As Succession‘s farewell run once again reminded us, having to unexpectedly say farewell to even a fictional TV character can pull the rug out from under a longtime fan of a series.
Take, for instance, when Henry Blake’s plane was shot down on M*A*S*H. Or when NYPD Blue‘s Bobby Simone succumbed to a post-op infection. Or when L.A. Law‘s Rosalind Shays brought a whole new meaning to the elevator inquiry, “Going down?”
In more recent years, we’ve seen 24‘s President David Palmer taken out by a sniper, The O.C.‘s Marissa Cooper driven off the side of the road, and a Veronica Mars favorite blown up by a car bomb intended for someone else.
There’s also the occasional death that plays out off-screen, but still manages to shake us to our core — like when the original Roseanne finale revealed that Dan Conner died (or “died”) of a heart attack. Or when Blue Bloods casually disclosed mid-episode that Danny Reagan’s beloved wife Linda had died months prior, in a Medevac helicopter crash.
Suffice it to say, the following alphabetical-by-show list is comprised of TV deaths that weren’t just heartbreaking, but that truly took us by surprise — whether it was because we didn’t know a cast member was on their way out or because the cause of death was just that brutal (see: any number of Game of Thrones deaths). And our list does include characters who were eventually revived (hey there, TV magic!), but whose demises nonetheless rattled us.
Scroll down to see which TV deaths from the past five decades made our list, then hit the Comments and tell us which have hit you the hardest.
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TERI BAUER, 24
![[VIDEO] Most Shocking TV Deaths of All Time — Watch Iconic Scenes](https://tvline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/teri-bauer-24.jpg?w=300 "[VIDEO] Most Shocking TV Deaths of All Time — Watch Iconic Scenes")
Image Credit: Leslie Hope as Teri Bauer on ’24’ (Courtesy of 20th Television) CAUSE OF DEATH: Shot by Nina Myers
THE EPISODE: “11:00 P.M. – 12:00 A.M.” (Season 1, Episode 24)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 21, 2002 -
PRESIDENT DAVID PALMER, 24
Image Credit: Dennis Haysbert as President David Palmer on ’24’ (Courtesy of 20th Television) CAUSE OF DEATH: Assassinated by Conrad Haas
THE EPISODE: “Day 5: 8:00 A.M. – 9:00 A.M.” (Season 5, Episode 2)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: January 15, 2006 -
LEXA, THE 100
Image Credit: Alycia Debnam-Carey as Lexa on ‘The 100’ (Courtesy of The CW) CAUSE OF DEATH: Blood loss due to gunshot wound
THE EPISODE: “Thirteen” (Season 3, Episode 7)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: March 3, 2016 -
BELLAMY BLAKE, THE 100
Image Credit: Bob Morley as Bellamy Blake on ‘The 100’ (Courtesy of The CW) CAUSE OF DEATH: Shot by Clarke Griffin
THE EPISODE: “Blood Giant” (Season 7, Episode 13)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: Sept. 9, 2020 -
ALISON BAILEY, THE AFFAIR
Image Credit: Ruth Wilson as Alison Bailey on ‘The Affair’ (Courtesy of Showtime) CAUSE OF DEATH: Suffered a head trauma at the hands of Ben, who dumped her into the ocean and let her drown
THE EPISODE: “Episode 9” (Season 4, Episode 9)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: August 12, 2018 -
FRANCINE “FRANCIE” D. CALFO, ALIAS
Image Credit: Merrin Dungey as Francie Calfo on ‘Alias’ (Courtesy of Buena Vista Television) CAUSE OF DEATH: Murdered by lookalike assassin Allison Doren
THE EPISODE: “Phase One” (Season 2, Episode 13)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: January 26, 2003 -
BILLY THOMAS, ALLY MCBEAL
Image Credit: Gil Fellows as Billy Thomas on ‘Ally McBeal’ (Courtesy of 20th Television) CAUSE OF DEATH: Brain tumor
THE EPISODE: “Boy Next Door” (Season 3, Episode 16)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: March 27, 2000 -
