Unlike the saying, these celebs shouldn't have quit while they were ahead. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be looking at notable times where celebrities struggled to regain the same level of success after leaving their most iconic tv show.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00At the height of your career, what happened?
00:05I think I just started partying too hard. I started having way too much fun.
00:08Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we'll be looking at notable times where celebrities struggled to regain the same level of success after leaving their most iconic TV show.
00:16I don't dwell on what my life could be, because if I do, it's too much.
00:21Number 10. Anthony Edwards. ER.
00:24You two settle your problems?
00:25Yeah, yeah. Everything's okay.
00:27Hate to lose you in the ER, you know.
00:30Lie back.
00:31Anthony Edwards starred as Mark Green, the chief resident and later attending physician on ER.
00:36Fans were devastated when Green passed away after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.
00:40This tragic plot twist occurred because actor Anthony Edwards requested to leave the series to spend more time with his family and pursue directing.
00:47Following his exit, Edwards starred in a few forgettable films, including 2009's Motherhood, which became the biggest box office flop in the UK.
00:54Do you think this is the best use of your creative energy?
00:58Despite appearances in shows like Designated Survivor and Inventing Anna, Edwards' legacy remains firmly linked to the iconic role he left behind.
01:05His post-ER career trajectory parallels that of co-star Sherry Springfield, who quit the show twice and essentially faded from the spotlight.
01:12Hi, I'm looking for Dr. Green.
01:14Fill us out. Take a seat over there.
01:16No, I'm not a patient. We're having lunch.
01:18Number 9. Denise Crosby. Star Trek The Next Generation.
01:21In 1987, Denise Crosby took on her first leading TV role as the tough-as-nails Tasha Yar on Star Trek The Next Generation.
01:28Tasha, no.
01:29I must, because I grew up in a world that allowed things like this court.
01:34And it was people like these that saved me from it.
01:38This so-called court should get down on its knees to what Starfleet is.
01:44This six-year contract essentially guaranteed Crosby a stable position in one of the most beloved franchises ever.
01:50However, she soon became disillusioned as her character was relegated to the background.
01:54Frustrated, Crosby requested to be released from her contract, leading to her character's death in one of the final episodes of the first season.
02:00No goodbyes. Just good memories.
02:07Healing frequency's closed, sir.
02:09Crosby's career faltered afterwards.
02:11She never landed another starring role and made mostly brief, sometimes uncredited appearances in films and TV shows.
02:17She eventually found her way back to the Star Trek universe and narrated the fan-focused documentary Trekkies, as well as its sequel.
02:23In 1987, I auditioned for a show called Star Trek The Next Generation.
02:27Now, I must admit that I went to this audition with some hesitation.
02:31No. 8, T.R. Knight, Grey's Anatomy.
02:34Dr. Bailey, I need to tell you something.
02:36Oh, not now, Mel.
02:37No, it'll be quick, because I've got to get to the OR to scrub in with the chief.
02:40Now, I think you're going to be mad at first, but I'm about to do something important.
02:44Ever since it premiered sometime during the Middle Ages, Grey's Anatomy has seen the deaths of several main characters, but fewer were as heart-wrenching as George O'Malley's.
02:52The beloved character died after heroically saving a woman from being hit by a bus, a shocking turn that was born out of actor T.R. Knight's decision to leave the show.
02:59This stemmed from the infamous controversy involving co-star Isaiah Washington and Knight's dissatisfaction with O'Malley's storylines.
03:06Leaving such a lucrative position certainly wasn't easy, but the actor believes it was the right choice.
03:10O'Malley.
03:11Shepard.
03:12You're not going anywhere, you understand me?
03:13BP's dropping.
03:14All right, let's put him out.
03:15However, despite noteworthy appearances in shows like The Good Wife and The Flight Attendant, he's yet to star in anything as memorable as his role on Grey's Anatomy.
03:22What happened? I thought you were headed home.
