http://www.mandatory.com/2014/07/30/12-tv-sitcom-characters-who-disappeared-without-explanation/
This is actually interesting, most we know some we don't.

Nice read. The only ones that really bothered me were Mr. Turner & Minkus from "Boy Meets World", Judy from "Family Matters", and Cody from "Step by Step". I'm so glad that Sasha Mitchell was found not guilty, I always loved him as 'Cody' and it was nice to see him again in the next-to-last episode of the series.

I don't know if this really counts but I want to add Frasier's Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe to this list. He was in so many episodes and then he just disappeared without explanation. I'm still wondering what happened because he was one of my favorite characters and I was disappointed that he wasn't in the finale at all. I don't even remember if he was in the very last shot where they are all watching Frasier do his last broadcast through the window.

I would add Seven from 'Married with Children', one of the least liked character ever.

http://www.bundyology.com/sevenbig.jpg

How about Cindy, Molly, Nancy, and Sue Ann from "The Facts of Life" as well as Steven Bradley?

They never mention why they were dropped in the 2nd season.

How about Cindy, Molly, Nancy, and Sue Ann from "The Facts of Life" as well as Steven Bradley?

They never mention why they were dropped in the 2nd season.


Actually THIS WAS mentioned. Years later in "The Little Chill" they explained those girls had all left Eastland when Jo arrived. It was a bit of revisionist history though because those girls were seen in minor roles during a few season 2 episodes; they were explained as having been sent to live in a different dorm; and then they were never seen again.

Actually THIS WAS mentioned. Years later in "The Little Chill" they explained those girls had all left Eastland when Jo arrived. It was a bit of revisionist history though because those girls were seen in minor roles during a few season 2 episodes; they were explained as having been sent to live in a different dorm; and then they were never seen again.

Okay then...never mind.

But were there any others from FOL?

Okay then...never mind.

But were there any others from FOL?

Ms. Mahoney disappeared after the 4th episode I believe.

I would add Seven from 'Married with Children', one of the least liked character ever.

http://www.bundyology.com/sevenbig.jpg
Good add on forgot about this one, liked the joke where his pic was on a milk carton LOL. Producers found out he didn't work out.


I don't know if this really counts but I want to add Frasier's Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe to this list. He was in so many episodes and then he just disappeared without explanation. I'm still wondering what happened because he was one of my favorite characters and I was disappointed that he wasn't in the finale at all. I don't even remember if he was in the very last shot where they are all watching Frasier do his last broadcast through the window.
Good choice, I really liked the interaction between him and Roz. I've always wondered why he disappeared he was a great in his part and fit in well as part of the cast.

Good choice, I really liked the interaction between him and Roz. I've always wondered why he disappeared he was a great in his part and fit in well as part of the cast.

That is a good choice and I never even realized it until it was just pointed out.

I know he was in a few episodes in the later seasons, but your right he did just kind of slowly disappear.

Didn't "Jake Ochmonek" disappear from ALF without an explanation as well?

I don't remember but, Mrs Ochmonek was a stronger character than Jake.

I don't remember but, Mrs Ochmonek was a stronger character than Jake.

Yes she was, of the three she was always my favorite.

She was their version of Gladys Kravitz :D

Jenny on "Sabrina, The Teenage Witch" vanished. Valerie vanished too, but I think they sort of explained that one... Also, Miles vanished too. Never mentioned again... Also, Libby Chesler.

How about Larry Mondello from Leave It To Beaver? Without a doubt, the funniest of Beaver's friends.

On Everybody Loves Raymond, didn't Ray's friend Andy disappear as well after the first few seasons?

There is one big bad reason:

Financial collapsing incidents

Laura's friend Penny in Season 1 of Family Matters.

Eddie's friend Rodney in Season 1 of Family Matters.

How about Larry Mondello from Leave It To Beaver? Without a doubt, the funniest of Beaver's friends.

On Everybody Loves Raymond, didn't Ray's friend Andy disappear as well after the first few seasons?
Good one on Larry Mondello I wondered what had happened to him. I never watched Everybody Loves Raymond, so I don't know.

On Everybody Loves Raymond, didn't Ray's friend Andy disappear as well after the first few seasons?

