Actresses Who Were Fired From Hit TV Shows

Making a TV show is complicated, with lots of contracts and a fast-paced work environment. Sometimes, this leads to well-known actors being let go. Many hit series have had to deal with a main actress suddenly leaving, whether because of changes in the story or personal issues. These situations can change where the show is going and even how long it lasts. Looking at why actors leave helps us understand the difficulties of working in the entertainment industry.

Roseanne Barr

Roseanne Barr starred in the popular sitcom ‘Roseanne’ for many years, but she was fired in 2018. This happened after she posted something controversial online, and the network decided the show couldn’t continue with her. Despite high ratings, the production team felt they needed to move forward without her. The show eventually returned as ‘The Conners,’ focusing on the rest of the family. Her character was killed off to explain her absence.

Shannen Doherty

Shannen Doherty was fired from two popular TV shows during her career. First, she left ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ after disagreements with co-stars and the crew. Later, after three seasons on ‘Charmed,’ producers decided to write her character off the show and bring in a new sister to continue the series. These situations became well-known examples of how conflicts on set can result in actors being replaced.

Janet Hubert

Janet Hubert was the first actress to play Aunt Vivian on ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,’ appearing in the show’s first three seasons. She left after disagreements during contract talks and a growing conflict with Will Smith. Daphne Maxwell Reid then took over the role for the rest of the series. Hubert later discussed the challenges she faced after being let go, and the casting change remains a well-known topic among fans of nineties TV.

Gina Carano

Gina Carano played Cara Dune on Disney+’s ‘The Mandalorian’ for two seasons. However, Lucasfilm decided not to bring her back after she made some controversial statements online. The studio explained that her views didn’t reflect their company’s values. They didn’t replace her character, and the show continued without her. This decision caused a lot of discussion among fans about how people’s personal beliefs affect their jobs.

Suzanne Somers

Suzanne Somers became famous for her role as Chrissy Snow on the popular sitcom ‘Three’s Company’. She was let go after asking for a much higher salary, equal to that of her male co-star. The network wouldn’t meet her demand and gradually reduced her appearances until she was removed from the show. New characters were then brought in to replace her. This situation is frequently remembered as an important moment in television pay negotiations.

Mackenzie Phillips

Mackenzie Phillips was a main star on the hit 1970s sitcom ‘One Day at a Time.’ She lost her job on the show because she was battling substance abuse, which impacted her work. While she was initially given time off, producers eventually determined she couldn’t continue in her role. Her character was removed from the show so she could focus on getting better, and the series continued for several more seasons without her.

Erinn Hayes

Erinn Hayes played the main female role in the sitcom ‘Kevin Can Wait’ with Kevin James. After one season, she was let go when the show’s creators decided to change the storyline. They wrote her character out of the show to create a new romantic relationship with Leah Remini. This unexpected change upset many viewers. The show lasted for one more season before the network cancelled it.

Stana Katic

Stana Katic starred as Detective Kate Beckett in the popular TV show ‘Castle’ for eight seasons. Before a possible ninth season, the network decided not to renew her contract as a cost-cutting measure. This caused a lot of media attention because her character was so important to the show. Soon after, ‘Castle’ was canceled, and her departure is still remembered as a key moment in the show’s history.

Lori Loughlin

Lori Loughlin returned to her well-known role as Aunt Becky in the Netflix series ‘Fuller House.’ However, she was let go after being accused of involvement in a major college admissions scandal. Both Netflix and the show’s producers quickly ended their working relationship with her to avoid being associated with the legal issues. Her character was written out of the final season as being away on a trip, bringing an end to her decades-long connection with the ‘Full House’ franchise, which began in the 1980s.

Selma Blair

Selma Blair played a therapist and love interest on the sitcom ‘Anger Management,’ alongside Charlie Sheen. She was let go from the show after raising concerns to producers about Sheen’s behavior and tardiness. Reports say Sheen then refused to film scenes with her and asked for her to be removed from the series. The show continued, shifting focus to other characters. The firing received a lot of media attention because of the public conflict between the two actors.