NINA KRILOVA, THE AMERICANS
Image Credit: Annet Mahendru as Nina Krilova on ‘The Americans’ (Courtesy of FX) CAUSE OF DEATH: Executed by the Russian government
THE EPISODE: “Chloramphenicol” (Season 4, Episode 4)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: April 6, 2016 -
TOMMY MERLYN, ARROW
Image Credit: Colin Donnell as Tommy Merlyn on ‘Arrow’ (Courtesy of The CW) CAUSE OF DEATH: Impaled on rebar during Glades explosion
THE EPISODE: “Sacrifice” (Season 1, Episode 23)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 15, 2013 -
MOIRA QUEEN, ARROW
Image Credit: Susanna Thompson as Moira Queen on ‘Arrow’ (Courtesy of The CW) CAUSE OF DEATH: Stabbed in chest by Slade
THE EPISODE: “Seeing Red” (Season 2, Episode 20)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: April 23, 2014 -
HOWARD HAMLIN, BETTER CALL SAUL
Image Credit: AMC CAUSE OF DEATH: Shot by Lalo Salamanca
THE EPISODE: “Plan and Execution”
ORIGINAL AIR DATE: May 23, 2022 -
LINDA REAGAN, BLUE BLOODS
Image Credit: Amy Carlson as Linda Reagan on ‘Blue Bloods’ (Courtesy of CBS) CAUSE OF DEATH: Perished in a medevac helicopter crash (off-screen)
THE EPISODE: “Cutting Losses” (Season 8, Episode 1)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: September 29, 2017 -
JIMMY DARMODY, BOARDWALK EMPIRE
Image Credit: Michael Pitt as Jimmy Darmody on ‘Boardwalk Empire’ (Courtesy of HBO) CAUSE OF DEATH: Shot by Nucky Thompson
THE EPISODE: “To the Lost” (Season 2, Episode 12)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: December 11, 2011 -
LANCE SWEETS, BONES
Image Credit: John Francis Daley as Lance Sweets on ‘Bones’ (Courtesy of Fox) CAUSE OF DEATH: Beaten by a Navy SEAL, who was sent by Shadow Government prez Glen Durant
THE EPISODE: “The Conspiracy in the Corpse” (Season 10, Episode 1)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: September 25, 2014 -
ANGEL, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
Image Credit: David Boreanaz as Angel on ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (Courtesy of 20th Television) CAUSE OF DEATH: Stabbed by Buffy to save the world from Acathla
THE EPISODE: “Becoming, Part 2” (Season 2, Episode 22)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 19, 1998 -
TARA MACLAY, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
Image Credit: Amber Benson as Tara Maclay on ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (Courtesy of 20th Television) CAUSE OF DEATH: Killed by a stray bullet fired by Warren Mears
THE EPISODE: “Seeing Red” (Season 6, Episode 19)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 14, 2002 -
JOYCE SUMMERS, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
Image Credit: Kristine Sutherland as Joyce Summers on ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (Courtesy of 20th Television) CAUSE OF DEATH: Brain aneurysm
THE EPISODE: “The Body” (Season 5, Episode 16)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 27, 2001 -
PRUE HALLIWELL, CHARMED
Image Credit: Shannen Doherty as Prue Halliwell on ‘Charmed’ (Courtesy of CBS Television Distribution) CAUSE OF DEATH: Assassinated by Shax
THE EPISODE: “All Hell Breaks Loose” (Season 3, Episode 22)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 17, 2001 -
LESLIE SHAY, CHICAGO FIRE
Image Credit: Lauren German as Leslie Shay on ‘Chicago Fire’ (Courtesy of NBC) CAUSE OF DEATH: Struck by a collapsing pipe in line of duty
THE EPISODE: “Always” (Season 3, Episode 1)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: September 23, 2014 -
BRIAN “OTIS” ZVONECEK, CHICAGO FIRE
Image Credit: Courtesy of NBC CAUSE OF DEATH: Internal injuries sustained in the mattress factory fire
THE EPISODE: “Sacred Ground” (Season 8, Episode 1)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: September 25, 2019 -
ALVIN OLINSKY, CHICAGO P.D.
