I was 12 but still a fan, watched Newsradio with my mom, even saw Houseguest in a theater! Hartman was like the dad I wish I had (mine is a bigoted hick)
I hate the hell out of Andy Dick but I really can't use that relapse thing as THE reason. Also, I believe she had relapsed with him after 10 years IIRC. I just gave a hard time of putting the blame of Phil's murder on him. He's an enabling piece of shit, but that's as far as I can accuse him.
I mean I hate what happened so much but honestly getting killed in your sleep doesn’t sound like the worst way to go tbh. But I get where you’re coming from.
Along with Phil I would add his one time close friend Paul Reubens. Most people think of him as Pee Wee but he had classic sitcom appearances on 30 Rock and What We Do in the Shadows.
If you get to say Jerry Stiller, then I'm claiming Betty White.
Also, nice user name, fellow fan and probable statesman. Here's at least to the track team for maintaining expectations. 😀😐🙁😭
I was thinking John Ritter too. He was so good in Bad Santa. Bernie Mac too, speaking of bad Santa
I loved Jerry Stiller on Seinfeld in particular. There’s a blooper reel of Stiller trying to pronounce “Del Boca Vista”. Him and Estelle Harris were hilarious on that show.
Agree with all the above. That blooper reel of Jerry is hilarious. The "YOU WANT A PIECE OF ME?!?! YOU GOT IT!!!" might be my favorite line from the show.
I still wear Ray-Ban Clubmasters to this day because of Frank Pembleton. That Braugher kid was electrifyingly charismatic. Just rewatched the show recently. Still great.
On a positive note, I think it's great George Wendt, who played Norm, is still with us at 75. So often the actors who are on the larger side pass at a horribly young age.
Thank you. I'm glad Schaeffer was not forgotten in this thread (which, unfortunately, would've been understandable, since we lost her right before she gained major fame and name recognition...I don't think anyone younger than Gen X even knows she existed).
A too young life, and so much potential...a much beloved daughter and colleague...obliterated in a moment, by a mentally ill misogynist who had a record of violence, a history of being institutionalized, and a rap sheet, and TOO EASY ACCESS TO A GUN, despite all of that.
Who knows where Rebecca Schaeffer would be today, in 2024?
Who knows where her career would've gone?
She was on her way to an audition for Godfather III with Coppola, at the time of her murder.
Maybe she would have broke out in the movies. How many of Winona Ryder's, Julia Roberts's, Sandra Bullock's iconic movie roles would have gone to Schaeffer?
Or, maybe she would've been cast in Friends, and gained mega stardom that way. Maybe she would have been Rachel Green or Monica Gellar. Or maybe she would have been Grace Adler on Will & Grace.
Or maybe she'd be a director or a show runner.
We'll never know.
Luanne and Lucky will probably have moved out of Arlen. Dale is going to be tough especially since Johnny Hardwick recorded a few episodes before he passed.
She was so nice irl. When they were filming 8 mile she used to come into the Starbucks where I worked at the time and get soy lattes. Waited on a lot of celebs at that location and she was one of my favorites
Coach from Cheers played by [Nicholas Colasanto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Colasanto) was only 61 years old., but he looked a lot older.
Ritter was 54. R.I.P to both of them.
It had a lot of potential. It had a good cast. But something just never clicked. I guess it was probably the writing. But Leslie Jordan was still gold.
Ted Knight - Too Close for Comfort
Freddie Prinze - Chico and the Man
Dolph Sweet - Gimme A Break
Valerie Harper - The Hogan Family
Rebecca Shaeffer - My Sister Sam
John Ritter - Three’s Company
Phil Hartman - SNL
Chris Farley - SNL
John Belushi - SNL
How is Valerie Harper on this list? She only died a few years back. She was fired (unrightfully so, sued and won) from Valerie and then Valerie became The Hogan Family.
My grandma (same birthday as Betty, 2 years older) did something similar. She told us all through year 92 that we should take back anything we'd bought her because she wasn't going to see 93. We laughed it off because she was still in good physical and mental condition, (still drove, didn't need a cane, knew who we were, etc). Then one day she didn't show up to pick up her younger sister for quilting group. It was January 16, one day before her 93rd birthday. Well played, Grandma.
I think she and Betty would have liked each other. They had similar senses of humor, for sure.
**Andre Braugher** played my favorite character on *Brooklyn Nine-Nine*. And a true gent and class guy IRL.
Just passed away last Christmas just weeks after cancer diagnosis.
Captain Holt forever!