No Andy appeared in later seasons, including it's last season.

I don't know if this really counts but I want to add Frasier's Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe to this list. He was in so many episodes and then he just disappeared without explanation. I'm still wondering what happened because he was one of my favorite characters and I was disappointed that he wasn't in the finale at all. I don't even remember if he was in the very last shot where they are all watching Frasier do his last broadcast through the window.

He was fired because his show's ratings declined.

Don't forget Richie Iannucci (Larry Romano's character) from King of Queens.

After a relatively long absence, he last appeared on a Season 3 episode when everyone went Paintballing...

He was originally Doug's best friend in Season 1, but then Deacon came along and stole the show (pun intended).

Apparently, he asked to leave as he was working on another sitcom, but that obviously didn't pan out.

How about Larry Mondello from Leave It To Beaver? Without a doubt, the funniest of Beaver's friends.

On Everybody Loves Raymond, didn't Ray's friend Andy disappear as well after the first few seasons?

Ray's friend *Kevin* Daniels disappeared as well without a explanation (obviously the real reason was because Kevin James began working on The King of Queens).

There was also Andre Bailis on Hangin' With Mr. Cooper.

He was portrayed as Earvin's best friend (and would sometimes even be included in Earvin's schemes), but disappeared after Season 2...

On The Steve Harvey Show, the following characters disappeared without explanation:

Sophia (student in Steve's class)
Sara (student in Steve's class)
Aisha (student at Booker T. Washington High School)

We can assume they transferred to a different school or dropped out, but again it was never officially explained on the show.

Long running animations such as South Park and Simpsons are also notorious for once recurring characters, without explanation, being demoted to mere background characters.

On South Park:

*Officer Barbrady
*Jimbo
*Ned
*Mr. Slave
*Big Gay Al
*Mr. Hankey
*Towlie
*Father Maxi
*Dr. Alphonse Mephesto and Kevin
*Terrance & Phillip

What about Chuck Cunningham? That might be the most mysterious case of all!

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5cr9li0uwu8/TXjjYZ1R_XI/AAAAAAAABss/1Ynw3SOH-Gg/s1600/faces_of_chuck.jpg

What about Chuck Cunningham? That might be the most mysterious case of all!

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5cr9li0uwu8/TXjjYZ1R_XI/AAAAAAAABss/1Ynw3SOH-Gg/s1600/faces_of_chuck.jpg

He was the first person listed in the link the OP posted...

On Three's Company in season 4 man crazy Lana dissappeared from the apartment complex.

And Cindy Snow just went away in season 6 and was never mentioned again.

On Three's Company in season 4 man crazy Lana dissappeared from the apartment complex.

And Cindy Snow just went away in season 6 and was never mentioned again.
Cindy went to UCLA and lived in the dorm. Lana disappeared and was never heard from again.

Brendan, the youngest son on "Step by Step" vanished when the show moved to CBS. Also, after season one, Carol's mother and sister are never mentioned ever again; and largely the setting of Carol's beauty shop is dropped and never seen again.

Okay, this is probably the most obscure of all....but what about that weird monkey that Penny had as a pet on Lost In Space? Didn't that disappear in later episodes?

I thought of Brendan on Step by Step too! I liked him a lot better than Rich. He got on my nerves. I never could get used to the idea of him and Dana as a couple.

Also Theo's friend Smitty on The Cosby Show. He might've left due to the fact that Adam Sandler was starting to get more movie roles. Still, they never mentioned him again.

Judy Winslow disappearing from Family Matters bothered me the most, it's like she never even existed! Maybe I'm wrong about these two so somebody can correct me if I am. George Clooney (way before E.R.) was a janitor on the first season of The Facts Of Life and is never seen again from the second season on. I can't remember his name but I think Richard Masur's character disappeared from One Day At A Time. I think he was a lawyer and apparently Ann Romano's boyfriend at the time? But I was never sure about that, but it seemed to me like he had been her lawyer in her divorce from her first husband. But maybe there was an explanation given as to what happened to him and I've forgotten.

Ed.

