Supporting characters who suddenly became the lead after the "star" leaves - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 08-16-2019, 02:15 AM

Happy Days is probably the most famous of these examples as Fonzie (Henry Winkler) became the undisputed star after Ron Howard left. Then again, Fonzie was for all intents and purposes, already ostensibly the co-lead during Happy Days' heyday.

I'm right now going off the top of my head, but there's A Different World. Whitley and Dwayne became the de facto lead characters after Denise left following Season 1.

On Beverly Hills, 90210, Kelly officially became the female lead upon Brenda's departure. And when Jason Priestley (Brandon) left, Jennie Garth became the first billed star.

On ER, Noah Wiley (John Carter), went from being the fourth billed actor in the pilot, to the main character in Season 9 (he was the only original cast member left at that point).

Jimmie Walker (and to a lesser extent and officially billing-wise, Jan'et DuBois) all but became this after John Amos and Esther Rolle (temporarily) left Good Times.

A most recent example that I can think of is Bunk'd on Disney Channel. Lou officially became the lead character upon Emma, Ravi, and Zuri's departures at the end of Season 3.

Mila Kunis became the first billed star in That '70s Show's last season after Topher Grace left.

I don't know if this counts, but Zack Morris became the lead character when Good Morning, Miss Bliss (which as the title would suggest, centered on Miss Bliss played by Hayley Mills) on Disney Channel was converted into Saved by the Bell on NBC.

dee2364 · 08-16-2019, 03:12 PM

I don't agree with some of these. For example, no one was really the "star" of ER. It was a solid ensemble show with all the major characters/actors each getting their turn in the spotlight.

Jimmy Walker and Henry Walker were breakout stars, but I don't think they ever became the "leads" in the sense that you're talking about. No one thinks of Good Times becoming "The Jimmy Walker/JJ Show" once John Amos left or Happy Days becoming "The Henry Winkler/Fonz Show" once Ron Howard left.

Heenan Fan · 08-16-2019, 06:06 PM

Grady on Sanford and Son for a short time.

TMC · 08-30-2019, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dee2364

I don't agree with some of these. For example, no one was really the "star" of ER. It was a solid ensemble show with all the major characters/actors each getting their turn in the spotlight.

Jimmy Walker and Henry Walker were breakout stars, but I don't think they ever became the "leads" in the sense that you're talking about. No one thinks of Good Times becoming "The Jimmy Walker/JJ Show" once John Amos left or Happy Days becoming "The Henry Winkler/Fonz Show" once Ron Howard left.

Well think about it this way, during Season 1 of Happy Days, Henry Winkler as far as I can tell, wasn't even billed during the opening. In Season 2, Winkler was fourth billed behind Ron Howard, Marion Ross, and Anson Williams. It wasn't until Happy Days switched to being a multi-camera show that Winkler became second billed behind Ron Howard. As a matter of fact, during the height of Happy Days' popularity, the network wanted to call it Fonzie's Happy Days, but didn't because Henry Winkler and Ron Howard objected to it. It's kind of naive to not immediately assume that Happy Days for all intents and purposes officially became "The Fonzie Show" once Ron Howard left.

Duster76 · 08-30-2019, 09:16 PM

TMC Let's recap:

Here's the title of thread:

Supporting characters who suddenly became the lead after the "star" leaves

With respect to Happy Days, Ron Howard didn't suddenly leave, he left after the 7th season, and by the time he left he was no longer playing the main character as you point out in two different responses. That said, why do you mention the series, it doesn't fit your own criteria?

TMC · 08-31-2019, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duster76

TMC Let's recap:

Here's the title of thread:

Supporting characters who suddenly became the lead after the "star" leaves

With respect to Happy Days, Ron Howard didn't suddenly leave, he left after the 7th season, and by the time he left he was no longer playing the main character as you point out in two different responses. That said, why do you mention the series, it doesn't fit your own criteria?

To clarify, I didn't say that Ron Howard himself, "suddenly left". I said "supporting characters who suddenly became the lead (meaning, the first billed star) after the designated star leaves".

RetroGuy2000 · 08-31-2019, 12:49 AM

I agree with TMC: Fonzie went from second banana (or even fourth/eighth/tenth banana) to the star of the show.

