Surprisingly a lot of actors have pulled off this feat, often finding even better projects. Enjoy this list of even more movie stars who got out of their contracts earlier than expected.
Shemar Moore
Left: “Criminal Minds”
Reason: Wanted to Pursue Other Roles
Est. Salary Loss: $175,000 per episode
For eleven years Shamar Moore played FBI profiler and member of the Behavioral Analysis Unit Derek Morgan in “Criminal Minds,” but in 2016 he announced that he would be leaving the show in order to see what other roles he was capable of playing.
He went on to win the lead role in the TV show “S.W.A.T.” He was also in “The Young and the Restless,” and lends his voice to a number of projects as well. He reappeared in “Criminal Minds” during the twelfth and thirteenth seasons with guest spots.
Emmy Rossum
Left: “Shameless”
Reason: Unknown
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
Emmy Rossum made her final appearance on “Shameless” in the season nine finale in March 2019, after revealing months prior that she was choosing to end her time on the show.
Showrunner John Wells not only made sure to give the character a big send-off in a way that finished her storyline, but he also left her fate open-ended, giving Rossum the chance to jump in for a guest appearance, have a phone call with another character, or contribute in some other way. Rossum called the time she spent on the show “a gift.”
Jennifer Morrison
Left: “Once Upon a Time”
Reason: Wanted to Transition to Directing Roles
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
After six seasons playing Emma Swan, the main character and leading force for good in the fairy-tale inspired ABC show “Once Upon a Time,” Jennifer Morrison has stepped away from the set.
She explained that she was at a time and age when she wanted to be home more, to spend more time with family and friends, and to have a chance to do projects that she found personally rewarding. She made an appearance in the series finale in May 2018, and has spread to directing, including several episodes of the television series “Dr. Death.”
Sophia Bush
Left: “Chicago P.D.”
Reason: Unhappy With Conditions on the Set
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
Sophia Bush announced she was ending her contract early after four seasons with “Chicago P.D.” In the numerous interviews she's been in since leaving, she explained that she was unhappy with the filming conditions.
She detailed attacks that happened against her, and even when those attacks happened in rooms full of people, nobody would jump to help her. She ended up dreading going to work every day. Despite such a messy break from the show, she remains close with many members of the cast she acted with.
Nicollette Sheridan
Left: “Dynasty”
Reason: To Care for Her Sick Mother
Est. Salary Loss: $175,000 per episode
Nicollette Sheridan only appeared on the CW's reboot of “Dynasty” for a season and a half before announcing she would not be returning for season three. Even though this glamorous actress was pulling in nearly a fifth of a million dollars per episode, she made the decision to spend more time with and care for her terminally ill mother.
She played the character Alexis Colby, a dynamic and powerful character that left audiences breathless. Elizabeth Gillies, and then Elaine Hendrix, stepped up to fill the role.
Adam Levine
Left: “The Voice”
Reason: Unknown
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
While the direct reason is unknown at this time, there are plenty of possible reasons Levine chose to leave the talent-search reality TV show after sixteen seasons as a judge and coach.
He might have wanted to get back to work with his band or spend more time with his family, but the decision was made ahead of the seventeenth season. Levine was one of the original coaches to launch the show. He — and his chosen singer — won the show three times, and continued to inspire many artists to continue their craft.
Kristian Alfonso
Left: “Days of Our Lives”
Reason: Moving on to Other Things
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
After acting on the show for a mind-blowing thirty-seven years, Alfonso has finally called it quits as the character Hope Williams Brady on “Days of Our Lives.” She got her start as young Hope all the way back in 1983, and after more than three decades of the same thing, she's decided to move on.
She spoke out on Instagram about the decision, saying she feels blessed that she was able to appear on so many televisions over the years, but she wants to get to work on the next chapter of her life.
Greg Vaughan
Left: “Days of Our Lives”
Reason: Contract Disputes
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
After eight years of playing Eric Brady, Greg Vaughan announced he was finished acting in the show during an episode of the “That's Awesome! With Steve and Bradford” podcast.
Vaughan went on to explain that he was taking a break from the long-running soap opera after difficult contract talks that left uncertainty to his character. He also went on to explain that he thought his character's time on the show was coming to an end anyway, and the contract's proposed renewal made it easy to create a clean break.
Maria Bello
Left: “NCIS”
Reason: Other Projects
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
After joining the long-running crime-drama show in its fifteenth season, Maria Bello announced she will be leaving the series during the eighteenth season, as reported in “Deadline” in July of 2020.
She plays forensic psychologist Jacqueline “Jack” Sloane, and her storyline was set to wrap up with eight episodes in the 2021 season. The reason is simply that Bello is ready to move on to other work, and the long-running nature of the show makes it easy to come and go – fans of the show are used to seeing actors and actresses come and go with some regularity.
Courtney Hope
Left: “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Reason: Unknown
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
While most of the details about Hope's departure from “The Bold and the Beautiful” are unknown, it looks like it wasn't the actress's decision to do so, as related in an Instagram post she made following her departure.
She regrets the decision was so abrupt but also relates the three years she spent as Sally Spectra had been amazing. She wasn't sure what the future would hold, and thanked everyone in the cast and crew dearly, and looked forward to a time when they could all appear together again. She said that some things were out of her control, but is ready for new beginnings.
Anna Faris
Left: “Mom”
Reason: Wanted to Pursue New Opportunities
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
After leading the CBS show “Mom” for seven years alongside Allison Janey, Anna Faris decided she had done everything she could and wanted to explore other options.
She called the seven years she spent on “Mom” “Some of the most fulfilling and rewarding of my career.” She went on to thank the producers and her castmates and says that she looks forward to watching the next season from the comfort of her own home. However, she reiterated that her journey as Christy had come to an end.
