Besides the most "obvious ones" at this point like McLean Stevenson and Wayne Rogers leaving MASH, Shelley Long leaving Cheers, Denise Crosby leaving Star Trek: TNG, Suzanne Somers leaving/being fired from Three's Company, and David Caruso leaving NYPD Blue.

Besides the most "obvious ones" at this point like Denise Crosby leaving Star Trek: TNGI don't think it was Denise Crosby's decision to leave. From what I have heard, Gene Roddenberry didn't like her much.

David Caruso gets flack for leaving NYPD Blue but his career didn't suffer. CSI: Miami with him as the main star lasted a whole decade (10 seasons) and 232 episodes. Yes it was a spin-off of a hit, but several spin-offs fail, and Miami had one more season than the other long running CSI spin-off CSI: NY. As for McLean Stevenson and Wayne Rogers, I am glad they left M*A*S*H. Nothing against their characters but Harry Morgan and Mike Farrell were excellent replacements, and M*A*S*H might not have had its longevity or record breaking series finale numbers if the original cast hadn't left.

I don't think it was Denise Crosby's decision to leave. From what I have heard, Gene Roddenberry didn't like her much.

Denise Crosby famously walked away from TNG not only because of how bad the show was in the beginning and her character underutilized, but also because Denise (and her management) thought she had potential for an acting career beyond the series, and she quickly discovered she did not. She aspired for bigger things. She was killed off towards the end of the first season and returned for her first guest appearance in season three.


“I was miserable. I couldn’t wait to get off that show. I was dying. This was not an overnight decision. I was grateful to have made that many episodes, but I didn’t want to spend the next six years going “Aye, aye, captain,” and standing there, in the same uniform, in the same position on the bridge. It just scared the hell out of me that this was what I was going to be doing for the next X-amount of years. I think you have to take your chances. I was really young. I didn’t have to make house payments or put kids through private school or support people. I was free to make those kinds of decisions. I’d been in acting school really dreaming of playing all kinds of different things. Whether it’ll happen or not, you don’t know, but you’ve got to give yourself a chance. God forbid you go through your life thinking, “What if?”

David Caruso gets flack for leaving NYPD Blue but his career didn't suffer. CSI: Miami with him as the main star lasted a whole decade (10 seasons) and 232 episodes. Yes it was a spin-off of a hit, but several spin-offs fail, and Miami had one more season than the other long running CSI spin-off CSI: NY. As for McLean Stevenson and Wayne Rogers, I am glad they left M*A*S*H. Nothing against their characters but Harry Morgan and Mike Farrell were excellent replacements, and M*A*S*H might not have had its longevity or record breaking series finale numbers if the original cast hadn't left.

It was an infamously bad decision for David Caruso to leave NYPD Blue. It led to a failed movie and TV career for almost a decade before landing CSI: Miami. His decision to leave the series would later be listed in a 2010 issue of TV Guide as #6 on a list of TV's 10 biggest "blunders").

Farrah Fawcett, Charlie's Angels, Barbara Bel Geddes, Patrick Duffy, Victoria Principal, Dallas, Michael Learned, The Waltons. Catherine Oxenberg, Dynasty.

Don Knotts - The Andy Griffith Show
Pernell Roberts - Bonanza

Denise Crosby famously walked away from TNG not only because of how bad the show was in the beginning and her character underutilized, but also because Denise (and her management) thought she had potential for an acting career beyond the series, and she quickly discovered she did not. She aspired for bigger things. She was killed off towards the end of the first season and returned for her first guest appearance in season three.




I guess I'm in the minority when I say this however, I have to admit that I loved Season 1 of STNG. Season 2 was my least favorite season.

Don Knotts - The Andy Griffith Show
Pernell Roberts - BonanzaWhile the color years of Andy Griffith would have obviously been better if Don Knotts had remained on the show, leaving was not his choice since that movie studio refused to release him from his contract.

Jonathan Taylor Thomas leaving Home Improvement.

While the color years of Andy Griffith would have obviously been better if Don Knotts had remained on the show, leaving was not his choice since that movie studio refused to release him from his contract.

I hate using a Wiki as a reference, but this is what they have to say...


Link (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Knotts#The_Andy_Griffith_Show)

Knotts believed remarks by Griffith that The Andy Griffith Show would end after five seasons, and he began to look for other work, signing a five-film contract with Universal Studios. He was caught off guard when Griffith announced that he would continue the show after all, but Knotts's hands were tied. In his autobiography, Knotts admitted that he had not yet signed a contract when Griffith announced his decision; but he had made up his mind to move on, believing he would not get the chance again.

