Actors who quit famous TV shows but ended up regretting it

Actors who quit famous TV shows but ended up regretting it

Some actors have so much success on a show that they think they’ve outgrown their status. But sometimes they fail to realize how lucky they have it – and these stars unfortunately regretted leaving their shows.

Rob Lowe left The West Wing

Rob Lowe got an early start as a member of the teenage Brat Pack in the 1980s, but then his career took a back seat until he landed the role of Sam Seaborn on hit political series The West Wing. Audiences loved him, and loved his character, and everything seemed good in the world, but it was not to last.

Rob Lowe left The West Wing

Lowe left The West Wing after just three seasons, and it took his career years to recover, until he was finally cast on drama series Brothers & Sisters in 2006.

]Anita Barone left Friends

]
Another notable recasting you’ve probably all noticed is the change of actress who plays Carol Willick in the sitcom Friends. Originally, it was Anita Barone who played Ross’s pregnant ex-wife, but after just one episode…

Anita Barone left Friends

Barone decided to quit the show to take on bigger roles that had been offered to her at the time. Considering we’ve never really seen her in anything remarkable since, we’re imagining that she regrets leaving a recurring role on one of the most beloved shows of all time.

]Charlie Sheen left Two and Half Men

]
Ahh, Charlie Sheen. What can’t we say about this guy? In fact, Comedy Central did a roast special with him as the host, allowing a panel of comedians to deliver their best zingers at him. When he left Two and a Half Men, it was a period in his life when he was going through a bit of a meltdown.

Charlie Sheen left Two and Half Men

He didn’t handle it well, calling the show creator inappropriate names – and since then he has expressed regret that things happened the way they did.

]David Caruso left NYPD Blue

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Audiences were enraged when David Caruso left police series NYPD Blue after just one season. He was extremely popular in the role of Detective John Kelly, and they felt betrayed by his leaving. Caruso had other plans, however, striving for a career on the big screen.

David Caruso left NYPD Blue

It didn’t go as planned, and Caruso made some less than stellar choices in the films he worked on. His career went on the DL for a while, until he wound up back on TV for ten seasons on crime show CSI: Miami.

] Topher Grace left That ‘70s Show

]
Topher Grace seems to have enjoyed the height of his career during his time on sitcom That ‘70s Show. While starring as Eric on the series, he also enjoyed relative success on the big screen, starring in Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! and In Good Company.

Topher Grace left That ‘70s Show

However, when he left the series in 2005, his career suffered a serious blow, and he didn’t make it back to theaters until he was cast in Spider-Man 3 in 2007. He’s been working since then, but his career never recovered.

]Marg Helgenberger left CSI

]
The original CSI: Crime Scene Investigation series lasted 15 seasons and was named one of the most watched shows in the world several times. Marg Helgenberger, however left the show after 12 seasons, hoping to pursue a career on the big screen as well as on Broadway.

Marg Helgenberger left CSI

Helgenberger had some prestigious roles prior to CSI, including in the drama film Erin Brockovich and on the TV series China Beach but after she left CSI, she hasn’t added many credits to her name.

]Anthony Edwards left ER

]
When you hear the name Anthony Edwards, you likely have no idea who we are talking about. He was one of the original headlining actors on the hit hospital television show ER, for which he won several awards, including a Golden Globe.

Anthony Edwards left ER

We’re not quite sure why he left the show after just eight seasons, but he was sorely missed and we haven’t heard much from him ever since. Some people have said he left to spend more time with his family, while others speculated he wanted to try his hand at directing.

]Christopher Meloni left Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

]
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has been one of the most popular shows on television for many years, and one of the reasons for that was Christopher Meloni in the role of Detective Elliot Stabler.

Christopher Meloni left Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

He stayed on the hit crime show for 12 seasons, but then failed to reach a contract agreement with the producers, so called it quits. He could later be seen on True Blood and Surviving Jack, but it’s just not quite the same as headlining such a prestigious show as SVU.

]McLean Stevenson left M*A*S*H

]
If you win a Golden Globe for your performance in a sitcom, you should probably stay with the show for a while. McLean Stevenson learned this the hard way. He left his role as Henry Blake after three seasons, in a shocking season finale, because he wanted more money and fame.

McLean Stevenson left M*A*S*H

He tried his luck with four more sitcoms, but none of them did very well, and he later voiced his regret at leaving M*A*S*H too early.

]T.R. Knight left Grey’s Anatomy

]
Other than a few lesser-known film roles, T.R. Knight hasn’t been seen much since he left medical drama series Grey’s Anatomy after appearing in only a few scenes in season five. The actor was involved in a very public scandal in which another actor on the show, Isaiah Washington, was heard calling Knight a bad name during an argument.

T.R. Knight left Grey’s Anatomy

Although Washington was fired, it was pretty much the end of Knight’s character, and he decided it was time to move on.

]Dan Stevens left Downton Abbey

]
Dan Stevens’ career took off when he starred in the period drama series Downton Abbey. He was suddenly a recognized face, and his character was well loved. However, after three seasons, he decided that he was ready to move on from the show, and shocked the producers with his premature exit.

Dan Stevens left Downton Abbey

His career struggled along for a while but he recently starred in Beauty and the Beast alongside Emma Watson and can currently be seen on the sci-fi series Legion, so it looks like things are picking up.

]Sherry Stringfield left NYPD Blue and ER

]
Sherry Stringfield left cop show NYPD Blue after one season and managed to get a part on the next hot TV series, hospital drama ER. She soon found that she was miserable on set – the long filming days and lack of sleep made her ill.

Sherry Stringfield left NYPD Blue and ER

She wanted out so badly that she agreed to sign an agreement not to work in television for several years. Her career never took off after that, but she did return to ER later on, and starred in some TV movies as well.

Angus T. Jones left Two and a Half Men

The little kid on Two and a Half Men was not only adorable, he was an important character as the “half” man in the title of the sitcom. Angus T. Jones rose to fame for his portrayal of the child, Jake, and it seemed like things were going well for him.