Lauren Graham
Left: “Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist”
Reason: Scheduling Issues
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
Lauren Graham had to make a tough decision during 2020. She was not only in “Zoey,” but she was also contracted to appear in the Disney+ show “The Mighty Ducks,” and thanks to SOMETHING that happened during all of 2020, the scheduling for both shows was thrown mightily out of whack.
“The Mighty Ducks” was supposed to finish shooting much earlier than it did, and the producers of “Zoey” decided to remove Graham's character, Joan, from the second season, though they've said publicly the door is open for her character to return.
Michael Learned
Left: “The Waltons”
Reason: The Role Wasn't Challenging Enough
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
After playing the matriarch of the titular family in the hit show “The Waltons,” Michael Learned decided her time was up. She felt the role wasn't challenging her enough as an actress, despite winning three Emmy Awards and four Golden Globes for her performance.
In 2017 she said she regretted leaving the show, but she couldn't stand sitting around and asking if John wanted more coffee any longer. Her character disappeared from the show, but she was able to return a few times for four made-for-TV reunion movies.
Brian Dunkleman
Left: “American Idol”
Reason: Wanted to Pursue Stand-up and Acting
Est. Salary Loss: $15 million per year
The estimated salary loss you see above is based on what Brian Dunkleman's co-host, Ryan Seacrest, is making every year at the legacy reality TV show. Dunkleman was only a host for “American Idol” for a single year before leaving to try acting and comedy.
It was a bad decision on his part since “American Idol” went on to make it bigger than anybody thought possible, while Dunkleman didn't. Right now he's making less than a thousand a week, and regrets not sticking with the show, especially, according to him, when he opens his bank statements.
Dave Chappelle
Left: “Chappelle's Show”
Reason: Wanted to Spend More Time With Family and Stand-up
Est. Salary Loss: Millions
To call “Chappelle's Show” a massive success is a little bit of an understatement. It was fresh, it was funny, and it pushed the right boundaries to get people talking. However, after only two seasons Chappelle walked away, despite raking in millions per year.
He was working twenty-hour days, and he realized it was taking too much away from his family and his true love, his stand-up career. He also didn't like that anybody who saw him started yelling the show's many ribald catchphrases at him. Instead of taking a fifty-million dollar contract, he walked away.
Suzanne Somers
Left: “Three's Company”
Reason: Contract Disputes
Est. Salary Lost: $120,000 per episode
Contract disputes would be putting it lightly. Somers became a household name but was dismayed to discover that co-star John Ritter was making quite a bit more than her per episode – thirty thousand dollars more. That was even during the eighties. She not only demanded a pay raise but wanted a percentage of the profits, too.
The producers not only denied her request but reduced her screen time per episode to sixty seconds, which was filmed separately from Ritter and Joyce DeWitt. The feud that started then divided the cast and became a very public one as Somers fought the producers.
Wil Wheaton
Left: “Star Trek: The Next Generation”
Reason: To Pursue More Opportunities
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
Wil Wheaton, the worst actor on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” played Wesley Crusher, the worst character on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” and yes, we're including Tasha Yar.
He left the show in 1991 to try and pursue more acting opportunities, after years of the cast treating him poorly for being a child, and the audiences treating him poorly for being Wesley. He wasn't happy about the way he left the show, and neither were fans — they would have preferred he leave much sooner.
Chevy Chase
Left: “Saturday Night Live”
Reason: To Get Married
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
As one of the original cast members on the somehow long-running “Saturday Night Live,” Chase was also the show's original breakout star. However, it might come as a surprise to many that he was only on the show for a single season, after which he departed in order to begin married life with his second wife, Jacqueline Carlin.
Chase admits it was the wrong decision. He was infatuated with Carlin, but it was the wrong choice to leave a sure gig to marry someone he now clearly sees as the wrong person. “It was all nuts, looking back on it. But I did regret it.”
Jason Priestley
Left: “Beverly Hills, 90210”
Reason: Had Done It All
Est. Salary Loss: $100,000 per episode
The good kid of the sun-bleached hunks and babes from “Beverly Hills, 90210” decided that after nine seasons of squinting over the water, he had done everything his character, Brandon Walsh, could. He had explored every aspect of the character and could no longer play the role.
However, Jason Priestley later went on to express regret at leaving, since the show only went for one more season and he would have liked to finish it out with the rest of the cast. Specifically, he wanted to be able to have Brandon and Kelly end up together, which was where the show pointed before he departed.
Christopher Eccleston
Left: “Doctor Who”
Reason: Creative differences
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
One of the biggest advantages of “Doctor Who” is that if a main actor or actress departs, the show can just have them regenerate into a totally different look. Such was the case after Christopher Eccleston left after only one season as the famous Gallifreyan.
He had plenty of creative differences with the show's producers and was swiftly replaced with David Tennant – who would go on to get worldwide fame in the role. Eccleston admits he wanted a second chance at the character, but the direction of the show didn't go the way he wanted, and his relationship with the showrunners broke down.
Zach Braff
Left: “Scrubs”
Reason: Contract Disputes
Est. Salary Loss: $350,000
As the lovable, bumbling main character of the medical comedy “Scrubs,” Braff was just as displeased as the rest of us when the show jumped to a different network. He, like the rest of the cast, was surprised when the show was picked up for a ninth season, seeing as how the end of the eighth season had been a big sendoff and a perfect way to end a show that was at times both serious and overly goofy.
Zach returned as Doctor John Dorian, but the original main characters shuffled in and out to make room for new characters. It didn't last long.
Sandra Oh
Left: “Grey's Anatomy”
Reason: Gave Everything She Could
Est. Salary Loss: $350,000 per episode
“Grey's Anatomy” is one of the most legendary shows still, somehow, running today. It's been going for seventeen seasons, and it looks like the eighteenth is a go. Problem is, the show has been running so long the main actors and actresses, save for Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, and James Pickens Jr., have all decided to try other projects.
