50 Darkest Moments in TV History

50 Darkest Moments in TV History

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were looking at fifty of the darkest moments in the history of television. We will not be including live disasters like 9/11 or the Challenger explosion.

Christine Chubbuck

A television news reporter from Florida, Christine Chubbuck worked for Sarasotas WXLT-TV, focusing mainly on her weekly segment Suncoast Digest. While a strong worker, Chubbuck was not popular and reportedly struggled with depression, loneliness, and intense feelings of isolation. It all led to the tragic events of July 15, 1974. Chubbuck was airing a segment of Suncoast Digest when she suddenly declared that she would be dying on live television. She then produced a gun from behind the desk and did just that. Chubbuck became the first person to take their own life on live TV, and the footage has become one of the most mythical pieces of lost media.

Anna Shannon

Here Comes Honey Boo Boo was the laughing stock of television in the early 2010s, but it was hiding an unbelievably dark and twisted secret. Anna Shannon, nicknamed Chickadee, was the eldest Shannon girl, born when matriarch June was just fifteen years old. Unfortunately, Anna had a tragic childhood, as she was repeatedly assaulted by Junes then-boyfriend, Mark McDaniel. After some time apart, June allegedly began dating McDaniel again in 2014, despite his sordid history with her eldest daughter. And if that wasnt bad enough, June also stole thousands of dollars out of Annas trust fund, leaving her virtually penniless. But the tragedy doesnt stop there, as Anna was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2023 and died later that year, aged just 29.

Danny Masterson

Its pretty hard going back to That 70s Show knowing what we do now. Hyde was one of the shows breakout characters, played to laid-back, stoner-ific perfection by a young Danny Masterson. But it was also around this time that Masterson began assaulting multiple women, all of whom, like Masterson, were Scientologists. The LAPD began investigating Masterson in 2017 after several women came forward with allegations of sexual assault, the long delay attributed to continued interference from The Church of Scientology. In May 2023, Masterson was convicted on two counts and sentenced to thirty years to life in prison.

The Chris Benoit Memorial

The WWE committed the blunder of a lifetime when they accidentally aired a touching memorial for a wife and child killer. On June 25, 2007, it was announced that popular wrestler Chris Benoit, his wife Nancy, and their son Daniel had all died, seemingly under mysterious circumstances. The WWE then canceled Monday Night Raw and aired a three-hour tribute to Benoit. But that very night, details began to emerge that something more sinister had occurred, and police soon announced that Benoit had murdered both his wife and child before taking his own life. The WWE was deeply embarrassed and publicly denounced his actions before scrubbing all mentions of Benoit from the organization.

The Stephen Collins Revelations

One of The WBs most successful shows (and its longest running), 7th Heaven was a part-religious, part-family drama about Protestant minister Eric Camden and his seven children. Eric was played by Stephen Collins and was quite a popular character, renowned as an idealized father figure with a strong emphasis on things like ethics, religion, and compassion. But in 2014, news broke that Collins had engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with three underage girls, with the scandalous events dating back decades. No criminal charges were filed, but the stark contrast between Collins real-life actions and the values he preached on-screen made the revelations especially jarring, and his career came to a screeching halt overnight.

Redd Foxx Dies on Set

Real name John Sanford, Red Foxx was a successful stand-up comedian before landing the role of Fred Sanford on the seminal NBC comedy Sanford and Son. By 1991, Sanford and Son was long over, and Foxx was in his late 60s starring in a short-lived sitcom called The Royal Family. On October 11, Foxx was rehearsing a scene when he suddenly collapsed on set. Unfortunately, no one reacted at first. Ironically, the character of Fred Sanford was known for faking heart attacks, so his co-workers believed that Foxx was just doing an old bit. Unfortunately, the heart attack was very real, and Foxx was pronounced dead just a few hours later.

Northern Calloway

Actor Northern Calloway had a great job, appearing in over 1,200 episodes of Sesame Street. He played David Robinson, one of the few human characters on the show, for nearly twenty years between 1971 and 1989. However, intense trouble appeared in 1980, when Calloway experienced a troubling episode. On September 19, he severely beat a woman, vandalized numerous properties, and was witnessed pouring herbicide on himself. Co-workers also noticed a drastic change in Calloways personality, including increased agitation and erratic behavior, and began distancing themselves from him. He was eventually fired from the show after biting a music coordinator and was placed in a mental institution, where he died of exhaustive psychosis at the age of 41.

