20 TV Stars Who Tragically Died During Production

[@gl3913]

The folks at MsMojo forgot the lady who portrayed Howard Wolowitz's mother, Debbie Wolowitz, in The Big Bang Theory. Her name was Carol Ann Susie and she passed away due to cancer during the 8th season of TBBT. No one really saw her face, however the voice of Mrs. Wolowitz made her a force to be reckoned with and was a huge presence during the entire time that she was on the show. RIP Carol Ann Susie

[@kristashafer93098]

Thank you for this lovely tribute.

[@gl3913]

@@kristashafer93098 You are welcome.

[@Aetrakas]

It said 20, there is way more then 20 cast members that have passed during filming

[@kimberlyarmstrong2929]

Thank you. I was just coming on to say this. RIP Carol Ann

[@johnkufer4190]

Totally agree.

[@trinaq]

I liked that they omitted the laugh track after John Ritter's untimely passing, allowing for the actors to grieve for their beloved coworker.

[@DateMike22]

Amen 🙏🏼. I was 16 when he passed away on the 8 Simple Rules set and I still feel it 21 years later 😢😭.

[@CalebJacobs762]

It wasn't a laugh track it was the crew. I read about it. There was no live studio audience for 3 episodes after Ritter died.

[@alexandriajimenez5999]

Me too. I still get heartbroken everytime I see or seen the reruns.

[@CalebJacobs762]

​@@DateMike22He passed away at a hospital across the street.

[@LucyLioness100]

I remember when the news broke of his death & it was truly heartbreaking to see the cast grieve him in the episode following his actual death. They had a lot of love and respect for him; Kayley Cuoco called him a 2nd father to her

[@myrtlemountaineer8857]

Steve Irwin’s death hit me so hard. I was a preteen when he died and loved watching his shows on Animal Planet. I even remember my Dad taking me to see his movie in the theaters. I’m so happy his wife and kids are continuing to keep his spirit alive.

[@RealTalk1411]

Same!!! I was beyond devastate. I don't think I ever watched Animal Planet after that. I couldn't, it was too much to bare. Steve Irwin is the reason I don't mess with stingrays. Me and stingrays got beef forever.

[@thedevilsrockstxr2309]

Respectfully how long do u think he was gon put himself in danger before sumn happened, no animals aren't evil but it only takes one time......he should've left them alone

[@myrtlemountaineer8857]

@@RealTalk1411 I haven’t watched any Animal Planet since either now that I think about it…

[@RealTalk1411]

@@myrtlemountaineer8857 To this I don't watch it. Animal Planet was never the same for me. His wife has remained so loyal to him. Terri Irwin hasn't been on a single date since Steve's death. She hasn't even remarried or had a boyfriend. She has remained single and widowed. She cannot bare the thought of being with another man when Steve was everything to her.

[@katlee-reeve4875]

The fact the tape that captured Steve's heartbreaking death was never viewed and given intact to his wife epitomized both the love and respect his "team" held him. Class

[@jeannehall6546]

Speaking of Sesame Street, there were also Will Lee, who played Mr. Hooper- an episode explaining death was made about him, and Northern Calloway, who played David and voiced the Muppet Same Sound Brown.

[@julieabraham3566]

You beat me to it. Mr. Hooper was given a beautiful memorial episode.

[@transmanj9443]

I was a toddler and I remember when Mr. Hooper died.

[@dusk_va]

We were just at the Smithsonian Museum of American History this week and next to a display of original Sesame Street Muppets was a screen playing various shows. As we walked up, they were showing the episode where the explain Mr Hooper's death to Big Bird. Still so touching all these years later.

[@TribeNotSpiders]

I liked the way Ted Danson's voice broke, just a little, when Sam told Woody they liked to think Coach was still around. It's easy to believe that Colasantos was well liked.

[@lilybdcsa]

Lee Thompson’s death in Rizzoli and Isles was so sad.

[@karlsmith2570]

Wasn't he the actor who also played Jet Jackson??

[@randyfleet8929]

@@karlsmith2570yes he was

[@karlsmith2570]

@@randyfleet8929 I thought so

[@sydnigrauberger5984]

Dang, you just reminded me. It was neat that it wasn't just a 1 episode nod to him but addressed his loss to the characters over several in meaningful ways.