Sandra Oh as Dr. Christina Yang realized she had given everything she could to the show, and would just be going through the motions if she stayed on any longer. She's made a few guest appearances since her departure, but she won't return as a regular cast member.
David Duchovny
Left: “The X-Files”
Reason: Contract Disputes and to Work on His Film Career
Est. Salary Loss: $225,000 per episode
Duchovny was half of the main pair of this legendary sci-fi thriller show, but he wanted too much after the seventh season. He made brief appearances during seasons eight and nine, but he wasn't part of the main cast.
He wanted a lot more money to keep working, and he also wanted to work less. There was a lawsuit, and things got messy. He was hoping to build up a big film career, which in hindsight we can see never really happened, but he was right to try anyway. He returned for a six-episode reprise of his role with Gillian Anderson.
Claire Holt
Left: “The Originals”
Reason: She Missed Los Angeles
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
Claire Holt first appeared in “The Vampire Diaries,” but when she signed on to be part of the spin-off show “The Originals,” she only intended for it to be a short gig. The show continued through a few seasons, and then Holt broke the hearts of fans when she announced that she was leaving the show.
Her reasoning was she missed living at home in Los Angeles (for some reason), and since the show filmed in Atlanta, Georgia, she had to either live away from home or spend a lot of time traveling. She was grateful for her time on the show, but she was ready to move on.
Ashton Kutcher
Left: “That '70s Show”
Reason: Unknown
Est. Salary Loss: $250,000 per episode
The same year that Topher Grace as Eric Foreman decided to say goodbye, his fellow actor and main cast member Ashton Kutcher, who played “bad boy” Kelso, also decided to leave.
Unlike the quick, clean cut that Topher Grace wanted, however, Kutcher hung around a little bit, appearing a few times in season eight before leaving for good. Fans were, as a whole, sadder to see Kelso depart than Foreman. Kutcher has had plenty of roles but hasn't exactly made it to A-list status. At least he wasn't in “Spider-Man 3.”
Tyler Hoechlin
Left: “Teen Wolf”
Reason: Wanted to work on his film career
Est. Salary Loss: $35,000 per episode
“Teen Wolf” has seen plenty of its actors and actresses leave for one reason or another, but the biggest blow by far was when Tyler Hoechlin, who played the hunky main cast member Derek Hale.
When he announced his departure from the main cast, he also relayed to fans and media that he would be returning for smaller roles, yet he didn't appear in a single episode of season five. He would go on to appear as a guest star in season 6, but that was him working around his movie schedule.
Chad Michael Murray
Left: “One Tree Hill”
Reason: Contract Disputes and to Work on Other Things
Est. Salary Loss: $100,000 per episode
After six seasons of playing pretty-boy Lucas Scott, CMM decided to et off the tree. In preparation for the seventh season, Murray was up for a contract renewal, but it's possible the CW didn't want to pay out too much, seeing as how Sophia Bush was the biggest star of “One Tree Hill” by that point.
After the contract talk stretched on and on, Murray decided it was time to go, and gave the classic excuses that actors use when they don't think they are given enough money: contract disputes.
Dieter Laser
Left: “The Human Centipede 3”
Reason: Contract Disputes
Est. Salary Loss: None
Dieter Laser played the main villain and twisted freak who came up with the in-universe “human centipede,” which...we're not going to explain. If you don't know what it is, and really want your day ruined, look it up on your own.
Laser and the movie's director Tom Six butted heads, with both parties saying that the other broke the promises they had made. There was a lot of name-calling in both directions. Such low actions for people working on such a high-class movie. Eventually, the legal battle ended, and Laser was back on for the third installment of a movie series you only watch when nothing else could possibly disgust you.
Whoopi Goldberg
Left: “Theodore Rex”
Reason: Unknown
Est. Salary Loss: None
This is a special case, because while Goldberg had verbally agreed to star in “Theodore Rex,” she hadn't signed a contract. The makers of the straight-to-video flop threatened to sue Goldberg for breach of contract, and with twenty million as the possible punishment, Goldberg relented.
She earned seven million from the movie, which is known right now as one of the worst movies to ever come out. Goldberg might have made bank, but the movie certainly wasn't a jewel in her crown. She earned a Worst Actress nomination from the Razzies for her efforts. Thankfully, Demi Moore was there to win.
Kim Basinger
Left: “Boxing Helena”
Reason: Unknown
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
We say that we don't know why Kim Basinger backed out of appearing as the title character of this hot pile of a movie. But anyone with three brain cells to rub together would see the reason is “the movie looks like the worst project this side of 'Day After Tomorrow.'”
The movie was about a woman who has all her limbs removed and is kept in a box. Originally Madonna was going to star, but she, too, dropped out. Eventually, someone named Sherilyn Fenn appeared in the title role. The movie is really, really, really bad.
Jim Parsons
Left: The Big Bang Theory
Reason: Unknown
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
Jim Parsons decided that after 12 seasons it was time for him to say goodbye to Sheldon Cooper on "The Big Bang Theory." Even an incredible deal that would have reportedly grabbed the actor more than $50 million over two years couldn't persuade the actor to stay.
In a heartfelt and lengthy post on Instagram, Parsons thanked everyone connected with the show, as well as his fans. "I will miss each and every one of you and all of this more than I can say and more than I can begin to know at this time," he wrote. After his departure was published, CBS decided it would end "The Big Bang Theory" after 12 seasons, too.
America Ferrera
Left: Superstore
Reason: Unknown
Estimated Salary Loss: Unknown
America Ferrera announced she'd be leaving the show after its fifth season. "Superstore" has already been renewed for a sixth season.
