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10 Times Actors Were Not Recast After Passing Away
Gen V producers revealed that they would not be recasting the role played by the late Chance Perdomo. In some instances, shows opt to write-off the character entirely. Find out other 10 instances
Trigger Warning: This article contains mention of death.
The team behind Prime Video’s show Gen V announced on Sunday that they would not be recasting Chance Perdomo's role after the actor’s sudden death in March. Instead, they are exploring the best way to honor his memory and legacy within the show. Chance Perdomo, who was just 27, died in March following a motorcycle accident. His untimely passing deeply affected both the show's cast and crew, as well as his fans.
In a statement posted on social media, the production team said: “As we continue to navigate the tragic loss of Chance Perdomo, everyone at Gen V is determined to find the best way to pay respect to his memory.” They mentioned that recasting the role was not an option, explaining that “no one can replace Chance." The team expressed their commitment to "taking the time and space to recraft our season 2 storylines as we begin production in May.”
Sometimes, when an actor passes away, their characters are written out of the narrative entirely. This article explores 10 such instances, where the showrunners opted to honor the deceased performer by letting their character rest in peace.
Peter Gregory
Peter Gregory, a key character in the debut season of Silicon Valley, was a tech investor with a unique personality who was interested in the startup Pied Piper. Christopher Evan Welch, the actor behind Peter Gregory, tragically passed away at a young age. Diagnosed with lung cancer in 2010, Welch died in 2013 at the age of 48, just four months before"Silicon Valley made its debut on HBO. At the time of his death, Welch had completed filming five out of the eight episodes for the first season. The show later explained his absence by stating that Peter Gregory had died during a trip to the Serengeti.
Bill McNeal
Phil Hartman was a comedic powerhouse, known for his work on Saturday Night Live, where he won an Emmy Award. However, one of his most memorable roles was that of Bill McNeal on the sitcom NewsRadio. In this role, Hartman portrayed an arrogant yet comical news anchor at the WNYX radio station. Sadly, after the fourth season, Hartman was shot and killed by his wife, who then took her own life. This tragic event left a void in the show's cast and its fans' hearts. The premiere of the fifth season paid tribute to Hartman by writing his character's exit as a heart attack off-screen.
Barry Frost
In Rizzoli & Isles (2010-16), a popular TNT crime drama, Angie Harmon plays Boston detective Jane Rizzoli, a skilled investigator with a strong sense of justice. For the first four seasons, her partner was Barry Frost, a tech-savvy detective portrayed by Lee Thompson Young. In August 2013, while filming the fourth season, Young tragically passed away at the age of 29, having died by suicide. His unexpected death shocked fans and the show's cast. Barry Frost's final on-screen appearance is in the second-to-last episode of the fourth season, and the storyline explains his absence in the fifth season premiere by revealing that his character died in a car accident.
Edna Krabappel
The Simpsons (1989-present) has a diverse ensemble of quirky recurring characters, and one of the most memorable is Edna Krabappel, the sarcastic elementary school teacher. Voiced by Marcia Wallace for 14 years, the role earned her an Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance. Tragically, Wallace passed away in 2013 from pneumonia-related complications. Although the show never explicitly confirmed Krabappel's death, subtle clues suggest that she is no longer with us. Bart's chalkboard message after Wallace's passing and various references to her from other characters indicate that Edna didn't just retire.
Adam West
For years, the wacky antics of Quahog's Mayor Adam West were a hilarious highlight of Family Guy. The fact that the former Batman himself, Adam West, lent his voice to this delightfully odd character made it even more fun. Sadly, in 2017, we lost Adam West to leukemia. Family Guy wasn't the same without its eccentric mayor, but Quahog life marched on. To honor West's memory, the town even renamed their high school after him.
Livia Soprano
Livia Soprano, a key character in the iconic TV series The Sopranos (1999-2007), died in her sleep, following the real-life passing of the actress Nancy Marchand, who played her. Marchand had been battling lung cancer, which ultimately took her life.
Dr. Virgil Swann
Dr. Virgil Swann, a character in the hit TV series Smallville, played a crucial role in the show's storyline during its early seasons. Portrayed by Christopher Reeve, he was an iconic figure. Unfortunately, following Christopher Reeve's untimely passing due to heart failure, the character of Dr. Swann also exited the show in its fourth season
Owen Granger
Miguel Ferrer played Owen Granger, a character who initially appeared in a recurring role on NCIS: Los Angeles (2009-) but eventually became a series regular. While still working on the show, Ferrer received a diagnosis of throat cancer. To align with his real-life health issues, the writers decided to give Granger a similar story arc. In the series, Granger, dealing with a cancer diagnosis, decided to leave the hospital where he was receiving treatment to be with his family. Sadly, Miguel Ferrer passed away at his home surrounded by his loved ones. The show's creators honored him by allowing Granger's storyline to end peacefully, with the character's passing occurring in a serene location.
Finn Hudson
Cory Monteith rose to fame for his role as Finn Hudson on the hit TV series Glee, which ran from 2009 to 2015. Playing the high school's star quarterback with a secret passion for singing, Monteith became a fan favorite. Tragically, at the age of 31, he was found dead in his hotel room. His untimely death stunned fans worldwide, causing the production of the show's fifth season to be delayed. Glee addressed Finn's passing in a poignant episode titled The Quarterback, without explicitly mentioning the cause of death. Throughout the rest of the series, the show's creators paid tribute to Finn Hudson, remembering him as one of the Glee Club's most beloved members.
Nick Yemana
Veteran actor Jack Soo brought Detective Sergeant Nick Yemana to life on the classic cop sitcom Barney Miller (1975-1982). Yemana's character was a central part of the show's ensemble cast, navigating the chaos of the 12th Precinct alongside Captain Barney Miller and his quirky detectives.
Tragically, Soo passed away from cancer during season five. In a touching tribute, the season finale acknowledged Yemana's absence. The episode addressed Soo's death in a heartfelt way.
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