R.I.P. Chico Rodriguez, Susan Ross and Dan Conner: A Brief History of 13 Shocking Sitcom Deaths

James Evans on Good Times

John Amos -- who played the father on Good Times -- envisioned the show as a precursor to what The Cosby Show eventually became: A show that shed a light on the positive aspects of an African-American family. What Good Times actually was, however, was the J.J. Walker Dy-no-mite Show, and Amos wanted out. Not only was his character shipped off to Mississippi, on the drive there he was killed in a car accident.

The Chief on Gimme a Break!

Dolph Sweet played the lovable Chief on this popular sitcom that featured Nell Carter as a housekeeper. Unfortunately, Sweet was diagnosed with cancer and passed away at the end of the fourth season. With Sweet out of the picture the was show revamped, which resulted Joey Lawrence's character taking on a bigger role. Gimme a Break! would continue for two more seasons after Sweet's death.

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Comments

  • FilmmakerMike says:

    Correct, but it wasn't inexplicable -- they both died. Night Court had TWO actresses playing bailffs die between back-to-back seasons. Selma Diamond died after Season 2 and Florence Halop died after Season 3. Both died of cancer.

  • Nick says:

    Nurse Laverne Roberts on Scrubs played by Aloma Wright. Not only was it unexpected when she got in the accident and died but she came back as another nurse who just happened to look like Nurse Roberts. The death itself was not shocking but the incident happened at the end of one of Scrubs funnier episodes.

  • magicjill says:

    "orientated"?????!!!!

  • Lindsay says:

    I instantly thought of Brendan Fraser's death on Scrubs. To this day, even though I know what's coming, I still tear up. It was one of the most heartbreaking and beautifully written episodes.

  • Bryan says:

    What about Shawn Hunters father on Boy Meets World? Died in season 4.

  • Spectre says:

    Anyone else remember David Strickland from Suddenly Susan?

  • Amanda says:

    I never got to see the Edith scene. Heartbreaking.

  • David says:

    Where is Chef on South Park?

  • Marcus Tee says:

    @MAGICJILL
    Ever look a word up?
    Orientated:
    Adjusted or located in relation to surroundings or circumstances; sometimes used in combination.
    It's a synonym for oriented.

  • Marcus Tee says:

    It means:
    Adjusted or located in relation to surroundings or circumstances; sometimes used in combination.
    It's a synonym for oriented.

  • Louise Kelly says:

    We should also remember that John Ritter's death was also acknowledge in Scrubs. He appeared twice in the show once in a full episode and also in a flashback daydream that JD, is famous for. Scrubs honoured him by centering a full episode on his characters death but also mentioning it in the following episodes.

  • Ryan says:

    You forgot Maude Flanders on the Simpsons!!!!

  • Phil Riley says:

    "The Hogan Family" and "Perfect Strangers" are not connected in any way.
    HF was on NBC and PS was on ABC. I don't know what show you were thinking of, or if you just wanted to take a shot at Balki (for irrational reasons) but you need to edit your article.

  • H says:

    THAT'S a good one - especially since I kept thinking they would inexplicably bring her back in the way they handle most big plot twists. Lisa going vegetarian and Maude's death are two very rare, consistent plot changes.

  • Tego Livi says:

    It would've been difficult to pair "Valerie" with "Perfect Strangers" since the former was on NBC and the latter was on ABC. Also, there is no such word as "orientated."

  • Ribelin2000 says:

    Plus, Valerie and Perfect Strangers were on two different nights (Sunday and Wednesday, respectively). So they couldn't possibly be "paired up".

  • Mike Ryan says:

    I didn't mean paired up on the network. The producers of Valerie also produced Perfect Strangers. Perfect Strangers was making more money for them, so, they wanted to pair them up in style. Sorry for any confusion.

  • Ashley says:

    What about Jack Arnold from The Wonder Years?

  • Melba says:

    Speaking of discipline, don't take on too much when it comes to social networking.

  • Bryan says:

    Networks have had shows made by the same people that are connected. Bionic Woman and Million Dollar Man did a crossover yet were on different networks. And more recently, even though they started on the same network, Buffy moved networks but they still ended up doing a bit of crossing over with Angel
    I'll admit though, sitcoms would have next to no reason to do this.

  • solife says:

    Don't forget James from GoodTimes. That episode still makes me cry.

  • OldTowneTavern says:

    The British use "orientated".