Matthew Perry

Watching Friends can be difficult, knowing what we do now about the personal struggles of Matthew Perry. Perry struggled with substance use disorder throughout much of his life, but his problems got quite severe in the late 90s and early 2000s, with recurring stints in rehab. His problems are manifested throughout Friends, as Perrys weight fluctuates wildly between seasons and he often has a puffy or sunken face, both of which are indicative of his disorder. Perry himself claimed that there were entire years of working on Friends that he could not remember. Unfortunately, he struggled to the very end of his life, and he drowned after using ketamine in 2023.

Michael J. Fox Hides His Parkinsons

The legendary Michael J. Fox had the very unfortunate distinction of being diagnosed with Parkinsons in 1991 when he was just 29 years old. However, he didnt publicly reveal his diagnosis until 1998, when he was starring in the ABC sitcom Spin City. In his documentary Still, Fox revealed that he used various tricks on set to mask his symptoms, like leaning against desks and doors, continuously holding props, or putting his hands in his pockets. At the time, viewers thought this was just the fidgety nature of the character. But now that we know the truth and can spot the signs, the situation becomes a whole lot more depressing.

The Diffrent Strokes Curse

The dangers of early fame, the lack of support for child stars, and the predatory aspects of the entertainment industry all combined to develop the so-called Diffrent Strokes curse. Diff'rent Strokes was an extremely popular sitcom in the 70s and 80s, but its stars suffered incredible problems in their personal lives. Gary Coleman later fought financial instability and multiple legal disputes before dying from a brain hemorrhage at 42. Dana Plato also suffered from severe substance use disorder and legal issues, and she overdosed at just 34. Additionally, Todd Bridges took multiple illegal substances before he was arrested for shooting a drug dealer in 1989. Luckily, he was acquitted of the crime and later became clean, successfully escaping the curse.

Rick Medina Commits Murder

2000s kids may remember Rick Medina as the Red Lion Ranger from Power Rangers Wild Force. He appeared in all forty episodes of the show before returning to the franchise ten years later to play Deker in Power Rangers Samurai. On February 1, 2015, shortly after Samurai had concluded, Medina killed his roommate Joshua Sutter with a medieval sword inside their California apartment. According to Medina, he killed Sutter in self-defense in the middle of an intense argument. Medina was arrested and faced life in prison, but he pled guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter and was given six years in prison. He has since been released.

The Murder of Judith Barsi

While shes known for providing the voice of Ducky in The Land Before Time, Judith Barsi spent most of her life on television, playing many bit roles throughout the 1980s. She appeared in the likes of Cheers and Growing Pains, but during this time, she was suffering horrific abuse from her father, József. He reportedly had a dependence on alcohol and repeatedly threatened to murder Barsi, all while subjecting her to physical violence. Barsi eventually exhibited symptoms of severe stress, like pulling out her own eyelashes and suffering mental breakdowns. Unfortunately, the tragedy culminated on July 25, 1988, when József killed both his wife and child before taking his own life.

Seth Caros Breakdown

Top Chef: Just Desserts was a short-lived spinoff of the main series, and one of the contestants was Seth Caro, who collapsed under the stress of the competition. Caro suffered numerous on-air meltdowns, often doubling over in tears, shaking, and angrily knocking food to the ground. At one point he even cried and said The Red Hots are for my mommy, which was widely mocked on the internet and late night television. Caros behavior grew so concerning that he was eventually removed from the competition and placed in involuntary psychiatric admission. Caro has since claimed that the experience destroyed his life, as he couldnt find culinary work and even considered changing his name to avoid association with the show.

Paula Goodspeed on American Idol

Back in 2005, a woman named Paula Goodspeed auditioned for American Idol, and this was largely played for comedic effect on TV. However, the reality was anything but comedic. Goodspeed was actually a stalker of judge Paula Abduls, even legally changing her name to Paula to be more like her idol. Abdul was aware of Goodspeed, and she allegedly begged the producers not to let her audition. The producers in turn have denied this, claiming that they had no knowledge of Goodspeed being a legitimate stalker. On November 11, 2008, just three years after her audition, Goodspeed took her own life outside of Abduls Sherman Oaks home, her body surrounded by photos of the singer.