Image Credit: Elias Koteas as Alvin Olinsky on ‘Chicago P.D.’ (Courtesy of NBC) CAUSE OF DEATH: Stabbed in prison
THE EPISODE: “Homecoming” (Season 5, Episode 22)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 9, 2018 -
WARRICK BROWN, CSI
Image Credit: Gary Dourdan as Warwick Brown on ‘CSI’ (Courtesy of USA Network) CAUSE OF DEATH: Shot twice by LVPD mole Jeffrey McKeen
THE EPISODE: “For Warrick” (Season 9, Episode 1)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: October 9, 2008 -
BOBBY EWING, DALLAS
Image Credit: Patrick Duffy as Bobby Ewing on ‘Dallas’ (Courtesy of Warner Bros. Television Distribution) CAUSE OF DEATH: Hit by a car driven by ex-sister-in-law Katherine Wentworth. (Not really, though!)
THE EPISODE: “Swan Song” (Season 8, Episode 30)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 17, 1985 -
LEONARD SNART, DC’S LEGENDS OF TOMORROW
Image Credit: Wentworth Miller as Leonard Start on ‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’ (Courtesy of The CW) CAUSE OF DEATH: Sacrificed himself to take down the Oculus
THE EPISODE: “Destiny” (Season 1, Episode 15)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 12, 2016 -
MARTIN STEIN, DC’S LEGENDS OF TOMORROW
Image Credit: Victor Garber as Martin Stein on ‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’ (Courtesy of The CW) CAUSE OF DEATH: Sacrificed his life to save Jax, during “Crisis on Earth-X”
THE EPISODE: “Crisis on Earth-X, Part 4” (Season 3, Episode 8)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: November 28, 2017 -
J.T. YORKE, DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION
Image Credit: Ryan Cooley as J.T. Yorke on ‘Degrassi: The Next Generation’ (Courtesy of Sony Pictures Television) CAUSE OF DEATH: Stabbed by Lakehurst deadbeat Drake
THE EPISODE: “Rock This Town” (Season 6, Episode 11)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: Jan. 9, 2007 -
MIKE DELFINO, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES
Image Credit: James Denton as Mike Delfino on ‘Desperate Housewives’ (Courtesy of ABC) CAUSE OF DEATH: Killed in a drive-by shooting by Donny
THE EPISODE: “You Take for Granted” (Season 8, Episode 16)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: March 11, 2012 -
RITA BENNETT-MORGAN, DEXTER
Image Credit: Julie Benz as Rita Bennett-Morgan on ‘Dexter’ (Courtesy of Showtime) CAUSE OF DEATH: Murdered by the Trinity Killer
THE EPISODE: “The Getaway” (Season 4, Episode 12)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: December 13, 2009 -
SYBIL BRANSON, DOWNTON ABBEY
Image Credit: Jessica Brown-Findlay as Sybil Branson on ‘Downton Abbey’ (Courtesy of PBS) CAUSE OF DEATH: Eclampsia
THE EPISODE: “Episode 5” (Season 3, Episode 5)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: January 27, 2013 -
MATTHEW CRAWLEY, DOWNTON ABBEY
Image Credit: Dan Stevens as Matthew Crawley on ‘Downton Abbey’ (Courtesy of PBS) CAUSE OF DEATH: Car accident
THE EPISODE: “A Journey to the Highlands” (Season 3, Episode 9)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 17, 2013 -
LUCY KNIGHT, ER
Image Credit: Kellie Martin as Lucy Knight on ‘ER’ (Courtesy of Warner Bros. Television) CAUSE OF DEATH: Stabbed by schizophrenic patient Paul Sobricki
THE EPISODE: “All in the Family” (Season 6, Episode 14)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 17, 2000 -
BRIAN GRIFFIN, FAMILY GUY
Image Credit: Brian Griffin on ‘Family Guy’ (Courtesy of Fox) CAUSE OF DEATH: Hit-and-run
THE EPISODE: “Life of Brian” (Season 12, Episode 6)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: November 24, 2013 -
H.R. WELLS, THE FLASH
Image Credit: Tom Cavanagh as H.R. Wells on ‘The Flash’ (Courtesy of The CW) CAUSE OF DEATH: Slain by Savitar, after taking Iris’ place
THE EPISODE: “Finish Line” (Season 3, Episode 23)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 23, 2017 -
NED STARK, GAME OF THRONES
Image Credit: Sean Bean as Eddard ‘Ned’ Stark (Courtesy of HBO) CAUSE OF DEATH: Beheaded by Ser Ilyn Payne (per Joffrey Baratheon’s orders)
THE EPISODE: “Baelor” (Season 1, Episode 9)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: June 12, 2011 -
THE RED WEDDING, GAME OF THRONES