[@Theatergeek1999]

Interesting fact. Lynne Thigpen’s death didn’t just affect The District. Her death also was the reason Bear in the Big Blue House ended and they made that spin-off. She voiced Luna

[@trippyboi91]

I had and STILL HAVE so much love for this woman. I just always loved that she liked kids.

[@kevinstull8552]

​@@trippyboi91I was such a huge fan of the show Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? She was really good on it as the Chief.

[@akganimationstudioproducti3779]

I always think of her when I hear the Goodbye song

[@vitricewashington6510]

When I saw bear in the big blue house, I thought, she's the moon!! God I miss that show.

[@ilenehill6305]

I grew up on bear and the big blue house and was wondering why it was cancelled.

[@keirarees3179]

I remember my Dad calling my Mum when Steve Irwin passed away, I remember seeing it on SM when Cory Monteith passed. I cannot watch the Quarterback episode, I cry without fail every single time😢.

[@trippyboi91]

Mary Kay Bergman ALSO was the original voice of Timmy Turner.

[@ciarangleeson2880]

She also voiced Daphne from Scooby-Doo, for a while. After she died, her close friends, Tara Strong and Grey Delisle Griffin took up the mantle, possibly to help keep her legacy alive.

[@trippyboi91]

@@ciarangleeson2880 something I will ALWAYS respect Tara for along with Killer 7.

[@NickCC23]

@@ciarangleeson2880 Grey also happens to be a friend of mine. Her close friend April Stewart now voices most of the South Park women.

[@hunterolaughlin]

⁠@@NickCC23I imagine Grey is still heartbroken over Mary’s death 25 years later, huh?

[@btshea9537]

Steve Irwin’s death was a shock, I also remember when Kathleen Freedman died, she voiced Mrs. Gordon on As Told By Ginger. She recorded her final episode and died shortly after. Mrs. Gordon retires but then she was supposed to come back. When Freedman died the production team wrote out Mrs Gordon saying she passed. To this day I can’t watch that episode, so emotional.

[@chelseacanales8763]

Glee was over for me when Cory passed away. His death was so tragic and the episode of him was painful

[@bellafrangipani8342]

Agreed wholeheartedly. Watching the episode surrounding ultimately his untimely death and the death of his character Finn shattered me; Santana's (and ultimately Naya's) tribute still breaks my heart, moreso now given it's eerie foreshadowing of her own death. I cannot believe it's been almost 11 years since Cory left this world.

[@makenton15]

RIP Shannen Doherty 💔🕊👑

[@karlsmith2570]

They'd mentioned Phil Hartman, but they didn't mention Marcia Wallace, the voice actor for Mrs. Krabappel

[@vitricewashington6510]

Can you remind me who that is?

[@karlsmith2570]

@@vitricewashington6510 Mrs. Krabapple was Bart's teacher at the school, who would later marry Ned Flanders after his wife died in a freak accident

[@vitricewashington6510]

@@karlsmith2570 ahh okay. Thank you. It was something I couldn't remember but knew it was familiar.

[@angiedawnmoody3519]

I just said they missed of Marcia as well

[@sburris65]

She was also on Newhart

[@lucygarrett9785]

Them singing "Seasons of Love" the episode of Cory/Finns death was one of the saddest moments in all of television for me That song means a lot to me

[@PHSDM104]

I lost it during Mercedes's rendition of "I'll Stand By You".

[@edgeworth7750]

I can never watch “Make you feel my love” without crying

[@EmmaAreli]

It was Naya Rivera rendition of "Shake it off" for me, which made me cry twice as hard when she passed 😭

[@jocelyntmorgan]

this whole episode has me sobbing every time i watch it. i started watching glee just before s6 aired (2015) and i remember getting to that episode and being like “wait did he actually die in real life” & when i got my answer i was bawling. also fun fact there’s a s3 graduation version of “seasons of love” 🥹

[@PatientBean]

John Ritter's death hit hard because I would watch that show with my mom every night it was on so when the episode came talking about how the father died and John actually passed it was one of the first times I was talked to about death because relatives that died previously i was too young to understand. To this day I can't get through that episode without being emotional, especially as it now reminds me of my mom who passed a year ago.