The Death of GeraldBabin & His Physician

On March 22, 2013, the French version of Survivor, titled Koh-Lanta, was filming on the Cambodian island of Koh Rong. One of the contestants was 25-year-old GeraldBabin. During the very first day of filming, the contestants were partaking in a vigorous tug-of-war challenge when Babin began experiencing severe cramps. He received medical attention on-site and was airlifted to a local hospital, but he suffered cardiac arrest during the flight and passed away shortly after. Cambodian authorities ruled that he had died of a heart attack. Less than two weeks later, the shows physician, Dr. Thierry Costa, took his own life in Cambodia, citing unfair media coverage and a public smearing of his name.

Tetsushi Yanagidas On-Air Accident

Working for TV Miyazaki, Tetsushi Yanagida was a Japanese presenter who, in June of 2008, was covering a quirky local game which saw participants pushing each other off a platform into a rice paddy. Although he hadnt planned to participate, Yanagida agreed to try the game, only to fall headfirst into the flooded field. While he lay prone and motionless, those around Yanagida treated it like a joke, believing that he was simply laying still for comedic effect. But that wasnt the case. Yanagida had actually broken his neck in the fall, and he was conscious but unable to move as he lay face-first in the mud. Luckily, they quickly realized that something was seriously wrong, and Yanagida was airlifted to the hospital.

David Angell Dies in 9/11

An esteemed television writer and producer, David Angell wrote for Cheers before co-creating the sitcoms Wings and Frasier. The latter was a spinoff of Cheers and was enormously successful, running for eleven seasons and winning a total of 37 Emmy awards. On September 11, Angell and his wife Lynn boarded American Airlines Flight 11 to return home from a vacation in Cape Cod. But at 8:46 AM, the airplane hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center, beginning the events of 9/11. The Angells were two of the 76 innocent passengers on that fateful flight, and their names are now engraved on the North Pool of the 9/11 Memorial.

The Discovery Channel Helicopter Crash

The Discovery Channel was shooting a militarythemed reality show on Polsa Rosa Ranch near Acton, California on February 10, 2013. A helicopter was tasked with capturing a low-altitude shot that was intended to capture a cast member dropping a backpack, but it tragically struck a valley wall and exploded, claiming all three lives on board. The NTSB investigated and determined the primary cause to be pilot error, with David Gibbs continuing to fly despite poor visibility caused by internal lighting and the rugged terrain. The accident was one of the deadliest on-set incidents in California since the infamous Twilight Zone tragedy of 1982, reigniting debates over safety standards on film and television productions.

To Catch a Predator Comes to a Shocking End

To Catch a Predator was a short-lived and controversial show in which host Chris Hansen would trap and confront sex predators in a sting operation, leading to their arrest. The series earned a mixed reception, with many praising its intentions but criticizing the delivery, with some arguing that it constituted entrapment. These controversies came to a head in 2006. The target was assistant district attorney Bill Conradt, who was fooled into exchanging pictures with a volunteer posing as a teenage boy. Just as a filming crew and police entered his home to serve a search warrant, Conradt took his own life. NBC was sued by the Conradt family, and the show was soon taken off the air.

The Xuxa Park Fire

It was January 6, 2001, and 300 people were crowding a soundstage to watch a live taping of the Brazilian kids show Xuxa Park. Shortly before the show ended, a small fire began in the prop spaceship on stage. A stagehand attempted to quell the flame with a fire extinguisher, but it quickly spread out of control and engulfed the entire stage. People ran for the exits as the fire spread and consumed the soundstage, but the cameras continued to roll, capturing the nightmarish scenario for all to see. Miraculously, no one died in the fire, but 26 people were injured, a number of them seriously. The network, Rede Globo, funded their medical expenses, and all made a full recovery.

Jennette McCurdy

In 2022, former child star Jennette McCurdy of iCarly and Sam & Cat fame released a memoir with the somewhat blunt title of I'm Glad My Mom Died. Its a dark statement, but the book is exceptionally well written. This account details what being part of the TV industry at a young age was like after being pushed into it by her abusive and controlling mother. The retired actor reveals the lengths her mother would go to control her life, down to what she was allowed to eat. She also alludes to an unnamed creator who made her time in the industry miserable, including being pressured to drink and being photographed in a bikini, both while underage!