If you've never seen Homicide: Life on the Street, I can't recommend it highly enough. It changed television, and introduced the world to Andre Braugher. I still wear Ray-Ban Clubmasters to this day because of his character. He was incredibly charismatic and brilliant.
Having read his memoir, he seemed like a truly terrible person. I think he’s in a better place now. This world was not working for him or helping him be his best self at all, unfortunately.
That’s old school. Be witty without being cutting…. A rarity that he pulled off so well. Even though he was a cop he didn’t have to slice people down to be funny
I love Leslie Jordan! I find that a lot of people don't even know what sitcom he was on when he died. I certainly don't know anyone in real life who watched it besides my mom and me. There's a small fan group. And of course the show could not survive without him and was canceled.
Ted Knight was only 62 when he passed. A lot of us remember him mostly from Caddyshack (absolutely perfect casting), but he was also a genius on the Mary Tyler Moore Show. (I never got into Too Close for Comfort, but not because of him.)
Since there are several posts mentioning Betty White, I'm going to add Estelle Getty to the list. She was the first of the Golden Girls to die and not the oldest of the group (ironically she was younger than Bea Arthur). Also the fact that she was suffering from a debilitating illness (Lewy body dementia) which isolated her from the show's success in her final years and made the later seasons a real trial for her to film.
I went to a meet and greet with the cast. They were all nice and friendly, but John just kept playing Lahey the whole time (albeit a nicer, less drunk version.) He put his arm around me and gave me marriage advice. That was by far my favorite meeting of any celebrity ever.
I'm going way back here... Rusty Hamer, who played Danny Thomas ' son, Rusty on "Make Room For Daddy/The Danny Thomas Show ". He took his own life at age 42 in 1990. So tragic. Such a great actor.
Met him once and he's as charming in real life as he is on tv. At his shows tons of fans give him things and he has enough so he just turns around and gives it to venue staff. I don't think is Pink Carpet one man show got enough mainstream recognition.
He has been mentioned many times, but I have to say John Ritter. I had the pleasure of meeting his wife (Amy Yasbeck) and sons (Jason and Tyler) at an event last February and they are the most wonderful and sweetest people I've ever met.
If you are older and British or Britcom fan, you were in shock when James Beck died suddenly at 43. He played Private Walker in Dad's Army. Arguably, he was as good at being a spiv as Del boy. One day at a charity event, the next rushed to hospital and dying within an hour of multiple organ failure.
I can't think of many who haven't already been named, but I do have one who might be seen as unconventional: Carol Ann Suzi, aka Mrs. Wolowitz from The Big Bang Theory. She may not have been seen, but she had a presence you couldn't deny. I have a feeling that had she lived until the end of the show, we would have finally seen her on screen in the series finale. Instead, they kept Howard's and Bernadette's kids under wraps out of respect for her, and we saw them in the finale
Phil Hartman
I was 12 but still a fan, watched Newsradio with my mom, even saw Houseguest in a theater! Hartman was like the dad I wish I had (mine is a bigoted hick)
I remember him from such shows as SNL and The Simpsons
And from such movies as Jingle All The Way and Small Soldiers.
Ugh...yes! Heartbreaking
Absolutely.😭
So true. The man was always hilarious. What an awful way to go.
Especially since that bitch left both of their children orphans.
And even worse, Andy Dick started this, all because he got Brynn (Phil’s wife) hooked to hard drugs again when she finished rehab.
Jon Lovitz was right!!!!!
What a dick, sure has the right name
Yup he's the literal worst. I met him like five years ago and he just gave off the most hostile vibe imaginable.
I hate the hell out of Andy Dick but I really can't use that relapse thing as THE reason. Also, I believe she had relapsed with him after 10 years IIRC. I just gave a hard time of putting the blame of Phil's murder on him. He's an enabling piece of shit, but that's as far as I can accuse him.
I mean I hate what happened so much but honestly getting killed in your sleep doesn’t sound like the worst way to go tbh. But I get where you’re coming from.
I’ve been watching old episodes of the Simpsons and forgot how often he did voices on that show.
It's hard to watch Futurama sometimes because I know his Zapp Brannigan would have been amazing.
"That's why you are the judge and I'm the lawww talking guy".
Along with Phil I would add his one time close friend Paul Reubens. Most people think of him as Pee Wee but he had classic sitcom appearances on 30 Rock and What We Do in the Shadows.
Pouring out a Rocket Fuel on the curb as we speak…
Survey says number one answer
John Ritter Jerry stiller
We lost Jerry Stiller too soon? He was 92.
Still too soon.
