As a huge fan of animated shows and their iconic characters, I can’t help but feel deeply moved by the story behind Aku from “Samurai Jack.” Mako, the brilliant Japanese character actor who brought this menacing role to life, left an indelible mark on the series that was impossible to replace. When Genndy Tartakovsky decided to revive “Samurai Jack” after a long hiatus, he was faced with a difficult decision: recast Aku or leave it empty.
The following article includes frank discussion of mental illness, addiction, and suicide.
As a dedicated gamer immersed in the intricate world of my favorite TV shows, I’ve noticed an intriguing trend: Characters come and go more frequently than ever before, even on the most prominent series. When an actor decides it’s time to move on, their character may be written out or, in some cases, tragically killed off. Yet, when a show values its iconic characters too much to let them go, they opt for recasting.
Unfortunately, unexpected TV role changes have at times resulted from unfortunate tragedies. Actors, due to illness, death, or personal hardships, have regrettably been unable to continue in their key roles. Consequently, replacements had to step in. Some of these recasts may be familiar to you, while others might have gone unnoticed — the reasons behind some of these changes were kept confidential for extended periods.
Zapp Brannigan on Futurama
Zapp Brannigan, portrayed by Billy West, isn’t a constant presence in “Futurama,” but he is undeniably one of its beloved characters. This lively character, reminiscent of Captain Kirk, has been entertaining viewers since the show’s debut in 1990. However, it might surprise you to know that West wasn’t initially chosen for the role.
Initially, Phil Hartman’s role as Brannigan was designed for him in “Futurama,” as he had previously portrayed similar characters on “The Simpsons” like Troy McClure and Lionel Hutz. However, before recording the voices for the first episodes of “Futurama,” Hartman tragically died at the hands of his wife in a shocking murder-suicide incident. Following this unfortunate event, Hartman’s character Bill McNeil on the live-action sitcom “Newsradio” received an emotional farewell. At that time, “Futurama” was yet to premiere, leaving Groening to search for a replacement for Hartman in the role of Brannigan. Despite longstanding rumors suggesting that Hartman had recorded Brannigan’s voice samples prior to production, no such recordings have ever been found.
Kivas Fajo on Star Trek: The Next Generation
In the “Star Trek” universe, there have been several changes in cast members over the years, be it due to contract issues or scheduling complications. However, nearly three decades ago, the franchise encountered a heart-wrenching situation that necessitated the search for a new actor to portray a villain in a Season 3 episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”
In the 1990 episode “The Most Toys,” British actor David Rappaport was selected to portray Kivas Fajo, an unprincipled collector of cosmic relics who abducted android Commander Data (Brent Spiner) for his prized possession. Rappaport began his career on U.K. television and went on to act in films such as “Time Bandits,” as well as popular American series like “L.A. Law.” He also starred in his own show, “The Wizard,” which aired for two consecutive years during the late 1980s.
Regrettably, during filming of “The Most Toys” for “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” Rappaport had to withdraw unexpectedly after trying to end his life. Saul Rubinek replaced him as Fajo. However, three days before the episode’s premiere in 1990, we received devastating news – Rappaport had taken his own life on May 2nd. His unfinished work as Fajo was later included in the 2013 Blu-ray release of “The Next Generation.”
Sarah Braverman on Parenthood (2010)
Maura Tierney, a cast member of Phil Hartman’s “Newsradio,” gained significant recognition in the 2000s with her role on “ER.” In 2010, she joined the small-screen adaptation of “Parenthood,” originally a 1989 Steve Martin film. During the show’s pilot, Tierney portrayed Sarah Braverman, who returned to live with her parents after divorcing. The pilot episode was compelling enough for the series to be commissioned. However, when it premiered that fall, Tierney was absent, having been replaced by Lauren Graham from “Gilmore Girls.”
During that period, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Tierney had quit the series following the filming of the pilot episode due to being diagnosed with breast cancer. Given the intensive medical care she required, Tierney was unable to continue with the show and instead chose to prioritize her health. As a result, all her scenes in the pilot episode were deleted, and Graham took over the role of Sarah Braverman.
The Doctor and the Master on Doctor Who
Doctor Who, the enduring British television phenomenon, has managed to stay alive thanks to the unique concept of regeneration. In this sci-fi series, the immortal alien protagonist, who journeys through time and space as the show’s main character, is reincarnated in a new body following death. The initial regeneration of William Hartnell, the first Doctor, was due to his deteriorating health. However, the departure of Jon Pertwee, who portrayed the Third Doctor, was particularly emotional.
Back then, some might have thought that I, Jon Pertwee, decided to leave Doctor Who because I wanted a fresh start, following in the footsteps of Patrick Troughton, my predecessor as the Second Doctor. However, during an interview many years later, I revealed a different story. The tragic death of Roger Delgado, who brought the Master to life, deeply affected me. This occurred in 1973 when he met his end in a road accident while filming a German-French television series called “La cloche tibétaine” in Turkey. I was devastated by the news and couldn’t imagine continuing my tenure on Doctor Who with another actor portraying the Master.