Angus T. Jones left Two and a Half Men

However, it was not to last – Jones called the show “filthy” and “immoral,” and despite making bucketloads of cash, decided he no longer wanted to be a part of the comedy. He hasn’t worked much since.

Farrah Fawcett left Charlie’s Angels

Although Farrah Fawcett’s name hasn’t lost its ring, her acting career never quite took off following her departure from crime drama show Charlie’s Angels after only one season. While people speculated that she left the show due to strain on her marriage and a desire to pursue a film career, she ended up in legal battles with ABC due to breach of contract.

Farrah Fawcett left Charlie’s Angels

Fawcett, who will always be fondly remembered for that one season on Charlie’s Angels, sadly passed away in 2009 at the age of 62.

Nicolette Sheridan left Desperate Housewives

For years, there’s been drama surrounding Nicollette Sheridan’s departure from the mystery dramedy ‘Desperate Housewives.’ She claims that she was let go because Marc Cherry assaulted her during filming.

Nicolette Sheridan left Desperate Housewives

The show’s creator says that her character was always set to bow out, but that her “unprofessional” behavior made it easier to get rid of her. Either way, Sheridan found herself in court with her former employers and missed out on the last three seasons of the show. She’s largely struggled to find work ever since., except for on ‘Dynasty.’

Nathalie Kelley left Dynasty

When the soap opera ‘Dynasty’ ended in 1989, no-one expected it to ever return to TV. However, nearly 30 years later, the show was rebooted and brought into the 21st century. The show has been a reasonably big hit, with stars like Nathalie Kelley picked out as one of its highlights.

Nathalie Kelley left Dynasty

Unfortunately, despite impressing in season one, Kelley had no desire to stay on the show. She told E! News that she’d “got my life back” following the departure, yet things have been relatively quiet for her since.

Rebecca Gayheart left Firefly

Firefly’ might not have stuck around for long, but it still has one of the most devoted fan bases in the world. It’s amazing that the drama hasn’t been brought back, considering the strong following behind it.

Rebecca Gayheart left Firefly

Exceptional DVD sales and award wins followed the program after its cancelation, something that Rebecca Gayheart never got to be involved with. She left the show after one day of filming due to a lack of chemistry with anyone else in the cast. That was according to the show’s creator Joss Whedon, anyway.

Laura Benanti left Supergirl

With the superhero genre so popular right now, we’re not surprised that shows like ‘Supergirl’ are thriving. Unfortunately, not all of the cast members seem to love how successful these programs are doing.

Laura Benanti left Supergirl

Even though Laura Benanti enjoyed her time on ‘Supergirl,’ she still waved goodbye to it after just two seasons. She wanted to remain in New York City where her family was, rather than constantly traveling out to film the show. Fortunately for the series, it’s continued to be a critical success in her absence.

Meghan Markle left Suits

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex herself. You might say to yourself, well it’s actually a good thing that she left her show, because she did it to be a part of the Royal Family! You might be correct there, but we’re not so sure about that.

Meghan Markle left Suits

Has her life gotten any easier as a result of this major life change? Sure, she’s royalty now – but she’s also under more public scrutiny than she’s ever been in her entire life, and it’s not easy.

Lisa Bonet left A Different World

Lisa Bonet played the second eldest daughter, Denise Huxtable, on The Cosby Show. The character was so popular that they gave her a spinoff called A Different World, and it did extremely well with viewers.

Lisa Bonet left A Different World

However, Bonet had to leave the show after just one season because she got pregnant. She pitched the idea of having her character get pregnant too, but it was rejected. Although she returned to The Cosby Show later on, she never regained the acclaim she had received on A Different World.

Courtney Thorne-Smith left Ally McBeal

Courtney Thorne-Smith became famous for playing Alison Parker on primetime soap opera Melrose Place before she joined the cast of legal drama Ally McBeal, playing Georgia Thomas. She stayed with the show for three seasons before calling it quits, citing issues with her weight, although she returned several times as a guest star.

Courtney Thorne-Smith left Ally McBeal

She went on to appear in sitcoms According to Jim and Two and a Half Men, but her career has remained relatively stagnant.

Shannen Doherty left Beverly Hills, 90210 and Charmed

Shannen Doherty had roles in two hit television series but still didn’t manage to cash in and turn them into a big career. She first starred as Brenda Walsh on teen drama Beverly Hills, 902010 but developed a reputation as being difficult to work with and was written off after four seasons.

Shannen Doherty left Beverly Hills, 90210 and Charmed

A few years later, she was cast as Prue Halliwell on fantasy show Charmed, but left after only three seasons. Unfortunately, she hasn’t met much success since then.

Mischa Barton left The OC

After her character was killed off of teen drama series The OC, Mischa Barton pretty much disappeared from Hollywood. She started acting on stage at a very young age and rose to recognition in rom-com Notting Hill and horror film The Sixth Sense before getting cast as teenager Marissa in The OC.

Mischa Barton left The OC

She left the show because she wanted to pursue a movie career, but hasn’t been seen much on the red carpet, recently finding more success with small independent films and theater than with A-list movies.

Nina Dobrev left The Vampire Diaries

The official reason for Nina Dobrev’s shocking departure from The Vampire Diaries was that she wanted to move on to other opportunities. Apparently, she also felt like she needed to get some rest and “reclaim some of her freedom,” which sounds legit, but some say there was something else.

Nina Dobrev left The Vampire Diaries

Many people wonder if her exit was related to how tiring it must have been to continue working with her ex, Ian Somerhalder, after they had broken up – and especially, after he seemed to move on so quickly.

]Suzanne Somers left Three’s Company

]
Not only did Suzanne Somers leave Three’s Company way too early, she was also involved in on-set drama before she was fired. Somers played the ditzy roommate for five seasons, but then she had a public, failed contract negotiation with the producers.

Suzanne Somers left Three’s Company

It ended in her part being cut to just one-minute long bits filmed by herself, and she left the show at the end of the sixth season. She went on be the spokesperson for Thighmaster, and her career never recovered.