Brett Butler

I remember when ‘Grace Under Fire’ was huge! Brett Butler was amazing – she not only starred as Grace but really drove the creative side of things too. It was so shocking when she was fired during the fifth season. It turned out she was struggling with substance abuse, and her behavior became really unpredictable. Production kept getting shut down, and eventually, the network just had to cancel the show. It was a real shame to see such a popular series end so suddenly. It really showed how much pressure can be on someone leading a big network comedy, and it was a sad lesson for everyone involved.

Delta Burke

I was such a fan of ‘Designing Women,’ and Delta Burke was amazing as Suzanne Sugarbaker! It was really sad to hear about what happened, though. Apparently, she and the show’s creators had a lot of disagreements about how things were run, and it became a huge deal in the tabloids. It created a lot of tension, and ultimately, they decided to let her go. They wrote her character off the show and brought in some new faces the next season, which just wasn’t the same, honestly.

Kim Delaney

Kim Delaney joined the cast of ‘CSI: Miami’ as a main character when the show began, but she was let go after ten episodes. Producers didn’t feel she and David Caruso had good on-screen chemistry. Instead of giving her character a proper farewell, the writers simply removed her to focus on the other actors. This was unusual, as it’s rare for a well-known actress to be fired so early in a popular show’s run. Fortunately, Delaney quickly found success in other TV series after leaving ‘CSI: Miami’.

Hunter Tylo

In the 1990s, Hunter Tylo was cast in a prominent role on the TV drama ‘Melrose Place,’ but was fired before filming began when producers learned she was pregnant. She successfully sued the production company for discrimination, winning a multi-million dollar settlement. The court determined that her pregnancy didn’t disqualify her from fulfilling the job requirements. This case set an important legal precedent, protecting the rights of pregnant actresses in television.

Lisa Bonet

Lisa Bonet became well-known for her role as Denise Huxtable on ‘The Cosby Show’ and ‘A Different World’. She was let go from the shows because of disagreements about her creative choices and her wish to play more adult characters. Show producers were reportedly unhappy with a revealing film she appeared in and a suggestive magazine cover. Though she briefly returned to ‘The Cosby Show’, she was ultimately removed from the cast, ending her time as a key member of the show’s family.

Nicollette Sheridan

Nicollette Sheridan was a popular actress on ‘Desperate Housewives,’ playing Edie Britt for five seasons. However, her time on the show ended abruptly when her character was killed off, and she was subsequently fired. Sheridan then sued the show’s creator, claiming she was wrongfully terminated and had been physically assaulted. Despite a lengthy legal fight, she didn’t return to the series, and her departure is remembered as one of the most controversial and heavily litigated exits in TV history.

Taylor Momsen

Taylor Momsen was a main cast member on the TV show ‘Gossip Girl,’ playing Jenny Humphrey. After four seasons, she was let go because she wasn’t consistently reliable and was becoming more focused on her music. Initially, producers put her on hold, but they later confirmed she wouldn’t be returning to the show full-time. While her character appeared briefly in the final episode, she wasn’t part of the show for the rest of its run. This move signaled her decision to leave acting and become the lead singer of a rock band.

Charisma Carpenter

Charisma Carpenter became known for her role as Cordelia Chase on the TV shows ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and its sequel, ‘Angel.’ After becoming pregnant in real life, she was written off ‘Angel’ after its fourth season. Carpenter later stated that the show’s creator reacted negatively to the timing of her pregnancy and treated her unfairly. Her character was put in a coma and later killed off with a brief appearance. This led to a long-lasting conflict between Carpenter and the show’s producers.

Jennifer Esposito

Jennifer Esposito, who played Detective Jackie Curatola on ‘Blue Bloods,’ left the show during its third season. She had asked to work a reduced schedule because of her celiac disease, but the network instead put her on unpaid leave and eventually replaced her character with a series of new partners for the show’s lead actor. Esposito later spoke out about the network’s handling of her situation, saying they didn’t understand her health issues. The incident brought attention to the challenges people with long-term illnesses face when working in the fast-paced world of television production.