She said in an interview, "Being part of this wonderful cast and crew gave me opportunities to grow as a person and storyteller. I'm so thankful for the support they have always placed in me, and I'm most grateful to the amazing Justin Spitzer for creating the hilarious, smart, and relevant world of 'Superstore' and allowing me to be a part of it."
Courtney Thorne-Smith
Left: Ally McBeal
Reason: Personal Struggles
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
Courtney Thorne-Smith played Georgia Smith on the iconic show "Ally McBeal" during the 90s. Thorne-Smith had the role of Georgia for just three seasons because of some sobering, personal problems. She had battled trying to maintain a certain weight for the show and this ended up taking a toll on her emotionally.
Thankfully, she recognized the severity of the problem and, for her own wellbeing, quit the show. Georgia Smith disappeared from "Ally McBeal" at the opening of season four. Happily for Thorne-Smith, she recovered from that difficult season of her life and has since gone on to appear in other shows.
Shelley Long
Left: Cheers
Reason: Contract Ended and Wanted to Pursue Other Projects
Est. Salary Loss: $450,000 per episode*
Shelley Long is probably best known for her role as Diane Chambers on the hit show, "Cheers." "Cheers" became a classic show for many households across America and, with multiple Emmy nominations and even one win, it was surprising Long wanted out.
She was ready to move on in her career but the hours were too demanding for her to pursue anything else. Long was able to slip out of her contract and was missed by devoted "Cheers" fans. But in the world of show business, it’s always good to keep your eyes on the horizon.
Alicia Goranson
Left: Roseanne
Reason: To Pursue Higher Education
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
"Roseanne" became a weeknight sitcom staple in homes across the U.S. Alicia Goranson played Becky Conner on the hit show from 1988 to 1995. Still, she took a hiatus to attend Vassar College.
It appears that Goranson was able to bend her contract, and thankfully, the producers were willing to comply. Goranson was able to return to the show with an English degree behind her as well. Today she is worth an estimated $3.5 million.
Lisa Bonet
Left: A Different World, The Cosby Show
Reason: Pregnancy and Creative Differences
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
Lisa Bonet starred as Denise Huxtable, the cool, free-spirited, second eldest daughter of the family pack. Bonet was on the show for seven seasons as both a regular and recurring cast member. She was set to star in the Cosby Show spinoff, "A Different World," but she became pregnant by the end of the first season and had to exit.
She returned for the seventh season of "The Cosby Show" but was, unfortunately, let go due to “creative differences.”
Wayne Rogers
Left: M*A*S*H
Reason: Creative differences
Est. Salary Loss: $150,000 per episode*
Another "M*A*S*H" exit was that of Wayne Rogers. Rogers played Trapper John McIntyre who was one of many comic relief roles on the series. Rogers asked to leave the show because he wasn’t getting as many appearances on screen as he expected, and he believed Alan Alda’s Hawkeye Pierce character was upstaging his role.
Interestingly enough, acting ended up becoming a sort of side gig for Rogers as his primary career was being an investment and money manager! But the real bombshell of Roger’s exit from "M*A*S*H" is that he reportedly never signed his contract...so did he actually “leave” the show?
Topher Grace
Left: That 70s Show
Reason: Wanted to Pursue Other Projects
Est. Salary Loss: $250,000 to $350,000 per episode.
Topher Grace was another actor who wanted to break out of the world of tv and onto the big screen. For seven seasons, Grace played Eric Forman on the sitcom "That 70s Show," but when Grace said he was ready to move on, the producers accommodated him. In a curious write out, Eric Forman was sent to Africa to teach English and was never seen again.
The exit of Topher Grace (and simultaneously of Ashton Kutcher) signaled the death of the show and it was over after eight seasons. Since then, Grace has made a relatively successful film career for himself.
Katherine Heigl
Left: Grey’s Anatomy
Reason: Creative Differences
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
Katherine Heigl is yet another "Grey’s Anatomy" cast member to make a premature exit. Heigl played Dr. Izzie Stevens and was on the show for six seasons when major, behind-the-scenes problems, arose. Though all may have seemed well on the outside, Heigl harbored major disapproval of the show and the writers.
With bad blood brewing between Heigl and major players behind the scenes, Izzie Stevens was dismissed with a tragic melanoma diagnosis. Sadly for Heigl, this may not have been the best move as she has struggled in her acting career after exiting the show.
Nina Dobrev
Left: The Vampire Diaries
Reason: Creative Differences
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
Nina Dobrev shocked her fans around the world when she announced she would be leaving "The Vampire Diaries." Her choice was apparently something long in the making, as she chose to leave because she was simply ready to get some rest, reclaim some of her freedom, and move on to other opportunities.
We assume a tiny factor for her leaving was how tiresome it must have been to work with Ian Somerhalder after they broke up, and having to watch him fall in love with someone else and quickly marry them.
John Travolta
Left: The Double
Reason: Creative Differences
Est. Salary Loss: $17 million
John Travolta was back near the top of his peak in 1997, and he was set to star in "The Double," with director Roman Polanski. But after signing he dropped out of the movie, which prompted a lawsuit to be aimed in his direction.
The suit demanded that Travolta “insisted screenplay rewrites without the director's knowledge.” Travolta had been set to bag $17 million for this film, but his lawyer insisted that he had hadn’t signed the contract. No more details were forthcoming.
Evan Rachel Wood
Left: 10 Things I Hate About Life
Reasons: Personal
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
The film was set to shoot at the start of 2013, but production was delayed four weeks after filming. What was the problem? She reportedly left the film back in 2013 for personal reasons, allegedly saying she couldn’t return until the end of the year.
It was revealed that a lawsuit was filed against the actress, claiming over $30 million in damages. That amount was made up of alleged lost profits, equity investments, and special damages. Evan Rachel Wood’s representatives declared the lawsuit “a bullying tactic from the broke producers,” claiming that they’d run out of money. Evan Rachel Wood denied the accusations in the lawsuit. The film remains unfinished, and it’s unclear just what happened with the lawsuit.