Image Credit: Michelle Fairley and Richard Madden as Catelyn and Robb Stark on ‘Game of Thrones’ (Courtesy of HBO) CAUSE OF DEATH: Catelyn and Robb Stark — as well as Robb’s wife Talisa, their unborn child and a host of Stark bannerman — murdered by Roose Bolton and his men
THE EPISODE: “The Rains of Castamere” (Season 3, Episode 9)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: June 2, 2013 -
OBERYN MARTELL, GAME OF THRONES
Image Credit: Pedro Pascal as Oberyn Martell on ‘Game of Thrones’ (Courtesy of HBO) CAUSE OF DEATH: Skull crushed by Gregor Clegane
THE EPISODE: “The Mountain and the Viper” (Season 4, Episode 8)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: June 1, 2014 -
B.J. JONES, GENERAL HOSPITAL
Image Credit: Brighton Hertford as B.J. Jones on ‘General Hospital’ (Courtesy of ABC) CAUSE OF DEATH: Taken off life support after her school van was hit by a drunk driver
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 18, 1994 -
WILL GARDNER, THE GOOD WIFE
Image Credit: Josh Charles as Will Gardner on ‘The Good Wife’ (Courtesy of CBS) CAUSE OF DEATH: Shot by his client, Jeffrey Grant
THE EPISODE: “Dramatics, Your Honor” (Season 5, Episode 15)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: March 23, 2014 -
GEORGE O’MALLEY, GREY’S ANATOMY
Image Credit: Courtesy of ABC/Everett Collection CAUSE OF DEATH: Hit by bus
THE EPISODE: “Good Mourning” (Season 6, Episode 1)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: Sept. 24, 2009 -
LEXIE GREY, GREY’S ANATOMY
Image Credit: Chyler Leigh as Lexie Grey on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ (Courtesy of ABC) CAUSE OF DEATH: Crushed by plane crash wreckage
THE EPISODE: “Flight” (Season 8, Episode 24)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 17, 2012 -
DEREK SHEPHERD, GREY’S ANATOMY
Image Credit: Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ (Courtesy of ABC) CAUSE OF DEATH: Brain trauma following head-on collision with a semi-trailer truck
THE EPISODE: “How to Save a Life” (Season 11, Episode 21)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: April 23, 2015 -
GORDON CLARK, HALT AND CATCH FIRE
Image Credit: Scoot McNairy as Gordon Clark on ‘Halt and Catch Fire’ (Courtesy of AMC) CAUSE OF DEATH: Stroke, triggered by toxic encephalopathy
THE EPISODE: “Who Needs a Guy” (Season 4, Episode 7)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: September 30, 2017 -
STEVE CROSETTI, HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET
Image Credit: Jon Polito as Steve Crosetti on ‘Homicide: Life on the Street’ (Courtesy of NBC) CAUSE OF DEATH: Suicide
THE EPISODE: “Crosetti” (Season 3, Episode 6)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: December 2, 1994 -
LAWRENCE KUTNER, HOUSE
Image Credit: Kal Penn as Lawrence Kutner on ‘House’ (Courtesy of USA Network) CAUSE OF DEATH: Suicide
THE EPISODE: “Simple Explanation” (Season 5, Episode 20)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: April 6, 2019 -
ZOE BARNES, HOUSE OF CARDS
Image Credit: Kate Mara as Zoe Barnes on ‘House of Cards’ (Courtesy of Netflix) CAUSE OF DEATH: Pushed in front of a subway train
THE EPISODE: “Chapter 14” (Season 2, Episode 1)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 14, 2014 -
TOM YATES, HOUSE OF CARDS
Image Credit: Paul Sparks as Tom Yates on ‘House of Cards’ (Courtesy of Netflix) CAUSE OF DEATH: Poisoned by Claire
THE EPISODE: “Chapter 65” (Season 5, Episode 13)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 30, 2017 -
MARVIN ERIKSEN, SR., HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
Image Credit: Bill Fagerbakke as Marvin Eriksen Sr. on ‘How I Met Your Mother’ (Courtesy of CBS) CAUSE OF DEATH: Heart attack
THE EPISODE: “Bad News” (Season 6, Episode 13)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: January 3, 2011 -
WES GIBBINS, HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER
Image Credit: Alfred Enoch as Wes Gibbing on ‘How to Get Away With Murder’ (Courtesy of ABC) CAUSE OF DEATH: Asphyxiated and burned to death by Dominick
THE EPISODE: “Who’s Dead?” (Season 3, Episode 9)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: November 17, 2016 -
MICHAEL CORDERO, JANE THE VIRGIN
Image Credit: Brett Dier as Michael Cordero on ‘Jane the Virgin’ (Courtesy of The CW) CAUSE OF DEATH: Aortic dissection, as a result of being shot by Sin Rostro (but not really!)