As stated above, he had made up his mind to move on which tells me it was his decision to leave. He may not have been able to return full time due to his contract, but it was his choice.

Valerie Harper leaving "The Hogan Family". It doesn't get any worse than wanting to leave your own show.

Warren Beatty and Tuesday Weld leaving "Dobie Gillis" because they didn't like the series and didn't get along with the cast. Big mistake.

Jeremy Gelbwaks ("The Partridge Family") left his role as the original Chris Partridge because the cast kept complaining about his behavior on the set. After Season 1, his family moved East and he gave up acting for good.

The original Wilson’s Of Dennis the Menace
(Mary) leaving The Donna Reed Show
Original (Darren) Bewitched
Cindy Williams & most of the original cast leaving Laverne & Shirley
Ron Howard leaving Happy Days
Beau Arthur leaving The Golden Girls/The Golden Palace
(Barbra & Emily) leaving Empty Nest
Sisters Tv Drama from 90’s (Frankie)
Most of the Original cast of Family Matters
Most of the Original cast of Gimmie A Break
(Sandra Clark) leaving 227
(One Of the Sisters) left Amen
(Kirk & Leslie) leaving Newhart
(The Ropers) leaving Three’s Company
Original (Becky) Leaving Roseanne
Original (Jackie) Adams girlfriend on The Goldbergs

The original Wilson’s Of Dennis the Menace
(Mary) leaving The Donna Reed Show
Original (Darren) Bewitched
Cindy Williams & most of the original cast leaving Laverne & Shirley
Ron Howard leaving Happy Days
Beau Arthur leaving The Golden Girls/The Golden Palace
(Barbra & Emily) leaving Empty Nest
Sisters Tv Drama from 90’s (Frankie)
Most of the Original cast of Family Matters
Most of the Original cast of Gimmie A Break
(Sandra Clark) leaving 227
(One Of the Sisters) left Amen
(Kirk & Leslie) leaving Newhart
(The Ropers) leaving Three’s Company
Original (Becky) Leaving Roseanne
Original (Jackie) Adams girlfriend on The Goldbergs
I think the original wilson died during the series or as i recall. Original Darren Dick York was dealing with back issues from a horseback injury from a western he did and had problems walking, I personally think the show lost a lot when they recast with Dick Sargent, and there was no romance left in the Stevens.

Also The Ropers got screwed with their show, They had an agreement that if it didnt last more than a year their they were allowed back to Threes Company but I guess it lasted like 2 months after the deadline, so They weren't allowed back and I personally like the Ropers more than Don Knotts on there but he was good.

Sherry Stringfield leaving ER just as they were closing in on new contracts and a huge syndication deal. It’s been said that she essentially “walked away from a fortune”. She was nominated for the lead actress Emmy every year she was on the show.

Sherry would return to ER as Dr. Susan Lewis years later.

I guess I'm in the minority when I say this however, I have to admit that I loved Season 1 of STNG. Season 2 was my least favorite season.I agree season 2 was the weakest, mainly because of Dr. Pulaski replacing Dr. Crusher. I had thought Gates McFadden left for another show that flopped and came back. But I checked my primetime directory this week. The only show she ever did besides Star Trek: the Next Generation (through 2007 anyway) was a UPN flop drama called Marker. It aired in 1995, a year after TNG had already ended.

i didn't liked it when red foxx left sanford & son & they replaced him with grady!! grady is ok but i didn't care for him too much!!

I agree season 2 was the weakest, mainly because of Dr. Pulaski replacing Dr. Crusher. I had thought Gates McFadden left for another show that flopped and came back. But I checked my primetime directory this week. The only show she ever did besides Star Trek: the Next Generation (through 2007 anyway) was a UPN flop drama called Marker. It aired in 1995, a year after TNG had already ended.

That was my main reason for not being a big fan of Season 2. The best episode of that season however, was when Q introduced them to the Borg.

I agree season 2 was the weakest, mainly because of Dr. Pulaski replacing Dr. Crusher. I had thought Gates McFadden left for another show that flopped and came back. But I checked my primetime directory this week. The only show she ever did besides Star Trek: the Next Generation (through 2007 anyway) was a UPN flop drama called Marker. It aired in 1995, a year after TNG had already ended.

McFadden was fired because the showrunner didn't like her, but after Muldaur's lack of chemistry with cast, McFadden was asked to come back.

McFadden was fired because the showrunner didn't like her, but after Muldaur's lack of chemistry with cast, McFadden was asked to come back.Was the showrunner fired then?

i did not like it either it was not the same without Fred Sanford

i didn't liked it when red foxx left sanford & son & they replaced him with grady!! grady is ok but i didn't care for him too much!!

