Actors Who Died while on a hit TV series - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

grundoontv · 11-01-2009, 02:57 PM

1. John Ritter -- Perhaps THE saddest of all cases. Ritter, to sitcom viewers, will always be remembered as Jack Tripper on the 1970s sitcom "Three's Company," and as the youngest of 2 sons born to the late cowboy movie actor Tex, but it was while on the set of his comeback vehicle, "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter," on the afternoon of Thursday, September 11, 2003, that Ritter suddenly fell ill with what he initially thought was food poisoning; instead, at 1 a.m. ET / 10 p.m. PT the next morning, Friday, September 12, 2003, Ritter was dead at age 54. The cause of death -- dissection of the aorta. Ritter's untimely death occurred 5 days before his 55th birthday September 17, 2003; the day after his youngest daughter, Stella, celebrated her 5th birthday; and on the day of his 2nd wife, Amy Yasbeck's, 40th birthday. Besides Amy & Stella, Ritter was survived by 3 grown children (including actor son Jason) from his 1st marriage to Nancy Morgan (which ended in divorce in 1996, in part because of Ritter's relationship with Yasbeck), his mother, Dorothy Fay Southworth (who eventually died the following November 5, 2003 of old age at age 88), and an older brother, Tom, a lawyer who was born disabled by Cerebral Palsy.

2. Nicholas Colasanto -- Although he had a long stage & film career, it was to sitcom viewers that Colasanto will always be remembered as Ernie "Coach" Pantusso on the hit 1980s sitcom "Cheers." On February 8, 1985, after a 2-month absence due to physical illness, Colasanto returned to work on "Cheers," but just 4 days later, on February 12, 1985, Colasanto died of a massive heart attack while watching TV at his California home. The following fall, Coach was written out of the series as also having died, & Woody Harrelson took his place as Woody Boyd, a pen pal of Coach's whom Sam Malone eventually hired to work for him at Cheers.

3. Joseph Kearns -- Although he had a long showbiz career, Joseph Kearns will always be known as Mr. George Wilson on the 1950s sitcom version of "Dennis The Menace." It was on February 17, 1962, hours after the 100th "Dennis" episode was filmed, & ironically 5 days after his 55th birthday on February 12, 1962, that Kearns suffered a massive stroke--and died. The producers had George written out of the series as having gone on a year-long trip the following fall, hence Gale Gordon taking Kearns's place as George's brother John. In Spring 1963, however, the series was canceled, not due to poor ratings, but because its star, Jay North, by this time was 11 years old--henceforth too old to continue playing "Dennis The Menace."

4. Michael Conrad -- OK, so he never was in a sitcom, but Conrad will always be known as Sgt. Phil Esterhaus on the 1980s cop show "Hill Street Blues." In November 1983, just after Thanksgiving that year, Conrad died of cancer at age 58. The producers had his character, Sgt. Phil Esterhaus, also pass away the following spring as having died of a massive heart attack.

5. Richard Crenna -- To sitcom audiences, Crenna will always be remembered as Grandson Luke on the 1950s sitcom "The Real McCoys," but it was while a regular on the CBS courtroom drama "Judging Amy" that Crenna was diagnosed with cancer. He eventually lost the battle against the disease in January 2003, at age 76.

6. Phil Hartman -- Hartman will always be remembered for being the "Man of a Thousand Voices" during his 8 years on "Saturday Night Live," but it was just after Season 3 wrapped of "NewsRadio" in 1998 that, in May of that year, Hartman was tragically shot and killed by his wife, Bryn, who eventually shot and killed herself. The following fall, at the start of NewsRadio's 4th season in September 1998, a special hour-long episode was made to honor Phil's memory by having his character, Bill McNeal, die of a massive heart attack.

catlover79 · 11-01-2009, 03:06 PM

Jack Soo (Sgt. Nick Yemana) - Barney Miller

Alice Pearce (Gladys Kravitz #1) - Bewitched

Lynne Thigpen (Ella Mae Farmer) - The District

gidgetgrape · 11-01-2009, 03:13 PM

1. Dolph Sweet from "Gimme a Break!"

2. Redd Foxx from "The Royal Family"

tv star collector · 11-01-2009, 03:29 PM

Ward Bond, star of NBC's popular western Wagon Train, died in November 1960, at age 55. Ironically, he was the cover subject on the
then-current issue of TV Guide magazine. He was later replaced by
John McIntire for the rest of the show's run.

Dan Blocker, who played Hoss Cartwright on NBC's long-running Bonanza, died in 1972, at age 43, during that show's 13th season. It only lasted
one more year.