[@JordanS-ww4eu]

Sorry for your loss 😢😢😢😢😢

[@polishalastor142]

Adam West 😢

[@charliejoson9145]

Timmy Turner: "TV's Adam West?!" Adam West: "Where?...."

[@DragonKazooie89]

At least he lived a long and happy/successful life

[@matthewbaduria]

Steve Irwin was so great, he really was, and I used to watch Crocodile Hunter, all the time, he was crazy but warm-hearted, what happened to him just lost me there, he left a huge legacy behind, and will never see the likes of him again.

[@Proudtman]

The only one who made me cry was John Ritter's passing! I grew up with a show he starred in called Three's Company! He played a character called Jack Tripper! He's also the only actor i really followed at the time

[@hunterolaughlin]

I knew him as the voice of the titular character Clifford from the PBS Kids series’ adaption of the Clifford the Big Red Dog books. Loved that show as a kid.

[@nenehoward8629]

His older son is his twin

[@PHSDM104]

"The Quarterback" was an episode of Glee that was hard to watch. You could tell where the acting ends at the grieving begins.

[@bellafrangipani8342]

And don't get me started on Naya as Santana; that poor girl literally fell apart in front of the entire audience.

[@PHSDM104]

@@bellafrangipani8342 Oh, that one got me in my feels NOW.

[@khendralibbey617]

@@bellafrangipani8342 and it’s just more painful to think of the song that she sings in that episode, knowing that she passed away.

[@PHSDM104]

@@khendralibbey617 Moreso, knowing HOW she passed!

[@dionshare7103]

John Ritter was the one that always surprised me the most. I'm someone that absolutely loves Three's Company. John Ritter was an absolutely hilarious man too.

[@Buggy-su4oy]

There's also the actress who played Howard's mom on the Big Bang Theory.😢😢

[@LilBanchik]

Mistake about Larry Hagman, he died during the 2nd season of the Dallas remake/continuation not during the run of the original Dallas series (BTW, who shot JR was in season 4 not 2)

[@FOSSMANJosh]

We will always love the crocodile hunter we will miss the crocodile hunter

[@mechellehuber5352]

How could you forget Dan Blocker? His death is one of the earliest in TV history.

[@mongoardath1]

Since you had both The Simpsons and one of the NCIS series, I think we should also recognize Marcia Wallace and David McCallum.

[@kristashafer93098]

Ducky!!

[@borisn1426]

David McCallum didn't die during filming of NCIS. He passed away during the writer strike

[@entransify]

David McCallum had already left NCIS and only made a couple of guest appearances later.

[@varianschirmer9375]

​@@entransify He'd semi retired... but was billed as a series regular thru the end of the season prior to his death.

[@Nellia.20x]

Phil Hartman ♥️🙏🏼

[@stevencolonel]

I am surprised that Carol Ann Susi wasn't on the list. She died while filming the Big Bang Theory. Her character was killed off because of her death. Even though her character was never seen on camera.

[@kristashafer93098]

There was NO replacing that distinctive iconic voice!

[@BeyondBaito]

What I wanna mention about Bergman was that her anxiety came from her feeling as if she'd lose her talent and the industry would drop her. The morning before her death she contributed to radio program celebrating the 45 Anniversary of Disney, that same morning she spoke to a friend of hers over the phone and was found dead roughly an hour later.

[@bennywark3103]

R.I.P to all of them 😢

[@zakirstocks9514]

I feel so sorry for Phil Hartman. Poor guy got murdered by his own wife. God Bless Phil Hartman's Beloved Soul.

[@twstf8905]

I'm glad Andy Whitfield was up in the top 5. He was amazing as Spartacus, and besides the prequel, serving as season two, the regular timeline of the series wasn't the same without him.

[@Spitfirethedragon]

The mother on Petticoat Junction died in production. The chief from Voyage To The Bottom of the Sea died between seasons one and two. The Grandparents from the Waltons. Ralph Waite from NCIS. The dad from Gimmie A Break. That actor from Hill Street Blues. There are others, but they don't get any mentions at all?

[@DarthSideous63]

Only Will Geer who played the Grandfather died. Ellen Corby had a stroke but didn't die.