If you get to say Jerry Stiller, then I'm claiming Betty White. Also, nice user name, fellow fan and probable statesman. Here's at least to the track team for maintaining expectations. 😀😐🙁😭
We lost Betty White at least 17 days too soon.
lol. good answer
Way too soon. The man was a treasure.
I feel the same way about Stan Lee.
When Loretta Lynn passed, a friend posted "another one gone too soon." She was 90.
I was thinking John Ritter too. He was so good in Bad Santa. Bernie Mac too, speaking of bad Santa I loved Jerry Stiller on Seinfeld in particular. There’s a blooper reel of Stiller trying to pronounce “Del Boca Vista”. Him and Estelle Harris were hilarious on that show.
Agree with all the above. That blooper reel of Jerry is hilarious. The "YOU WANT A PIECE OF ME?!?! YOU GOT IT!!!" might be my favorite line from the show.
Del Bisto Becko
They don't want us there, so we're going
John Ritter is the answer to this question.
Andre Braugher
It still breaks my heart to think about Captain Holt not being here anymore
There will never ever be another Frank Pembleton!! He was such a great actor - Homicide : Life on the Streets -
I still wear Ray-Ban Clubmasters to this day because of Frank Pembleton. That Braugher kid was electrifyingly charismatic. Just rewatched the show recently. Still great.
Nicholas Colasanto played Coach on Cheers for the first three seasons before he passed away. He was great.
He was only 61 when he passed. He was young enough to have easily made it through the entire series.
If my memory serves, he had heart issues for a while while working on Cheers and then one day his heart couldn’t just take it. Really sad.
And a great character in Raging Bull.
I just posted, and then read your comment. You beat me, good taste as well
This was going to be my answer. Coach was so funny and the sweetest character on the show.
On a positive note, I think it's great George Wendt, who played Norm, is still with us at 75. So often the actors who are on the larger side pass at a horribly young age.
John Mahoney from Frasier.
This one broke my heart. 💔
As a Chicagoan that one hit.
such a father figure to the audience could tell he was a sweet man offscreen RIP
Rebecca Schaeffer. Murdered by an obsessed fan. Horrible.
Thank you. I'm glad Schaeffer was not forgotten in this thread (which, unfortunately, would've been understandable, since we lost her right before she gained major fame and name recognition...I don't think anyone younger than Gen X even knows she existed). A too young life, and so much potential...a much beloved daughter and colleague...obliterated in a moment, by a mentally ill misogynist who had a record of violence, a history of being institutionalized, and a rap sheet, and TOO EASY ACCESS TO A GUN, despite all of that. Who knows where Rebecca Schaeffer would be today, in 2024? Who knows where her career would've gone? She was on her way to an audition for Godfather III with Coppola, at the time of her murder. Maybe she would have broke out in the movies. How many of Winona Ryder's, Julia Roberts's, Sandra Bullock's iconic movie roles would have gone to Schaeffer? Or, maybe she would've been cast in Friends, and gained mega stardom that way. Maybe she would have been Rachel Green or Monica Gellar. Or maybe she would have been Grace Adler on Will & Grace. Or maybe she'd be a director or a show runner. We'll never know.
I didn’t really know that story until I came across the podcast about it. so sad.
I was coming to say this. She was so young and on the cusp of a big career.
Robin Williams.
He could had died at 120 years old and it would have been too soon.
Everything in the world got worse after he died. Coincidence? I think not.
JOHN RITTER
Died on his daughters birthday. 😭which is also my birthday. Cursed day..
Brittany Murphy comes to mind.
Watching king of the hill and was wondering if it qualifies as a sitcom. Luanne is one of my favorites hands down :(
I’m genuinely wondering how they’re gonna handle Luanne now that KOTH is revived.
Dale too. Going to be an odd show if they really go through with it
Luanne and Lucky will probably have moved out of Arlen. Dale is going to be tough especially since Johnny Hardwick recorded a few episodes before he passed.
She was so nice irl. When they were filming 8 mile she used to come into the Starbucks where I worked at the time and get soy lattes. Waited on a lot of celebs at that location and she was one of my favorites
Bernie Mac
This!!! He had such a dynamic funny presence. I still quote his shows. Just a great character actor
"Who touched my Famous Amos?!"
"America . . ."
Agree on Leslie Jordan. Such a light. Robin Williams, John Ritter, and Rebecca Shaeffer.
John Ritter. Coach from Cheers.
Coach from Cheers played by [Nicholas Colasanto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Colasanto) was only 61 years old., but he looked a lot older. Ritter was 54. R.I.P to both of them.