Oh and another George Clooney one. On the first season of Roseanne he was Roseanne's boss "Booker" at the factory where she worked. He disappears at the beginning of the second season and is never mentioned again.

Ed.

Early in Perfect Strangers' first season Larry and Balki had a pretty next door neighbor who all but seemed to disappear once the boys started dating the two blond chicks.

Fluffy the cat in the pilot episode of the Brady Bunch (that could be explained that he was left at the grandparents house)

But Tiger the dog just disappeared !

Early in Perfect Strangers' first season Larry and Balki had a pretty next door neighbor who all but seemed to disappear once the boys started dating the two blond chicks.


You're right about that, I'd forgotten about her until I read your post. Weird, but I can't remember the character's name but for some reason I can remember the name of the actress who played her. It was Lise Cutter. I wonder whatever happened to her?

Ed.

George Clooney (way before E.R.) was a janitor on the first season of The Facts Of Life and is never seen again from the second season on.

He was on the 7th season, not the 1st.

Oh and another George Clooney one. On the first season of Roseanne he was Roseanne's boss "Booker" at the factory where she worked. He disappears at the beginning of the second season and is never mentioned again.

Ed.

Booker appeared in Halloween episode in 4th season.

Actually, Minkus showed up when Cory and the gang were graduating High School. Minkus actually said something to the effect "coming Mr. Turner" but you never saw him.

Also, a couple of the Facts of Life girls came back later on in the series. I cant remember which ones where they showed flashbacks. I think Sue-Ann and Nancy came back.

Also, a couple of the Facts of Life girls came back later on in the series. I cant remember which ones where they showed flashbacks. I think Sue-Ann and Nancy came back.


In Season 2, Molly, Nancy, Cindy and Sue-Anne were all shown very briefly in-line at the cafeteria; they quickly spoke to Natalie and Tootie and that was the last we saw of them...

Until, "The Little Chill" (Season 8, Episode 6), when Nancy, Sue-Anne and Cindy returned for a reunion with Blair, Natalie, Tootie and a disgruntled Jo. Nancy was getting married to Roger and was pregnant; Cindy suddenly became a famous supermodel; and Sue-Anne was pretending to be a high-powered sales executive; but in reality was a gopher of some sort.

I thought of a few more.

M.A.S.H. In the first season of M.A.S.H. there was a black doctor on staff at the 4077th, who I think appeared semi-regularly but didn't even last the whole season before he completely disappeared never to be mentioned again. But at least there's a reasonable explanation why the character was taken out. The producers were always going for accuracy. And in doing more research about that time period and the Army they found out that even in the military there was still segregation at that point in U.S. history (this being the early 50s) and that a black doctor never would've been stationed in an otherwise all white M.A.S.H. unit.

The King Of Queens. In the first few episodes of the first season Carrie had a sister but she was gone after the third episode or so. And then later on in the series they wrote it like Carrie was an only child. The producers explanation was they dropped the character (Sorry I can't remember her name) because they simply just didn't know what to do with her. I don't know why they couldn't just do the same with her like they did with Doug's sister. Stephanie was on an ocassional episode and she was mentioned in others. Oh well, I guess it worked out fine anyways.

Buck Rogers In The 25th Century. (OK so the show only lasted 2 seasons). But in the second season the show got a new setting and lost a few characters. They dropped Dr. Huer (Played by Tim O'Connor), and Dr.Theophilus, who was basically an alarm clock shaped robot that was small enough to sit on a table and was very smart, (How does a robot get a doctorate anyways? LOL) And when he wasn't sitting around on tables or consoles he moved around by getting attached to the android robot Twikki's chest. I wonder why Theophilus got to speak with a human voice while Twikki's voice was more robotic and electronic sounding instead? Anyways Dr. Huer and Dr. Theophilus disappeared without an explanation. But then there really wasn't an explanation given for changing the setting of the show either. In season one they are based on Earth although they are in outer space and on alien planets in many episodes. Then suddenly in the second season Buck, Colonel Wilma Deering, and Twikki are on a spaceship with a crew (a la Star Trek) exploring the galaxy and strange planets along with some new characters. I guess they thought it would be more interesting and I suppose it was but I had liked the first season too.