[@harryshriver6223]

Phil Hartman's death is the one which affected me the most, I was a huge fan of both TV shows. I actually cried tears because of it and will always remember him from such films as dial M for Murderousness! RIP Phil 😢 🙏 🪦 vaya con Dios y en paz descansen. 😢

[@JWX94]

As a fan of Twister and Tombstone, it was pretty hard hearing of Bill Paxton's passing. 😢

[@hunterolaughlin]

Same. Not helping matters was it coming off just 2 months after Carrie Fisher’s death.

[@polishalastor142]

Steve Irwin 😢

[@ScottHumphries]

Norm Macdonald- The Orville. That guy. Definitely missed and should be recognized. Nobody even knew he was sick.

[@davinp]

8 Simple Rules lasted one more season without John Ritter

[@joshmclaurin2703]

Can someone explain why Mr. Hooper isn’t on here as well

[@pittsburghpirateshat8950]

Lynne Thigpen's death also caused the cancelation of the bear in the big blue house as the show's team simply couldn't bring themselves to go on without her.

[@GeorgeMaster-xg7lg]

Will Geer(The Waltons),Karl Swenson(Little House On The Prairie)..both 1978.Johnny Olson(1985) and Rod Roddy(2003)both from The Price Is Right.

[@dhenderson1810]

George Segal from "The Goldbergs" should have got a mention.

[@Fandomlove20]

What about iroh's voice actor getting an honorable mention?

[@ThePaytonMarie7]

Cory😢

[@donnatheroux841]

Amazing video Ms Mojo thank you truly enjoyed 👍👍👍👍❤️

[@bellafrangipani8342]

It hurts too much to watch Glee nowadays, knowing that three members of New Directions are deceased. Whilst I don’t and couldn't ever mourn Mark Salling's death, I'll always miss Cory and Naya.

[@lregwoc2]

Mako"s death saddened me. His death was during second and third season from Avatar the last airbender

[@rustyrelicsfarm2406]

I'm surprised that Captain Phil Harris of Deadliest Catch wasn't on this list.

[@codename617]

You forgot Jerry Orbach. He was playing his Law & Order character Lennie Briscoe (12 season on Law & Order with guest appearances on Homicide: Life On The Street, L&O: Special VIctims Unit, and L&O: Criminal Intent) on the fourth Law & Order spinoff Trial By Jury. They managed to film two episodes with him until he died.

[@SarahTheSassy71]

Woah i didn't even know about Luke Perry's acting past. That's so beautiful that they had/let his former co star pay her respects in that way :')

[@Supasmartguy]

If I were to prevent any one person who died young from having died young, it would be Jim Henson.

[@asha_vere]

I wasn't ready to see Steve 😢 I don't know if I'll ever get over his passing.

[@nicksullivan4994]

I Loved Adam West, R.I.P.!😭❤️📺🎶👍🏻

[@davidakridge2831]

Selma Diamond was another actress that died during production of Night Court

[@robpolaris7272]

I recently heard Steve Irwin pulled the barb from the stingray out of his chest. Since it was shaped like an arrow it ripped a huge hole in his heart. If you ever get a puncture wound or are stabbed, don’t pull it out! It is instinctual to want to pull something out, but leaving it could save your life! Let medical professionals remove any object from s wound.

[@ImmaculateKahnception]

Also gotta add Madeline Kahn, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer during the run of the 1996 series, Cosby, where she played Cosby's neightor, Pauline Fox. She died before getting to film season 4. Her illness and death weren't written into the show, but you could tell she was ill in season 3 when her character was written into the show less and less and when she did show up, she was either in a wig or her hair was growing back in after completing chemo. They actually dedicated a full episode in the 4th season to her, titled "Loving Madeline", where the rest of the main cast talked about working with Madeline and what it was like having her as a costar and work-friend. It was sort of a "best of Pauline" episode and I can never get through that episode without crying like a freaking idiot. Cosby ended after that season, mainly because of Madeline's absence. She was truly the star in anything she appeared in, even if she was technically a side character.

[@pettykittyfam]

17:30 THAT'S HORRIBLE How did that sort of mistake ever happen?