Brian Dunkleman left American Idol

Do you remember the first season of American Idol? Sure, you remember Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest, but there was actually another host there, too. Brian Dunkleman hosted alongside Seacrest, however it lasted only one season.

Brian Dunkleman left American Idol

Nobody knows the real reason for Dunkleman’s early departure from the very popular reality show, but he later admitted that he struggled with some negative feelings after he left the series so early. Whatever happened, unfortunately, it was pretty much the end of his career, while Seacrest went on to fame and fortune.

Shelley Long left Cheers

Cheers was one of the most popular sitcoms of all time, and Shelley Long starred as cocktail waitress Diane Chambers. Even though she won an Emmy Award and two Golden Globes for the role, she left the series after just five seasons to pursue a film career and spend time with her family.

Shelley Long left Cheers

However, the film career didn’t quite work out, despite playing Carol Brady in the Brady Bunch movie among other smaller roles. She can also be seen as a recurring character on the hit sitcom Modern Family.

Chevy Chase left Saturday Night Live

“Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!” was a phrase coined by Chevy Chase, and is still used at the beginning of every episode of Saturday Night Live. Chase was only on the late night variety show for one season, but he left his mark on it even after he left.

Chevy Chase left Saturday Night Live

He enjoyed some success in comedy films following his departure from the show, but voiced regret at not sticking around a bit longer. Chase later re-emerged as a star playing Pierce Hawthorne on the sitcom Community.

Dave Chappelle left Chappelle’s Show

Some stars try to make bigger names for themselves and fail, others make a conscious decision to withdraw from the spotlight. Dave Chappelle is the latter. He enjoyed a great deal of success from his Comedy Central show Chappelle’s Show, but decided he had had enough after just two seasons.

Dave Chappelle left Chappelle’s Show

He was offered big bucks to produce two more seasons, but turned it down, instead going off to travel to South Africa. He hasn’t advanced his career much recently, but we respect his decision to do things his way.

Jason Priestley left Beverly Hills, 90120

Beverly Hills, 90210 was filled with attractive men and women, but Jason Priestley was unique in his portrayal of a guy who was good looking and also very nice. Audiences loved him, but he got tired of the part after a while and was written out of the show after the eighth season.

Jason Priestley left Beverly Hills, 90120

He went on to play roles in a bunch of TV movies and guest star in many series through the years, but he never realized huge success. He is currently starring on the comedy-drama series Private Eyes.

Christopher Eccleston left Doctor Who

When the show was rebooted after decades of being under the radar, a whole new host of cast members were brought to be the new face – including the talented Christopher Eccleston, who played the ninth doctor.

Unfortunately, he only stayed on the show for one season, after which he was replaced by David Tennant. He had gotten into arguments with the producers of the show, and it resulted in him being blacklisted once he moved on.

Wil Wheaton left Star Trek: The Next Generation

It’s tough to really know what the best decision is when you’re young and in Hollywood – and such was the case for Wil Wheaton when he was on Star Trek. After four seasons of being on the show, the 18-year-old Wheaton decided to pursue bigger career dreams in big time movies and such.

Wil Wheaton left Star Trek: The Next Generation

It turned out that he didn’t realize how hard it was in the film business, and he ended up missing his Star Trek family.

Michael Learned left The Waltons

The Waltons was a show in the ’70s that Michael Learned worked on for about seven years. But at some point she decided it was time for her to move on. Later on in her career she admitted that she wished she would’ve stayed, mainly because it would’ve wrapped up the show better.

Michael Learned left The Waltons

As far as the experience itself, she was happy she was done with that. Still, it’s not like her career really took off after that, did it?

Steve Carell left The Office

We’re not sure if Steve Carell actually “regretted” leaving the Office when it was nearing its end – especially cause his career didn’t waver at all – but we can say confidently that everyone else wishes he would’ve stayed.

Steve Carell left The Office

The show got considerably worse after he left, and it simply wasn’t the same show afterward. Michael Scott was one of the most iconic and hilarious TV characters of all time, and it simply wasn’t right to hang out in Dunder Mifflin without him.

Colton Haynes left Arrow

It was really confusing for the audience of Arrow when Colton Haynes left the show. His character was so deeply entrenched into the narrative of what was going on, and it just seemed very out of the blue.

Colton Haynes left Arrow

It turns out that while Haynes regretted leaving, it wasn’t entirely his fault. He had been dealing with anxiety issues, and didn’t feel equipped to handle the brutal work hours. Thankfully he left on good terms with his fellow cast members and the crew.

Josh Bowman left Revenge

This was a truly strange case, and we’re wondering why it transpired. Josh Bowman essentially signed his own resignment from the show when he publicly stated that his character had run its course.

Josh Bowman left Revenge

He was saying it strictly for the sake of the show, but he may not have realized that he was giving the producers the idea to let him go. As if sealing his own fate, his character was shot and killed, and he probably regrets making that initial public comment.

Joe Piscopo left Saturday Night Live

When Joe Piscopo joined Saturday Night Live in the early ’80s, he became a household name who was talented at multiple things, including the ability to impersonate celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, David Letterman, and Sylvester Stallone.

Joe Piscopo left Saturday Night Live

Eventually he decided to leave the show in order to focus on a movie career, but while he starred in a number of films, they didn’t exactly skyrocket him into an A-list star. We wonder if he would’ve been better off staying.

Jeff Conaway left Taxi

Jeff Conaway is best known for his portrayal of Kenickie in the hit musical Grease, alongside John Travolta and Olivia Newton John. He later got a solid role in the TV show Taxi, but would leave because he felt that his character “made actors look bad.”

Jeff Conaway left Taxi

Unfortunately, he didn’t land many movie roles once he left, leaving him to wonder whether he shouldn’t have been too picky about the moral beliefs of the character he’d been playing.

Matt Smith left Doctor Who

Another Doctor Who cast member who feels a little bit melancholy about the show that he left was Matt Smith. He was on the show for a lot longer than Christopher Eccleston, but he still felt like there was more to his character that had yet to be explored.