THE EPISODE: “Chapter Fifty-Four” (Season 3, Episode 10)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 6, 2017 -
ROSALIND SHAYS, L.A. LAW
Image Credit: Diana Muldaur as Rosalind Shays on ‘L.A. Law’ (Courtesy of 20th Television) CAUSE OF DEATH: Fell down an elevator shaft
THE EPISODE: “Good to the Last Drop” (Season 5, Episode 16)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: March 21, 1991 -
CLAIRE KINCAID, LAW & ORDER
Image Credit: Jill Hennessy as Claire Kincaid on ‘Law & Order’ (Courtesy of NBC) CAUSE OF DEATH: Car accident
THE EPISODE: “Aftershock” (Season 6, Episode 23)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 22, 1996 -
CHARLIE PACE, LOST
Image Credit: Dominic Monaghan as Charlie Pace on ‘Lost’ (Courtesy of Touchstone TV) CAUSE OF DEATH: Drowned at the hands of Mikhail Bakunin
THE EPISODE: “Through the Looking Glass, Part 2” (Season 3, Episode 23)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 23, 2007 -
JIN-SOO & SUN-HWA KWON, LOST
Image Credit: Daniel Dae Kim & Yunjin Kim as Jin-Soo & Sun-Hwa Kwon on ‘Lost’ (Courtesy of ABC) CAUSE OF DEATH: Drowned aboard Widmore’s submarine
THE EPISODE: “The Candidate” (Season 6, Episode 14)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 4, 2010 -
LANE PRYCE, MAD MEN
Image Credit: Jared Harris as Lane Pryce on ‘Mad Men’ (Courtesy of AMC) CAUSE OF DEATH: Suicide
THE EPISODE: “Commissions and Fees” (Season 5, Episode 12)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: June 3, 2012 -
QUENTIN COLDWATER, THE MAGICIANS
Image Credit: Jason Ralph as Quentin Coldwater on ‘The Magicians’ (Courtesy of Syfy) CAUSE OF DEATH: Sacrificed himself to send the monster and his sister back into the seam
THE EPISODE: “No Better to Be Safe Than Sorry” (Season 4, Episode 13)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: April 17, 2019 -
SHARON RAYDOR, MAJOR CRIMES
Image Credit: Mary McDonnell as Sharon Raydor on ‘Major Crimes’ (Courtesy of TNT) CAUSE OF DEATH: Heart attack
THE EPISODE: “Conspiracy Theory: Part 4” (Season 6, Episode 9)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: December 20, 2017 -
HENRY BLAKE, M*A*S*H
Image Credit: McLean Stevenson as Henry Blake on ‘M*A*S*H*’ (Courtesy of 20th Television) CAUSE OF DEATH: Plane shot down over the Sea of Japan
THE EPISODE: “Abyssinia, Henry” (Season 3, Episode 24)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: March 18, 1975 -
RAYNA JAMES, NASHVILLE
Image Credit: Connie Britton as Rayna James on ‘Nashville’ (Courtesy of CMT) CAUSE OF DEATH: Internal injuries sustained during a car accident
THE EPISODE: “If Tomorrow Never Comes” (Season 5, Episode 9)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 23, 2017 -
CAITLIN TODD, NCIS
Image Credit: Sasha Alexander as Caitlin Todd on ‘NCIS’ (Courtesy of CBS) CAUSE OF DEATH: Shot in the head with a lone bullet, as instructed by Ari Haswari
THE EPISODE: “Twilight” (Season 2, Episode 23)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 24, 2005 -
MICHELLE HANNA, NCIS: LOS ANGELES
Image Credit: Aunjanue Ellis as Michelle Hanna on ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’ (Courtesy of CBS) CAUSE OF DEATH: Carbon dioxide poisoning
THE EPISODE: “Uncaged” (Season 8, Episode 23)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 7, 2017 -
CHRISTOPHER LASALLE, NCIS: NEW ORLEANS
Image Credit: Lucas Black as Christopher Lasalle on ‘NCIS: New Orleans’ (Courtesy of CBS) CAUSE OF DEATH: Multiple GSWs
THE EPISODE: “Matthew 5:9” (Season 6, Episode 6)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: November 5, 2019 -
BOBBY SIMONE, NYPD BLUE
Image Credit: Jimmy Smits as Bobby Simone on ‘NYPD Blue’ (Courtesy of 20th Television) CAUSE OF DEATH: Bacterial infection of the brain following a heart transplant
THE EPISODE: “Hearts and Souls” (Season 6, Episode 5)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: November 24, 1998 -
MARISSA COOPER, THE O.C.