In due course, Tom Baker emerged as a legendary figure by taking over the role of the Fourth Doctor. Simultaneously, there were new actors, Peter Pratt and Geoffrey Beavers, who portrayed the Master in his subsequent two appearances. However, they were later succeeded by Anthony Ainley for the majority of the 1980s.
Laurie Forman on That ’70s Show
In sitcoms, it’s not unusual to replace a main actor due to the genre’s lighter tone making such changes more palatable for viewers. Shows like “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Roseanne,” and “My Wife and Kids” have gone through this process, as well as “That ’70s Show.” In the case of “That ’70s Show,” Lisa Robin Kelly, who portrayed Topher Grace’s on-screen sister Laurie Forman, was absent during its fourth season. She came back for a few episodes in Season 5 but was eventually replaced by Christina Moore entirely.
For a long time, Kelly kept quiet about her reason for leaving the show and her unexpected absence in Season 4. In an interview with ABC News in 2012, she finally opened up, confessing that her abrupt departure was due to a battle with substance abuse, triggered by a personal loss. She shared that she had miscarried while filming “That ’70s Show,” leading her to spiral out of control and turn to alcohol. Sadly, less than a year after this revelation, Kelly passed away in her sleep, shortly after seeking help at a rehab facility.
Ernie, Guy Smiley, and Kermit the Frog on Sesame Street
Jim Henson left an indelible mark on Hollywood, creating beloved characters for both the big and small screens. From “The Muppets” and “Fraggle Rock” to “Labyrinth” and “The Dark Crystal,” his impact was far-reaching. When Henson passed away, “Sesame Street,” which had been a daily staple since 1969, suffered greatly as he was instrumental in its creation as a writer, director, producer, puppet performer, animator, and voice actor.
As a devoted Sesame Street gamer, I’ve always been fascinated by the magical world behind the scenes of this iconic show. While Jim Henson brought most of the beloved puppet characters to life, including Big Bird and the gang, he only provided their voices for a select few. These essential characters were Ernie, my buddy next door, Burt’s ever-present friend; Guy Smiley, our trusted TV newsman; and the indispensable Kermit the Frog, who graced our screens regularly.
Darrin and Mrs. Kravitz on Bewitched
In the 1960s television show “Bewitched,” Dick York unexpectedly stepped down as Darrin Stephens in the last three seasons, being replaced by Dick Sargent. This change wasn’t due to contract issues, but rather unfortunate circumstances: York’s deteriorating health forced him to leave. Despite efforts to accommodate his chronic back pain during filming, York’s condition worsened, leading to Sargent’s introduction in Season 6 after a guest appearance on “I Dream of Jeannie.”
Darrin wasn’t the only cast member who underwent a change; starting from Season 3, the role of the pesky neighbor Mrs. Kravitz was taken over by a new actor. The reason behind this switch was tragic and heartbreaking. Originally played by Alice Pearce, she was diagnosed with cancer before filming even began. Sadly, she passed away only two years into the show’s run. Her successor, Sandra Gould, stepped in to portray Mrs. Kravitz for the remainder of the series and reprised her role in the short-lived spin-off, “Tabitha.”
Spartacus in Spartacus: Blood and Sand
Following the acclaimed reception of HBO’s “Rome,” Starz produced “Spartacus: Blood and Sand,” helmed by Steven S. DeKnight, an accomplished writer-director who later worked on Netflix’s “Daredevil” and “Pacific Rim: Uprising.” This high-budget historical series, featuring Lucy Lawless and Manu Bennett in supporting roles, was centered around the legendary Roman gladiator Spartacus, known for leading a rebellion against the Roman Empire. Initially, Andy Whitfield portrayed the lead character; however, after an impressive debut season that gained positive feedback from viewers, Whitfield had to depart due to a cancer diagnosis.
Despite introducing a prequel titled “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena” to continue the story, Whitfield unfortunately didn’t recover from his tragic demise in September 2011. Starz was left with no other option but to cast a new actor for the lead role in a proper sequel season, which turned out to be Liam McIntyre. He took on the mantle of Spartacus and led the show’s next chapter, “Spartacus: Vengeance,” in 2012. In 2023, Starz announced a comeback for the series with DeKnight returning as executive producer. However, it remains uncertain who will portray Spartacus or if the character will even appear in this new iteration.
Alexis Carrington on Dynasty (2017)
In 2017, the prime-time soap opera “Dynasty” underwent a makeover with an expanded cast that joined the series. This fresh lineup featured Elizabeth Gillies, Rafael de la Fuente, Robert Christopher Riley, Sam Adegoke, and Nicolette Sheridan. Notably, Sheridan portrayed Alexis Carrington, the former spouse of wealthy magnate Blake Carrington (Grant Show).
In Season 3, Alexis was portrayed by Elizabeth Gillies instead of Sheridan, who usually played Fallon. Sheridan had left the show, and she shared her reason for leaving through a statement. She mentioned that although the show was an significant achievement in her career, she needed to prioritize time with her terminally ill mother. Her mom, a former actress, had been diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer.