03:24I decided to stay in town a little longer to support my sister. She's having a big day today, so...
03:28I can't believe it's been a month already.
03:29Number seven, Charisma Carpenter, Angel.
03:32Behold the weirdness.
03:34You're probably wondering what I'm doing with this stuff, huh?
03:37Wow, I'm nuts.
03:39The role of Cordelia Chase first appeared in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, with actress Charisma Carpenter playing the part for three seasons.
03:45Cordelia's character was then expanded significantly in the spinoff series Angel, where she became a fan favorite.
03:50However, all of that progress was undone in the fourth season, with a controversial storyline that turned her into a villain and culminated in her death.
03:57And you're welcome.
03:59Hello? Yes, I know she's... That's impossible.
04:04Since her exit from the series, Carpenter picked up parts in multiple television films and made guest appearances in other TV shows, but none were particularly notable.
04:11The one time she managed to land a main role in a series with ABC Family's The Lying Game, it was canceled after just two seasons.
04:17Princess Kristen. So high and mighty.
04:22So, what do you think of Newport?
04:24I think I can get in less trouble where I'm from.
04:27After years working as a child actor, Misha Barton rose to fame as Marissa Cooper on the FOX teen drama The O.C.
04:33While critics disliked Marissa, she was adored by fans, leading Entertainment Weekly to name Barton as one of the best-selling actresses of all time.
04:39She was even nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards.
04:43For a while, Barton seemed poised to become an A-list Hollywood actress, but things unfortunately didn't pan out that way.
04:49Rather than major blockbusters, Barton found herself in a string of indie films.
04:53One of the most notable of these films was The Lying Game.
04:56It was the first film in the series to be nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards.
05:01It was also the first film in the series to be nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards.
05:07But things unfortunately didn't pan out that way.
05:09Rather than major blockbusters, Barton found herself in a string of indie films.
05:13Some of which brought her critical praise, but very minimal, if any, mainstream success.
05:17I know you're trying hard to hold it all together.
05:21Just don't do anything irrational.
05:26Yeah, the orders just came through this morning.
05:28I ought to be coming through the front door in about three days.
05:31When McClane Stevenson initially auditioned for M.A.S.H., he had his eye on the lead role of Hawkeye Pierce.
05:36However, he was eventually convinced to take on Henry Blake instead.
05:39During his three-season run, Stevenson grew dissatisfied with his supporting role and requested to leave the show.
05:44Subsequently, his career took an immediate nosedive.
05:47He tried starring in a self-titled show, which failed and was quickly shelved.
05:51I'm proud of how you handled this whole thing.
05:54Well, you know, sometimes you have to temper justice with mercy.
05:58He then pursued various sitcoms, hoping to replicate his M.A.S.H. success, but none lasted more than two seasons.
06:03Stevenson's post-M.A.S.H. decline was so drastic that he was frequently ridiculed in the industry.
06:08He tragically passed away in 1996, deeply regretting his decision to leave the show.
06:12Well, so long, everybody. So long, and good luck.
06:20Hey, Stevie, what the hell are we beating around the bush for?
06:22This is 1982. Let's get right to the point, huh?
06:25Here, take it from the tops. Swing it, Stevie, with a bounce, baby.
06:28Joe Piscopo joined Saturday Night Live in 1980, a particularly challenging year for the show.
06:33Nevertheless, he made such a strong impression that when most of the cast was replaced in 1981, only he and Eddie Murphy were retained.
06:39Three years later, Piscopo followed Murphy's lead and exited the show to pursue a film career.
06:44Although Murphy achieved even greater fame in movies, Piscopo's transition to the big screen was largely unsuccessful.
06:49I always wondered what happened to you.
06:51Well, I fulfilled a lot of people's predictions about me. I've become a real scumbag.
06:56He then turned to bodybuilding, but while his muscles grew considerably bigger, his acting career only continued to shrink.
07:01By the 90s, Piscopo had faded from the public eye.