He also mentioned that he wished he could’ve seen what could’ve evolved between his and co-star Jenna Coleman’s character. If you ask us, he was one of the very best Doctors, who had the most intricate storyline.

Zach Braff and the rest of the main cast left Scrubs

For seven seasons, medical dramedy Scrubs made us laugh while also making us feel for Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, and the rest of the crew at Sacred Heart. Then it got canceled. Miraculously, ABC picked it up, wanting to give viewers the closure they deserved.

Zach Braff and the rest of the main cast left Scrubs

Scrubs went on to do just that, but tacked on two more seasons with a new cast of doctors. The magic, sadly, was all gone, and even guest spots from Braff and Chalke did nothing to save it. Braff himself said he liked to imagine Scrubs only had eight seasons, and so do we.

Chris Latta left The Simpsons

When Hank Azaria learned he’d replaced someone else as the voice of Moe on The Simpsons, he quipped, “Lesson to you kids: Always be nice!” He was referring to the original voice of both the surly bartender and Mr. Burns, Chris Latta.

Chris Latta left The Simpsons

He was already in the hearts of every ’80s kid, having voiced Cobra Commander on G.I. Joe and Starscream on Transformers. Appearing on The Simpsons may’ve turned out to be a lifetime gig… if Latta was easier to get along with. After reportedly clashing with co-creator Sam Simon and struggling with substance abuse, the show dropped him.

John Amos left Good Times

When John Amos was cast as one of the stars of Good Times, a sitcom about the struggles and triumphs of an inner-city Chicago family, he was sure it’d be a career-making move. The show was created by Norman Lear, who created All in the Family and Sanford and Son, to name only two.

John Amos left Good Times

Four seasons in, however, Amos was gone, as he clashed with the writers over the show’s intended direction. While his career was fine, he did later regret how he handled his Good Times issues and the damage done to his relationship with Lear.

Mandy Patinkin left Criminal Minds

When veteran actor Mandy Patinkin was cast as the lead in CBS’ new crime procedural Criminal Minds in 2005, fans of the genre rejoiced. Just two seasons later, and Patinkin blew off table reads and then left the show altogether.

Mandy Patinkin left Criminal Minds

The show’s subject matter, it later became known, was just too dark for him, and he felt uncomfortable with many of the scenes he took part in. He later even admitted signing on in the first place was a mistake. Fourteen years later, the show’s still around, but the humanity he brought to it is still missed.

Denise Crosby left Star Trek: The Next Generation

Getting her first big break in soap opera Days of Our Lives, Denise Crosby was cast as Security Chief Tasha Yar in Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987. The show became a runaway hit. However, frustrated with her character being used as “dressing,” Crosby left after the first season.

Denise Crosby left Star Trek: The Next Generation

Her position was taken over by a Klingon you may have heard of – Worf. Playing Yar is still Crosby’s biggest role to date, and as evidence she even went back twice – playing an alternate reality version of herself and then her own evil half-Romulan daughter.

Lecy Goranson left Roseanne

Honestly, we could probably do an entire article just about the cast of Roseanne. But let’s focus on “First Becky” herself, Lecy Goranson. She played Roseanne’s eldest daughter on the first five seasons of the highly successful sitcom, only to leave showbiz altogether to go to college.

Lecy Goranson left Roseanne

Since the show still needed Becky, the role was recast with Scrubs’ Sarah Chalke. Goranson returned to the show in season eight, only to leave again. Her career since has been mostly guest spots. Education is important, but it may have done in Goranson’s career in the entertainment industry.

Christopher Abbott left Girls

Christopher Abbott made his big screen debut in indie film Martha Marcy May Marlene to much acclaim, and he topped that off with being cast on a new HBO show. That show was Girls, and Abbott portrayed Marnie’s on-again, off-again boyfriend Charlie Dattolo in the first and second seasons.

Christopher Abbott left Girls

However, frustrated with not being able to relate to Charlie and disagreeing with his character’s direction, Abbott left the show. It exploded into a mega hit, and he’s appeared in relatively low-key roles since, such as on The Sinner, First Man, and Catch-22.

Ellen Cleghorne left Saturday Night Live

In the early 1990s, Saturday Night Live was probably the most stacked it’s ever been. Comedy legends like Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, and David Spade were all jockeying for supremacy in the late-night comedy show’s ranks.

Ellen Cleghorne left Saturday Night Live

One unsung hero, though, was Ellen Cleghorne, who gave those guys a run for their money with multiple original characters and impressions. After surviving the talent cull of 1995, however, Cleghorne decided to quit herself in favor of starring in a sitcom on the WB. That show was canceled after only one season, and Cleghorne’s regretted leaving SNL ever since.

Tyler Hoechlin left Teen Wolf

Teen Wolf fans were devastated by the news that Tyler Hoechlin would no longer be a series regular, as he announced he wanted to pursue a film career. To try and soften the blow, he even said he would still make guest appearances, but when season 5 of the show came and went and Tyler didn’t appear in a single episode, people got the message.

Tyler Hoechlin left Teen Wolf

He scored roles in movies like Undrafted and Fifty Shades Freed, but returned to TV on Supergirl, and kept his promise by appearing again on the sixth season of Teen Wolf.

Chad Michael Murray left One Tree Hill

Chad Michael Murray and his character Lucas Scott said goodbye to One Tree Hill after six successful seasons, but there had actually been reports of lengthy contract negotiations for a seventh season. So what happened?

Chad Michael Murray left One Tree Hill

Considering that Sophia Bush was the real star of the show at that point, some say that the network didn’t want to spend more money on Murray’s contract. After he left, he did mention contract disputes, so maybe the rumors were true.

Hilarie Burton left One Tree Hill

Like her on-screen husband Lucas Scott / Chad Michael Murray, Peyton Sawyer, played by Hilarie Burton, also left One Tree Hill after its sixth season.

Hilarie Burton left One Tree Hill

There were rumors that her depart was related to salary issues, but The CW announced that the actress’ leaving was based on her own decision not to return. After One Tree Hill, Hilarie made her big screen debut in the drama Our Very Own, and appeared on TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy.