Mario Lanza
Left: The Student
Reason: Unknown
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
This film from 1954 was originally set to see Mario Lanza star as Prince Karl. But soon after he was cast, he quit the role, and MGM sued him accordingly for $5 million.
Yet, a settlement was reached and Lanza provided the voice for the character of Prince Karl. With Edmund Purdom replacing him, thus he had to move his lips in time to the dialogue that Lanza had prerecorded for the role.
Woody Harrelson
Left: Benny and Joon
Reason: Wanted to Pursue Other Opportunities
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
The quaint "Benny And Joon" worked well with Johnny Depp in the lead role, but the original plan had Woody Harrelson in mind as the lead role.
But Harrelson, however, left the picture, when he was subsequently offered the main role in Adrian Lyne’s "Indecent Proposal" which became a much bigger hit.
Robert Redford
Left: Blue
Reason: Unknown
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
The little production of "Blue" eventually saw Terence Stamp take the lead role. But originally Robert Redford had signed up for this role. Redford, though, dropped out of the movie with just a week left before cameras were set to roll, and Paramount Pictures duly gave its lawyers a call.
Redford was sued for breaching his contract. It’s said that because of this, he refused to work with Paramount on "Rosemary’s Baby" shortly after when director Roman Polanski offered him the role of Guy Woodhouse.
Marlon Brando
Left: The Egyptian
Reason: Bad Health
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
Early in Marlon Brando's career, he was set to take lead in the film "The Egyptian." The role eventually went to Edmund Purdom, with Brando just making it through one rehearsal. After that, as the book "Casting Might-Have-Beens" describes, 20th Century Fox received a letter from Brando’s psychiatrist, which told the studio that the star was “too sick” to appear in the film.
Fox didn’t take this well, and in turn, sued Brando for reneging on his deal. Fox won, which wasn’t surprising given this was an era where studios ruled supreme over actors as the norm. Brando had to pay $75,000 for the delay he caused to "The Egyptian," and he also had to appear in another movie for the studio, which would be "Desiree."
Mandy Patinkin
Left: Criminal Minds
Reason: Creative Differences
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
Mandy Patinkin has become a prolific actor, displaying his talents in "The Princess Bride," "True Colors," and "The Doctor," among others. When Patinkin took the role of Jason Gideon on "Criminal Minds," he eventually found the plotlines so dark and disturbing that they became psychologically taxing for the actor.
Apparently, he did not fully grasp the show’s concept when he signed and decided to leave after just two seasons. Patinkin’s career did not suffer, however, and he has since had success as Saul Berenson on "Homeland" among a slew of other projects.
Shannen Doherty
Left: Beverly Hills 90210
Reason: Difficulties on Set
Est. Salary Loss: $17,500 per episode*
Shannen Doherty has earned a reputation of being difficult to work with, having had more than one run-in with both castmates and show executives. Of the shows she has worked on, Doherty played Prue Halliwell on the supernatural show, "Charmed," a show about three witch sisters.
In keeping with her bad-girl reputation, Doherty had developed a big feud with castmate Alyssa Milano, leading to the request that Doherty is fired! Doherty got wind of the plan and she decided to leave on her own terms before she could be fired.
Denise Crosby
Left: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Reason: Creative Differences
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
Denise Crosby got her start in front of the screen on the daytime soap "Days of Our Lives." She was involved in other projects but she is probably best known for her role as Security Officer Tasha Yar on "Star Trek: The Next Generation." Though her role may have appeared to be successful in the eyes of fans, Crosby was dissatisfied and wanted her character to be of a higher caliber.
After having no luck in changing the minds of producers, Crosby immediately exited in the middle of season one, as Tasha Yar was killed by an alien.
Rob Lowe
Left: The West Wing
Reason: Contract Dispute
Est. Salary Loss: $70,000 per episode*
Some may forget that, before he became a bigger name in Hollywood, Rob Lowe starred as Sam Seaborn on "The West Wing." The character was an important one as Seaborn was the White House Director of Communications. After three seasons, however, Lowe was very dissatisfied with his character’s screen time as well as his salary.
When NBC was unwilling to address both of Lowe’s concerns, he decided it was time to go. Today, Lowe says he has no regrets about leaving "The West Wing" and why should he? Lowe has gone on to create a substantial (and well-paying) career for himself as he has starred in many films and TV series since (and is worth $60 million).
Christopher Abbott
Left: Girls
Reason: Creative Differences
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
Tall, dark, and handsome, Christopher Abbott played Charlie Dattolo, boyfriend to Marnie (played by Allison Williams) on the controversial show, "Girls." Though many fans adored "Girls" for its writing, Abbott wasn’t as enthused. As an actor, he seemed to do his best work when he was connected to his characters and the world they were living in.
Abbott shared with show creator, Lena Dunham, that he could no longer relate to his character, which only frustrated his performance. Since exiting the show, Abbott has done well for himself professionally, having starred in other shows such as "The Sinner" and "Catch-22" and films like "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" and "Black Bear."
Joe Piscopo
Left: Saturday Night Live
Reason: Wanted to Grow His Career
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
Comedian Joe Piscopo is probably best known for his hilarious Frank Sinatra impression on "Saturday Night Live." Through all the ups and downs of the show, including a new TV executive overseeing everything, Piscopo remained an "SNL" regular.
But in 1984, Piscopo had enough of the "SNL" scene and wanted to see if he could go higher in his career. He departed the show but his career nearly halted entirely after that.