The Duggar Family

19 Kids and Counting, a reality show that had the number of kids in its title increase twice while it was on the air, came to a halt in 2015 when a 2006 police report was made public. The report concerned The Duggars eldest son Josh Duggar, who the report stated inappropriately touched five girls, including four of his sisters, on multiple occasions as a teenager. Six years after the show ended, he was arrested and subsequently convicted after being found to be in possession of explicit material featuring minors.

The Downfall of Ellen DeGeneres

For years, groundbreaking comedian Ellen DeGeneres was a beloved talk show host and gay icon. There had been whispers about DeGeneres, but they were mostly hushed until more people began to question her in the late 2010s. In 2019, she faced criticism for being friends with former American president George W. Bush and giving a cushy interview to fellow comedian Kevin Hart while he faced controversy. And, of course, who could forget the awkward but iconic Dakota Johnson interview? DeGeneres claimed she wasnt invited to Johnsons birthday party, but the actor called her out! By far, her biggest controversy came when investigations unveiled an alleged toxic work environment on her show, including racism, sexual misconduct, and an air of intimidation and fear.

Phillip Schofield Scandal

British Daytime TV anchor Phillip Schofield stepped down from hosting duties on his popular morning show This Morning after admitting to an affair with a young coworker. The matter got so much attention in the British media that it was even discussed in Parliament. It was the second media blitz for Schofield within the decade after he had shocked viewers by announcing that he is a gay man after 27 years of marriage and two daughters with his wife. After reports of tension between Schofield and his cohost Holly Willoughby that coincided with a drop in ratings, he initially resigned with no mention of an inappropriate relationship. But he soon released another statement describing what he called an unwise, but not illegal relationship.

Drake Bell

As a teenager, Drake Bell delighted audiences on Nickelodeon classics like The Amanda Show and Drake & Josh. In the 2024 documentary Quiet on Set, Bell shared an experience that severely darkened his days as a child star. The actor said dialogue coach Brian Peck sexually assaulted him on multiple occasions during his years at Nickelodeon. Years later, at the age of 31, Bell himself was found to have exchanged "inappropriate social media messages" with a minor. The silver lining in all of this is that following his interview for the documentary, he was able to check himself into rehab.

Justin Roiland

As far as anyone knew at the time, 2020 was a normal-ish time within the Rick and Morty for better or worse. Three years later, it would finally be made public that in that same year, the shows co-creator, Justin Roiland, was charged with domestic battery and false imprisonment. When this broke, a cavalcade of abuse allegations against Roiland were made, including some involving minors. Also revealed in 2023 was a sexual harassment claim from a female Rick and Morty writer that had been investigated by Adult Swim in 2020. While he was not let go by the network then, it was a no-brainer for them to part ways with him amid this fiasco, even though he also voiced Rick and Mortys titular duo.

The Firing of Roseanne Barr

Barr was the creator and star of Roseanne, which was one of the most popular sitcoms of the late 80s and 90s. It was so popular, in fact, that it was brought back for a very brief revival in 2018. We say brief because the show lasted just two months before Barr was fired. On May 29, Barr made a racist comment about Valerie Jarrett on Twitter, who had just finished her role as Senior Advisor to the President. The tweet garnered immediate controversy and ABC canceled Roseanne that very same day.

Owen Hart

In one of the darkest moments in television and professional wrestling, tragedy struck during the World Wrestling Federations' Over the Edge pay-per-view event in 1999. While participating in the event, wrestler Owen Hart was meant to be lowered into the ring for a planned match against The Godfather. However, following an accidental release from his safety harness, Hart fell 78 feet during the stunt to his death. While the incident itself was not televised, announcer Jim Ross informed the audience of what had happened, having to make clear that this was in no way part of the show.

The Murder of Rebecca Schaeffer

On the CBS sitcom My Sister Sam, Rebecca Schaeffer was a fan favorite. While the show only lasted a couple of seasons, Schaeffer was still due to make a big break, with roles in movies like Scenes From the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills. In the summer of 1989, she was awaiting her biggest opportunity yet, with an audition later that day for the role of Mary, Michael Corleone's daughter, in The Godfather Part III. When she answered the door expecting a script, she was shot dead by an obsessed stalker. Something good came from the tragedy at least, as it set in motion the first laws in California that criminalized stalking.

