Researchers found that viewers often experience a sense of parasocial grief when a character they have grown attached to dies, particularly when the death is sudden and unexpected.1
This emotional connection between audience and character is a testament to the power of storytelling and these fictional personas’ impact on our lives.
Here are the 14 beloved TV characters who met their end and the actors who brought them to life.
1. Finn Hudson from Glee
Cory Monteith’s sudden death in 2013 at the age of 31 left fans of the musical drama “Glee” devastated. The show addressed his passing by having his character, Finn Hudson, die off-screen.
In the emotional tribute episode “The Quarterback,” the cause of Finn’s death was not specified, allowing the focus to remain on celebrating Monteith’s life and his impact on his co-stars and fans.
The episode featured tear-jerking performances from the cast, including Lea Michele’s rendition of “Make You Feel My Love” and a group performance of “Seasons of Love” from the musical “Rent.”
It was a fitting farewell to a character and actor who had captured the hearts of so many.
2. Coach Ernie Pantusso from Cheers
Nicholas Colasanto, who played the lovable Coach Ernie Pantusso on the classic sitcom “Cheers,” passed away from a heart ailment in 1985 during the show’s third season. The writers also chose to have Coach die off-screen, addressing his passing in the season four premiere.
In the episode, Coach’s absence is initially explained by a trip to visit family, but when his pen pal arrives at the bar looking for him, Sam and Diane are forced to break the news of his death.
The show paid tribute to the character and Colasanto by having Sam reflect on Coach’s impact on his life and the bar.
It was a touching send-off for a character who had been a father figure to many of the show’s regulars.
3. Bill McNeal from NewsRadio
Phil Hartman, known for his comedic genius on “Saturday Night Live” and “The Simpsons,” played the egotistical anchor Bill McNeal on the sitcom “NewsRadio.” Tragically, Hartman was shot and killed by his wife in a murder-suicide in 1998.
The show chose to address his death by having Bill suffer a fatal heart attack in the season five premiere.
The episode “Bill Moves On” featured the WNYX staff reminiscing about their favorite Bill moments and struggling to accept his sudden passing.
It was a poignant tribute to the character and Hartman, showcasing his impact on his co-workers and the void his loss left behind.
4. Livia Soprano from The Sopranos
Nancy Marchand, who played Tony Soprano’s manipulative mother, Livia, on the groundbreaking HBO series “The Sopranos,” died of lung cancer in 2000 after completing the second season.
The writers had originally planned for Livia to play a larger role in the third season, but Marchand’s passing forced them to change course.
In a haunting final scene, a CGI version of Livia appears in a conversation with Tony, showcasing her hold over him even after her death.
It was a fitting end for a character who had loomed large over the series and a testament to Marchand’s unforgettable performance.
5. Leo McGarry from The West Wing
John Spencer, who played the wise and witty Chief of Staff Leo McGarry on the political drama “The West Wing,” died of a heart attack in 2005 during the show’s seventh and final season. The writers also chose to have Leo pass away, but not before giving him a heroic send-off.
In the episode “Election Day,” Leo suffers a fatal heart attack on the night of the presidential election.
His death rocked the White House staff, but it also served as a catalyst for them to carry on his legacy and continue fighting for what they believed in.
It was a moving tribute to the character and Spencer, showcasing the impact one person can have on those around them.
6. Edna Krabappel from The Simpsons
Marcia Wallace, who voiced Bart Simpson’s jaded teacher Edna Krabappel on “The Simpsons,” died of pneumonia in 2013. The show paid tribute to Wallace and her character in the episode “The Man Who Grew Too Much,” featuring Ned Flanders reminiscing about his late wife.
In a touching moment, Ned looks at a picture of Edna and says, “I sure do miss that laugh.”
The episode ended with a dedication to Wallace, showcasing her impact on the show and its fans over the years.
7. Mr. Hooper from Sesame Street
Will Lee, who played the kindly shopkeeper Mr. Hooper on “Sesame Street,” died of a heart attack in 1982. Rather than recasting the role or having Mr. Hooper move away, the show addressed his death head-on in the episode “Farewell, Mr. Hooper.”
In the episode, Big Bird struggles to understand why Mr. Hooper won’t return, leading to a poignant conversation about death and loss with the other adult characters.
It was a bold move for a children’s show, but one that helped countless young viewers process their own grief and understand that it’s okay to feel sad when someone they love dies.