I feel the same way you do also Tubehead. It was not the same without Red Foxx. Glad he came back for the rest of the series.

Was the showrunner fired then?

Maurice Hurley was allegedly sexually harassing Gates McFadden. Hurley had McFadden fired as retaliation for spurning his advances. McFadden's return (Patrick Stewart was very adamant on bringing her back) to TNG in Season 3 coincided with Hurley's departure.

David Caruso gets flack for leaving NYPD Blue but his career didn't suffer. CSI: Miami with him as the main star lasted a whole decade (10 seasons) and 232 episodes.

I think his career did suffer. Caruso was so big when he left that he came this close to becoming a major A lister like George Clooney. Instead, he became a joke for years and then kind of crawled back to television to star on another police show that had nowhere near the level of critical acclaim or buzz as NYPD Blue. He's kind of like the Gwen Stefani of television to me (if that makes sense). :lol:

Maurice Hurley was allegedly sexually harassing Gates McFadden. Hurley had McFadden fired as retaliation for spurning his advances. McFadden's return (Patrick Stewart was very adamant on bringing her back) to TNG in Season 3 coincided with Hurley's departure.

I didn't know Maurice Hurley was sexually harassing Gates McFadden! All I've ever heard her say is that Maurice Hurley didn't like her and she claimed to not know why but that yes he fired her. I've heard supposedly other cast members didn't like him either but who knows. I'm just glad they got her back on TNG and Maurice Hurley was gone.

Ed.

Nicole Stoffman (Stephanie Kaye) left Degrassi Junior High after Season Two, to appear on a sitcom called Learning the Ropes, which was cancelled after just one season. She had gone from being a major character on an international hit show, and being nominated for a Gemini Award for her work, to having no work at all. She did not work in TV or film again until 1994. She was later interviewed about her decision, which she admitted had been a huge mistake.

I think his career did suffer. Caruso was so big when he left that he came this close to becoming a major A lister like George Clooney. Instead, he became a joke for years and then kind of crawled back to television to star on another police show that had nowhere near the level of critical acclaim or buzz as NYPD Blue. He's kind of like the Gwen Stefani of television to me (if that makes sense). :lol:

I don't know for sure why David Caruso's film career failed but I suspect that Hollywood was rooting for him to fail. It isn't just because of him leaving NYPD Blue so suddenly. I recall that Steven Bochco wrote about how difficult (https://www.looper.com/60766/real-reason-dont-hear-david-caruso-anymore/) Caruso was to work with on NYPD Blue. It's awfully telling that as soon as CSI: Miami went off the air, David Caruso hasn't gotten another film or TV credit. I don't know if Caruso simply "retired" like Dennis Franz did after NYPD Blue ended, or he essentially got blackballed.

If you want to consider the James Bond movies as a series, George Lazenby’s decision to quit after playing Bond once was a bad decision. He never had another major role in a hit movie.

If you want to consider the James Bond movies as a series, George Lazenby’s decision to quit after playing Bond once was a bad decision. He never had another major role in a hit movie.I hadn't even heard of him until I saw your post.

I hadn't even heard of him until I saw your post.

George Lazenby played James Bond in 1969’s “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”. His co-star was Diana Rigg.

Valerie Harper did not willingly leave “Valerie” (later, “The Hogan Family”). She was fired. She later sued over her wrongful firing and won a lawsuit against the producers.

The original Wilson’s Of Dennis the Menace
(Mary) leaving The Donna Reed Show
Original (Darren) Bewitched
Cindy Williams & most of the original cast leaving Laverne & Shirley
Ron Howard leaving Happy Days
Beau Arthur leaving The Golden Girls/The Golden Palace
(Barbra & Emily) leaving Empty Nest
Sisters Tv Drama from 90’s (Frankie)
Most of the Original cast of Family Matters
Most of the Original cast of Gimmie A Break
(Sandra Clark) leaving 227
(One Of the Sisters) left Amen
(Kirk & Leslie) leaving Newhart
(The Ropers) leaving Three’s Company
Original (Becky) Leaving Roseanne
Original (Jackie) Adams girlfriend on The Goldbergs
The network was going to cancel GAB if changes weren't made so it wasn't the actors choices to leave. I don't think Ron Howard leaving HD hurt him but it did hurt the show.

Also, Dick York’s departure from “Bewitched” was due to his health problems. He injured his back in the late 1950s filming the movie “They Came To Cordura”, which starred Gary Cooper. Then he developed an addiction to pain pills. This was before he was cast in “Bewitched”. His health problems worsened until he collapsed while filming an episode. After this, he decided he couldn’t continue the role and was replaced by Dick Sargent, who was actually Elizabeth Montgomery’s first choice to play “Darrin”.