Duster76 · 08-31-2019, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

To clarify, I didn't say that Ron Howard himself, "suddenly left". I said "supporting characters who suddenly became the lead (meaning, the first billed star) after the designated star leaves".

As you know Fonzie was no longer a supporting character when Howard left, he became the lead character in season 3, Howard left after season 7.

Duster76 · 08-31-2019, 04:20 PM

Supporting characters who suddenly became the lead after the "star" leaves:

I'll give this a shot, 8 Simple Rules might fit this category. Katey Sagal was actually a costar, but the show was focused on John Ritter's character, with his untimely passing she took over as the lead character.

This is an obscure one, My Living Doll. Robert Cummings was the male lead in this series but asked out of his contract, and was released after the 21st episode. The male lead for the remainder of the series (5 episodes) was assumed by Jack Mullaney's character, Peter Robinson.

TMC · 10-16-2019, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duster76

Supporting characters who suddenly became the lead after the "star" leaves:

I'll give this a shot, 8 Simple Rules might fit this category. Katey Sagal was actually a costar, but the show was focused on John Ritter's character, with his untimely passing she took over as the lead character.

This is an obscure one, My Living Doll. Robert Cummings was the male lead in this series but asked out of his contract, and was released after the 21st episode. The male lead for the remainder of the series (5 episodes) was assumed by Jack Mullaney's character, Peter Robinson.

Depending on who you ask, Bob Cummings' departure was either because he felt that the show was so bad that he asked to be written out before the first season was finished. Another theory is that he was unhappy over the size of his role. And then there's fact that Cummings at one point or another in his life, had a crippling meth addiction.

Schmo · 10-17-2019, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

Depending on who you ask, Bob Cummings' departure was either because he felt that the show was so bad that he asked to be written out before the first season was finished. Another theory is that he was unhappy over the size of his role. And then there's fact that Cummings at one point or another in his life, had a crippling meth addiction.

Pairing a fifty something actor and a twenty something actress wasn’t a good idea.

Duster76 · 10-17-2019, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmo

Pairing a fifty something actor and a twenty something actress wasn’t a good idea.

Yeah, Bob was 54 years old, Newmar 31, although these illogical age differences were not uncommon in movies of that era (take a look at some of the pairings with Crosby, Grant, Astaire, Hope & Stewart) TV is a more intimate medium. On top of that, by all reports Bob had a huge ego and probably thought if the series failed he'd be blamed, and at his age he might not get another shot.

TV Guy · 10-18-2019, 07:17 AM

We’re conflating character prominence with billing. They’re often related, but not always. “ER” is a great example - Noah Wyle didn’t suddenly become the lead when Anthony Edwards left. He got top billing, but he was always a prominent member of the ensemble. Similarly, when Wyle left, Goran Visnjic was billed first, but he didn’t become the lead.

Same for Mila Kunis on “That 70s Show”. The original six actors were billed alphabetically, and this continued for the original four after the departure of Topher Grace and Ashton Kutcher. Mila Kunis didn’t become the lead even though she got top billing in the final season.

favoriteshow · 10-24-2019, 07:35 PM

The Office (NBC) when Steve Carell left, season 8 and 9. Terrible seasons. Show started going downhill though by Season 6 or so.

I wouldn't say there was a single lead after Michael (Steve Carell) left, but it was kind of between Jim, Dwight and Andy.

bgva · 10-29-2019, 06:29 PM

Dallas: Barbara Bel Geddes left in season 8 (1984-85) due to illness; Patrick Duffy received top billing. However, that was kinda by default, given the cast appeared in alphabetical order.

Bel Geddes returned the following season, whereas Duffy left.