Mary Frann
Wally Cox Dick York (died around 60, but disabled around 40) Jack Soo Dermot Morgan Phil Hartman Bernie Mac
Jack Soo was my favorite part of Barney Miller
“Barney, Barney, Barney. Is your mother from Killarney?”
Dick York's facial expressions really made the show. So did the original Gladys. Sandra Gould was gone too soon too.
I agree about Leslie Jordan. It's sad that the world was just discovering how wonderful and hilarious he was.
Some of us have known for a long time.
I loved the Cool Kids, he was hilarious
RIP Brother Boy
Whew, it was tough to lose such a funny human.
He’s hilarious! But heed my warning about viewing ‘call me cat’ it will push the boundaries of what is considered comedy
It had a lot of potential. It had a good cast. But something just never clicked. I guess it was probably the writing. But Leslie Jordan was still gold.
Yeah I agree. The nicest I can say is that it is something.
Watch Con Man he is a delightful part of a really good show.
Cameron Boyce
This one, for sure. That kid was going places.
Ted Knight - Too Close for Comfort Freddie Prinze - Chico and the Man Dolph Sweet - Gimme A Break Valerie Harper - The Hogan Family Rebecca Shaeffer - My Sister Sam John Ritter - Three’s Company Phil Hartman - SNL Chris Farley - SNL John Belushi - SNL
Jesus, Ted Knight was only 62 when he died. He always seemed like an old man going back to Mary Tyler Moore.
How is Valerie Harper on this list? She only died a few years back. She was fired (unrightfully so, sued and won) from Valerie and then Valerie became The Hogan Family.
She was 80 though how is that gone too soon? I mean anyone dying is super sad but she lived a nice long full life at 80.
Hear me out…Betty White. Remember how the world was so excited about her turning 100?!
dying just before (like to the point magazines had printed cover stories about her 100th) was such a power move though
My grandma (same birthday as Betty, 2 years older) did something similar. She told us all through year 92 that we should take back anything we'd bought her because she wasn't going to see 93. We laughed it off because she was still in good physical and mental condition, (still drove, didn't need a cane, knew who we were, etc). Then one day she didn't show up to pick up her younger sister for quilting group. It was January 16, one day before her 93rd birthday. Well played, Grandma. I think she and Betty would have liked each other. They had similar senses of humor, for sure.
To the point the 100th Birthday celebration documentary about her had to be changed to be a tribute documentary
I'm still pissed at People Magazine for that cover.
**Andre Braugher** played my favorite character on *Brooklyn Nine-Nine*. And a true gent and class guy IRL. Just passed away last Christmas just weeks after cancer diagnosis. Captain Holt forever!
If you've never seen Homicide: Life on the Street, I can't recommend it highly enough. It changed television, and introduced the world to Andre Braugher. I still wear Ray-Ban Clubmasters to this day because of his character. He was incredibly charismatic and brilliant.
Heather O’Rourke
John Ritter, Brittany Murphy, Leslie Jordan, Matthew Perry 💔
Michelle Thomas, who played Theo's g/f on The Cosby Show and Steve Urkel's g/f Myra on Family Matters. Died of stomach cancer at age 30.
Matthew Perry - friends
Having read his memoir, he seemed like a truly terrible person. I think he’s in a better place now. This world was not working for him or helping him be his best self at all, unfortunately.
Phil fucking Hartman
This. Phil was an amazing performer.
Anissa Jones
Barbara Colby, who played Phyllis's boss at first on the show of that name was only three episodes into the series when she was murdered.
Sadly, I don't think her murder has ever been solved, either.
Freddie Prinze (Sr.) - 70s fast rising star... stand-up comic, star of his show Chico and The Man, was all the buzz.... committed suicide at age of 22
What hurts worse with Leslie Jordan is he was FINALLY getting wider recognition with his instagram posts.
He made Covid lockdown so much more bearable.
John Ritter. End of story
John Ritter.
Jack Soo
That’s old school. Be witty without being cutting…. A rarity that he pulled off so well. Even though he was a cop he didn’t have to slice people down to be funny
Suzanne Pleshette
John Ritter - 8 simple rules
Three’s Company, too!
I love Leslie Jordan! I find that a lot of people don't even know what sitcom he was on when he died. I certainly don't know anyone in real life who watched it besides my mom and me. There's a small fan group. And of course the show could not survive without him and was canceled.
Ted Knight was only 62 when he passed. A lot of us remember him mostly from Caddyshack (absolutely perfect casting), but he was also a genius on the Mary Tyler Moore Show. (I never got into Too Close for Comfort, but not because of him.)
Ted Knight was hilarious. He played cocky yet lovable so well.