Bitty Schram left "Monk" and pretty much disappeared from acting.

The network was going to cancel GAB if changes weren't made so it wasn't the actors choices to leave.

I hadn't heard that before. I even read an article once where Nell blamed the girls for "abandoning" her.

Bitty Schram left "Monk" and pretty much disappeared from acting.I am glad she left. Monk might not have been as successful or long running if Sharona had remained on the whole series. While several shows have made bad cast additions, replacing Bitty with Traylor Howard as Natalie was an excellent move. Plus, Julie was an improvement over Benjy.

I hadn't heard that before. I even read an article once where Nell blamed the girls for "abandoning" her.
I believe I read it in USA Today or a TV Guide at the time but there was a whole article about the network wanting changes done to the show. That's when they decided to move the show to NY. The show was a bubble show anyway.

It is mentioned on TV.Com briefly.

http://www.tv.com/shows/gimme-a-break/

I hadn't heard that before. I even read an article once where Nell blamed the girls for "abandoning" her.

I always heard they were fired because of retooling/The move to NY.

I am glad she left. Monk might not have been as successful or long running if Sharona had remained on the whole series. While several shows have made bad cast additions, replacing Bitty with Traylor Howard as Natalie was an excellent move. Plus, Julie was an improvement over Benjy.

I like both. Natalie is more grounded, Sharona was funner, cooler. I probably prefer Sharona.

Gabrielle Carteris (Andrea) Beverly Hills 90210. The show always teased a Brandon/Andrea relationship and never followed through in a satisfying way.

I like both. Natalie is more grounded, Sharona was funner, cooler. I probably prefer Sharona.

What became of Traylor Howard?

What became of Traylor Howard?

https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=381681

I believe I read it in USA Today or a TV Guide at the time but there was a whole article about the network wanting changes done to the show. That's when they decided to move the show to NY. The show was a bubble show anyway.

It is mentioned on TV.Com briefly.

http://www.tv.com/shows/gimme-a-break/

Thanks for the info, Mr. Television (and to Heenan as well). That definitely checks out, and matches what Kari said in an interview from that era. Still, I wonder then why Nell had made comments about being upset with her girls for leaving her. I still remember that interview.

Thanks for the info, Mr. Television (and to Heenan as well). That definitely checks out, and matches what Kari said in an interview from that era. Still, I wonder then why Nell had made comments about being upset with her girls for leaving her. I still remember that interview.

No disrespect to Nell Carter, but she was a confused woman later in life to say the least. I haven't seen the interview in question, but I believe you, she probably didn't even realize what she was saying.

No disrespect to Nell Carter, but she was a confused woman later in life to say the least. I haven't seen the interview in question, but I believe you, she probably didn't even realize what she was saying.

Good point. I know she had substance abuse issues, so maybe that's why.

I like both. Natalie is more grounded, Sharona was funner, cooler. I probably prefer Sharona.

I could deal with either. Not a huge difference. Funny how many from that cast have virtually disappeared. Mainly Bitty and Traylor, but nobody has had any huge success.

Ken Wahl leaving “Wiseguy”? Will we ever know the whole truth?

Ken Wahl leaving “Wiseguy”? Will we ever know the whole truth?
That's a good one. They killed him off and a few years later he returned alive in a reunion movie. The show just wasn't the same that last year. Haven't heard from him since.

That's a good one. They killed him off and a few years later he returned alive in a reunion movie. The show just wasn't the same that last year. Haven't heard from him since.

Ken Wahl retired from acting sometime back.

Ken Wahl retired from acting sometime back.
Thanks. Kind of sad. He was a good actor and great on Wiseguy.

Thanks for the info, Mr. Television (and to Heenan as well). That definitely checks out, and matches what Kari said in an interview from that era. Still, I wonder then why Nell had made comments about being upset with her girls for leaving her. I still remember that interview.
You're welcome. I loved the show back then. I watched it every week. Just never cared for it as much after the retooling. I think they were wrong to do it. I believe they said the girls could make guest appearances on the show but the only one who ever did was Sam. I don't know why Nell said what she said. I sure did like her back in the 80's. I even watched her a year before GAB premiered. She was on a show called Lobo which was a spinoff of BJ and the Bear. Very talented lady. So sad what happened to her.

Thanks. Kind of sad. He was a good actor and great on Wiseguy.

You're welcome. :)

He suffered an injury back in 1992 that put an end to his acting career. Apparently he fell down some stairs and broke his neck which led to him not being able to walk for 2 1/2 years.