David Caruso
Left: NYPD Blue
Reason: Contract dispute
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
David Caruso became one of the best-known faces on the "CSI" franchise with his signature one-liner and sunglasses. Unfortunately, he was also known to be difficult to work with as an actor. He certainly had earned his time having been on "CSI Miami" for a whopping ten seasons, but when he left the franchise and entered into the show, "NYPD Blue," Caruso had some pretty high expectations.
Rumored to have requested a 38-foot trailer as well as at least $100,000 per episode (among other things), this was totally unacceptable to producers. Reaching a stalemate, Caruso hit the road after just a handful of episodes in season two.
Anthony Edwards
Left: E.R.
Reason: Wanted to Develop His Directing Career
Est. Salary Loss: Over $350,000 per episode*
Anthony Edwards had it really good on the show "ER." He reportedly had a $35 million contract and played a starring role (that of Dr. Mark Greene). But for the character of Dr. Greene, the grass was a little greener behind the camera.
Edwards was allowed to direct an episode of the show and afterward, he expressed that he wanted to take a pause on acting to pursue directing. Producers complied and Dr. Greene sadly succumbed to cancer in season 8, leaving Edwards free to direct. Unfortunately for Edwards, he hasn’t had nearly as much success with directing as he has with acting.
Pamela Anderson
Left: Baywatch
Reason: Wanted A Break From Acting, Focusing on Her Family
Est. Salary Loss: Over $300,000 per episode*
Everyone knows that the "Baywatch" beach jog was made famous primarily by blonde bombshell, Pamela Anderson. Anderson had the role of C.J. Parker on the eye-candy-laden, action-drama series. But after five seasons and having just given birth to her first child, Anderson was ready to set her sights elsewhere.
She admitted she wasn’t looking to be a big-name star and simply wanted the freedom to explore other options. Though she hasn’t been known for much since "Baywatch," Pamela Anderson is still a household name because of the show.
Amy Carlson
Left: Blue Bloods
Reason: Wanted to Move On
Estimated Salary Loss: $200,000 per episode*
Amy Carlson announced her exit from "Blue Bloods" on her Instagram in 2018. As with many actors, Carlson was ready to try something new in her career and was all set to hang up her role as Linda Reagan, Danny Reagan’s wife.
As to be expected in the circumstances, producers had Linda killed off in a helicopter crash on the show. Fans were shocked, confused, and upset that Carlson’s death had occurred between seasons. Carlson had a nice comradery with her castmates and said that Donny Wahlberg was “generous” and “sweet about her departure.”
Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Left: Home Improvement
Reason: To Focus on Schooling
Estimated Salary Loss: $500,000 per episode*
Jonathan Taylor Thomas starred as the dimple-cheeked, Randy on "Home Improvement" and became a teenage crush for many young girls watching the show. Taylor Thomas left the hit show to focus more on his schooling and later took a total hiatus from Hollywood, much to the disappointment of loving fans.
A very grounded individual, Thomas said that he had no regrets about walking away from Hollywood. He recognized the cost of being a child actor and said that he’d been “going nonstop” since he was eight years old.
Mischa Barton
Left: The O.C.
Reason: To Pursue Other Projects
Estimated Salary Loss: $15,000-$25,000 per episode*
Many remember their childhood framed by the teenage soap opera, "The OC." Mischa Barton was a major actress as she played angst-ridden, Marissa Cooper on the show. But Barton felt that, after a few seasons, she had outgrown the series and was ready to head to movie making. So, in season three, poor Marissa Cooper left the show via a tragic car accident.
Unfortunately for Barton, her movie career has never taken off, though she will always be the face of "The OC."
Steve Carrell
Left: The Office
Reason: Didn’t Renew His Contract
Estimated Salary Loss: $175,000 per episode*
"The Office" fans were devastated when Michael Scott, played by Steve Carrell, left the series, leaving a gaping wound in the show. In fact, Carrell’s departure proved to be the death of the show completely, leading to declining ratings and an ultimate cancelation after season nine.
In season seven, Carrell had left the show under the public impression that it was so he could focus on his film career. However, it was revealed in the spring of 2020, that Carrell’s contract was up at that time and he had also requested a raise, which was denied by executives. NBC falsely believed that the show could survive without Michael Scott, but it ended up being the death blow to the series, proof that a good actor deserves his raise!
Justin Chambers
Left: Grey’s Anatomy
Reason: To Diversify His Acting Roles
Estimated Salary Loss: $125,000 per episode*
Another departure from "Grey’s Anatomy" was that of Justin Chambers, who was on the show for fifteen years. Chambers left after 16 seasons and admitted that there was “no good time” to leave.
As an actor, he felt that "Grey’s Anatomy" had “defined [his] life” for the majority of his career to date and he was ready to stretch himself as an actor, diversifying his roles. Fans were sorry to see him go, and his last appearance aired in November of 2019.
Sasha Alexander
Left: NCIS
Reason: The Work Was Too Difficult
Estimated Salary Loss: $100,000 per episode*
Though being an actor can appear to be a life of continual privilege, it comes with some hefty working hours. Sasha Alexander played Caitlin Todd on "NCIS," could not endure the heavy hours placed on her as an actress for the show and wanted out.
"NCIS" is not known for its light and fluffy plotlines and Alexander confessed that the work was physically and mentally draining for her. The common fix the producers used in this case was to write Alexander off the show. The official diplomatic reason for her character’s departure was that she was released from her contract in order to “pursue other opportunities.” But in an interview with TV Guide, Alexander said she felt she had her life back and affirmed that she had no regrets after leaving the series.
Patrick Dempsey
Left: Grey’s Anatomy
Reason: To Focus on His Family
Estimated Salary Loss: $400,000 per episode*
Patrick Dempsey revealed to People Magazine in a 2019 interview that he was looking to leave "Grey’s Anatomy." Dempsey was one of the heartthrobs on the show, but in real-life he was also a big-hearted family man and a race car enthusiast. He asked to leave because he wanted to focus on his family, as well as his auto-racing career.