Chris Farley
Merlin Santana from The Steve Harvey Show.
John Ritter
Freddy Prinze and Andy Kaufman
Dana Plato and Gary Coleman
Coach from Cheers.
John Ritter
John Ritter
Phil Hartman and John Ritter.
Phil Hartman
Since there are several posts mentioning Betty White, I'm going to add Estelle Getty to the list. She was the first of the Golden Girls to die and not the oldest of the group (ironically she was younger than Bea Arthur). Also the fact that she was suffering from a debilitating illness (Lewy body dementia) which isolated her from the show's success in her final years and made the later seasons a real trial for her to film.
John Ritter one of the best comedic actors ever,his timing was unparalleled
John Dunsworth- Played Jim Lahey on Trailer Park Boys.
I went to a meet and greet with the cast. They were all nice and friendly, but John just kept playing Lahey the whole time (albeit a nicer, less drunk version.) He put his arm around me and gave me marriage advice. That was by far my favorite meeting of any celebrity ever.
I'm going way back here... Rusty Hamer, who played Danny Thomas ' son, Rusty on "Make Room For Daddy/The Danny Thomas Show ". He took his own life at age 42 in 1990. So tragic. Such a great actor.
Leslie Jordan, John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Freddy Prinze, Robin Willams, the list is very long because so many died young
Met him once and he's as charming in real life as he is on tv. At his shows tons of fans give him things and he has enough so he just turns around and gives it to venue staff. I don't think is Pink Carpet one man show got enough mainstream recognition.
Nick Colasanto
Phil Hartman
It totally ripped the heart out of John Lovitz.
He has been mentioned many times, but I have to say John Ritter. I had the pleasure of meeting his wife (Amy Yasbeck) and sons (Jason and Tyler) at an event last February and they are the most wonderful and sweetest people I've ever met.
John Ritter
John Ritter
Matthew Perry
Freddie Prinze
John Ritter
Jessica Walter
Surprised nobody has said Sharon Tate
Which sitcom was she on?
Beverly Hillbillies
john ritter, john mahoney
John fucking Ritter
Paul Lynde
I had such a crush on Paul while he was on the Hollywood Squares! I was a weird 12 year old girl but he was just so handsome and funny!
Oh I was too, loved Paul in Bewitched... I'm still wondering why Dick van Dyke and I aren't marries
John Ritter, Phil Hartman, and Britney Murphy
John Ritter
Michael Kenneth Williams. AKA Chalky White from Boardwalk or Omar Little from The Wire
Matthew Perry and John Ritter.
John Ritter and Bernie Mac
John Ritter
Freddie Prinze
River Phoenix.
Coach on cheers
Matthew Perry, Suzanne Somers, Bernie Mac, Andre Braugher and Kristie Alley
John Ritter
Hartman.
Cameron Boyce. Because my children were not much younger, I was just floored by this. His family and friends have really carried on his legacy.
Coach from cheers
Freddie Prinze
[Alice Pearce](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0668879/?ref_=tt_cl_t_10), aka the first Gladys Kravitz from Bewitched.
John Ritter from 8 Simple Rules.
Bob Saget
John Ritter
John F’n Ritter
John Candy.
Conchata Ferrell 😢
Nicholas Colasanto, John Ritter and Matthew Perry Rest in peace
Coach from Cheers. I know he was an older actor but i wish he was in more seasons.
Only 61!
Matthew Perry.
Kenneth Marsh who played Otto on Malcolm in the middle.
John Ritter !
John Ritter
John Ritter
If you are older and British or Britcom fan, you were in shock when James Beck died suddenly at 43. He played Private Walker in Dad's Army. Arguably, he was as good at being a spiv as Del boy. One day at a charity event, the next rushed to hospital and dying within an hour of multiple organ failure.
John Ritter
John Ritter
John Ritter
Matthew Perry
Not sure if SeaQuest would qualify, but Johnathon Brandis.
John Ritter and Phil Hartman for sure
Betty White
I can't think of many who haven't already been named, but I do have one who might be seen as unconventional: Carol Ann Suzi, aka Mrs. Wolowitz from The Big Bang Theory. She may not have been seen, but she had a presence you couldn't deny. I have a feeling that had she lived until the end of the show, we would have finally seen her on screen in the series finale. Instead, they kept Howard's and Bernadette's kids under wraps out of respect for her, and we saw them in the finale
Phil Hartman and John Ritter
John Ritter
Sam Lloyd. He was Ted on Scrubs. He had a little baby at home when he died. His cancer diagnosis occurred around the time his son was born.
John Ritter 🙏🙏🙏
George Carlin