Taylor Momsen left Gossip Girl

When you get to be on top of the world, you start thinking that you can do anything. There’s nothing wrong with being confident, but sometimes it’s good to know when you’ve got a good thing going.

Taylor Momsen left Gossip Girl

Taylor Momsen really had a good thing going with her role on Gossip Girl, one of the most popular teen shows of the new millennium. She did it to pursue her music career, which we admire… but let’s be real, she could’ve made a lot more money as an actress.

Claire Holt left The Originals

Now let’s talk about Claire Holt, who left The Originals for a reason that most people would find a little bit strange. She left because they were filming it in Atlanta, Georgia, and she wanted to get closer to California.

Claire Holt left The Originals

Okay, maybe it wasn’t that far-fetched. But even though she was in Atlanta, people were falling in love with her character, Rebekah Mikaelson – and after she left, folks weren’t happy. We think that her career took a dip as a result.

Kal Penn left House

How often do you hear about an actor deciding to leave their show because they want to work at the White House? Not too often. Well, that’s actually the case with Kal Penn, who split from House, the beloved medical drama starring Hugh Laurie.

Kal Penn left House

Now, we’ve seen Penn appear in other shows since then, including How I Met Your Mother briefly – and we certainly haven’t forgotten about his “Harold and Kumar” days – but we can’t help but wonder if he’d be getting a lot more roles if not for that little hiatus.

Janet Hubert left Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

When Will Smith was younger and starring on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, he was certainly a rising star, but not even close to the respected actor he is today. On the set of Fresh Prince, he and Janet Hubert didn’t like each other one bit.

Janet Hubert left Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Hubert couldn’t put up with him, and the constant quarreling ultimately resulted in her leaving the show. She probably figured that he was just some young star who would fall off the map – but unfortunately it was she who would fall off the map.

Katherine Heigl left Grey’s Anatomy

One of the most famous career tanking television show departures is when Katherine Heigl left medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. It was already clear that she didn’t love her role as Dr. Izzie Stevens when she withdrew from the 2008 Emmy Award considerations because she said she was not given quality material to work with.

Katherine Heigl left Grey’s Anatomy

She left the show during the sixth season and has struggled to get her career back on track. She did appear on several episodes of legal drama Suits as well as thriller show State of Affairs.

Wayne Rogers left M*A*S*H

When you’re cast as part of a mega-hit, Emmy winning show, it’s kind of hard to imagine quitting it so early in the game, but that’s what Wayne Rogers did. Portraying Trapper John McIntyre alongside fellow character “Hawkeye” Pierce, Rogers felt that the latter was taking up his spotlight.

Wayne Rogers left M*A*S*H

Before its fourth season began, Rogers decided he has had enough and called it quits, rumored to also be because of issues with the contract. He did say, though, many years later, that looking back, he probably would have stayed longer. Sadly, Rogers passed away in 2014.

George Clooney left ER

Although Clooney’s career is far from being unsuccessful, as he is one of the highest paid actors today, some fans are still holding onto the fact that way back when, when the actor was relatively unknown, he was given a chance in the smash hit show ER but left after five seasons.

George Clooney left ER

He came out with two Emmys under his belt and a movie career underway, but ultimately owes it to his legendary role of Dr. Doug Ross.

Josh Charles left The Good Wife

The Good Wife was one of the most successful legal dramas ever made, and one of its main stars, Josh Charles’ character Will Gardner, was one of the reasons. So when viewers had to say goodbye to the beloved character in the most brutal way, many people were wondering why.

Josh Charles left The Good Wife

Some rumors speculated it was contract issues, but ultimately Chalres himself claimed it was just time for him to leave, though he found it hard to “leave a steady job.”

David Duchovny left The X-Files

When Duchovny left the hit sci-fi show in 2001, everyone was shocked there will no longer be legendary duo Mulder and Scully (playes by Gillian Anderson). Although he did move on to the semi hit show Californication between 2007-2014, his career wasn’t quite the same afterwards.

David Duchovny left The X-Files

He did participate in the show’s many sequels and reboots, however, so maybe Duchovny knows deep down what a mistake he has made.

Sandra Oh left Grey’s Anatomy

Oh portrayed the beloved Dr. Cristina Yang. Although Oh didn’t exactly regret leaving the show after ten seasons back in 2014, many thought she made a mistake, since the show is still going strong to this day.

Sandra Oh left Grey’s Anatomy

Oh found her way back to success only recently with her new TV show that is critically acclaimed, but we still miss the fierce doctor Cristina Yang.

Andrew Lincoln left The Walking Dead

Fans were shocked to learn that the zombie hit show’s star, Rick Grimes actor Andrew Lincoln, had decided to call it quits after nine seasons. He said it was time to quit so he could spend more time with his family.

Andrew Lincoln left The Walking Dead

Although it was touching, fans were happy to discover that Lincoln was still in fact signed in with the producers, which means he is to appear in any sequels or spin offs ahead, reprising his role.

Amy Carlson left Blue Bloods

When the eight season of the hit cop drama hit the screens, fans were shocked to see one of their favorite stars, Linda Reagan played by Amy Carlson, has tragically passed away. Apparently, Carlson had left the show for good after seven successful seasons.

Amy Carlson left Blue Bloods

Even the actress herself said it was a hard decision to leave the show after such a long time. But not hard enough, apparently.

Jennifer Morrison left Once Upon a Time

After six seasons as Emma Swan in the hit ABC show, Morrison decided to call it quits. She said it as mainly due to her wanting to pursue other career ventures that include being mostly behind the camera, like producing and filming.

Jennifer Morrison left Once Upon a Time

Though fans were sad to say goodbye to the beloved character, they were happy to see her cameo on the show’s finale in 2018.

Michael Moriarty left Law & Order

Michael Moriarty starred in the first four seasons of the hit police-drama Law & Order. However, as filming for the fifth season came around, things took a turn for the worse. It all started when the then-Attorney General Janet Reno accused the show as playing a significant role in the increase of violence across the US.