Ed.

Oh and another George Clooney one. On the first season of Roseanne he was Roseanne's boss "Booker" at the factory where she worked. He disappears at the beginning of the second season and is never mentioned again.

Ed.
Well, I wouldn't count this one because everyone knew what happened. Wellman's laid off everyone and the plant ended up shutting down, so there you have that answer and it would makes sense that we wouldn't see him again.

On, The Golden Girls, the pilot episode featured a chef/house attendant named Coco, who was reasonably popular with audiences; however by the time the second episode aired, Coco was gone and was never mentioned again. Producers have since explained that they realized they wouldn't be able to write enough material for him and he was written out so they could further explore the chemistry of the four girls.

I thought of a few more.

M.A.S.H. In the first season of M.A.S.H. there was a black doctor on staff at the 4077th, who I think appeared semi-regularly but didn't even last the whole season before he completely disappeared never to be mentioned again. But at least there's a reasonable explanation why the character was taken out. The producers were always going for accuracy. And in doing more research about that time period and the Army they found out that even in the military there was still segregation at that point in U.S. history (this being the early 50s) and that a black doctor never would've been stationed in an otherwise all white M.A.S.H. unit.

The King Of Queens. In the first few episodes of the first season Carrie had a sister but she was gone after the third episode or so. And then later on in the series they wrote it like Carrie was an only child. The producers explanation was they dropped the character (Sorry I can't remember her name) because they simply just didn't know what to do with her. I don't know why they couldn't just do the same with her like they did with Doug's sister. Stephanie was on an ocassional episode and she was mentioned in others. Oh well, I guess it worked out fine anyways.

Buck Rogers In The 25th Century. (OK so the show only lasted 2 seasons). But in the second season the show got a new setting and lost a few characters. They dropped Dr. Huer (Played by Tim O'Connor), and Dr.Theophilus, who was basically an alarm clock shaped robot that was small enough to sit on a table and was very smart, (How does a robot get a doctorate anyways? LOL) And when he wasn't sitting around on tables or consoles he moved around by getting attached to the android robot Twikki's chest. I wonder why Theophilus got to speak with a human voice while Twikki's voice was more robotic and electronic sounding instead? Anyways Dr. Huer and Dr. Theophilus disappeared without an explanation. But then there really wasn't an explanation given for changing the setting of the show either. In season one they are based on Earth although they are in outer space and on alien planets in many episodes. Then suddenly in the second season Buck, Colonel Wilma Deering, and Twikki are on a spaceship with a crew (a la Star Trek) exploring the galaxy and strange planets along with some new characters. I guess they thought it would be more interesting and I suppose it was but I had liked the first season too.

Ed.

Captain Oliver "Spearchucker " Jones, M.D. was the black surgeon on MASH.

Lisa Rieffel played Carrie's younger sister on The King Of Queens.

Ohio8, have a question. Who's the chick in your profile pic?

On Three's Company from seasons 1-4 the popular hangout the trio would frequent called the Regal Beagle had a guy named Jim as the bartender, he wasn't even a regular on the show but he was always the bartender there.

Then in seasons 5-8 Jim mysteriously went away to be replaced by Mike.

I remember on The Cosby Show the youngest daughter Rudy, had a young friend named Peter, very cute little guy, they never had him say anything but he had a very expressive face. I think he was on for a couple of seasons and then disappeared without explanation but maybe I'm wrong.

Ed.

Captain Oliver "Spearchucker " Jones, M.D. was the black surgeon on MASH.


Thanks Ohio8 I never would've remembered that.

Ed.

THE KING OF QUEENS-Carries sister was in the pilot then just disappeared.
Dougs friend Richie was in the first one or two seasons then also just vanished.
Also Dougs sister was in some episodes through the third season then just disappeared.
THE ODD COUPLE-Oscars girlfriend, Dr. Nancy Cunningham was in it most of the first season and half of the 2nd then just disappeared.
THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW-in the first episode Rob & Lauras neighbors were a couple named Fred & Dottie and they had a teenage daughter named Janie that just disappeared.
MASH-the camps dentist who was seen in a couple first season episodes.
Lt. Dish who was in a few first season episodes.
Also, the cook from a couple of the later episodes. They only mentioned his name once, it was Sal something (if you've ever seen the movie SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER he was played by the actor who played John Travoltas father)

"Spearchucker" Jones-he was only in it the first season then disappeared. (the reason was they fou9nd out there were no black doctors in Korea)

I remember on The Cosby Show the youngest daughter Rudy, had a young friend named Peter, very cute little guy, they never had him say anything but he had a very expressive face. I think he was on for a couple of seasons and then disappeared without explanation but maybe I'm wrong.