The Jenny Jones Show Murder

In a 1996 episode of the daytime talk program The Jenny Jones Show, Scott Amedure, an out and proud gay man, admitted to a forbidden crush on Jonathan Schmitz, his straight friend. On camera, Schmitz is shocked but appears to laugh anyway. When he wasnt on TV, he didnt think there was anything funny about the confession, shooting his so-called best friend to death just three days after it was filmed. In court, Amedure would go on to unsuccessfully utilize the gay panic defense, ultimately being convicted of second-degree murder.

The Abuse of David Yost

90s kids have fond memories of Power Rangers, but making the show was not as fun as watching it. At least not for Blue Ranger David Yost. A gay man, Yost was reportedly harassed by producers and crew members for his sexual orientation. The harassment got so bad that Yost harbored thoughts of self-harm and eventually quit the show altogether. After leaving the program, Yost attempted to alter his sexuality through conversion therapy and later suffered a nervous breakdown. After spending some time in a psychiatric institution, Yost accepted his sexuality and has since returned to the Power Rangers community. The franchise has also not been kind to Alison MacInnis, the Pink Lightspeed Ranger who broke her leg while training for a dangerous stunt.

The Death of Jon-Erik Hexum

Between September 1984 and April 1985, CBS aired an action thriller called Cover Up. It starred Jon-Erik Hexum as Mac Harper, a former Green Beret who is hired by a fashion photographer to find her husbands killers. On October 12, 1984, Hexum was waiting on set when he got bored and began playing with a gun loaded with blanks. He unloaded all but one blank and played a round of Russian roulette. Not knowing how dangerous this was, he pulled the trigger and fired a blank straight into his temple. The shot fractured his skull and caused an enormous brain hemorrhage. Unfortunately, the damage was too great to repair and Hexum died six days later.

Clayne Crawfords Unfortunate Behavior

In 2016, Fox began airing a Lethal Weapon show based on the iconic film series. Roger Murtaugh and Martin Riggs were back after nearly twenty years, and they were respectively played by Damon Wayans and Clayne Crawford. Unfortunately, the latter caused a slew of problems on set. Crawford was reportedly known for his angry outbursts which made those around him uncomfortable. One instance even resulted in studio-appointed therapy and Crawford giving up some of his paycheck to the afflicted party. It was all too much for the cast and crew, many of whom voiced their displeasure at working with Crawford and he was fired at the end of the second season.

The Fall of Louis C.K.

While hes primarily known for his stand up, Louis C.K. also found great success on television, especially with his surreal, Emmy-winning Louie. The series entered an indefinite hiatus in 2015 at the end of its fifth season, with C.K. planning on returning to it at some point in the future. But that changed when the comedian was accused of inappropriate sensual behavior. The story began that very year, when fellow comedian Roseanne Barr shared some nasty rumors about C.K.s secret behavior. These rumors were confirmed two years later in the midst of the #MeToo movement, and C.K. admitted his transgressions. As a result, FX cut all ties with their star and Louie was canceled.

The $1.98 Beauty Show

The 70s were certainly a different time - one in which producers thought laughing at people would make for appropriate television. The $1.98 Beauty Show was a parody of beauty pageants, with contestants demeaning themselves for less than $2 in prize money and a bouquet of rotten vegetables. Much of the humor came at the expense of the contestants, with host Rip Taylor, announcer Johnny Jacobs, and a group of celebrity panelists often ripping into their physical appearance. When an overweight woman is comedically called a tow truck, you know things have gone too far. The show was viciously criticized for being mean-spirited and canceled after two seasons.

The Allegations Against Dan Schneider

You may not know his name, but you certainly know his TV shows. A successful producer, Schneider created some of the most iconic Nickelodeon programs of all time, including Drake & Josh, iCarly, and Zoey 101. If you can name a Nickelodeon sitcom, chances are that Schneider made it. But this prosperous relationship came to an end in 2018, when Nickelodeon fired Schneider for inappropriate behavior. This included a long history of temper issues, angry outbursts, and an alleged foot fetish that saw him posting photos of his actresses feet. New allegations emerged a few years later claiming that Schneider would ask for massages and was prone to gender discrimination.