“To Hollywood.com, she expressed, ‘She’s my role model.’ I’m grateful to be in Los Angeles with her now, supporting her during this significant phase of her life.” Regarding Elizabeth Gillies, the script called for her character Alexis to undergo extensive makeup for a storyline involving plastic surgery recovery. Consequently, Elaine Hendrix took over the role for Seasons 4 and beyond.
Blanche Hunt on Coronation Street
If you’ve grown up outside the U.K., you might not be familiar with “Coronation Street.” This long-running British soap opera debuted in 1960, predating shows like “Doctor Who,” and has since produced over 10,000 episodes. Though numerous characters have been replaced throughout the years, one departure left a lasting impact: Blanche Hunt (played by Maggie Jones), the matriarch of the Barlow family, who included Deirdre (Anne Kirkbride).
I once came across Blanche Hunt, a character played by Patricia Cutts in my favorite game. She made a brief appearance just twice before the actor’s untimely demise in 1974. Sadly, news reached us that Cutts was found deceased in her Chelsea, London residence. After thorough investigation, it was concluded that Cutts, who was 48 then, took her own life.
I’ve been following Blanche Hunt’s storyline on the show for decades now, and it’s been an incredible journey, thanks to Maggie Jones’ brilliant portrayal. She made over 800 appearances that left a lasting impact on me and millions of other viewers. Sadly, in 2009, when Jones was 75 years old, she passed away off-screen. Hunt’s character met her end during a vacation in Portugal due to a heart attack.
Doris Ziffel on Green Acres
During the 1960s, television was captivated by sitcoms that focused on rural American life. Shows like “The Andy Griffith Show,” “The Beverly Hillbillies,” and “Hee Haw” were hugely popular, with “Green Acres” being one of the most successful. This series followed Oliver Wendell Douglas (Eddie Albert), a city lawyer who leaves his old life behind to start anew on a farm with his wife, Lisa Douglas (Eva Gabor). Both “Green Acres” and “Petticoat Junction,” another beloved rural-themed show, existed in the same fictional world. Barbara Pepper portrayed Doris Ziffel, a character who was previously seen on “Junction” but later joined “Acres.”
After Season 3, there was a tragic turn of events when Pepper, who frequently appeared in the first three seasons (30 episodes in total), unexpectedly passed away due to coronary thrombosis at the age of 54. Following her death, Doris’ character underwent significant changes: not only was she recast with Fran Ryan taking on the role, but her presence in the show also became less frequent for its subsequent seasons.
Aku on Samurai Jack
During the 2000s, Samurai Jack stood out among cartoons for its significant cultural impact. Genndy Tartakofsky created this visually stunning series for Cartoon Network, and it depicted a young samurai prince’s journey home after years away to confront the powerful demon Aku. Phil LaMarr lent his voice to Samurai Jack, while Mako, a well-known Japanese character actor, voiced Aku, who is famously known as Akiro the Wizard in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “Conan the Barbarian.”)
“Samurai Jack” aired for four seasons between 2001 and 2004. Then, over a decade later, it was brought back for a fifth season. Sadly, Mako Iwamatsu, the original voice actor for Aku, had passed away in 2006 due to esophageal cancer at the age of 72. When reviving the show, Tartakovsky struggled with the decision of whether to recast the role or imagine a new version of Aku. He initially considered changing the voice or even using a different character. However, he eventually decided that his deep attachment to Aku made it necessary to find a replacement actor. Greg Baldwin, an experienced voiceover artist who had previously taken over Mako’s role as Uncle Iroh in “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” stepped in for the part. Tartakovsky acknowledged that no one could truly replace Mako, but he was pleased with Baldwin’s performance.
Harry on Harry and the Hendersons
For several decades, there have been numerous forgotten TV sitcoms that were based on popular movies, with “Harry and the Hendersons” being one of the early ’90s examples. Preceded by shows like “The Bad News Bears” and “Stir Crazy,” this three-season series was an adaptation of the film starring John Lithgow as a woodland ape creature that joins a suburban family. In the TV version, stuntman Kevin Peter Hall, famous for playing the title character in “Predator,” reprised his role as Harry from the movie.
Later in 1991, unfortunately, Hall passed away suddenly at the young age of 35. At first, it was reported that pneumonia led to his demise. However, the true story was heart-wrenching: After a severe car crash, Hall received a blood transfusion which unfortunately contained HIV, leading to his eventual death. Posthumously, stunt performers Dawan Scott and Patrick Pinney stepped in to portray Harry for the remainder of the show.
Julie Erskine on Phyllis
It’s intriguing to discover that several popular sitcoms have given rise to numerous successful spin-offs over the years. One early example is “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” which paved the way for “Rhoda” in 1974 and “Phyllis” a few years afterward. In “Rhoda,” Cloris Leachman made her solo debut, reprising her role as the self-centered neighbor Phyllis Lindstrom.
As a huge fan of “Phyllis,” I can tell you that the passing of my husband turned my whole life upside down. I went from being a housewife to a working mother overnight. Barbara Colby, who played my boss, Julie Erskine, was an amazing co-star. She had originally brought this character to life on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”
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2024-07-20 16:31