Lisa Kudrow

I remember hearing that Lisa Kudrow actually auditioned for the part of Roz on ‘Frasier’! It’s crazy to think they let her go during rehearsals because they didn’t think she quite fit the vibe of the character. Thankfully, Peri Gilpin stepped in and was amazing as Roz for the whole show. Lisa has talked about how much that rejection hurt, especially before she got her big break on ‘Friends’. It’s a good reminder that sometimes things fall apart so something even better can come along, you know?

Shelley Hack

As a big ‘Charlie’s Angels’ fan, I remember when Shelley Hack joined the show – she came in during the fourth season to replace Kate Jackson. Honestly, it just didn’t quite click. The network felt she didn’t have the same spark with the other Angels, and they were really trying to boost the show’s ratings. So, after just one season, they decided to go in a different direction and brought in Tanya Roberts for the final season. It felt like a bit of a transitional period for the show, and a lot of fans, myself included, definitely noticed the change.

Sarah Drew

Sarah Drew played Dr. April Kepner on the popular medical show ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ for nine seasons. She and another actor were let go during the show’s fifteenth season for story-related reasons. This came as a surprise to Drew and many fans who loved her character. Show producers explained the decision wasn’t about her acting, but about where they were taking the story. Her character received a positive conclusion, leaving the door open for a possible return later on.

Jessica Capshaw

Jessica Capshaw, who played Dr. Arizona Robbins on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ for ten seasons, was written off the show along with her co-star Sarah Drew. The show’s creators decided to reduce the size of the main cast to allow for new storylines. Many fans were upset by the departure of such a well-known character. In the show, Arizona moved to New York City.

Leah Remini

Leah Remini was an original cohost on the daytime talk show ‘The Talk’ for its first season, but she and Holly Robinson Peete were let go when producers decided to revamp the show’s dynamic. Remini later stated that another cohost had pushed for her removal. The network aimed to create a less controversial atmosphere with a new panel of hosts, and this decision received a lot of media attention for years afterward.

Paula Abdul

Paula Abdul was a judge on the first season of ‘The X Factor’ in the US, but she was let go after just one season. Simon Cowell decided to revamp the show, leading to a major change in the judging panel in hopes of improving ratings and staying competitive with other reality TV shows. Despite being unexpectedly fired, Abdul remained on good terms with the show’s producers. This was just one of many times she served as a judge on television.

Michelle Rodriguez

Michelle Rodriguez was a cast member on the TV show ‘Lost’ for its second season, playing the character Ana Lucia Cortez. She was unexpectedly written out of the show after being arrested for a driving violation while filming in Hawaii. While the producers said her character’s death was predetermined, many fans thought the arrest led to her being fired. Her character died in a dramatic episode that also marked the exit of another actor. Rodriguez later made some guest appearances on the show.

Cynthia Watros

Cynthia Watros played the character Libby on the popular TV show ‘Lost’ during its second season. She and Michelle Rodriguez were both let go from the show after similar legal issues related to traffic violations. The decision to kill off their characters in a single episode is still one of the most talked-about moments in the series. The producers said these deaths were necessary to increase the tension and danger for the characters who remained. After leaving ‘Lost,’ Watros continued acting on television and later made brief appearances back on the show.

Jenny McCarthy

Jenny McCarthy became a permanent co-host on ‘The View’ in 2013, but was let go after just one season. The network decided to completely revamp the show’s cast, aiming to recapture its original feel and improve audience engagement. McCarthy has discussed the challenges of working in a demanding environment with constant changes in personnel. Her exit happened alongside the departures of several other longtime members of the show.

Sherri Shepherd

Sherri Shepherd co-hosted ‘The View’ for seven seasons, leaving in 2014. Although it was initially presented as a joint decision, reports suggest she was let go as the show underwent a casting overhaul. The network aimed to update the show’s image and introduce fresh perspectives to its daily conversations. Shepherd remained well-liked by viewers and made several guest appearances in the years after her departure. She’s fondly remembered for her humor and relatable personal anecdotes during her time on the program.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck

Elisabeth Hasselbeck was a main voice for conservative viewpoints on ‘The View’ for ten years, beginning in 2003. Reports suggest she was let go because research indicated her political opinions were creating too much division among viewers. The network later confirmed her departure, and she soon joined a cable news network. Her leaving was a significant change for the show, which had benefited from the lively discussions she had with her co-hosts. She is still one of the longest-running panelists in the show’s history.