A Workplace Hazard

Cops has been a TV staple since 1989 and has aired well over 1,000 episodes in that time. The premise is simple - a small camera crew follows everyday cops and films them doing their job. Usually the show consists of minor things like public drunkenness and drug arrests, but sometimes things get tragically heated. On the night of August 26, 2014, a crew operating in Omaha responded to a robbery at a local Wendys. The police opened fire on the suspect and accidentally hit the Cops audio technician, Bryce Dion. Dion was hit by a stray bullet and rushed to the hospital, but he quickly died of his injuries. Dions brother later sued the City of Omaha but his case was dismissed.

Jimmy Savile

British television personality and DJ Jimmy Savile was adored for years as the host of iconic BBC programs Top of the Pops and Jim'll Fix It. Posthumously, several minor abuse allegations, spanning decades, were made against Savile. It called into question for many how and why he was never caught while he was still living. The BBC has also been criticized for turning a blind eye to a monster who one survivor called the most disgusting human being Ive ever met. To this day, the total number of Saviles victims is unknown.

The Mysterious Death of George Reeves

Before Christopher Reeve donned the red and blue of The Man of Steel, George Reeves played him on the syndicated Adventures of Superman. The first Superman television show, it ran for six seasons between 1952 and 1958. The next year, Reeves died of a mysterious gunshot wound. Reeves had supposedly taken his own life inside his L.A. home, the result of depression and feelings of failure. But this finding has long been contested and debated. Some have theorized that famed Hollywood fixer Eddie Mannix was involved. Others point to Reevess fiancée, Leonore Lemmon. Well likely never know what truly happened, and for now, we just have to accept the potentially-bogus self-harm theory.

The Canceled Makeover of Deleese Williams

Extreme Makeover was an ABC program that saw ordinary people undergoing plastic surgery to attain their dream appearance. Needless to say, the show garnered much controversy in its day, and it even resulted in a death. A Texas woman named Deleese Williams was slated to appear on the show. Producers arrived at her hometown and goaded family members into saying awful things about Williamss physical appearance. She was in the next room listening in for reaction shots. But Williamss spot was canceled at the last minute owing to scheduling conflicts, and she had already heard the nasty things that were said about her. Williamss sister, Kellie McGee, was so distraught and guilt-ridden over what she had said that she took her own life.

The Quiz Show Scandals

It was the late 1950s and television was still a very young industry. Enter the producers of various game shows, who wished to increase ratings and make stars out of their players by fixing the games. These are now called the quiz show scandals, and they threatened the very integrity of television. While these scandals rocked numerous shows, the most infamous story involved Twenty-One and contestants Herb Stempel and Charles Van Doren. Reigning champion Stempel was instructed to throw the game so Van Doren could win, and he went on to enjoy his own famous winning streak. Both would later testify in front of Congress, which in turn amended the law to prevent future cheating on TV game shows.

The Poor Horses

The HBO horse-racing drama Luck had a slew of talent behind it. It was created by David Milch of Deadwood fame, the pilot was directed by Michael Mann, and it starred Dustin Hoffman in the lead role. Yet it only lasted nine episodes. The show was actually picked up for a second season, but it was then revealed that the shows racehorses had suffered numerous tragedies. Two horses had died during production of the first season, as they suffered fractures during runs and were subsequently euthanized. A third horse died while filming the second season, prompting HBO to suspend production and launch an investigation. The show was then canceled, with HBO claiming that they didnt want any more accidents to occur.

No Girls Allowed

One of the most popular shows of the 80s, The A-Team followed the adventures of four mercenaries working in Los Angeles. Nothing screams 80s machismo quite like it, and perhaps unsurprisingly, women had a very difficult time working on the show. The first two seasons starred Melinda Culea as reporter Amy Allen. Culea often voiced her displeasure at playing second fiddle to the A-Team and asked for more to do, and she was fired as a result. In came Marla Heasley to replace her as Tawnia Baker. But she was quickly dropped also and was never even added to the opening credits. Most people lay blame at the feet of George Peppard, who reportedly insisted that no female be given a lead role.