Outraged by Reno’s comment, Moriarty even threatened to file a lawsuit against Reno – this, according to him, was the downfall of his career, as he was eventually forced to quit the show by producers due to his “erratic behavior.”

Thomas Gibson left ‘Criminal Minds’

As the show’s main lead for a whopping 11 seasons, Thomas Gibson was forced to leave the crime-drama “Criminal Minds” after allegedly fighting with a producer due to disagreements over the script. Gibson attempted to make amends for his actions – even agreeing to attend anger management therapy…

Thomas Gibson left ‘Criminal Minds’

But it was soon decided that he should leave the show indefinitely due to “creative differences”. Gibson now admits that the incident wasn’t what it was made out to be – he says he “only lifted his foot which tapped him on the leg.”

Ben Miller left Death in Paradise

British actor Ben Miller was one of the main characters for three whole seasons on the mystery crime-drama “Death in Paradise” – but in late 2014, Miller announced that he would be leaving the show to move onto other roles in the pipeline.

Ben Miller left Death in Paradise

His character, Richard Poole, was subsequently written off as a result. However, now five years since he quit, Miller admits that he misses the show greatly and wishes that he didn’t rush into the decision like he did.

Patrick Dempsey left Grey’s Anatomy

Emmy-award winning medical-drama Grey’s Anatomy has given us a long list of beloved characters over the years, and perhaps no other character was loved as much as Patrick Dempsey’s Dr. Derick Shepherd. In total, Dempsey starred in the show for ten long years…

Patrick Dempsey left Grey’s Anatomy

But in 2015, he decided it was time to say goodbye, basing his decision on wanting to pursue smaller projects. However, it seems that Patrick is somewhat regretful about his decision to leave because he even returned as a guest star in 2018. So who knows what the future holds?

Roseanne Barr left Roseanne

Fans of the ‘80s sitcom Roseanne were thrilled to find out all of its main cast were returning for a reboot. However, after just one season, the show was canceled due to an offensive post that Roseanne Barr re-posted to her millions of followers.

Roseanne Barr left Roseanne

ABC producers found her political views to be highly unallied to the network’s own stance – therefore she was axed from ever working with them again. Thankfully for Roseanne’s other cast members, a spinoff show named The Conners was scooped up, which is currently airing its second season.

Jeremy Clarkson left Top Gear

Just like Roseanne Barr, Jeremy Clarkson is another controversial figure that’s somehow managed to hold onto their starring roles, simply because the show wouldn’t be the same without them. However, by 2015, it seemed that Top Gear’s producers finally had enough.

Jeremy Clarkson left Top Gear

It all started during an incident in which Clarkson allegedly approached one of the producers over his disliking of the lunch served – yes, really! So although Clarkson didn’t exactly quit himself, he’s still an example of a star who might be full of regret.

Connie Britton left Nashville

ABC’s country-music drama Nashville first aired in 2012, and Connie Britton was the show’s biggest star as Rayna Jaymes. However, when ABC canceled the show in 2016 after just four seasons, Britton decided not to rejoin the cast after it was picked up by CMT just a few weeks later.

Connie Britton left Nashville

According to Britton, it was an extremely tough decision, but ultimately she decided it was time to leave because she felt she needed a new inner challenge. With the show continuing for another two seasons without her, does Britton regret her premature exit?

Clayne Crawford left Lethal Weapon

Clayne Crawford is another TV star who was fired after violent incidents on set. Crawford was a huge part of the cast and the crew of the action-drama series “Lethal Weapon,” and following an outburst on set, Crawford was let go from the show.

According to producers, he bought too much negativity to the set, which Crawford now wholly apologizes for. On his social media, Crawford once wrote, “I’m so very sorry if my passion for doing a good job has ever made anyone feel uncomfortable.”

Lori Rom left Charmed

You may not necessarily recognize the name and face of Lori Rom, and that’s because she only starred in just one episode of the hit fantasy-drama Charmed – it was a pilot that didn’t even air! Rom was actually the original actress cast to play Phoebe Halliwell…

Lori Rom left Charmed

But after Rom quit the role due to the show’s conflicts with her Christian beliefs, Alyssa Milano took over instead. We can only imagine how much regret Rom must feel, especially considering how popular and successful the show went on to be.

Ed Skrien left Game of Thrones

Fans were left confused and disappointed when the character of Daario returned to Season 4 played by an entirely different actor that didn’t even look anything like the original. So what happened?

Ed Skrien left Game of Thrones

Well, according to rumors, Ed Skrien left the show due to “political reasons” – which in itself is rather vague. What possibly could have stopped him from returning to a role in one of the biggest TV shows in history? Nevertheless, Michael Huisman happily took over instead.

Stephen Tobolowsky left Buffy the Vampire Slayer

The supernatural drama ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ was one of the biggest TV hits in the ‘90s, and it helped establish the careers of several popular actors. Unfortunately, one person who never really got to enjoy the show’s success was Stephen Tobolowsky.

Stephen Tobolowsky left Buffy the Vampire Slayer

He was initially cast to play Principal Flutie, but as viewers will remember, that role was ultimately taken by Ken Lerner. Tobolowsky never made it past the pilot because he went off to film a different show. However, he’s admitted that he wished he’d stayed with ‘Buffy’ instead.

Riff Regan left Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Another actor who never got to enjoy what ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ had to offer was Riff Regan. The actress was the original choice for Willow, but there was something off about her. She wasn’t portraying the character in the way the producers wanted her to, so she was sidelined for Alyson Hannigan.

Riff Regan left Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Obviously, Hannigan gained a lot from that role, moving onto the popular sitcom ‘How I Met Your Mother.’ We wonder if Regan thinks that could’ve been her on the show instead if she’d stuck around.

Jennifer Ehle left Game of Thrones

Considering how many people would have loved a role on ‘Game of Thrones,’ it’s surprising just how frequently the show seemed to lose cast members. Even before the program went to air, it faced difficulties holding actors down.

