10 Movie Franchise Deaths That Happened Because the Actor Died in Real Life
advertisement
VOICE OVER: Tom Aglio
WRITTEN BY: Jordy McKen
Movies had to adapt to these tragic deaths. For this list, we'll be looking at famous film franchises that adapted their tales when an actor they had in their universe sadly passed away, ending the character's existence. Keep in mind, there will be spoilers ahead. Our countdown includes characters from franchises "Halloween", "Bill & Ted", "Star Trek" and more!
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at 10 Movie Franchise Deaths That Happened Because the Actor Died in Real Life. For this list, we’ll be looking at famous film franchises that adapted their tales when an actor they had in their universe sadly passed away, ending the character’s existence. Keep in mind, there will be spoilers ahead. Which actor loss affected you the most? Let us know below.
There are several different “Halloween” continuities, but the one we’re focusing on here is established in 1998’s “Halloween H20: 20 Years Later.” Donald Pleasence had played Michael Myers’s arch nemesis Samuel Loomis for seventeen years over the course of five films. But sadly, the English actor passed away in 1995 after undergoing heart valve replacement surgery, mere months before the release of “The Curse of Michael Myers.” A sequel to the first two films, “H20” reveals that Loomis’s old colleague Marion Chambers took care of him in his final years. Loomis’s voice is heard in the film, but this was done by voice actor Tom Kane.
While not a critical success, the 2021 sequel “Coming 2 America” did reunite Eddie Murphy with his on-screen father James Earl Jones. However, one actor who tragically couldn’t reprise her role was Madge Sinclair, who played Queen Aoleon Joffer to Jones’s king in the 1988 film. After living with leukemia for thirteen years, Sinclair sadly passed away in 1995 at just fifty-seven years old. While the death of King Jaffe is a major plot point in the sequel, it doesn’t forget Queen Aoleon, either. While the character also passed away sometime between installments, her memory plays a pivotal role in Akeem’s character arc late in the film.
“Cars” pulled off a huge coup in 2006 by signing the legendary, multi-award-winning actor Paul Newman to lend his voice to Doc Hudson, Lightning McQueen’s hero and mentor. Unfortunately, in 2008, the eighty-three-year-old icon passed away reportedly from cancer. For 2011’s “Cars 2,” the story acknowledged Newman’s passing by including a plot that Doc had perished, too. The Piston Cup was even renamed in the character’s honor, and Doc's clinic became a museum of his achievements. In 2017’s “Cars 3,” with Lightning struggling, he visits Doc’s old friends to learn more about the racer. There, with flashbacks of Newman’s role, Lightning discovers how much his mentor loved coaching him, inspiring the red car to do better with Cruz Ramirez.
This cult classic franchise had comedian George Carlin going all sci-fi by playing the time-traveling guide Rufus in 1989’s “Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure” and 1991’s “Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey.” So, when 2020’s “Bill & Ted Face the Music” was announced, fans were unsure what would happen to Rufus as Carlin had sadly passed away in 2008 from heart failure at seventy-one. The movie hints at Rufus’s passing and brings in a new character, Kelly, who was his daughter, to fill a similar role. The name Kelly is significant since that’s the name of Carlin’s real-life daughter, who also has a cameo in the movie. Rufus also appears in the sequel as a hologram, used from archival footage from the original.
Often, successful franchises have a character that not only acts as comic relief but also as a moral compass. And for the “Indiana Jones” series, that part was Denholm Elliott’s Dr. Marcus Brody. Appearing in 1981’s “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and 1989’s “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” the English actor captured the fans’ hearts for his portrayal. However, by the time 2008’s “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” came out, the seventy-year-old Elliot had sadly passed away in 1992 from AIDS-related tuberculosis. The film mentions Brody’s passing and then gives tributes to the actor and character with a statue, a portrait, and a photo of him on Indy’s desk.
1980’s “The Blues Brothers” quickly became a comedy classic with its ear-worming music and hilarity. Eighteen years later, we finally got a sequel with 1998’s “Blues Brothers 2000.” However, there were two problems. Firstly, thirty-three-year-old John Belushi, who starred as Jake Blues, unfortunately, passed away in 1982 from an overdose. Secondly, jazz musician Cab Calloway, who played Curtis, sadly died in 1994 at eighty-six. The sequel begins with Elwood Blues leaving prison and being told about his brother’s demise. Shortly after, he discovers Curtis had also perished. However, Elwood goes on a mission to bring Curtis’s son, Cabel Chamberlain, into the band, keeping it in the family.