Even after so much success, Dempsey told People that he actually had wanted to move on from the show earlier. Thankfully, he said that there were no hard feelings between him and show creator Shonda Rhimes, and he called the decision “amicable.” After an incredible 11 seasons, Dempsey rightly described his departure from Grey’s as merely the “end of a chapter” in his life. What a legacy.
Harrison Ford
Left: Star Wars
Reason: Worried About Typecasting
Estimated Salary Loss: $20 million*
Harrison Ford was probably one of the best things about the "Star Wars" franchise, and it broke the fan's hearts that he reportedly wanted out. How could this be? Ford said he was worried that his role as Han Solo would lead to him being “typecast” and that this would lead to him only ever being offered “tough guy, action hero” roles.
Well, that’s exactly what happened. Ford is a tremendous actor but has more often than not been cast as the tough guy, action hero. He also took on another iconic role when he entered the "Indiana Jones" franchise. Though Ford has, in fact, been typecast, he has gone on to star in many remarkable films including "The Fugitive," "Blade Runner," "Patriot Games" and so many more.
Connie Britton
Left: Nashville
Reason: Personal Differences, Wanted to Move On
Estimated Salary Loss: $100,000 per episode*
When shows switch networks, the move can sometimes come with changes that greatly affect the stars. After the show "Nashville" was moved from ABC, a major network, to CMT, Connie Britton left shortly after due to “creative differences.” Britton played one of the main characters, Rayna Jaymes, but wanted to move on.
Britton cited creative differences with her character, the plot’s direction, and the show switching networks for her reasons for leaving. She said she loved the show itself but that couldn’t keep her as part of the cast. The show premiered with amazing reviews and decent ratings, but "Nashville" was canceled after six seasons.
Raymond Cruz
Left: Breaking Bad
Reason: The Show Was Too Draining
Estimated Salary Loss: $100,000 per episode*
"Breaking Bad" fans love the show for its edgy, gritty storyline but it is certainly not a “feel good” series. Tuco Salamanca was a wild, psychotic character that was brought to life by Raymond Cruz. Cruz put so much of himself into the role that he actually asked to be written off. Why? He admitted that the twelve-to-fourteen-hour days on set were “physically, emotionally, and mentally” exhausting.
Apparently, Cruz really could not wait to finish his time on "Breaking Bad" as he said he was “happy” when Tuco was killed off. Cruz confessed that he struggled with the brutality of Tuco’s character but he ended up reprising the role for the "Breaking Bad" spinoff, Better Call Saul.
Josh Charles
Left: The Good Wife
Reason: Wanted to Get Married
Estimated Salary Loss: $100,000 per episode*
Josh Charles played Will Gardner on "The Good Wife" and, quite ironically, was looking at having a wife himself. Near the time when Charles’ contract expired with the show and he had to make a decision for his career, he also proposed to his now-wife, Sophie Flack.
He decided not to return to "The Good Wife," and his character, Will Gardner, was written off. So in a major plot twist, Gardner was killed off, surprising fans. Clearly, fans were very sad to see this beloved character go but it was certainly for a good reason!
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
Left: Lost
Reason: Family Issues
Estimated Salary Loss: $30,000 per episode*
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje played Eko on Lost. Akinnuoye-Agbaje had signed to be on the show for four seasons but he quickly changed his mind after just one season. He requested to be let off the island after his parents tragically passed away and he wanted to move back to his native London. The producers, of course, agreed.
Akinnuoye-Agbaje was later offered a guest role on the show’s finale, but he turned it down, perhaps from the memories of losing his parents during his time on the show. The actor was hardly “lost” after the series though, and has had no shortage of roles. He went on to star in "Suicide Squad" and "Thor: The Dark World" just to name a few.
Andrew Lincoln
Left: The Walking Dead
Reason: To Spend More Time with His Family
Estimated Salary Loss: $1 million per episode*
Andrew Lincoln played Rick Grimes on "The Walking Dead". Surprisingly, he is actually British and a big family man. When he has time away from the show, he is in England with his loved ones. Also, a dedicated performer, when he was filming "The Walking Dead," he was apart from his family for about half a year, as he had to return to Georgia to film.
A man of priorities, Lincoln decided that he didn’t like being away from his wife and kids so much, so he asked to be written off the show. Lincoln left in season nine. He later announced that he would reprise the role of Rick Grimes for three TV movies.
Christopher Meloni
Left: Law & Order: SVU
Reason: Contract Negotiations
Estimated Salary Loss: $400,000 per episode*
Christopher Meloni’s Elliott Stabler disappeared off of "Law & Order: SVU" when his character was written out with a sudden and grisly demise. Where did such a plot twist come from? It all came down to simple contract negotiations that failed to conclude.
Meloni was discontent with his salary and began negotiating for higher pay at the beginning of season twelve. The network, however, wouldn’t budge for Meloni’s request, so Meloni’s character was canned. But in a real-life plot twist, it was announced that Elliot Stabler was going to make a comeback on SVU. How this will work with his premature death on the show will be interesting to see!
Emily Bett Rickards
Left: Arrow
Reason: She Wanted to Move On
Estimated Salary Loss: $40,000 per episode*
Emily Bett Rickards approached the producers of "Arrow" to say she desired to leave the show, but the producers chose to wait until her contract expired before giving her an ending.
Rickards was reflective about playing the character of Felicity Smoak on the CW show, recognizing it had been a sizable portion of her career to date. Rickards even confessed that she felt bad about leaving, as people had “fallen in love” with the character, making it difficult to “say goodbye”. Despite being a bit sentimental about the role, Rickards was content to leave after seven seasons.