08-16-2019, 02:15 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 127,227	Supporting characters who suddenly became the lead after the "star" leaves Happy Days is probably the most famous of these examples as Fonzie (Henry Winkler) became the undisputed star after Ron Howard left. Then again, Fonzie was for all intents and purposes, already ostensibly the co-lead during Happy Days' heyday. I'm right now going off the top of my head, but there's A Different World. Whitley and Dwayne became the de facto lead characters after Denise left following Season 1. On Beverly Hills, 90210, Kelly officially became the female lead upon Brenda's departure. And when Jason Priestley (Brandon) left, Jennie Garth became the first billed star. On ER, Noah Wiley (John Carter), went from being the fourth billed actor in the pilot, to the main character in Season 9 (he was the only original cast member left at that point). Jimmie Walker (and to a lesser extent and officially billing-wise, Jan'et DuBois) all but became this after John Amos and Esther Rolle (temporarily) left Good Times. A most recent example that I can think of is Bunk'd on Disney Channel. Lou officially became the lead character upon Emma, Ravi, and Zuri's departures at the end of Season 3. Mila Kunis became the first billed star in That '70s Show's last season after Topher Grace left. I don't know if this counts, but Zack Morris became the lead character when Good Morning, Miss Bliss (which as the title would suggest, centered on Miss Bliss played by Hayley Mills) on Disney Channel was converted into Saved by the Bell on NBC.
	Last edited by TMC; 12-07-2021 at 01:24 AM.

08-31-2019, 12:49 AM	#7
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	I agree with TMC: Fonzie went from second banana (or even fourth/eighth/tenth banana) to the star of the show.
	__________________ The Facts of Life's "Lost Girls" Tribute to Julie Piekarski, Eastland Girl Join "The Group", Sitcoms Online's Facts of Life group!

08-16-2019, 03:12 PM	#2
dee2364 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 20, 2019 Posts: 643	I don't agree with some of these. For example, no one was really the "star" of ER. It was a solid ensemble show with all the major characters/actors each getting their turn in the spotlight. Jimmy Walker and Henry Walker were breakout stars, but I don't think they ever became the "leads" in the sense that you're talking about. No one thinks of Good Times becoming "The Jimmy Walker/JJ Show" once John Amos left or Happy Days becoming "The Henry Winkler/Fonz Show" once Ron Howard left.

08-16-2019, 06:06 PM	#3
Heenan Fan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Oct 19, 2016 Posts: 6,001	Grady on Sanford and Son for a short time.

08-30-2019, 09:16 PM	#5
Duster76 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2008 Location: New jersey Posts: 1,657	TMC Let's recap: Here's the title of thread: Supporting characters who suddenly became the lead after the "star" leaves With respect to Happy Days, Ron Howard didn't suddenly leave, he left after the 7th season, and by the time he left he was no longer playing the main character as you point out in two different responses. That said, why do you mention the series, it doesn't fit your own criteria?

08-31-2019, 04:20 PM	#9
Duster76 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2008 Location: New jersey Posts: 1,657	Supporting characters who suddenly became the lead after the "star" leaves: I'll give this a shot, 8 Simple Rules might fit this category. Katey Sagal was actually a costar, but the show was focused on John Ritter's character, with his untimely passing she took over as the lead character. This is an obscure one, My Living Doll. Robert Cummings was the male lead in this series but asked out of his contract, and was released after the 21st episode. The male lead for the remainder of the series (5 episodes) was assumed by Jack Mullaney's character, Peter Robinson.

10-18-2019, 07:17 AM	#13
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	We’re conflating character prominence with billing. They’re often related, but not always. “ER” is a great example - Noah Wyle didn’t suddenly become the lead when Anthony Edwards left. He got top billing, but he was always a prominent member of the ensemble. Similarly, when Wyle left, Goran Visnjic was billed first, but he didn’t become the lead. Same for Mila Kunis on “That 70s Show”. The original six actors were billed alphabetically, and this continued for the original four after the departure of Topher Grace and Ashton Kutcher. Mila Kunis didn’t become the lead even though she got top billing in the final season.

10-24-2019, 07:35 PM	#14
favoriteshow Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 08, 2018 Posts: 587	The Office (NBC) when Steve Carell left, season 8 and 9. Terrible seasons. Show started going downhill though by Season 6 or so. I wouldn't say there was a single lead after Michael (Steve Carell) left, but it was kind of between Jim, Dwight and Andy.

10-29-2019, 06:29 PM	#15
bgva Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 10, 2015 Location: VA Posts: 413	Dallas: Barbara Bel Geddes left in season 8 (1984-85) due to illness; Patrick Duffy received top billing. However, that was kinda by default, given the cast appeared in alphabetical order. Bel Geddes returned the following season, whereas Duffy left.