Ed.

I remember Peter having at least one line, "We need jelly!" He probably had a few more lines than that, but I don't think he ever said much.

Ohio8, have a question. Who's the chick in your profile pic?

Kendall Jenner

I remember Peter from the Cosby Show as well. I dont think he ever had a line, maybe one or two. I think it was because he couldnt remember them or something.

Ohio8, Kendall Jenner, smoking hot.

Leon from THE ANDY GRIFFFITH SHOW.

MASH: "Ugly John," a surgeon. Lt. Ginger Bayliss, a black nurse.

THE KING OF QUEENS-Carries sister was in the pilot then just disappeared.
Dougs friend Richie was in the first one or two seasons then also just vanished.
Also Dougs sister was in some episodes through the third season then just disappeared.
THE ODD COUPLE-Oscars girlfriend, Dr. Nancy Cunningham was in it most of the first season and half of the 2nd then just disappeared.
THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW-in the first episode Rob & Lauras neighbors were a couple named Fred & Dottie and they had a teenage daughter named Janie that just disappeared.
MASH-the camps dentist who was seen in a couple first season episodes.
Lt. Dish who was in a few first season episodes.
Also, the cook from a couple of the later episodes. They only mentioned his name once, it was Sal something (if you've ever seen the movie SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER he was played by the actor who played John Travoltas father)

"Spearchucker" Jones-he was only in it the first season then disappeared. (the reason was they fou9nd out there were no black doctors in Korea)

MASH: The camp's dentist's last name was Kaplan. He went home in the "Showtime" episode, where Radar sat in with a visiting band and played a drum solo.

THE KING OF QUEENS-Carries sister was in the pilot then just disappeared.
Dougs friend Richie was in the first one or two seasons then also just vanished.
Also Dougs sister was in some episodes through the third season then just disappeared.
THE ODD COUPLE-Oscars girlfriend, Dr. Nancy Cunningham was in it most of the first season and half of the 2nd then just disappeared.
THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW-in the first episode Rob & Lauras neighbors were a couple named Fred & Dottie and they had a teenage daughter named Janie that just disappeared.
MASH-the camps dentist who was seen in a couple first season episodes.
Lt. Dish who was in a few first season episodes.
Also, the cook from a couple of the later episodes. They only mentioned his name once, it was Sal something (if you've ever seen the movie SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER he was played by the actor who played John Travoltas father)

"Spearchucker" Jones-he was only in it the first season then disappeared. (the reason was they fou9nd out there were no black doctors in Korea)

Treky, Lisa R. Played Sara Spooner in four episodes of "The King of Queens" during its first season. Here's a pic of the Spooner sisters.

On Small Wonder the annoying Harriet from next door had equally annoying parents Brandon and Bonnie Brindle but then after the first 2 seasons Bonnie mysteriously moved out and in her place was Brandon's Aunt I believe Ida Mae who was a big show-off because she knew tons of celebrities.

Oliver did not disappear from The Brady Bunch.:confused: He was in the final episode. He doesn't belong on the list. If TBB went on to a sixth season, however, he probably would have disappeared.

Treky, Lisa R. Played Sara Spooner in four episodes of "The King of Queens" during its first season. Here's a pic of the Spooner sisters.
4 episodes? I only saw her in the pilot.

MASH: "Ugly John," a surgeon. Lt. Ginger Bayliss, a black nurse.
Captain "Ugly John" Black wasn't a surgeon, he was the anesthesiologist. (in the book they called him "the gas passer".

Lt. Maggie Cutler, a nurse.

remo - caroline in the city