10 Celeb Careers That Died After They Quit the Show That Made Them Famous

10 Careers That Died After Quitting the Show That Made Them Famous

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be looking at notable times where celebrities struggled to regain the same level of success after leaving their most iconic tv show.

#10: Anthony Edwards

“ER” (1994-2009)

For eight years, Anthony Edwards starred as Mark Greene, the chief resident and later attending physician on “ER.” Fans were devastated when Greene passed away after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. This tragic plot twist occurred because actor Anthony Edwards requested to leave the series to spend more time with his family and pursue directing. Following his exit, Edwards starred in a few forgettable films, including 2009’s “Motherhood,” which became the biggest box-office flop in the UK. Despite appearances in shows like “Designated Survivor” and “Inventing Anna,” Edwards’ legacy remains firmly linked to the iconic role he left behind. His post-”ER” career trajectory parallels that of co-star Sherry Stringfield, who quit the show twice and essentially faded from the spotlight.

#9: Denise Crosby

“Star Trek: The Next Generation” (1987-94)

In 1987, Denise Crosby took on her first leading TV role as the tough-as-nails Tasha Yar on “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” This six-year contract essentially guaranteed Crosby a stable position in one of the most beloved franchises ever. However, she soon became disillusioned as her character was relegated to the background. Frustrated, Crosby requested to be released from her contract, leading to her character’s death in one of the final episodes of the first season. Crosby’s career faltered afterwards; she never landed another starring role and made mostly brief, sometimes uncredited appearances in films and TV shows. She eventually found her way back to the “Star Trek” universe, and narrated the fan-focused documentary “Trekkies” as well as its sequel.

#8: T. R. Knight

“Grey’s Anatomy” (2005-)

Ever since it premiered sometime during the Middle Ages, “Grey’s Anatomy” has seen the deaths of several main characters. But few were as heart-wrenching as George O’Malley’s. The beloved character died after heroically saving a woman from being hit by a bus, a shocking turn that was borne out of actor T. R. Knight’s decision to leave the show. This stemmed from the infamous controversy involving co-star Isaiah Washington, and Knight’s dissatisfaction with O’Malley’s storylines. Leaving such a lucrative position certainly wasn’t easy, but the actor believes it was the right choice. However, despite noteworthy appearances in shows like “The Good Wife” and “The Flight Attendant,” he has yet to star in anything as memorable as his role on “Grey’s Anatomy.”

#7: Charisma Carpenter

“Angel” (1999-2004)

The role of Cordelia Chase first appeared in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” with actress Charisma Carpenter playing the part for three seasons. Cordelia’s character was then expanded significantly in the spin-off series “Angel,” where she became a fan favorite. However, all of that progress was undone in the fourth season with a controversial storyline that turned her into a villain and culminated in her death. Since her exit from the series, Carpenter picked up parts in multiple television films and made guest appearances in other TV shows, but none were particularly notable. The one time she managed to land a main role in a series, with ABC Family’s “The Lying Game,” it was canceled after just two seasons.

#6: Mischa Barton

“The O.C.” (2003-07)

After years working as a child actor, Mischa Barton rose to fame as Marissa Cooper on the Fox teen drama “The O.C.” While critics disliked Marissa, she was adored by fans, leading Entertainment Weekly to name Barton the “It Girl” of 2003. However, due to various factors, such as Barton’s alleged mistreatment on set and the network’s desire to boost ratings, Marissa was killed off in the third season. For a while, Barton seemed poised to become an A-list Hollywood actress, but things unfortunately didn’t pan out that way. Rather than major blockbusters, Barton found herself starring in a string of indie films, some of which brought her critical praise but very minimal, if any mainstream success.

#5: McLean Stevenson

“M*A*S*H” (1972-83)

When McLean Stevenson initially auditioned for “M*A*S*H,” he had his eye on the lead role of Hawkeye Pierce. However, he was eventually convinced to take on Henry Blake instead. During his three-season run, Stevenson grew dissatisfied with this supporting role and requested to leave the show. Subsequently, his career took an immediate nosedive. He tried starring in a self-titled show, which failed and was quickly shelved. He then pursued various sitcoms, hoping to replicate his “M*A*S*H” success, but none lasted more than two seasons. Stevenson’s post-“M*A*S*H” decline was so drastic that he was frequently ridiculed in the industry. He tragically passed away in 1996, deeply regretting his decision to leave the show.

#4: Joe Piscopo

“Saturday Night Live” (1975-)

Joe Piscopo joined “Saturday Night Live” in 1980, a particularly challenging year for the show. Nevertheless, he made such a strong impression that when most of the cast was replaced in 1981, only he and Eddie Murphy were retained. Three years later, Piscopo followed Murphy’s lead and exited the show to pursue a film career. Although Murphy achieved even greater fame in movies, Piscopo’s transition to the big screen was largely unsuccessful. He then turned to bodybuilding, but while his muscles grew considerably bigger, his acting career only continued to shrink. By the ‘90s, Piscopo had faded from the public eye. He resurfaced in 2017, after considering a run for governor of New Jersey, though he ultimately chose not to run.

#3: Brian Dunkleman

“American Idol” (2002-16; 2018-)

You might not remember, but the first season of “American Idol” actually had two hosts. Alongside Ryan Seacrest, who has hosted nearly every season since, there was also Brian Dunkleman. Before the show became a ratings juggernaut, Dunkleman quit to pursue a career as an actor and stand-up comedian, and also because he disliked how the young contestants were treated. Many saw this decision as a huge mistake. Dunkleman later appeared in multiple pilots that were never picked up, and had guest roles in other TV shows, but none made any significant impact. He now acknowledges that leaving “American Idol” was a mistake, but has made peace with it after learning that producers planned to fire him anyway.

#2: Shelley Long

“Cheers” (1982-93)

It takes a lot of guts to quit one of the most popular TV shows at its peak, but that’s exactly what Shelley Long did. The Indiana-born actress struck gold when she was cast as Diane Chambers on “Cheers,” which eventually earned her an Emmy and two Golden Globes. However, Chambers stunned everyone when she decided to leave the show after the fifth season, in part to spend more time with her family, but also to pursue a film career. But aside from the moderate box-office hit, “Outrageous Fortune,” Long struggled to find success on the big screen. It is indeed telling that her biggest project since, with no connection to “Cheers,” was another TV show: the ABC sitcom “Modern Family.”

#1: Charlie Sheen

“Two and a Half Men” (2003-15)

Charlie Sheen became the highest-paid actor on TV for his role as the philandering Charlie Harper on the CBS sitcom “Two and a Half Men.” It was the role of a lifetime that many actors would have coveted. However, Sheen flushed it all down the drain when he publicly insulted creator Chuck Lorre in a radio interview, ultimately resulting in his contract being terminated. Despite this setback, Sheen quickly found work again, returning to TV just one year later with the FX sitcom “Anger Management.” However, this new show was a far cry from the heights he attained with “Two and a Half Men.” While he hasn’t regained that level of success, at least Sheen appears to have reconciled with Lorre.




Which of these TV stars would you like to see get a resurgence? Let us know in the comments below.