5 Stars Fired From Their Own Sitcoms

When iconic characters leave mid-run due to salary demands, legal troubles, or on-set conflicts, networks often turn to unexpected replacements or write characters off in drastic ways.

Suzanne Somers’ Exit From Three’s Company and the Battle for Pay Parity

During the start of Season 5 of ABC’s “Three’s Company,” Suzanne Somers demanded a salary equal to co-star John Ritter, who played Jack Tripper and reportedly made five times her salary, according to People. Somers played Chrissy, the roommate trio’s third member. “The show’s response was, ‘Who do you think you are?'” Somers told People in 2020. “They said, ‘John Ritter is the star.'” Somers’ husband, former TV producer Alan Hamel, stated to People that ABC wanted to make an example of female actresses so no other woman would ask for equal pay, leading to her dismissal. As part of her negotiating strategy, Somers called out sick right before tapings, frustrating the cast and crew. “They painted me as ‘she’s trying to ruin the show,’ and so the whole show — cast and crew — shunned me,” Somers told Entertainment Tonight in 2020, adding that she never spoke to anyone from the show again. Somers was replaced by Jenilee Harrison as Chrissy’s cousin Cindy, who was subsequently replaced in Season 6 by Priscilla Barnes as Terri Alden.

Robert Downey Jr.’s Legal Trouble and Exit From Ally McBeal

Robert Downey Jr. experienced a career high and a subsequent abrupt exit during Season 4 of Fox’s “Ally McBeal,” when his role as the main character’s love interest boosted ratings and earned critical praise. In April 2001, Downey Jr. was arrested on drug charges, prompting Fox to cut him from the series, according to the Los Angeles Times. A Fox producer told the Los Angeles Times that the network was wrapping up the remaining season episodes without him. The following season had been planned to focus on his character’s marriage to Ally, forcing the show to write him out of his own wedding. Downey Jr. told The Guardian that the period marked his lowest point in terms of addictions, stating he did not care if he ever acted again. David E. Kelley, the show’s creator, told The Hollywood Reporter that Downey Jr.’s departure left a huge void, noting it was disappointing not to complete the planned storyline.

Valerie Harper’s Firing From Valerie and Wrongful Termination Lawsuit

Valerie Harper requested a salary increase after two successful seasons of her NBC sitcom “Valerie,” but the studio refused. As a negotiating tactic, Harper refused to return to the set, mirroring a strategy she used successfully on CBS’s “Rhoda.” NBC instead fired Harper, killed her character off-screen, and brought in her character’s sister-in-law to join the family. The show was retitled “Valerie’s Family: The Hogans” for Season 3 and later simply “The Hogan Family.” Harper sued the network for wrongful termination and won in 1988, receiving over $1.4 million in compensation. She soon starred in another CBS sitcom, “City,” in the same time slot as the show that fired her. Despite the dispute, Harper expressed no ill will toward the cast, telling David Letterman in 1990 that she had an emotional investment in the show’s success and was glad co-star Jason Bateman continued to work.

Charlie Sheen’s Firing From Two and a Half Men After Addiction Struggles

Charlie Sheen’s tenure on CBS and Warner Bros. Television’s “Two and a Half Men” ended during Season 7 and 8 amid severe addiction struggles, multiple rehab stints, a demand for $3 million per episode, and public insults directed at the show’s creator and network. TMZ reported that the network cut his contract short citing “moral turpitude.” Season 8 was shortened by eight episodes, and Season 9 opened with an episode centered on the funeral of his character, Charlie Harper, who died after being shoved in front of a train by a stalker and lover, Rose, after he cheated on her. Sheen’s character was replaced by tech billionaire Walden Schmidt, played by Ashton Kutcher. Kutcher acknowledged the difficulty of replacing Sheen in a casting statement, pledging to work hard. Kutcher remained for the final four seasons, which were critically panned and saw declining ratings, with fans and critics generally agreeing the series didn’t quite work without Sheen.

Chevy Chase’s Departure From Community Following On-Set Conflicts

Chevy Chase left NBC’s “Community” in the middle of Season 4 following numerous reported behind-the-scenes conflicts and creative disagreements with creator Dan Harmon. Chase halted production after using the N-word on set, and Harmon told The New Yorker that Chase frequently made racial comments toward co-star Donald Glover out of jealousy over Glover’s talent. Chase stated that “Community” was not funny enough for him and argued with Harmon over character development. In a 2012 Reddit Ask Me Anything, Harmon revealed he was particularly angry when Chase refused to film a critical scene on the final day of shooting Season 3’s “Digital Estate Planning.” Chase officially departed during Season 4, and the show killed off his character, Pierce Hawthorne, in early Season 5 through dehydration from masturbating too much.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Suzanne Somers fired from Three’s Company?

Suzanne Somers was let go after demanding a salary equal to co-star John Ritter at the start of Season 5, a request the network and producers rejected, according to People and Entertainment Tonight.

How was Charlie Sheen’s character written off Two and a Half Men?

Charlie Harper was killed off-screen before the Season 9 premiere after being pushed in front of a train by his stalker, according to the show’s broadcast history.

Did Valerie Harper win her lawsuit against NBC?

Yes. Valerie Harper sued NBC for wrongful termination after being fired over a salary dispute and won her case in 1988, receiving over $1.4 million in compensation.