Image Credit: Mischa Barton as Marissa Cooper on ‘The O.C.’ (Courtesy of Warner Bros. TV) CAUSE OF DEATH: Injuries sustained during a car accident
THE EPISODE: “The Graduates” (Season 3, Episode 25)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 18, 2006 -
KEITH SCOTT, ONE TREE HILL
Image Credit: Craig Sheffer as Keith Scott on ‘One Tree Hill’ (Courtesy of Warner Bros. Television Distribution) CAUSE OF DEATH: Shot by his younger brother Dan
THE EPISODE: “With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept” (Season 3, Episode 16)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: March 1, 2006 -
POUSSEY WASHINGTON, ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK
Image Credit: Samira Wiley as Poussey Washington on ‘Orange Is the New Black’ (Courtesy of Netflix) CAUSE OF DEATH: Accidentally suffocated by CO Bayley
THE EPISODE: “The Animals” (Season 4, Episode 12)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: June 17, 2016 -
THE MIKAELSON BROTHERS, THE ORIGINALS
Image Credit: Daniel Gillies and Joseph Morgan as Elijah and Klaus Mikaelson on ‘The Originals’ (Courtesy of The CW) CAUSE OF DEATH: Double suicide
THE EPISODE: “When the Saints Go Marching In” (Season 5, Episode 13)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: August 1, 2018 -
PAUL DIERDEN, ORPHAN BLACK
Image Credit: Dylan Bruce as Paul Dierden on ‘Orphan Black’ (Courtesy of BBC America) CAUSE OF DEATH: Shot multiple times by Dr. Cody, shortly after which he sacrificed himself by using a grenade to destroy Project Castor
THE EPISODE: “Certain Agony of the Battlefield” (Season 3, Episode 6)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 23, 2015 -
SIOBHAN “MRS. S” SADLER, ORPHAN BLACK
Image Credit: Maria Doyle Kennedy as Sibohan “Mrs. S” Sadler on ‘Orphan Black’ (Courtesy of BBC America) CAUSE OF DEATH: Shot in chest by Ferdinand
THE EPISODE: “Guillotines Decide” (Season 5, Episode 8)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: July 29, 2017 -
VANESSA IVES, PENNY DREADFUL
Image Credit: Eva Green as Vanessa Ives on ‘Penny Dreadful’ (Courtesy of Showtime) CAUSE OF DEATH: Shot by Ethan
THE EPISODE: “The Blessed Dark” (Season 3, Episode 9)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: June 19, 2016 -
JOSS CARTER, PERSON OF INTEREST
Image Credit: Taraji P. Henson as Joss Carter on ‘Person of Interest’ (Courtesy of CBS) CAUSE OF DEATH: Shot by Simmons
THE EPISODE: “The Crossing” (Season 3, Episode 9)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: November 19, 2013 -
ROOT, PERSON OF INTEREST
Image Credit: Amy Acker as Root on ‘Person of Interest’ (Courtesy of CBS) CAUSE OF DEATH: Takes a bullet intended for Finch
THE EPISODE: “The Day the World Went Away” (Season 5, Episode 10)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 31, 2016 -
FRANCIS DE VALOIS, REIGN
Image Credit: Toby Regbo as Francis de Valois on ‘Reign’ (Courtesy of The CW) CAUSE OF DEATH: Head trauma
THE EPISODE: “In a Clearing” (Season 3, Episode 5)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: November 13, 2015 -
DANIEL GRAYSON, REVENGE
Image Credit: Josh Bowman as Daniel Grayson on ‘Revenge’ (Courtesy of ABC) CAUSE OF DEATH: Shot by Agent Taylor (aka Malcolm Black’s daughter) amid his effort to save Emily
THE EPISODE: “Atonement” (Season 4, Episode 10)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: December 7, 2014 -
DAN CONNER, ROSEANNE
Image Credit: John Goodman as a very-much-alive Dan Conner on ‘The Conners’ (Courtesy of ABC) CAUSE OF DEATH: Heart attack (but revived 21 years later, in Season 10 premiere)