In 1977, Chico and the Man star Freddie Prinze shot himself. The series
expired after one more season.

catlover79 · 11-01-2009, 03:31 PM

Marion Lorne (Aunt Clara) - Bewitched

Peter Deuel (Hannibal Heyes) - Alias Smith & Jones

Karl Swenson (Lars Hanson) - Little House on the Prairie

Zara Cully (Mother Jefferson) - The Jeffersons

Will Geer (Grandpa Zeb Walton) - The Waltons

Heidi Dawn · 11-01-2009, 03:38 PM

Jim Davis - Jock Ewing on Dallas (died from brain cancer and a perforated ulcer)

Barbara Colby - Julie Erskine on Phyllis (murdered)

Selma Diamond - Selma Hacker on Night Court (lung cancer)

Florence Halop - Florence Kleiner on Night Court (cancer)

Bea Benederet - Kate Bradley on Petticoat Junction (lung cancer)

treky · 11-01-2009, 05:01 PM

Jack Soo from "BARNEY MILLER"

William Frawley from "MY THREE SONS" & of course "I LOVE LUCY" and "THE LUCY-DESI COMEDY HOUR"

Zoneboy · 11-01-2009, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treky

William Frawley from "MY THREE SONS" & of course "I LOVE LUCY" and "THE LUCY-DESI COMEDY HOUR"

He and Alice Pearce both died on the same day, 03-03-1966

MikeLutton · 11-01-2009, 05:26 PM

been wondering how did zara cully die i dont think it was ever said

biffbronson · 11-01-2009, 07:18 PM

Just FYI, William "Bill" Frawley had to leave My Three Sons because of cost of insurance issues. He was very much alive and revisted the set (off camera). Bill lived a few years past that - but he was not on any series at the time of his death (at least none that I know of).

McGillicuddy · 11-01-2009, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffbronson

Just FYI, William "Bill" Frawley had to leave My Three Sons because of cost of insurance issues. He was very much alive and revisted the set (off camera). Bill lived a few years past that - but he was not on any series at the time of his death (at least none that I know of).

Anybody remember when Frawley made a cameo on The Lucy Show? I'm guessing it was after he left My 3 Sons.

Mr. Television · 11-01-2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markway895

Anybody remember when Frawley made a cameo on The Lucy Show? I'm guessing it was after he left My 3 Sons.

I do know that was his last tv appearance and it was after he left MTS.

browneyes106 · 11-01-2009, 08:51 PM

David Strickland (Suddenly Susan) committed suicide in 1999.

Mr. Television · 11-01-2009, 08:55 PM

Jerry Orbach-Law & Order although he was on Trial By Jury at the time of his death.

Richard Crenna-Judging Amy

gidgetgrape · 11-01-2009, 09:36 PM

Will Geer from "The Waltons"

