# Actors Who Left Successful Series **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 11, 2009, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-left-successful-series/517138 "2009-11-11T02:28:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-left-successful-series/517138/81 "2009-11-12T07:38:10Z")
> [@jali](#): > > Bill Cosby left The Electric Company after a season or two. > > He did pretty well. 😉 Another actor left that show to go on to play a bunch of bit parts. Freeman somethingorother? Generally soft spoken. Avuncular. May be seen with a crowbar. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-left-successful-series/517138/82 "2009-11-12T10:20:04Z")
Jorja Fox and Emily Procter both left **The West Wing** for **CSI** shows. I thought those were huge steps down, but ratings have proven me wrong, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Skara\_Brae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Skara\_Brae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skara_Brae)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-left-successful-series/517138/83 "2009-11-12T12:21:32Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > What show would that be? The only one I recognize on her list is Dawson’s Creek which was already popular. > > Wow, Navy NCIS was more popular than I thought. Yes, NCIS is an unusual show in that it became more popular the longer it went on. It premired at #1 this year, in its 7th season. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-left-successful-series/517138/84 "2009-11-12T14:07:11Z")
In order of appearance, George Clooney left _Facts of Life, Roseanne, AND ER_. He has to be the Most Successful Actor Who Left The Most Most Successful Shows. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-left-successful-series/517138/85 "2009-11-12T15:04:45Z")
[quote=“bleach, post:64, topic:517138”] [li]Lisa Nicole Carson, Ally’s roommate, was allegedly fired (she was also fired from ER). Doesn’t look like she’s done much in show business since then.][/li][/QUOTE] FYI: Lisa Nicole Carson was diagnosed with schizophrenia and has retired from performing. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-left-successful-series/517138/86 "2009-11-12T15:39:58Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > I might be dreaming, but I seem to remember Patrick Duffy leaving **Dallas**. And then reappearing. I see what you did there. ---
**Author:** ![jali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecae2f/32.png) [@jali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jali)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-left-successful-series/517138/87 "2009-11-12T16:40:47Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > Another actor left that show to go on to play a bunch of bit parts. Freeman somethingorother? Generally soft spoken. Avuncular. May be seen with a crowbar. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-left-successful-series/517138/88 "2009-11-12T23:59:50Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > Similarly, on Deep Space Nine, Terry Farrell left at the end of Season 6 (of 7!) but went on to do Becker which IIRC was fairly successful. She also left Becker early. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-left-successful-series/517138/89 "2009-11-13T03:05:24Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > ??? > **M_A_S_H_** didn’t start until well after 1965, and I don’t think anyone knew or cared about Wayne Rogers then. > > Did you mistype twice, and mean 1974-75? > > Otherwise your post baffles me. > [@dropzone](#): > > That’s cuz Wayne Rogers quit MASH because it was taking time away from making loads of money in business. (remembering an article from 5th grade (1964-65) so I’ve no idea if it’s true) It’s like the guy who, in his spare time, invented the artificial ruby. After a while he gave notice at his day job, saying it was no longer covering his income tax. A period indicates the end of a thought. Wayne Rogers made a lot of money on his investments and it got that, especially since his role on MASH was reduced because of a contract dispute, showing up at the studio was cutting into his investing time. Period, AKA: Full Stop, followed by a parenthetical phrase as I recall an article I read in fifth grade, which is followed by the recollection. ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-left-successful-series/517138/90 "2009-11-13T11:54:47Z")
Mandy Patinkin left **Chicago Hope** because of family issues. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-left-successful-series/517138/91 "2009-11-13T14:10:39Z")
> [@Icerigger](#): > > Mandy Patinkin left **Chicago Hope** because of family issues. Mandy Patinkin left **Criminal Minds** by walking off the set and never coming back. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-left-successful-series/517138/92 "2009-11-13T14:18:53Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Mandy Patinkin left **Criminal Minds** by walking off the set and never coming back. I loved the story I read later. Apparently he offered to come back and shoot an episode to explain his character’s disappearance and the rest of the cast said no, they refused to be in a room with him let alone a scene. It surprised me because he always seemed such an affable guy in interviews but apparently most people he worked with hated him with great passion. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-left-successful-series/517138/93 "2009-11-13T14:21:49Z")
Believe you me, if I were a actor working on a series and the lead just walked out, I wouldn’t work with him either. Notice that Patinkin, for all his great stage talent, hasn’t been offered a Broadway role since his hissy fit. Broadway doesn’t have time for such nonsense. ---
**Author:** ![bleach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bleach/32/3106_2.png) [@bleach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bleach)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-left-successful-series/517138/94 "2009-11-13T22:59:08Z")
> [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](#): > > FYI: Lisa Nicole Carson was diagnosed with schizophrenia and has retired from performing. Thanks **SMC** , I didn’t know that. I hope that she’s receiving treatment and doing well. To add to the thread, Shannon Doherty left Beverly Hills 90210 and Charmed. She came back for the new 90210 spin-off series as Brenda Walsh, her original 90210 character. Likewise, Daphne Zuniga left Melrose Place before its complete run but reprised her role in the new Melrose Place for one episode. ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-left-successful-series/517138/95 "2009-11-13T23:43:40Z")
Speaking of Shannon Doherty she left **Charmed** as well. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2009, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-left-successful-series/517138/96 "2009-11-14T00:07:29Z")
> [@Icerigger](#): > > Speaking of Shannon Doherty she left **Charmed** as well. Wasn’t she fired (as she was from 90210)? ---
**Author:** ![cmosdes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cmosdes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmosdes)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2009, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-left-successful-series/517138/97 "2009-11-14T00:10:03Z")
John Tesh wasn’t an actor, but he was on a successful show and left it (Entertainment Tonight?). In flipping through radio stations I hear his show every now and again so I assume he is enjoying some success. I think he is also an accomplished musician. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2009, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-left-successful-series/517138/98 "2009-11-14T00:26:03Z")
Victoria Principal **Dallas** ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2009, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-left-successful-series/517138/99 "2009-11-14T05:48:28Z")
> [@cmosdes](#): > > John Tesh wasn’t an actor, but he was on a successful show and left it (Entertainment Tonight?). In flipping through radio stations I hear his show every now and again so I assume he is enjoying some success. I think he is also an accomplished musician. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. (waking up to make a snarky comment) He gets the sharps and flats right, so I suppose that makes him “accomplished.” ETA: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz… ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2009, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-left-successful-series/517138/100 "2009-11-14T06:25:29Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > A period indicates the end of a thought. Wayne Rogers made a lot of money on his investments and it got that, especially since his role on MASH was reduced because of a contract dispute, showing up at the studio was cutting into his investing time. Period, AKA: Full Stop, followed by a parenthetical phrase as I recall an article I read in fifth grade, which is followed by the recollection. So, what did the article you read in '64 have to do with MASH? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-left-successful-series/517138.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-left-successful-series/517138.md?page=6)