THE EPISODE: “Into That Good Night, Part 2” (Season 9, Episode 24)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 20, 1997 -
BEN SULLIVAN, SCRUBS
Image Credit: Brendan Fraser as Ben Sullivan on ‘Scrubs’ (Courtesy of Buena Vista Television) CAUSE OF DEATH: Leukemia
THE EPISODE: “My Screw Up” (Season 3, Episode 14)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 24, 2004 -
ALANA HAYES, SEAL TEAM
Image Credit: Michaela McManus as Alana Hayes on ‘SEAL Team’ (Courtesy of CBS) CAUSE OF DEATH: Car accident
THE EPISODE: “The Worst of Conditions” (Season 2, Episode 3)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: October 17, 2018 -
CLAY SPENSER, SEAL TEAM
Image Credit: Courtesy of Paramount+ CAUSE OF DEATH: Shot by mall security guard
THE EPISODE: “Aces and Eights” (Season 6, Episode 8)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: Nov. 6, 2022 -
SUSAN ROSS, SEINFELD
Image Credit: Heidi Swedberg as Susan Ross on ‘Seinfeld’ (Courtesy of NBC) CAUSE OF DEATH: Posioned by toxic glue on wedding invitations (poor Lily!)
THE EPISODE: “The Invitations” (Season 7, Episode 24)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 16, 1996 -
THE VENDRELL FAMILY, THE SHIELD
Image Credit: Walton Goggins as Shane Vendrell on ‘The Shield’ (Courtesy of FX) CAUSE OF DEATH: Shane poisoned Mara and Jackson, then died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head
THE EPISODE: “Family Meeting” (Season 7, Episode 13)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: November 25, 2008 -
MAUDE FLANDERS, THE SIMPSONS
Image Credit: Maude Flanders on ‘The Simpsons’ (Courtesy of Fox) CAUSE OF DEATH: Knocked off a grandstand by several t-shirt cannons at the Springfield Speedway
THE EPISODE: “Alone Again Natura-Diddily” (Season 11, Episode 14)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 13, 2000 -
NATE FISHER, SIX FEET UNDER
Image Credit: Peter Krause as Nate Fisher on ‘Six Feet Under’ (Courtesy of HBO) CAUSE OF DEATH: Brain hemorrhage following second surgery for AVM
THE EPISODE: “All Alone” (Season 5, Episode 10)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: August 7, 2005 -
ABBIE MILLS, SLEEPY HOLLOW
Image Credit: Nicole Beharie as Abbie Mills on ‘Sleepy Hollow’ (Courtesy of Fox) CAUSE OF DEATH: Sacrificed her soul to seal Pandora’s Box for good
THE EPISODE: “Ragnarok” (Season 3, Episode 18)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: April 8, 2016 -
TARA KNOWLES-TELLER, SONS OF ANARCHY
Image Credit: Maggie Siff as Tara Knowles-Miller on ‘Sons of Anarchy’ (Courtesy of FX) CAUSE OF DEATH: Stabbed in head and neck by Gemma with a barbecue fork
THE EPISODE: “A Mother’s Work” (Season 6, Episode 13)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: December 10, 2013 -
ADRIANA LA CERVA, THE SOPRANOS
Image Credit: Drea de Matteo as Adriana La Cerva on ‘The Sopranos’ (Courtesy of HBO) CAUSE OF DEATH: Shot by Silvio Dante for working as an FBI informant
THE EPISODE: “Long Term Parking” (Season 5, Episode 12)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 23, 2004 -
CHRISTOPHER MOLTISANTI, THE SOPRANOS
Image Credit: Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti on ‘The Sopranos’ (Courtesy of HBO) CAUSE OF DEATH: Crashed his car while driving under the influence, then choked to death on his own blood
THE EPISODE: “Kennedy and Heidi” (Season 6, Episode 18)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 13, 2007 -