On top of writing, producing, and directing one comedy smash hit after another, Harold Ramis was also an icon in the acting realm, with his most famous work coming in the “Ghostbusters” franchise. After he played the role of Egon Spengler, Ph.D. in the 1984 original and the 1989 sequel “Ghostbusters II,” fans were excited for the 2016 reboot and what that would bring. But sadly, Ramis wasn’t able to cameo in it since he passed away in 2014 at sixty-nine. The “Ghostbusters” reboot did include a bronze bust of Ramis, which was nice. Then, in 2021’s “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” Spengler plays a key role in the plot as he was CGI’d into the film as a ghost, even briefly reuniting the original four ‘busters.
As the original actor in the “Star Trek” TV shows and films as Spock, Leonard Nimoy is synonymous with the role. When director J. J. Abrams started the reboot franchise in 2009, Nimoy was included as an alternate older version of Zachary Quinto’s Spock. But in 2015, the eighty-three-year-old sadly passed away from a lung disease. In 2016’s “Star Trek Beyond,” this is addressed when present-day Spock is informed of Ambassador Spock’s death. This profoundly affects the character, who contemplates leaving Starfleet to help New Vulcan in his older version’s stead. However, after he goes through the Ambassador’s items and discovers an old photo of him from Starfleet, Spock decides to remain with the crew.
After the announcement of the sequel trilogy to the original three films, Carrie Fisher made her long-awaited return as Leia Organa in 2015’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” delighting fans. But shortly after shooting her scenes for “The Last Jedi,” the iconic actor and writer died from a heart attack in 2016 at sixty. Fisher and Leia get an emotional sendoff in 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker.” Using unused footage from “The Force Awakens” and her real-life daughter Billie Lourd stepping in for a flashback scene, Fisher was added to the movie. As Kylo Ren and Rey fight, Leia, who’s losing her life, heroically uses her remaining strength to contact her son to bring him back to the light.
After debuting as T’Challa, the Black Panther, in 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War,” Chadwick Boseman quickly became a standout star in the MCU. But secretly, the beloved star was living with colon cancer. In 2020, Boseman, unfortunately, passed away from the illness at forty-three. Months later, Marvel confirmed they wouldn’t recast the role of T’Challa. Instead, 2022’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” begins with Shuri attempting to cure her brother’s terminal illness. Before she can save him, he passes away. We then witness a beautiful tribute to Boseman’s reign as T’Challa as Wakanda holds a funeral for their fallen monarch. Shuri later takes up the Black Panther mantle and continues the legend.
Dr. Samuel Loomis
“Halloween” franchise (1978-)There are several different “Halloween” continuities, but the one we’re focusing on here is established in 1998’s “Halloween H20: 20 Years Later.” Donald Pleasence had played Michael Myers’s arch nemesis Samuel Loomis for seventeen years over the course of five films. But sadly, the English actor passed away in 1995 after undergoing heart valve replacement surgery, mere months before the release of “The Curse of Michael Myers.” A sequel to the first two films, “H20” reveals that Loomis’s old colleague Marion Chambers took care of him in his final years. Loomis’s voice is heard in the film, but this was done by voice actor Tom Kane.
Queen Aoleon Joffer
“Coming to America” franchise (1988-)While not a critical success, the 2021 sequel “Coming 2 America” did reunite Eddie Murphy with his on-screen father James Earl Jones. However, one actor who tragically couldn’t reprise her role was Madge Sinclair, who played Queen Aoleon Joffer to Jones’s king in the 1988 film. After living with leukemia for thirteen years, Sinclair sadly passed away in 1995 at just fifty-seven years old. While the death of King Jaffe is a major plot point in the sequel, it doesn’t forget Queen Aoleon, either. While the character also passed away sometime between installments, her memory plays a pivotal role in Akeem’s character arc late in the film.
Doc Hudson
“Cars” franchise (2006-)“Cars” pulled off a huge coup in 2006 by signing the legendary, multi-award-winning actor Paul Newman to lend his voice to Doc Hudson, Lightning McQueen’s hero and mentor. Unfortunately, in 2008, the eighty-three-year-old icon passed away reportedly from cancer. For 2011’s “Cars 2,” the story acknowledged Newman’s passing by including a plot that Doc had perished, too. The Piston Cup was even renamed in the character’s honor, and Doc's clinic became a museum of his achievements. In 2017’s “Cars 3,” with Lightning struggling, he visits Doc’s old friends to learn more about the racer. There, with flashbacks of Newman’s role, Lightning discovers how much his mentor loved coaching him, inspiring the red car to do better with Cruz Ramirez.
