10 Times TV Shows Paid Tribute to Actors Who Passed Away

Redd Foxx

“The Royal Family” (1991-92)
Comedian and actor Redd Foxx made a comeback to TV in 1991 with the CBS sitcom “The Royal Family.” Created by Eddie Murphy, the show starred Foxx as Al Royal, an Atlanta mail carrier and his wife Victoria, played by Della Reese. “The Royal Family” premiered to strong ratings, but during production for the first season, Foxx died after suffering a heart attack on set. CBS chose to forge ahead, airing commercials that honored Foxx and stated that the show would go on. Reese also paid tribute to him at the beginning of the fifth episode, the first to air after his passing. Foxx’s death was later written into the eighth episode, where Al Royal’s funeral was attended by some of the actor’s real-life friends.

Angus Cloud

“Euphoria” (2019-)
Angus Cloud made his acting debut in the high school drama “Euphoria,” where he won fans over as the loveable drug dealer Fezco O'Neill[a]. Sadly, on July 31st 2023, Cloud passed away from an accidental overdose at his family home. To honor his memory, the network made a subtle but heartfelt adjustment to two important episodes in Fez’s storyline, adding an ‘In Memoriam’ card at the beginning of each. This tribute appears in the show’s pilot, where Fez is first introduced, and the season two premiere, which explores his backstory and entry into the drug business. By doing so, the network ensured that Cloud’s impact on the series, and the joy he brought to it, would never be forgotten.

Jeanne Cooper[b]

“The Young and the Restless” (1973-)
Over a 40-year period, Jeanne Cooper played Katherine Chancellor on “The Young and the Restless,’ becoming one of the longest-serving soap opera actors in U.S. history. With such a lengthy tenure, Cooper’s death in May 2013 left a huge void and the show couldn’t simply carry on as if nothing happened. About three weeks after her passing, CBS aired a special tribute episode in her honor. It brought together her castmates and family members, who shared their fondest memories of her and reflected on her lasting influence. The special also featured a montage of Cooper’s most memorable moments on screen. A few months later, her character, Katherine, was written out of the show, with two additional episodes dedicated to her funeral.

Brian Tarantina[c]

“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (2017-23)
Character actor Brian Tarantina worked with TV producers Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino for over two decades. But his most unforgettable role with them was as Jackie, the cranky-yet-endearing Gaslight Cafe manager, and Susie’s roommate, in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” Sadly, his time on the show was cut short after three seasons, as he passed away in November 2019. Tarantina’s death was woven into the season four episode “Everything Is Bellmore,” where Susie learns he died suddenly of a stroke. When she sees that hardly anyone showed up for his funeral, Susie crashes a nearby service and delivers an emotional eulogy to him. Her three-minute monologue wasn’t just a send-off for Jackie, it was also the Palladinos’ touching tribute to Tarantina himself.

Jack Soo

“Barney Miller” (1975-82)
The ABC sitcom “Barney Miller” followed a squad of detectives at the fictional 12th Precinct of the New York City Police Department. One of those detectives was Nick Yemana[d], a wisecracking sergeant known for making terrible coffee, played by actor Jack Soo. During the show’s fourth season, Soo was diagnosed with cancer, and he ultimately passed away while the fifth season was still airing. As a result, the season concluded with a half-hour tribute to him, featuring highlights of his performances and personal stories from his castmates of what it was like working with him. The special ended with the cast bidding the perfect farewell to their colleague, by raising their coffee cups in his honor.

Luke Perry

“Riverdale” (2017-23)
Luke Perry’s death in 2019 was a heartbreaking loss for fans who had adored him since he shot to fame on “Beverly Hills, 90210.” His passing occurred during the third season of “Riverdale,” briefly halting production. However, the show didn’t fully address it until the season four premiere, which served as a standalone tribute to both Perry and his character, Fred Andrews. In the episode, Fred is killed in a hit-and-run accident while heroically pushing a woman to safety. The moment was made even more poignant as Shannen Doherty, Perry’s co-star on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” guest-starred as the woman Fred saves. He is celebrated as a hero in Riverdale for his selfless act and receives a homecoming parade at the end of the episode.

Phil Hartman

“NewsRadio” (1995-99)
“NewsRadio” wouldn’t have been the same without Phil Hartman. The NBC sitcom stood out with its quick-witted dialogue and occasionally surreal plotlines. Much like his run on “Saturday Night Live,” Hartman served as the glue of the show, holding everything together as the egomaniac anchor Bill McNeal. Hence, when he was tragically murdered in May 1998, that cohesion shattered. Hartman’s death came mere weeks after the fourth season finale, and it was addressed when the show returned for its fifth and final season. The WNYX staff deals with their grief following Bill’s funeral, with each character mourning in their own way. When they gather to read the letters Bill left behind, there isn’t a dry eye in the room… and those tears were undeniably real.

Leslie Jordan

“Call Me Kat” (2021-23)
Leslie Jordan was beloved by many. The charismatic actor gained a devoted fanbase through his role in “Will & Grace,” and his hilarious social media videos. In 2021, Jordan joined the Fox series “Call Me Kat” as Phil. However, he never completed filming the third season, as he passed away on October 24th 2022 while driving to the set. In the 10th episode, it was explained that Phil had married his husband in Tahiti and decided to stay there. The episode then ended with a tribute, as the cast members brought out Jordan’s empty chair and draped his blazer over it. Finally, Dolly Parton honored him by singing a verse from their song “Where the Soul Never Dies” and delivering a heartfelt monologue.

John Spencer

“The West Wing” (1999-2006)
Throughout his 42-year career, John Spencer took on many roles in film and television, but he is best remembered as Leo McGarry on NBC’s “The West Wing.” Over the course of the show, McGarry moves from being the White House Chief of Staff to a Counselor to the President, then to a VP candidate. However, he never gets the opportunity to see his ticket win, as the character dies on election night. This plotline was written as a result of Spencer’s real-life passing from a heart attack on December 16th 2005. The first episode following his death opens with a brief tribute from actor Martin Sheen, who delivers a memorial message directly to the audience in Spencer’s honor.

Cory Monteith[e]

“Glee” (2009-15)
When Canadian actor Cory Monteith passed away in July 2013, many fans wondered how “Glee” could possibly go on without him. For four seasons, he had played Finn Hudson, the loveable quarterback and singer, so his death meant the show had no choice but to write the character out. A few months later, “Glee” paid tribute the only way it knew how: with music. The aptly titled episode “The Quarterback” picks up weeks after Finn’s funeral, never disclosing his cause of death, but making it clear that the grief still lingers. The loss hits everyone hard, but none more than his girlfriend Rachel Berry, a character played by Lea Michele, who also dated Monteith in real life.

What actor’s passing have you never been able to get over? Share your favorite moments of theirs in the comments below.

[a]https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/a5103500-3f3c-439d-acb9-221fba6b9cf7
[b]jean https://youtu.be/FMF0uxrDGdU?si=9P_Xq_5qGcEMcRMP&t=36
[c]https://youtu.be/bUdvSBHdMpU?si=0wARbKxyfEIUkNZA&t=4
[d]as spelled https://youtu.be/TiAGbgaMgKs?t=123
yeh-MAW-nuh https://youtu.be/TiAGbgaMgKs?t=10
[e]https://youtu.be/Mp6fEoPO2XY?t=56
https://youtu.be/FRY5Dnyrwuc?t=12