You're welcome. :)

He suffered an injury back in 1992 that put an end to his acting career. Apparently he fell down some stairs and broke his neck which led to him not being able to walk for 2 1/2 years.
I seem to recall that. I think that was before the reunion movie. The pain must have been too much to continue acting.

I seem to recall that. I think that was before the reunion movie. The pain must have been too much to continue acting.

If I remember correctly I believe it was before the reunion movie. Didn't the reunion movie come out around 1996 or 1997?

If I remember correctly I believe it was before the reunion movie. Didn't the reunion movie come out around 1996 or 1997?
Yea I believe so.

John D. Lemay (Ryan Dallion) leaving Friday the 13th: The Series

George Lazenby played James Bond in 1969’s “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”. His co-star was Diana Rigg.imho he was about as suave as sand and sounded like mickey mouse with a head cold

McLean Stevenson-MASH

Harvey Korman-THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW

Dick York (Darrin Stephens) Bewitched
Don Knotts (Barney Fife) Andy Griffith
Rusty Stevens (Larry Mondelo) Leave it to Beaver
Shelley Fabares (Mary Stone) Donna Reed
Julie Newmar (Catwoman) Batman
Frank Gorshin (Riddler) Batman
Debra Winger (Wonder Girl) Wonder Woman
Farrah Fawcett (Jill Monroe) Charlie's Angels
Suzanne Somers (Chrissy) Three's Company
McLean Stephenson (Col Blake) MASH
Ron Howard (Ritchie Cunningham) Happy Days
Bea Benederet (Cousin Pearl) The Beverly Hillbillies
Bea Benederet (Betty Rubble) The Flintstones
Gunilla Hutton (Billie Jo) Petticoat Junction
Vivian Vance (Viv) The Lucy Show
All the stars of The Waltons
Half the cast of Dallas
Charlie Sheen 2 1/2 Men
Tim Considine (Mike Douglas) My Three Sons
Pernell Roberts (Adam Cartwright) Bonanza
Harvey Korman Carol Burnett
Valerie Harper (Rhoda Morgenstern) Mary Tyler Moore
Valerie Harper Valerie/The Hogans
Cloris Leachman (Phyllis Lindstrom) Mary Tyler Moore
Mary Wickes (Zelda) Sigmund and the Sea Monsters
Debbie the Bloop Lost in Space

RIP Edition
Marion Lorne (Aunt Clara) Bewitched
Alice Pearce (Gladys Kravitz) Bewitched
Zara Cully (Mother Jefferson) Jeffersons
Joseph Kearns (Mr. Wilson) Dennis the Menace
William Frawley (Bub) My Three Sons

RIP Edition
Marion Lorne (Aunt Clara) Bewitched
Alice Pearce (Gladys Kravitz) Bewitched
Zara Cully (Mother Jefferson) Jeffersons
Joseph Kearns (Mr. Wilson) Dennis the Menace
William Frawley (Bub) My Three SonsWilliam Frawley died during My Three Sons? I thought he had to leave because of alcoholism (I am glad that didn't affect his I Love Lucy work).

William Frawley died during My Three Sons? I thought he had to leave because of alcoholism (I am glad that didn't affect his I Love Lucy work).

You are correct, Frawley left the show due to his drinking and not being able to remember lines, he left the show in 1965 a year before he died.

Bill Frawley was let go from “My Three Sons” because at the beginning of season 5, he could no longer pass the physical needed from the insurance company to insure the production. The producers took a chance and had him work uninsured for the first half of season 5 while they searched for a replacement. Then, he was written out. He died about a year later.

It was an infamously bad decision for David Caruso to leave NYPD Blue. It led to a failed movie and TV career for almost a decade before landing CSI: Miami. His decision to leave the series would later be listed in a 2010 issue of TV Guide as #6 on a list of TV's 10 biggest "blunders").

I remember all the tabloid hype about David’s sex appeal when he starred on NYPD Blue. I think he let that go to his head and became convinced he was destined for movie stardom.

Thanks for the info, Mr. Television (and to Heenan as well). That definitely checks out, and matches what Kari said in an interview from that era. Still, I wonder then why Nell had made comments about being upset with her girls for leaving her. I still remember that interview.

GAB probably should have ended after Dolph Sweet’s death.

Thanks for the correction and history of Bill Frawley's departure. Still a shame.

Another I forgot to mention:

Elinor Donahue (Ellie Walker) Andy Griffith Show (always liked her better than Helen Crump)

Thanks for the correction and history of Bill Frawley's departure. Still a shame.

Another I forgot to mention:

Elinor Donahue (Ellie Walker) Andy Griffith Show (always liked her better than Helen Crump)so did i she was a lot more fun than old lady frump oops i ment crump