13 TV Character Deaths That We Never Got Over

[comedyfreak]

George O'Malley on "Grey's Anatomy"

George O'Malley was one of the original interns on the TV show "Grey's Anatomy." After actor T.R. Knight confirmed he was not returning for the sixth season, George died on the show. To make matters worse, paramedics brought him into the hospital as a mangled and unidentifiable John Doe after a horrific bus accident.

Dr. Mark Greene on "ER"

Dr. Mark Greene developed an aggressive form of brain cancer. After surgery to remove the tumor, he started to show signs and symptoms of the tumor's return a year later, and doctors determined he had about six months to live. Dr. Mark Greene passed away in season eight of "ER" and was the only original character to die throughout the show's history.

Mike Delfino on "Desperate Housewives"

Married to Susan Mayer, Mike Delfino was a fan favorite on the hit TV show. In the final season, Mike died in a drive-by shooting when he pushed Susan out of the way to protect her. The shooting occurred in front of the home he shared with Susan and their son, MJ Delfino.

Opie on "Sons of Anarchy"

After spending five years at Chino State Penitentiary, Opie ends up back in prison after punching Sheriff Roosevelt in the face. In prison in the fifth season, Opie died from a beating with a pipe. The sixth season of the show included other characters wearing patches with "In Memory of Opie."

Dan Conner on "Roseanne"

Dan Conner was a key character throughout the popular series. He played Roseanne's husband and provided the audience with many laughs as he parented Darlene, D.J., and Becky. He died after having a heart attack at Darlene's wedding, a fact disguised at first by writers as Roseanne escaped into fantasy to cope with his death.

James Evans on "Good Times"

James Evans was married to Florida Evans on "Good Times." At the end of the third season, he took a job working on the Alaskan Pipeline. At the start of the fourth season, his wife and children learn he died in a car accident in Jackson, Mississippi.

Eddard Starks on "Game of Thrones"

In the first season of "Game of Thrones," Eddard Starks was the main character, who became the Hand of the King. His political allies betrayed him, resulting in his arrest for treason. Eddard confessed to the crime only to protect his family. His execution set the stage for the ensuing War of the Five Kings.

Tara Maclay on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"

At the center of Buffy's circle of friends, called the Scooby Gang, was Tara Maclay. She was a virtuous character. Additionally, her relationship with Willow was one of the first lesbian pairings on a national television show. At the end of season six, Tara died from a stray bullet.

Dale Horvath on "The Walking Dead"

Even though almost every episode of "The Walking Dead" results in a person's death due to zombies, the death of Dale Horvath struck a sour note with fans. In the episode where Dale died, Carl saw a walker on the farm's land, but he did not share that fact with anyone in the group. When Dale walked the grounds, the walker attacked him, and he later died.

Sam Winchester on "Supernatural"

After his older brother, Dean, saved Sam Winchester at the end of season eight of "Supernatural," viewers assumed his brush with death was over. On the contrary, the saga continued at the start of season nine when Sam did not fight to live, and an angel possessed his body to keep him "alive." As season nine continues, fans wait to see if Sam's body heals to the point of allowing the restoration of his soul and his life.

Lt. Col. Henry Blake on "M*A*S*H"

The actor who played Lt. Col. Henry Blake, McLean Stevenson, decided to leave the show at the end of the third season. Although most fans expected his return home after hearing the news, the writers shocked everyone, even the actors on the show, by killing him instead. In his last episode, Radar received a report that the Koreans shot his plane down over the Sea of Japan.

Fred Burkle on "Angel"

Winifred Burkle, better known as Fred, was a member of Angel Investigations. When they joined forces with Wolfram and Hart, Fred died after her coworker, Knox, unwittingly brought in an ancient sarcophagus that infected her with the essence of Old One Illyria. Illyria took over her body and destroyed her soul.

Brian on "Family Guy"

The death of Brian, the beloved talking dog on "Family Guy," inspired a lot of anger from fans. In a November 2013 episode, a car hits Brian and ultimately causes his death. It was one of the most shocking deaths of a TV character, particularly because "Family Guy" focuses on inspiring laughter. Some fans disagree and believe his death was a much-needed plot twist.

Each week, TV characters win over their fans with captivating story lines and plots. In some cases, this makes it feel like the death of a family member when a character passes away, and it often causes on-screen scandals and real-life controversies.

Were there any others left out? List any you remember.

[Sal]

I honestly can't believe that you left out John Ritter as Paul Hennessy in "8 Simple Rules". That one hit home as hard as any TV death I can remember because John Ritter was (and stll is) a beloved TV figure for a lot of us.


The younger viewers here might want to put in a vote for Cory Monteith of Glee. That one happened only a couple of years ago yet the memory is still fresh and the tragic end, for someone so young and talented, is still a big shock for the show's fans.

[FuriosityShell]

Originally Posted by Sal

I honestly can't believe that you left out John Ritter as Paul Hennessy in "8 Simple Rules". That one hit home as hard as any TV death I can remember because John Ritter was (and stll is) a beloved TV figure for a lot of us.


The younger viewers here might want to put in a vote for Cory Monteith of Glee. That one happened only a couple of years ago yet the memory is still fresh and the tragic end, for someone so young and talented, is still a big shock for the show's fans.

I don't watch Glee, but I know who Cory Monteith is and that he died. While it's a sad loss, I think this article was about CHARACTERS on TV who died, not the actors.

But like I said, I don't watch Glee, so did they kill off his actual character?

[comedyfreak]

Originally Posted by Sal

I honestly can't believe that you left out John Ritter as Paul Hennessy in "8 Simple Rules". That one hit home as hard as any TV death I can remember because John Ritter was (and stll is) a beloved TV figure for a lot of us.

Doh!
I can't believe I completely forgot about that one, and I sobbed all through the episode. I was going to say, the death of Edith Bunker on Archie Bunker's Place.

[MrCleveland]

I wonder if the deaths of Edith Bunker (Jean Stapleton, "All in the Family"), Chief Carl Kanisky (Dolph Sweet, "Gimme a Break"), Bill McNeal (Phil Hartman, "News Radio"), Todd Stities (David Strickland, "Suddenly Susan"), and Charlie Harper (Charlie Sheen, "Two and a Half Men) were deaths no one got over...or got over very easily?

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by MrCleveland

I wonder if the deaths of Edith Bunker (Jean Stapleton, "All in the Family"), Chief Carl Kanisky (Dolph Sweet, "Gimme a Break"), Bill McNeal (Phil Hartman, "News Radio"), Todd Stities (David Strickland, "Suddenly Susan"), and Charlie Harper (Charlie Sheen, "Two and a Half Men) were deaths no one got over...or got over very easily?

I think they all affected those shows until the end. You can add Chico ( Freddie Prinze) too.

[Sal]

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

I think they all affected those shows until the end. You can add Chico ( Freddie Prinze) too.

Or if you want to go back even further, how about Bea Benaderet, Kate Bradley on "Petticoat Junction"?

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by Sal

Or if you want to go back even further, how about Bea Benaderet, Kate Bradley on "Petticoat Junction"?

That's true but they never did mention that she died even though we knew she did.