 years after the 1st Hunter TV movie and 6 years after the original series ended.

"Bewitched" ended it's run in July, 1972. Aside from the already mentioned Agnes Moorehead (d. 1974), the following re-occurring cast members died within the ten year period...


Roy Roberts (Mr. Stephens) - 5/75
George Tobias (Abner Kravitz) - 2/80
Paul Lynde (Uncle Arthur) - 1/82
Reta Shaw (Aunt Hagatha) - 1/82

Mabel Albertson (Mrs. Stephens) just missed the 10 year period, passing in September, 1982.

Ed Flanders (Dr. Donald Westphall) - died 8 years after he left St. Elsewhere (he left after the 5th season and became a guest character in S6) and 7 years after that show ended in 1988.

'Hello, Larry' - George Memmoli died in 1985, five years after 'Hello, Larry' ended.

I got another one here:

William Conrad - he died 2 years after Jake and the Fatman ended its run in 1992.

How about James Daly? He passed away two years after Medical Center (with Chad Everett) ended its run in 1976.

William Bendix died 12/64, a little over six years after the end of The Life Of Riley

Clarence Kolb, who played Mr. Honeywell on My Little Margie, lived on for over nine years after that show ended in August of '55

Ernest Whitman was part of the revamped TV cast of Beulah and died less than a year after it left the network in September of '53; third Beulah Louise Beavers died 10/62

Inger Stevens committed suicide(?) in late April of 1970, some four years after The Farmer's Daughter ended

Billy De Wolfe played Mr. Jarvis on The Doris Day Show which ended in September of '73. He died only six months later.

Keye Luke had a regular role as the grandfather seen in flashbacks on Sidekicks which ended its single-season run in June of '87 and he passed on 3 1/2 years afterward

Jane Rose was one of the cast members of Phyllis who did not die while it was on the air, outliving the show by nearly two years.

more to come....

Denver Pyle Died on Decrember 25. 1997 12 year's after The Dukes of Hazzard ended.

Hey, the OP said within 10 years!! :D

Donna Reed of Dallas died within only 3 years or so of her Dallas run. She was hotter than Barbara Bel Geddes but Geddes was the better actor for sure as Miss Ellie.

Richard Jaeckel (Lt. Martin Quirk) - he died 9 years after Spenser: For Hire ended in 1988.

Wilfred Hyde-White - he died 10 years after Buck Rogers in the 25th Century ended in 1981. He joined the cast of that show in the 2nd season due to his commitment to The Associates, which debuted the previous season before the start of the 2nd season of Buck Rogers.

William Conrad - he died 2 years after Jake and the Fatman ended in 1992.