07:04He resurfaced in 2017 after considering a run for governor of New Jersey, though he ultimately chose not to run.
07:09And I'm licking my wounds today. And I told you last time I saw you off-camera, I said,
07:13don't get disappointed because I heard Inklings out.
07:16Number three, Brian Dunkelman, American Idol.
07:19As promised, last night's show was something special.
07:22Now, if anyone missed it, don't worry, because Justin and Kelly are going to perform again.
07:26You might not remember, but the first season of American Idol actually had two hosts.
07:30Alongside Ryan Seacrest, who has hosted nearly every season since, there was also Brian Dunkelman.
07:35Before the show became a ratings juggernaut, Dunkelman quit to pursue a career as an actor and stand-up comedian,
07:40and also because he disliked how the young contestants were treated.
07:43Emotionally, it was really difficult for me. Probably more so for me and Paul.
07:47Probably more so for me and Paula because we've been those kids, you know.
07:52We've been in that situation. We know how hard it is.
07:56Many saw this decision as a huge mistake.
07:58Dunkelman later appeared in multiple pilots that were never picked up,
08:01and had guest roles in other TV shows, but none made any significant impact.
08:05He now acknowledges that leaving American Idol was a mistake,
08:07but has made peace with it after learning that producers plan to fire him anyway.
08:11Did I quit before they could fire me? That's possible.
08:15My question is, I guess, what were they waiting for?
08:20I'm starting to get scared.
08:21Oh, no.
08:22Something always seems to screw us up.
08:24Usually it's you.
08:27Sometimes it's me.
08:28It takes a lot of guts to quit one of the most popular TV shows at its peak,
08:32but that's exactly what Shelley Long did.
08:34The Indiana-born actress struck gold when she was cast as Diane Chambers on Cheers,
08:38which eventually earned her an Emmy and two Golden Globes.
08:41However, Chambers stunned everyone when she decided to leave the show after the fifth season,
08:45in part to spend more time with her family, but also to pursue a film career.
08:48You gotta take your shot.
08:59We've always gone with our feelings.
09:01But aside from the moderate box office hit Outrageous Fortune,
09:04Long struggled to find success on the big screen.
09:06It is indeed telling that her biggest project since, with no connection to Cheers,
09:10was another TV show, the ABC sitcom Modern Family.
09:13Of course, I've moved on.
09:15I was supposed to come with a date, but he just hurt his back,
09:19which is very ironic because he's young and healthy.
09:23Before we continue, be sure to subscribe to our channel
09:26and ring the bell to get notified about our latest videos.
09:29You have the option to be notified for occasional videos or all of them.
09:33If you're on your phone, make sure you go into your settings and switch on notifications.
09:401. Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men
09:51Charlie Sheen became the highest-paid actor on TV
09:54for his role as the philandering Charlie Harper on the CBS sitcom Two and a Half Men.
09:58It was the role of a lifetime that many actors would have coveted.
10:01However, Sheen flushed it all down the drain
10:03when he publicly insulted creator Chuck Lorre in a radio interview,
10:06ultimately resulting in his contract being terminated.
10:09He also fired the actor on Monday, and now Sheen says he's ready to launch a big-time lawsuit.
10:14Despite this setback, Sheen quickly found work again,
10:17returning to TV just one year later with the FX sitcom Anger Management.
10:20However, this new show was a far cry from the heights he attained with Two and a Half Men.
10:24While he hasn't regained that level of success,
10:26at least Sheen appears to have reconciled with Lorre.
10:28I'm here with Comedy King Chuck Lorre,
10:30who has a brand new show called Boogie with an old friend, Charlie Sheen.
10:34Which of these TV stars would you like to see get a resurgence?
10:37Let us know in the comments below.
10:38I always said they treated me poorly, but the show's great, remember?
10:42Did you enjoy this video?
10:44Check out these other clips from WatchMojo
10:46and be sure to subscribe and ring the bell to be notified about our latest videos.