Tommy Cooper Dies on Live TV

A popular English magician, Tommy Cooper saw great success throughout the 60s and 70s by appearing on numerous television programs. Unfortunately, his health began to suffer in the late 70s owing to excessive drinking and cigar smoking, resulting in tragedy on the night of April 15, 1984. Cooper was performing on a variety show called Live from Her Majesty's when he suddenly collapsed. The audience laughed at the sight of Cooper falling over, believing that it was part of his comedic act. In reality, Cooper had suffered a fatal heart attack. The show continued as people tried to revive Cooper offstage, and he was eventually taken to Westminster Hospital. Unfortunately, he was declared DOA, having died in front of twelve million viewers.

The Glee Curse

Despite being one of the most popular shows of the 2010s, Glee has left behind a questionable legacy. That has nothing to do with the show itself, but the young actors who were at the helm. Many dark and disturbing things have either befallen the young cast or been perpetrated by them. Regarding the latter, Mark Salling pleaded guilty to some horrific crimes in 2017 and later took his own life. It also has been reported that Blake Jenner was physically abusive towards his then-wife, Melissa Benoist, even giving her a permanent eye injury. But horrible things have also happened to actors. Cory Monteith died in 2013 from a drug overdose, and Naya Rivera later drowned while boating with her son in Californias Lake Piru.

The Demise of Phil Hartman

A television legend, Phil Hartman drew widespread acclaim for his work on shows like Saturday Night Live, NewsRadio, and The Simpsons. But throughout the 1990s, Hartman was in a strained relationship with Brynn Omdahl, his third wife. Known for heavy substance use, Omdahl would often behave erratically, sometimes even violently. While Hartman was advised to leave Omdahl, he never did so. Tragically, in the early morning hours of May 28, 1998, an inebriated Omdahl shot and killed Hartman while he slept. After confessing to numerous people and drawing police attention, Omdahl locked herself in the bedroom and took her own life as well.

The Unsolved Murder of Bob Crane

After running a successful radio show, Bob Crane moved to acting and found work on Hogans Heroes. The popular sitcom ran for six seasons, with Crane playing the titular Colonel Robert Hogan. But when the show came to an end in 1971, Crane struggled to find work and began doing dinner theater. By 1978, Crane was living in Arizona and doing a show called Beginner's Luck. On June 29, Crane missed a meeting, prompting one of his co-stars to visit him at his apartment. There, they found Cranes dead body, which had been both bludgeoned and strangled. Blame fell on his friend, John Henry Carpenter, but he was acquitted in court. While some continue to point the finger at Carpenter, the murder is officially unsolved.

An Unfortunate Guest

You never know what types of people will show up on game shows. The Dating Game typically saw a woman asking questions to three men sitting behind a partition. She would then pick the man she liked most, meet him face-to-face, and then go on a date. In 1978, a photographer named Rodney Alcala appeared on the show and won a date with Cheryl Bradshaw. However, she found him creepy and refused the date. And for good reason. By this time, Alcala had killed at least four women and served years in prison for sexual assault. He would kill even more after his appearance on The Dating Game, bringing his official body count to eight. Some believe it could be as high as 130.

Bill Cosby

Its amazing how fast a reputation can plummet. For many years, Bill Cosby was regarded as Americas Dad, winning over millions with his work on The Cosby Show. But allegations of sexual abuse followed Cosby throughout most of his career, with the earliest instance dating back to the mid 60s. These allegations continued into the 21st century, with the most legally formidable coming in 2004. It was then that a woman named Andrea Constand accused Cosby of sexual abuse. While most of Cosbys crimes fell outside the statutes of limitations, Constands did not, and it was her case that briefly sent the comedian to prison. It is now believed that Cosby had been assaulting women for decades, even while serving as Americas Dad.

The World Loses Steve Irwin

A popular wildlife expert and conservationist, Steve Irwin found unbelievable success on television as The Crocodile Hunter. He hosted the TV series of the same name but also appeared on other programs, including the nature documentary Ocean's Deadliest. It was while filming this show that Irwin met his tragic demise. The host approached a short-tail stingray, which proceeded to sting him in the chest. Unfortunately, the barb got him directly in the heart and Irwin quickly bled to death. The accident was captured on video, but the footage has never been released. Irwins memorial service was held two weeks after his death and was watched by 300 million people around the world.

What do you make of these scenarios? Let us know in the comments below!