8. Debbie Wolowitz from The Big Bang Theory
Carol Ann Susi brought life to the unseen but unforgettable character of Debbie Wolowitz, Howard’s mother, on the hit sitcom “The Big Bang Theory.” Susi passed away from cancer in 2014 at the age of 62, just two weeks after her diagnosis.
According to the writers, the show handled her character’s death with dignity and sorrow.
In the episode “The Comic Book Store Regeneration,” the gang learns that Mrs. Wolowitz passed away peacefully while visiting her sister in Florida.
The episode dealt with the characters’ grief. It featured a touching moment where they shared their favorite memories of the larger-than-life matriarch, paying respect to both the character and the actress who brought her to life.
9. Richard Gilmore from Gilmore Girls
Edward Herrmann portrayed the patriarch Richard Gilmore on the beloved “Gilmore Girls.” Herrmann passed away from brain cancer in 2014 at the age of 71.
In a poignant parallel, his character also died from a heart attack on the show following the actor’s death.
The revival series “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life” addressed Richard’s passing and its impact on the family.
The characters grappled with their grief and learned to move forward while honoring Richard’s memory, mirroring the cast and crew’s own process of bidding farewell to their esteemed colleague.
10. Colleen Donaghy from 30 Rock
Veteran actress Elaine Stritch brought her inimitable presence to the role of Jack Donaghy’s mother, Colleen, on the satirical sitcom “30 Rock.” Stritch passed away in 2014 at the age of 89.
The show paid tribute to the actress and her character in the episode “My Whole Life Is Thunder.”
In the episode, Jack learns of his mother’s passing and travels to Florida for her funeral.
The show honored Stritch’s legacy by featuring a montage of Colleen’s most memorable moments, showcasing her impeccable comedic timing and her indelible mark on the series.
11. John Ritter from 8 Simple Rules
Beloved for his comedic roles, John Ritter starred as Paul Hennessy on the sitcom “8 Simple Rules.” Tragically, Ritter died from an undiagnosed aortic dissection in 2003 at the age of 54, just three episodes into the show’s second season.
The series addressed his sudden passing in a two-part episode titled “Goodbye.”
In the episode, Paul collapses in a grocery store and passes away, leaving his family to grapple with their grief and learn to navigate life without him.
The show paid tribute to Ritter’s talent and warmth, with the cast breaking character to share their memories of the actor, creating a heartfelt farewell to the character and the man who brought him to life.
12. Barry Frost from Rizzoli & Isles
Lee Thompson Young, who played Detective Barry Frost on the TNT crime drama “Rizzoli & Isles,” tragically died by suicide in 2013 at the age of 29. The show addressed his sudden passing in the season 5 premiere, with his character dying unexpectedly.
In the episode, Frost died in a car accident while returning from a vacation. The cast and crew paid tribute to Young and his character, acknowledging his profound impact on the series.
The show continued for several more seasons, but Frost’s absence was deeply felt by both the characters and the viewers.
13. Dr. Virgil Swann from Smallville
Christopher Reeve, best known for his iconic portrayal of Superman, appeared as Dr. Virgil Swann in a recurring role on the TV series “Smallville.” Reeve passed away in 2004 at the age of 52 due to complications from a horseback riding accident that had left him paralyzed nine years earlier.
In the show, Dr. Swann mentored young Clark Kent, helping him understand his Kryptonian heritage. Following Reeve’s death, the character was written out of the series, with the explanation that Dr. Swann had died off-screen.
The show paid tribute to Reeve’s legacy and his contribution to the Superman mythos.
14. Fred Andrews from Riverdale
Luke Perry, a beloved actor known for his roles in “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Riverdale,” died in 2019 at the age of 52 after suffering a massive stroke. Perry was portraying Fred Andrews, Archie’s father, at his death on the popular CW series “Riverdale.”
The show addressed Perry’s passing in the season 4 premiere, “Chapter Fifty-Eight: In Memoriam.” In the episode, Fred Andrews dies in a hit-and-run accident while helping a stranded motorist.
The episode served as a heartfelt tribute to Perry and his character, with guest appearances by former “90210” co-star Shannen Doherty.
The loss of Fred Andrews profoundly impacted the characters of “Riverdale,” and the show continued to honor Perry’s memory in subsequent episodes.
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Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.