11-01-2009, 03:06 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Jack Soo (Sgt. Nick Yemana) - Barney Miller Alice Pearce (Gladys Kravitz #1) - Bewitched Lynne Thigpen (Ella Mae Farmer) - The District
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11-01-2009, 03:38 PM	#6
Heidi Dawn Muppets Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 01, 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 883	Jim Davis - Jock Ewing on Dallas (died from brain cancer and a perforated ulcer) Barbara Colby - Julie Erskine on Phyllis (murdered) Selma Diamond - Selma Hacker on Night Court (lung cancer) Florence Halop - Florence Kleiner on Night Court (cancer) Bea Benederet - Kate Bradley on Petticoat Junction (lung cancer)
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11-01-2009, 05:01 PM	#7
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	Jack Soo from "BARNEY MILLER" William Frawley from "MY THREE SONS" & of course "I LOVE LUCY" and "THE LUCY-DESI COMEDY HOUR"
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11-01-2009, 05:26 PM	#9
MikeLutton Mike Lutton DVD Legend! Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 05, 2005 Location: usa pennsyvania Posts: 6,873	been wondering how did zara cully die i dont think it was ever said
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11-01-2009, 02:57 PM	#1
grundoontv Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 12, 2007 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 83	Actors Who Died while on a hit TV series 1. John Ritter -- Perhaps THE saddest of all cases. Ritter, to sitcom viewers, will always be remembered as Jack Tripper on the 1970s sitcom "Three's Company," and as the youngest of 2 sons born to the late cowboy movie actor Tex, but it was while on the set of his comeback vehicle, "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter," on the afternoon of Thursday, September 11, 2003, that Ritter suddenly fell ill with what he initially thought was food poisoning; instead, at 1 a.m. ET / 10 p.m. PT the next morning, Friday, September 12, 2003, Ritter was dead at age 54. The cause of death -- dissection of the aorta. Ritter's untimely death occurred 5 days before his 55th birthday September 17, 2003; the day after his youngest daughter, Stella, celebrated her 5th birthday; and on the day of his 2nd wife, Amy Yasbeck's, 40th birthday. Besides Amy & Stella, Ritter was survived by 3 grown children (including actor son Jason) from his 1st marriage to Nancy Morgan (which ended in divorce in 1996, in part because of Ritter's relationship with Yasbeck), his mother, Dorothy Fay Southworth (who eventually died the following November 5, 2003 of old age at age 88), and an older brother, Tom, a lawyer who was born disabled by Cerebral Palsy. 2. Nicholas Colasanto -- Although he had a long stage & film career, it was to sitcom viewers that Colasanto will always be remembered as Ernie "Coach" Pantusso on the hit 1980s sitcom "Cheers." On February 8, 1985, after a 2-month absence due to physical illness, Colasanto returned to work on "Cheers," but just 4 days later, on February 12, 1985, Colasanto died of a massive heart attack while watching TV at his California home. The following fall, Coach was written out of the series as also having died, & Woody Harrelson took his place as Woody Boyd, a pen pal of Coach's whom Sam Malone eventually hired to work for him at Cheers. 3. Joseph Kearns -- Although he had a long showbiz career, Joseph Kearns will always be known as Mr. George Wilson on the 1950s sitcom version of "Dennis The Menace." It was on February 17, 1962, hours after the 100th "Dennis" episode was filmed, & ironically 5 days after his 55th birthday on February 12, 1962, that Kearns suffered a massive stroke--and died. The producers had George written out of the series as having gone on a year-long trip the following fall, hence Gale Gordon taking Kearns's place as George's brother John. In Spring 1963, however, the series was canceled, not due to poor ratings, but because its star, Jay North, by this time was 11 years old--henceforth too old to continue playing "Dennis The Menace." 4. Michael Conrad -- OK, so he never was in a sitcom, but Conrad will always be known as Sgt. Phil Esterhaus on the 1980s cop show "Hill Street Blues." In November 1983, just after Thanksgiving that year, Conrad died of cancer at age 58. The producers had his character, Sgt. Phil Esterhaus, also pass away the following spring as having died of a massive heart attack. 5. Richard Crenna -- To sitcom audiences, Crenna will always be remembered as Grandson Luke on the 1950s sitcom "The Real McCoys," but it was while a regular on the CBS courtroom drama "Judging Amy" that Crenna was diagnosed with cancer. He eventually lost the battle against the disease in January 2003, at age 76. 6. Phil Hartman -- Hartman will always be remembered for being the "Man of a Thousand Voices" during his 8 years on "Saturday Night Live," but it was just after Season 3 wrapped of "NewsRadio" in 1998 that, in May of that year, Hartman was tragically shot and killed by his wife, Bryn, who eventually shot and killed herself. The following fall, at the start of NewsRadio's 4th season in September 1998, a special hour-long episode was made to honor Phil's memory by having his character, Bill McNeal, die of a massive heart attack.

11-01-2009, 03:13 PM	#3
gidgetgrape Forever Gidget Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3,503	1. Dolph Sweet from "Gimme a Break!" 2. Redd Foxx from "The Royal Family"

11-01-2009, 03:29 PM	#4
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	Ward Bond, star of NBC's popular western Wagon Train, died in November 1960, at age 55. Ironically, he was the cover subject on the then-current issue of TV Guide magazine. He was later replaced by John McIntire for the rest of the show's run. Dan Blocker, who played Hoss Cartwright on NBC's long-running Bonanza, died in 1972, at age 43, during that show's 13th season. It only lasted one more year. In 1977, Chico and the Man star Freddie Prinze shot himself. The series expired after one more season.

11-01-2009, 03:31 PM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Marion Lorne (Aunt Clara) - Bewitched Peter Deuel (Hannibal Heyes) - Alias Smith & Jones Karl Swenson (Lars Hanson) - Little House on the Prairie Zara Cully (Mother Jefferson) - The Jeffersons Will Geer (Grandpa Zeb Walton) - The Waltons

11-01-2009, 07:18 PM	#10
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,341	Just FYI, William "Bill" Frawley had to leave My Three Sons because of cost of insurance issues. He was very much alive and revisted the set (off camera). Bill lived a few years past that - but he was not on any series at the time of his death (at least none that I know of).

11-01-2009, 08:51 PM	#13
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,097	David Strickland (Suddenly Susan) committed suicide in 1999.

11-01-2009, 08:55 PM	#14
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,128	Jerry Orbach-Law & Order although he was on Trial By Jury at the time of his death. Richard Crenna-Judging Amy

11-01-2009, 09:36 PM	#15
gidgetgrape Forever Gidget Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3,503	Will Geer from "The Waltons"