Rufus
“Bill & Ted” franchise (1989-)This cult classic franchise had comedian George Carlin going all sci-fi by playing the time-traveling guide Rufus in 1989’s “Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure” and 1991’s “Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey.” So, when 2020’s “Bill & Ted Face the Music” was announced, fans were unsure what would happen to Rufus as Carlin had sadly passed away in 2008 from heart failure at seventy-one. The movie hints at Rufus’s passing and brings in a new character, Kelly, who was his daughter, to fill a similar role. The name Kelly is significant since that’s the name of Carlin’s real-life daughter, who also has a cameo in the movie. Rufus also appears in the sequel as a hologram, used from archival footage from the original.
Marcus Brody
“Indiana Jones” franchise (1981-)Often, successful franchises have a character that not only acts as comic relief but also as a moral compass. And for the “Indiana Jones” series, that part was Denholm Elliott’s Dr. Marcus Brody. Appearing in 1981’s “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and 1989’s “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” the English actor captured the fans’ hearts for his portrayal. However, by the time 2008’s “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” came out, the seventy-year-old Elliot had sadly passed away in 1992 from AIDS-related tuberculosis. The film mentions Brody’s passing and then gives tributes to the actor and character with a statue, a portrait, and a photo of him on Indy’s desk.
“Joliet” Jake Blues & Curtis
“Blues Brothers” franchise (1980-98)1980’s “The Blues Brothers” quickly became a comedy classic with its ear-worming music and hilarity. Eighteen years later, we finally got a sequel with 1998’s “Blues Brothers 2000.” However, there were two problems. Firstly, thirty-three-year-old John Belushi, who starred as Jake Blues, unfortunately, passed away in 1982 from an overdose. Secondly, jazz musician Cab Calloway, who played Curtis, sadly died in 1994 at eighty-six. The sequel begins with Elwood Blues leaving prison and being told about his brother’s demise. Shortly after, he discovers Curtis had also perished. However, Elwood goes on a mission to bring Curtis’s son, Cabel Chamberlain, into the band, keeping it in the family.
Egon Spengler
“Ghostbusters” franchise (1984-)On top of writing, producing, and directing one comedy smash hit after another, Harold Ramis was also an icon in the acting realm, with his most famous work coming in the “Ghostbusters” franchise. After he played the role of Egon Spengler, Ph.D. in the 1984 original and the 1989 sequel “Ghostbusters II,” fans were excited for the 2016 reboot and what that would bring. But sadly, Ramis wasn’t able to cameo in it since he passed away in 2014 at sixty-nine. The “Ghostbusters” reboot did include a bronze bust of Ramis, which was nice. Then, in 2021’s “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” Spengler plays a key role in the plot as he was CGI’d into the film as a ghost, even briefly reuniting the original four ‘busters.
Spock Prime
“Star Trek” franchise (1979-)As the original actor in the “Star Trek” TV shows and films as Spock, Leonard Nimoy is synonymous with the role. When director J. J. Abrams started the reboot franchise in 2009, Nimoy was included as an alternate older version of Zachary Quinto’s Spock. But in 2015, the eighty-three-year-old sadly passed away from a lung disease. In 2016’s “Star Trek Beyond,” this is addressed when present-day Spock is informed of Ambassador Spock’s death. This profoundly affects the character, who contemplates leaving Starfleet to help New Vulcan in his older version’s stead. However, after he goes through the Ambassador’s items and discovers an old photo of him from Starfleet, Spock decides to remain with the crew.
Leia Organa
“Star Wars” franchise (1977-)After the announcement of the sequel trilogy to the original three films, Carrie Fisher made her long-awaited return as Leia Organa in 2015’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” delighting fans. But shortly after shooting her scenes for “The Last Jedi,” the iconic actor and writer died from a heart attack in 2016 at sixty. Fisher and Leia get an emotional sendoff in 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker.” Using unused footage from “The Force Awakens” and her real-life daughter Billie Lourd stepping in for a flashback scene, Fisher was added to the movie. As Kylo Ren and Rey fight, Leia, who’s losing her life, heroically uses her remaining strength to contact her son to bring him back to the light.
T’Challa [aka Black Panther]
Marvel Cinematic Universe (2008-)After debuting as T’Challa, the Black Panther, in 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War,” Chadwick Boseman quickly became a standout star in the MCU. But secretly, the beloved star was living with colon cancer. In 2020, Boseman, unfortunately, passed away from the illness at forty-three. Months later, Marvel confirmed they wouldn’t recast the role of T’Challa. Instead, 2022’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” begins with Shuri attempting to cure her brother’s terminal illness. Before she can save him, he passes away. We then witness a beautiful tribute to Boseman’s reign as T’Challa as Wakanda holds a funeral for their fallen monarch. Shuri later takes up the Black Panther mantle and continues the legend.
