10 Actors Who Made TV Shows When They Knew They Were Dying

10 Actors Who Made TV Shows When They Knew They Were Dying

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at actors who worked on TV shows, knowing they had illnesses that turned fatal. Since some actors’ fates are tied to their fictional characters, a few spoilers will follow.

Larry Hagman

“Dallas” (2012-14)

Larry Hagman created a TV icon in J. R. Ewing. The primetime soap opera was revived over twenty years after “Dallas” finished its initial run. Hagman came along for the ride, despite being diagnosed with throat cancer in 2011. It wasn’t the first time Hagman had faced a life-threatening illness, overcoming liver cancer in the 90s. By the time the “Dallas” revival premiered in June 2012, Hagman was in remission. Only a month later, though, Hagman learned that he had developed MDS. This progressed to leukemia, which claimed his life the following November. He had already filmed a few episodes for Season 2, which worked Hagman’s cancer diagnosis into the plot while revisiting the classic “Who shot J. R.?” storyline.

Catherine E. Coulson

“Twin Peaks” (1990-91; 2017)

While making “Eraserhead,” David Lynch envisioned Catherine Coulson holding a log. This provided the basis for one of “Twin Peaks’” fan-favorite characters, Margaret Lanterman, aka the Log Lady. Years later at her 50th college reunion, Coulson announced that she had lung cancer. This didn’t stop Coulson from appearing in the long-overdue “Twin Peaks” revival. Four days after wrapping her scenes, Coulson passed away. The revival wouldn’t air for another two years with the premiere dedicated to Coulson. Echoing Coulson’s uncurable condition, the Log Lady accepts her fate and dies off-screen. Co-star Miguel Ferrer also died before the revival debuted. Although Ferrer received a fatal throat cancer diagnosis, he filmed several “Twin Peaks” episodes while still working on “NCIS.”

Kathryn Joosten

“Desperate Housewives” (2004-12)

Kathryn Joosten worked as a nurse before appearing as a guest star on numerous shows. Her most acclaimed role would be as Karen McCluskey on “Desperate Housewives.” Joosten won two Emmys for playing the cranky yet lovable neighbor. As the series entered its sixth season in 2009, Joosten was diagnosed with lung cancer. It would be Joosten’s second round against the disease, having her right lung removed several years earlier. Although her health declined, she continued to play Mrs. McCluskey until the final episode. Joosten and the show’s producers saw eye to eye on how her character’s journey should end. Lung cancer claims Karen’s life, but not before she takes the stand in a crucial trial. 20 days after the finale aired, Joosten passed away.

Christopher Evan Welch

“Silicon Valley” (2014-19)

Christopher Evan Welch’s scene-stealing turn as the quirky billionaire Peter Gregory should’ve been a major turning point for his career. The role would instead be a bookend Welch didn’t live to see. Welch received his lung cancer diagnosis around 2010, about three years before he started shooting his scenes for “Silicon Valley.” After learning his cancer had spread to his brain, Welch reportedly told his wife and doctor, “I have to go shoot this pilot.” Although Welch underwent surgery following the first episode’s taping, his co-workers were led to believe he would pull through. It came as a shock to them when Welch died mid-production, only filming five episodes. Rather than recast, Peter Gregory canonically died the following season in an absurdly tragic way.

Rock Hudson

“Dynasty” (1981-89)

This legendary actor closed out his career with a recurring role on “Dynasty.” Only a few months before Rock Hudson debuted as Daniel Reece, he was diagnosed with AIDs. Hudson kept his condition private for over a year, making a public announcement on July 25, 1985. By this point, he had already finished his arc on “Dynasty,” which wrapped early due to his declining health. Hudson was aware of his diagnosis during a scene when he kissed Linda Evans. Still keeping his secret, Hudson was reportedly “terrified” that he might give AIDs to Evans. Widespread misformation about AIDs was still common back then. Despite his best efforts to keep working, Hudson continued to struggle and died three months after disclosing his illness to the world.

Patrick Swayze

“The Beast” (2009)

One of the most popular film stars throughout the 80s and 90s, Patrick Swayze finished the 2000s as the lead on A&E’s “The Beast.” Playing morally gray FBI agent Charles Barker, Swayze shot the pilot shortly before learning he had pancreatic cancer. Swayze nonetheless remained committed to the role, filming the season over five months. All the while, Swayze underwent treatment without taking painkillers. During this difficult period, he only missed a day and a half from the shoot. Although “The Beast” received positive reviews, it wasn’t renewed due to low ratings. Even if the series had gotten a second season, Swayze wouldn’t have been able to reprise his role. Barely two months after its cancellation, Swayze would sadly succumb to his disease.

Alice Pearce

“Bewitched” (1964-72)

This actress is best remembered for playing the definitive nosy neighbor, Gladys Kravitz from “Bewitched.” In the series, Gladys was always suspicious of the hocus pocus occurring at the Stephens household. Behind the scenes, Alice Pearce had a secret of her own. Pearce was living with terminal cancer, which she chose to keep private. The showrunners might not have been aware of Pearce’s diagnosis, but her condition would start to take a noticeable physical toll. Regardless, Pearce kept audiences laughing well into Season 2. “Baby’s First Paragraph” was the last episode Pearce filmed before taking a turn for the worse six weeks later. While Sandra Gould inherited the role of Gladys, Pearce won a posthumous Emmy for her swan song season.

Nicholas Colasanto

“Cheers” (1982-93)

Developing heart disease in the 70s, Nicholas Colasanto had trouble finding work over the next few years. He was prepared to call it quits when a career-defining role came his way. Colasanto’s heartfelt performance as Coach Ernie Pantusso was integral throughout the early seasons of “Cheers.” Although Colasanto’s heart condition wasn’t a secret, few realized how serious it was until Season 3. As Colasanto started losing significant weight and forgetting his lines, some suspected he didn’t have much time left. It still caught many off guard when Colasanto died from a heart attack in February 1985, two months after being hospitalized for water in his lungs. While “Cheers” would go strong for another eight seasons, Coach and Colasanto were never forgotten.

Helen McCrory

“Peaky Blinders” (2013-22)

From Narcissa Malfoy in the “Harry Potter” movies to Madame Kali in “Penny Dreadful,” this British actress had several memorable roles. “Peaky Blinders” fans will recognize her as Polly Gray, the Shelby family’s tough-as-nails matriarch. Although death was commonplace on “Peaky Blinders,” Aunt Polly’s perhaps hit us the hardest. That’s because Helen McCrory died from breast cancer between the fifth and sixth series. McCrory had sworn her friends and family to secrecy as she privately went through treatment. To almost everyone else, her death seemingly came out of the blue. With the final episodes of “Peaky Blinders” entering production, the showrunners suddenly had to rethink certain elements. This included Polly’s fate with the character dying in the Series 6 premiere.

Nancy Marchand

“The Sopranos” (1999-2007)

When Nancy Marchand was cast as Tony’s reprehensible mother Livia Soprano, the producers knew they might be taking a risk. In addition to emphysema and COPD, Marchand had been facing lung cancer for the past few years. Marchand’s agent was upfront with “The Sopranos” showrunners, but they still wanted her. While Livia wasn’t supposed to live long, Marchand’s Golden Globe-winning performance convinced the team to keep her around into the second season. Marchand said shortly before her death in June 2000, “If I die, it’s not my problem. It’s David [Chase] left holding the bag.” Although Chase had big plans for Livia, Marchand’s passing forced the series to give her a sendoff in Season 3 using archival footage and CGI.


Which TV actors do you miss the most? Let us know in the comments.