Jennifer Ehle left Game of Thrones

Following the unaired pilot of the show, Jennifer Ehle departed and made room for Michelle Fairley to portray Ned Stark’s wife. At the time, she said it was too soon after her daughter’s birth. Of course, that was before the show became the mega-success that millions of viewers loved.

Tamzin Merchant left Game of Thrones

Could you imagine ‘Game of Thrones’ with anyone other than Emilia Clarke playing Daenerys Targaryen? We certainly couldn’t, although it seems that the role almost never even went to the actress.

Tamzin Merchant left Game of Thrones

It was initially Tamzin Merchant who played the part, although she too left after the pilot. It’s unclear why she went, with George R.R. Martin making it clear that he wasn’t to blame. He was a fan of Tamzin’s and would have loved to see her in Daenerys’ shoes for eight seasons, regardless of Clarke’s stellar performance.

Alex Borstein left Gilmore Girls

If Melissa McCarthy never appeared on the dramedy series ‘Gilmore Girls,’ she might not have had the career opportunities that later turned her into a star. However, she only landed the part of Sookie because Alex Borstein didn’t continue in the role after the show’s pilot.

Alex Borstein left Gilmore Girls

The actress could have achieved great things as the character, and maybe even become the blockbuster star that McCarthy is today. However, her obligations to MADtv meant she walked away from the series before it could really change her life.

Richard Kiel left The Incredible Hulk

Nowadays, the world seems to be obsessed with superheroes. However, back in the ‘70s, opinions weren’t so overwhelmingly favorable. That’s probably why David Banner felt okay walking away from the action-drama ‘Incredible Hulk’ after filming the pilot in 1978.

Richard Kiel left The Incredible Hulk

Issues with his muscle size, alongside complications with contact lenses, meant that Banner gave up on the series before it had gotten off the ground. However, in doing so, he abandoned a show that became one of the biggest hits of the superhero genre during that time.

Jenna Fischer left Man with a Plan

Matt LeBlanc hasn’t always had the best luck with shows since ‘Friends’ ended. However, while the sitcom ‘Man with a Plan’ might not be his most critically-acclaimed series to date, it’s still holding firm in the ratings.

Jenna Fischer left Man with a Plan

It’s maintained a steady audience for several years now, with a fourth season airing in 2020. That’s all the more reason why Jenna Fischer might be kicking herself for not making it past the pilot of the show. Now, Liz Snyder gets all the success while she looks for something else to do.

Jake T. Autstin left The Fosters

After gaining experience on the Disney Channel, Jake T. Austin moved on to slightly more mature shows, including programs like ‘The Fosters.’ In the family drama, he portrayed Jesus Adams Foster for two seasons before calling it quits.

Jake T. Autstin left The Fosters

According to his Twitter account, he wanted to find something with more substantive content. His departure was something of a surprise, especially considering that ‘The Fosters’ had received critical acclaim during his time there. Unfortunately, his only significant role since then was competing on the reality competition series ‘Dancing with the Stars.’

Ross Butler left Riverdale

Riverdale is one of the hottest teen dramas on TV right now, yet some of its stars don’t seem interested in sticking with it forever. Ross Butler certainly didn’t after he abandoned the show in favor of ‘13 Reasons Why.’

Ross Butler left Riverdale

It appears that the actor wasn’t interested in seeing where things would go past the first season, despite the decent ratings and multiple awards wins. Given that the show is still on the air, there’s a chance he could come back. Then again, he was replaced by Charles Melton.

Luke Grimes left True Blood

The fantasy horror drama ‘True Blood’ managed seven seasons on TV, and during that time, it pulled in decent ratings and mostly positive reviews. Unfortunately, one actor who didn’t see the show through to the end was Luke Grimes.

Luke Grimes left True Blood

He left when his character was developing feelings for Lafayette, portrayed by Nelsan Ellis. He apparently didn’t want to play someone with a male romantic interest, much to the disappointment of the fans. Their disapproval likely hurt the man’s career, but at least Nathan Parsons stepped in to make things right.

Alessandra Torresani left Arrested Development

When Mitch Hurwitz thought about who should play Ann on the sitcom ‘Arrested Development,’ he decided to do something unique. He figured why not have a different actress play the character in every episode to reflect how “unmemorable” she was.

Alessandra Torresani left Arrested Development

Unfortunately for Alessandra Torresani – the actress who played Ann first – Mitch changed his mind after episode two. He loved what Mae Whitman did with the character, so he kept her around. It seems that not playing unmemorable memorably enough hurt Torresani’s chances of longevity on the award-winning series.

Stellina Rusich left Monk

When Stellina Rusich was on the dramedy ‘Monk,’ her appearances were restricted to flashbacks. Her role wasn’t massive, but it was recurring. Luckily for Stellina, the producers were inspired to give her character more importance after the second season.

Stellina Rusich left Monk

Unfortunately, they didn’t see the actress as being the right fit for the job. She was replaced with Melora Hardin, who apparently had the right sort of softness for the role. Rusich ultimately missed out on six seasons of the show that regularly proved to be a ratings hit.

Phil Bruns left Seinfeld

Sometimes, an actor simply doesn’t portray a character the way that you want them to. When that happens, producers can either run with what they’ve got, urge the star to change their acting style, or fire them. In the case of Phil Bruns, he ended up getting option three.

Phil Bruns left Seinfeld

That was back when he was on the sitcom ‘Seinfeld’ in the role of Jerry’s dad. He wasn’t portraying the harshness that producers wanted to see, so he got the chop. Unfortunately, the show achieved great things without him.

Rachel Dratch left 30 Rock

Rachel Dratch is comedy gold, and she has been ever since she was a cast member on ‘Saturday Night Life.’ Unfortunately, being hilarious doesn’t always work out in your favor. It certainly didn’t help the star keep her spot on the sitcom ‘30 Rock’ following its pilot.

Rachel Dratch left 30 Rock

She ended up being replaced by Jane Krakowski and having her entire character reworked to fit the other actress. Although Dratch received a few guest spots on the show, she didn’t get to reap the rewards of the show’s immense success.