John Francis Daley
Left: Bones
Reason: New Project
Estimated Salary Loss: $30,000-$40,000 per episode*
John Francis Daley was on the crime-drama show, "Bones," for seven years. Daley played the role of Lance Sweets and, in season ten, his character was expecting a baby with his girlfriend, Daisy, when he was killed off of the show.
Within the plotline, the reason for the sudden death of Sweets was because he had become too involved in the FBI conspiracy, but in real life, Daley was ready to leave. He was preparing to take a leap in his own career and transition into directing and writing. Today, Daley is a successful comedy writer (he wrote "Horrible Bosses," "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone," and more).
Ruby Rose
Left: Batwoman
Reason: Long Work Hours
Estimated Salary Loss: $150,000 per episode*
When the CW Network launched the "Batwoman" series, it was shocking to learn that the lead actress, Ruby Rose, announced that she would be leaving after just one season.
Rose became a household name from her role in the edgy, Netflix series "Orange Is the New Black." Because Rose was accustomed to being a supporting role and wasn’t used to the long, grueling hours that came with a starring role, she wanted out. Although there was some friction on set, Rose was able to be released from her contract and the Batwoman role was recast with Javicia Leslie. Kudos to Rose for doing what was best for her!
Dominic Monaghan
Left: Lost
Reason: Long work hours
Estimated Salary Loss: $30,000 per episode*
Lost was one of the most gripping drama-thrillers on television that quickly garnered fans. Dominic Monaghan played Charlie on the show, but his role was short-lived when he was dismissed after just thirteen episodes. Monaghan didn’t like the pressure and, rather than push himself to perform, he decided to leave. Disney financiers and ABC execs agreed to allow Monaghan to leave early after season three.
The writers then worked an untimely death into the show’s plot for Charlie. Though Monaghan didn’t want to continue on the show, he still made quite an impact. The series director said that he cried over the loss of Monaghan’s character. Lindelof admitted he was surprised at the show’s success, crediting the loyalty of fans, which kept the ratings high.
Leonard Nimoy
Left: Star Trek
Reason: He Lost Interest, to Pursue Other Projects
Estimated Salary Loss: $2.5 million per franchise movie*
It was unthinkable that "Star Trek" icon and veteran, Leonard Nimoy, would ever prematurely exit the franchise. Why would he leave? He was simply restless as an actor and ready to try new things.
Nimoy kept his departure plans to himself at first and none but Harve Bennett and Nicholas Meyer, the director, knew of Nimoy’s decision. But like a seasoned, showbiz professional, Nimoy personally finished out his character’s story arc as Dr. Spock and even directed his own death scene in "Wrath of Khan."
Sigourney Weaver
Left: The Aliens Franchise
Reason: To Pursue Other Acting Ventures
Estimated Salary Loss: $1 million per movie*
When Sigourney Weaver left the "Alien" franchise, it was hard to believe she wouldn’t be back. A multifaceted actress, Weaver continued to diversify her resume in the unique roles she chose. Shockingly, in the first Alien film, Fox paid her only $35,000 for what would quickly become a franchise-defining performance.
Thankfully, the director of the second "Alien" film, James Cameron, demanded that she be paid more for the sequel. Cameron was able to negotiate her to a $1 million salary as well as a share of the profits. Weaver later confessed that she had at first agreed to the low pay in the original movie because she believed it was just a “small” film. She certainly must have never expected to become the face of the franchise many years later!
Mclean Stevenson
Left: M*A*S*H
Reason: Demanded a Starring Role
Estimated Salary Loss: $100,000 per episode*
Colonel Henry Blake (played by Stevenson) was an icon of the Viacom-owned, CBS ensemble, "M*A*S*H." Later, however, the actor told "M*A*S*H" writer Ken Levine that he was unsatisfied with his character on the show and was hoping to achieve leading man status elsewhere.
Mclean was written out of the show in season three’s finale. While Stevenson would go on to appear in memorable sitcoms and even got his own show ("The Mclean Stevenson Show"), he never seemed to obtain the caliber of career he was hoping for.
T. R. Knight
Left: Grey’s Anatomy
Reason: Creative Differences
Est. Salary Loss: $350,000 per episode*
"Grey’s Anatomy" fans present another level of passionate devotion and investment in the plot of a show. T.R. Knight’s character (Dr. O’Malley) died a heroic but sudden death. But Knight’s desire to leave the show so soon was to avoid a worse outcome. After working for five seasons, Knight was informed that he wouldn’t return for season six.
Apparently, this was the final blow for Knight as there was a list of things that made him eager to cut ties with the series, including creative differences with show creator, Shonda Rhimes. After contract negotiations between Knight and ABC, it was decided his character would be killed off “unexpectedly”.
Dan Stevens
Left: Downton Abbey
Reason: To Pursue Other Opportunities
Estimated Salary Loss: $50,000-$100,000 per episode*
The shocking death of Dan Stevens’ beloved character, Matthew Crawley, will forever be one of the most tragic plotlines in Downton Abbey’s history. Fans never saw the departure coming and, quite frankly, still aren’t over it.
Producers of "Downton Abbey" said that Crawley’s sudden car accident was the only exit that would do justice to the character. Fans may have felt even more betrayed when Stevens revealed that he asked for the write-off. He didn’t want to sign a new contract and desired the freedom to pursue other projects. Though Stevens has since moved on to many projects, he will always be “Matthew” to many.
Dean Norris
Left: Breaking Bad
Reason: New Project
Est. Salary Loss: $150,000 per episode*
"Breaking Bad" fans may not have known that the departure of Norris’s character, DEA agent Hank Schrader, from the show was actually his personal request. Norris had his eyes on another project and, instead of having to pass it up, he wanted to be written off of the show.
Somehow he managed to get the show’s producers on his side and he was able to star in "Under the Dome", a Stephen King project. He did later slip back into the shoes of Hank Schrader in "Better Call Saul."