LOGAN ROY, SUCCESSION
Image Credit: Courtesy of HBO CAUSE OF DEATH: Cardiac event
THE EPISODE: “Connor’s Wedding” (Season 4, Episode 3)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: April 9, 2023 -
CROWLEY, SUPERNATURAL
Image Credit: Mark Sheppard as Crowley on ‘Supernatural’ (Courtesy of The CW) CAUSE OF DEATH: Sacrificed his life to close the rift between worlds by stabbing himself
THE EPISODE: “All Along the Watchtower” (Season 12, Episode 23)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 18, 2017 -
ALLISON ARGENT, TEEN WOLF
Image Credit: Crystal Reed as Allison Argent on ‘Teen Wolf’ (Courtesy of MTV) CAUSE OF DEATH: Stabbed by an Oni demon
THE EPISODE: “Insatiable” (Season 3, Episode 23)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: March 17, 2014 -
GARY SHEPHERD, THIRTYSOMETHING
Image Credit: Peter Horton (left) as Gary Shepherd on ‘thirtysomething’ (Courtesy of MGM/UA Television Productions) CAUSE OF DEATH: Internal bleeding, resulting from a car wreck
THE EPISODE: “A Second Look” (Season 4, Episode 14)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 12, 1991 -
TARA THORNTON, TRUE BLOOD
Image Credit: Rutina Wesley as Tara Thornton on ‘True Blood’ (Courtesy of HBO) CAUSE OF DEATH: Defeated in a fight with an infected vampire
THE EPISODE: “And When I Die” (Season 4, Episode 12)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: September 11, 2011 -
ALCIDE HERVEAUX, TRUE BLOOD
Image Credit: Joe Manganiello as Alcide Herveaux on ‘True Blood’ (Courtesy of HBO) CAUSE OF DEATH: Shot in the head
THE EPISODE: “Fire in the Hole” (Season 7, Episode 3)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: July 6, 2014 -
STEFAN SALVATORE, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES
Image Credit: Paul Wesley as Stefan Salvatore on ‘The Vampire Diaries’ (Courtesy of The CW) CAUSE OF DEATH: Hellfire
THE EPISODE: “I Was Feeling Epic” (Season 8, Episode 16)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: March 10, 2017 -
LOGAN ECHOLLS, VERONICA MARS
Image Credit: Jason Dohring as Logan Echolls on ‘Veronica Mars’ (Courtesy of Hulu) CAUSE OF DEATH: Car bomb
THE EPISODE: “Years, Continents, Bloodshed” (Season 4, Episode 8)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: July 19, 2019 -
GLENN RHEE & ABRAHAM FORD, THE WALKING DEAD
Image Credit: Steven Yeun & Michael Cudlitz as Glenn Rhee & Abraham Ford on ‘The Walking Dead’ (Courtesy of AMC) CAUSE OF DEATH: Heads bashed in by Negan’s iconic bat Lucille
THE EPISODE: “The Day Will Come When You Won’t Be” (Season 7, Episode 1)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: October 23, 2016 -
DELORES LANDINGHAM, THE WEST WING
Image Credit: Kathryn Joosten as Delores Landingham on ‘The West Wing’ (Courtesy of Warner Bros. Television Distribution) CAUSE OF DEATH: Struck and killed by a drunk driver
THE EPISODE: “18th and Potomac” (Season 2, Episode 21)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 9, 2001 -
STRINGER BELL, THE WIRE
Image Credit: Idris Elba as Stringer Bell on ‘The Wire’ (Courtesy of HBO) CAUSE OF DEATH: Taken out by Omar and Mouzone
THE EPISODE: “Middle Ground” (Season 3, Episode 11)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: December 12, 2004 -
DEEP THROAT, THE X-FILES
Image Credit: Jerry Hardin as Deep Throat on ‘The X Files’ (Courtesy of 20th Television) CAUSE OF DEATH: Shot in the chest by “Crew Cut Man”
THE EPISODE: “The Erlenmeyer Flask” (Season 1, Episode 24)
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 13, 1994