Frances Fisher left Home Improvement

If you’re going to play a character who’s married to the lead, it’s vital that the two of you share chemistry. Without it, there’s little hope that the show will be a success. Unfortunately, there was no real bond between Frances Fisher and Tim Allen when the two were cast on ‘Home Improvement’ together.

Frances Fisher left Home Improvement

Evidently, someone had to leave the sitcom, and it wasn’t going to be Allen. As a result, Fisher missed out on eight years of consistent work, which could have really come in handy.

James Neate left Pretty Little Liars

The teen drama Pretty Little Liars spent years throwing mysteries at its audience. The show was never afraid to leave viewers asking questions, and it seems there are a few that remain unanswered.

James Neate left Pretty Little Liars

That includes what happened to James Neate, the guy who played Toby Cavanaugh in the show’s pilot. He only appeared briefly in the episode, so it’s not like replacing him was a big deal. However, given Toby’s prominence as a character, we can’t help but wonder why Neate lost out on this major role.

Parker Bagley left Pretty Little Liars

James Neate wasn’t the only guy who didn’t survive long in ‘Pretty Little Liars’. Parker Bagley, who portrayed Jason DiLaurentis, was also replaced during the show’s first season. He was sidelined for Drew Van Acker, a swap that caught a lot of people off guard.

Parker Bagley left Pretty Little Liars

However, the change apparently happened because Marlene King didn’t think Bagley was the right fit for where she wanted to go with Jason. That must have been difficult for Parker to hear, considering the program’s position as a dominant force in the teen drama genre.

Aml Ameen left Sense8

Given that the Wachowskis were behind the sci-fi drama series ‘Sense8,’ we always had faith that the show would be amazing. Thankfully, we weren’t wrong, with the program receiving critical acclaim and strong audience reception.

Aml Ameen left Sense8

Unfortunately, despite the program’s success, not everyone saw it through to the end. Aml Ameen, who played Capheus, ended up leaving before the show was over, due to conflicts with one of the Wachowskis. His departure could have hurt the series, but the producers made sure to replace him to avoid any significant issues.

Florencia Lozano left Gossip Girl

Like so many others, Florencia Lozano only ever appeared on the pilot of her show before getting the boot. She was brought in to play Eleanor Waldorf, the mother of Blair, but producers weren’t convinced that she was right for the part.

Florencia Lozano left Gossip Girl

They believed she didn’t appear mature enough to have a 16-year-old daughter, which is why they hired Margaret Colin instead. Although makeup probably could have aged Lozano up a little, that wasn’t enough to keep Florencia around. So, she ended up missing out on the show’s success.

Fred Dryer left Cheers

It’s largely thanks to ‘Cheers’ that Ted Danson is still on our screens today. The man appeared in more than 250 episodes of the sitcom’s eleven seasons and charmed the world as Sam Malone, the bartender.

Fred Dryer left Cheers

However, the character could have had a completely different face for all those years if Fred Dryer had developed better chemistry with Shelley Long. The actor was the original Sam Malone in the pilot, but there was no spark between him and Long, meaning he missed out on over a decade of TV triumph.

Lacey Chabert left Family Guy

People always seem surprised when they learn that Mila Kunis is the voice behind Meg Griffin on ‘Family Guy.’ It’s probably because she’s a world away from her animated counterpart, particularly with the way people treat her.

Lacey Chabert left Family Guy

Of course, Mila wasn’t the first person to voice Meg, with Lacey Chabert taking the reins in season one. The actress ended up leaving the show due to other commitments, allowing Kunis to take her place. Given that the series is still on the air, she may well have doubts about that now.

Mason Verge left Hannibal

The psychological horror-thriller series ‘Hannibal’ is another one of those shows that had a passionate following. When it was eventually canceled, viewers were in uproar, with many people demanding that it return.

Mason Verge left Hannibal

The actors appreciated everyone’s support and seemed to share their feelings over the program’s termination. One person who wasn’t a part of that, though, was Michael Pitt. He’d left the role of Mason Verger earlier on after his character mutilated himself. His reason for leaving wasn’t entirely clear, but he soon faded from most viewer’s minds.

Jay Thomas left Cheers

Whether you like your co-stars or not, it’s usually a good idea to keep any personal opinions to yourself when you’re not on set. After all, going around and telling people what you really think of your colleagues doesn’t exactly paint you in the best light.

Jay Thomas left Cheers

It didn’t work out for Jay Thomas, who was fired from ‘Cheers after complaining about kissing Rhea Perlman on the show. Up until that point, he’d been a frequent guest star on the series. However, his comments meant that he never worked there again.

Columbus Short left Scandal

Shonda Rhimes isn’t afraid to get rid of any actor she considers problematic, regardless of their importance to her shows. She’s let go of several people on ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ and even cut ties with stars of her political thriller ‘Scandal’ too.

Columbus Short left Scandal

Columbus Short was one of them, and his history of violence was responsible. A series of troubling incidents with his wife meant that he had to go, and there was no way that Shonda was ever bringing him back. She only wanted that kind of scandal on the program.

Maggie Roswell left The Simpsons

The cast of ‘The Simpsons’ is smaller than you might think, given the number of characters in the series. However, it used to be a bit bigger, back when people like Maggie Roswell were involved.

Maggie Roswell left The Simpsons

The actress was once responsible for voicing characters like Maude, and anyone who’s seen ‘Alone Again, Natura-Diddily’ will know how that turned out. Reports over Roswell’s departure have been conflicting, but apparently, it was all about money. She believed her pay wasn’t satisfactory and lost out on decades of voicing work as a result.

Dominic Monaghan left Lost

Dominic Monaghan didn’t seem particularly sad to leave ‘Lost,’ stating that he was “bored” and “frustrated” on the show. However, given the success of the series at the time, leaving it didn’t exactly spell great things for his career.

Dominic Monaghan left Lost

It certainly didn’t help that he reportedly left a bad taste in everyone’s mouths when he departed either. From trying to convince writers to change his character to airing his co-star’s dirty laundry, he definitely didn’t do much to help his reputation. It’s no wonder that he left when he did.

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