[@ChristianHansard]

Jim Davis as Jock Ewing in Dallas.

[@gracebleekman2557]

Phil Hartman and of course Corey Monteif I know I probably spelled his name wrong. And I can’t think of her real name but Ms. K from the Simpsons.

[@lefthandedRN]

Cory Monteith but that's ok.

[@Crazanity_Official]

Marcia Wallace

[@gracebleekman2557]

@@lefthandedRN Thanks so much I knew I probably spelled it wrong but I figured it was ok.

[@gracebleekman2557]

@@Crazanity_Official And thanks so much I really appreciate it.

[@justinfusco6121]

I sometimes work as an extra for tv/film. Sesame Street is filmed at Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens, the same studio where Orange is the new black was filmed. I portrayed a correction officer in 7 episodes of the last season on orange. Around the studio there is various memorabilia from productions filmed there. Behind glass, there is an autographed script from Jim Henson from an episode of Sesame Street. Cool to see.

[@twist58]

Cory Monteith on Glee and John Ritter on 8 Simple Rules tie to me in terms of shocking demises on their characters when finding out they died in real life. Their respective shows were getting good with each episode they starred in. But the quality of their shows went downhill after they were written off.

[@annecox944]

Also on "The West Wing", the actress who played the President's secretary.

[@lisabethhobbs]

Mrs. Landingham died on the show but the actor lived until long after the show ended.

[@jennifer_m.8613]

I was the only one who was bothered by John Ritter's death in 2003 Larry Hagman died during production of the Dallas sequel series in 2013, and JR Ewing was killed off; best episode, in my opinion. Thanks to modern technology, they were able to do a beautiful last scene of JR talking to John Ross In 1983, Jim Davis died of cancer during production of the original Dallas series. His character of John Ross "Jock" Ewing, Sr. was then killled off. Another great tribute episode.

[@saradodson7840]

11 years later and I am still not over Cory Monteith 😢

[@tjwash2]

Jessica Walter on Archer. She was the best character on Arrested Development as well during it’s run.

[@mandyholmberg5106]

I am so very sorry for your losses 😢💔even though they were a long time ago forever young they are gone way to soon they are gone but they will never be forgotten

[@Dealer35811]

Michael Conrad during “Hill Street Blues”. His write off death was also memorable.

[@brianthomas2434]

The title of this video is "TWENTY actors who died during production ". Obviously incomplete. Performers have died unexpectedly since the beginning of the medium. What I find interesting is that at some point, possibly in the 80s, the passings were ACKNOWLEDGED as part of the show. When Joseph Kearns, the original "Mr. Wilson " on "Dennis The Menace " died, Gale Gordon was brought in as his brother, occupying a home with his sister in law while his brother was away. Hmmmm.... When William Frawley died at 79, they actually said his character on "My Three Sons" had gone to Ireland to live with his mother! When Alice Pearce died of the ovarian cancer she hadn't told the producers of "Bewitched" about, her part was recast. Dolph Sweet's passing on "Gimme a Break!" is the first I'm aware of a series acknowledging a real life death. Anyone know of an earlier one?

[@ciarangleeson2880]

If I had a Time Machine, I would go back in time and try to save Steve Irwin, Freddie Prinze, Corey Monteith, Mary Kay Bergman, John Eric Hexum and Phil Hartman.

[@wxkat]

There’s also Stanley Kamel, who played Dr. Kroger on Monk. When Kamel passed away of a heart attack in 2008, the producers had Kroger pass away from the same ailment.

[@sockygaldamez9492]

Steve Irwin’s death still saddens me 😔 because he was legit my favourite animal guy growing up and like he actually made me want to do all the things he did 😊 when I heard the news of his passing it really shocked me and put me to tears 😭 especially because was during his show and he was doing something he loved ❤️ but least his legacy lives on through his family which is amazing to see. ❤️❤️

[@zoeyrochellezhombie829]

I still can't watch the last season of the West Wing due to Leo's death. I watch up to the point where Kristen Chenowith checks on him, bawled my eyes out when she's crying and telling Josh Leo died. That was it for me. 22 years later, it still gets me.

[@Maximum_Warp]

I definitely remember Lynne Thigpin in 'Lean On Me'. An amazing movie and she gave an unforgettable performance.