Tamron Hall

Tamron Hall was a well-loved host on ‘Today,’ leading the show’s third hour for several years. She essentially lost her position when the network decided to bring in a new, prominent personality and give them her time slot. Rather than take a smaller role, Hall decided to leave the network altogether. This decision upset many viewers who enjoyed her reporting and on-screen presence. Soon after, she went on to successfully host her own nationally syndicated daytime talk show.

Ann Curry

Ann Curry was a news anchor for many years and became co-host of ‘Today’ in 2011. However, after ratings dropped, she was let go after only a year. Her emotional farewell on live television became a widely shared video and sparked public criticism of the network’s handling of the situation. It was later revealed that a challenging working relationship with her co-host also played a part in the decision. After decades with the network in different capacities, she ultimately left.

Holly Robinson Peete

Holly Robinson Peete was an original host on the daytime talk show ‘The Talk’. After one season, she and Leah Remini were let go when the show decided to change its lineup. Peete publicly shared her frustration, stating she never received a clear explanation for why she was fired. The show’s producers then chose a new group of hosts, hoping to create a better dynamic. Many fans still feel upset about the decision, as they enjoyed Peete’s presence on the original panel.

Jill Scott

Jill Scott starred in ‘The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency,’ a series filmed in Botswana. Although the show received positive reviews and was nominated for awards, it was canceled after just one season. The decision wasn’t about Scott’s performance, but rather due to the high costs and difficulties of production. Scott has expressed her affection for the character and her regret that the series wasn’t renewed. The show stands out as a distinctive example of international television collaboration.

Jean Hagen

Jean Hagen starred as Danny Thomas’s wife in the early TV comedy ‘Make Room for Daddy.’ After three seasons, she left the show because she wasn’t satisfied with how her character was developing. In a surprising decision for a comedy at the time, the producers simply wrote her character off the show without an on-screen explanation. This made her the first TV wife to be removed from a hit series in this way. The show continued successfully for many years with a new female lead.

Phyllis Coates

Phyllis Coates was the original Lois Lane in the ‘Adventures of Superman’ TV show from the 1950s. After the first season, production paused for a long time, and she accepted another acting job. When the show was ready to film again, the producers decided to recast the role. Noel Neill then took over as Lois Lane and became the most well-known version of the character to many viewers. Coates later made appearances as different characters in other Superman shows and movies.

Anita Barone

Anita Barone was the first actress to play Carol Willick on the hit TV show ‘Friends’. She appeared in the first season, but left to take on a leading role in another series. The show’s producers ended her contract when she asked to leave so soon after the show began. Jane Sibbett then took over the role of Carol and played her for the remainder of the show’s run. While Barone continued to act in other comedies, she’s still known for being the original Carol Willick.

Rachel Dratch

Rachel Dratch was initially chosen to play Jenna DeCarlo in the first episode of ’30 Rock’. However, after filming the pilot, the show’s creators decided they wanted a more typical sitcom actress for the part. Jane Krakowski replaced Dratch and the character’s name was changed to Jenna Maroney. Instead of letting Dratch go completely, the show kept her on as a recurring performer, playing smaller roles throughout the first season. This change in casting ultimately contributed to the show’s unique and successful chemistry.

Alex Borstein

Alex Borstein was originally chosen to play Sookie St. James in the first pilot of ‘Gilmore Girls,’ but she had to drop out because of a prior commitment to a sketch comedy show. The show’s producers couldn’t allow her to do both, so they had to recast the role, ultimately choosing Melissa McCarthy, who became very popular. Borstein later returned to the series in a different role, staying involved with the show’s creators. This is a well-known example of a casting change happening because of conflicting schedules.

2026-02-10 12:19