[@Jimbob_Offical]

Why is Elizabeth Sladen not on here? She was the main character of the Sarah Jane Advantures, which was a popular spin off of Doctor Who. It was massive news when She died, as the show was really popular in the UK. She died partway through making season 5 of the show, and the BBC had to cancel the show due to her being the main character. To pay respects to Elizabeth Sladen the BBC released a documentarily, which had all of the other cast members and producers, paying tribute to her.

[@HughJass_MarioFan_2009]

RIP John Ritter and Adam West

[@polishalastor142]

The Simpsons 😮

[@dnasty312]

*Dolph Sweet.* During the fourth season of _Gimme A Break!,_ he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Dolph passed away May 8, 1985 at age 64 and his final episode (the season finale) aired three days later, the day of his funeral.

[@mandyholmberg5106]

I was 15 years old when he passed away I also was a Freshman in high school

[@frodijr]

Interesting fact about John Spencer. At that point of the season, he was the democratic candidate for vice president with the election on the day his character died. The writers originally intended for the Republican candidate to win, however given Spencer's death and needing to subsequently kill off his character, they decided it would be too harsh an ending for the main characters to lose the election and their friend die in the same time period, so it was re-written.

[@heidiw8406]

Will Geer on the Waltons.

[@mailiadan4313]

Here’s another one: When Jessica Walter passed away, the cast and crew of Archer paid tribute to her with Malory passing the agency to her son, and we all see Malory one last time at a beach in the Season 12 finale

[@scotterman7951]

You Forgot Jim Davis From The Tv Show Dallas

[@talias7533]

This so sad that passaway may they sleep in pace

[@Imasavagex818]

Tim and Ernest were pretty good voice actors as they played in the multiple episodes of the Nickelodeon series SpongeBob SquarePants as Mermaid man and barnacle boy until season 9’s “Patrick-man” they were good actors while they lived.

[@diegodreossi1458]

R.I.P to all of them

[@joeymartinez9854]

13:10 she just recently passed away

[@supermetroid009]

Yup smh 😢

[@fictional-girl_05]

I think this was technically during post production for the first season, but Lance Reddick & Percy Jackson and the Olympians. He played Zeus.

[@j.bryanmartin6351]

Dan Blocker--Hoss on Bonanza.

[@mandyholmberg5106]

I am sending out my thoughts and prayers and love to the families friends and fans

[@gevorg1989]

There was in memoriam in-show to Paxton's character in Agents of SHIELD S4's alternate what-if storyline

[@GigaTechWolf]

I remember that Episode of 8 simple rules

[@carolineslater6578]

Larry Hangman was in a lot of shows

[@kristashafer93098]

Jerry Orbach “Law & Order: Trial by Jury”. Orbach left original Law & Order due to his failing health. Then he signed on to do guest appearances on this newest spinoff series. Sadly, he died very early in production. The series didn’t last very long.

[@d.a.1230]

One major death that was omitted was actor Jerry Orbach- whose Law and Order character was set to do a new Law and Order series after his character Lennie Briscoe's exit from the original series. The short lived series that he was supposed to do- Law and Order: Trial By Jury- didn't last very long because Orbach died of prostate cancer before he had a chance to get Trial By Jury on its feet. Major death that was omitted and should have been included.

[@DanielleBaum]

you left off one if the buggest deaths ever in children's prigramming with the oassing of will lee who played mr hooper on sesane street. they wrote his death into a prime time episode to help teach children what death was and airing it at a special time in Thanksgiving day so parents could watch it with their children

[@Aaron17988]

heartman was in jingle all way

[@coreyhall6792]

Paul's death from 8 Simple Rules still gets me.😢

[@thefranchise4698]

Jim Davis who played Jock Ewing on Dallas died during production too

[@Saxysaboy77]

George Segal - The Goldbergs

[@elizabethlynch6544]

Miguel played Mr Racing in 1990s Blank Check.

[@elizabethlynch6544]

*Macintosh

[@moviemaniac9034]

He also voiced Shan Yu in “Mulan”.

[@AdmirDemondo]

And bob morton on robocop

[@neriashleycabajar1985]

Steve Irwin's death is more sad and very devastating! 😢