Left: Star Wars
Reason: Worried About Typecasting
Estimated Salary Loss: $20 million*
Harrison Ford was probably one of the best things about the “Star Wars” franchise, and it broke the fan’s hearts that he reportedly wanted out. How could this be? Ford said he was worried that his role as Han Solo would lead to him being “typecast” and that this would lead to him only ever being offered “tough guy, action hero” roles.
Well, that’s exactly what happened. Ford is a tremendous actor but has more often than not been cast as the tough guy, action hero. He also took on another iconic role when he entered the “Indiana Jones” franchise. Though Ford has, in fact, been typecast, he has gone on to star in many remarkable films including “The Fugitive,” “Blade Runner,” “Patriot Games” and so many more.
Raymond Cruz
Left: Breaking Bad
Reason: The Show Was Too Draining
Estimated Salary Loss: $100,000 per episode*
"Breaking Bad" fans love the show for its edgy, gritty storyline but it is certainly not a “feel good” series. Tuco Salamanca was a wild, psychotic character that was brought to life by Raymond Cruz. Cruz put so much of himself into the role that he actually asked to be written off. Why? He admitted that the twelve-to-fourteen-hour days on set were “physically, emotionally, and mentally” exhausting.
Apparently, Cruz really could not wait to finish his time on "Breaking Bad" as he said he was “happy” when Tuco was killed off. Cruz confessed that he struggled with the brutality of Tuco’s character but he ended up reprising the role for the "Breaking Bad" spinoff, Better Call Saul.
Connie Britton
Left: Nashville
Reason: Personal Differences, Wanted to Move On
Estimated Salary Loss: $100,000 per episode*
When shows switch networks, the move can sometimes come with changes that greatly affect the stars. After the show "Nashville" was moved from ABC, a major network, to CMT, Connie Britton left shortly after due to “creative differences.” Britton played one of the main characters, Rayna Jaymes, but wanted to move on.
Britton cited creative differences with her character, the plot’s direction, and the show switching networks for her reasons for leaving. She said she loved the show itself but that couldn’t keep her as part of the cast. The show premiered with amazing reviews and decent ratings, but "Nashville" was canceled after six seasons.
Patrick Dempsey
Left: Grey’s Anatomy
Reason: To Focus on His Family
Estimated Salary Loss: $400,000 per episode*
Patrick Dempsey revealed to People Magazine in a 2019 interview that he was looking to leave "Grey’s Anatomy." Dempsey was one of the heartthrobs on the show, but in real-life he was also a big-hearted family man and a race car enthusiast. He asked to leave because he wanted to focus on his family, as well as his auto-racing career.
Even after so much success, Dempsey told People that he actually had wanted to move on from the show earlier. Thankfully, he said that there were no hard feelings between him and show creator Shonda Rhimes, and he called the decision “amicable.” After an incredible 11 seasons, Dempsey rightly described his departure from Grey’s as merely the “end of a chapter” in his life. What a legacy.
Sasha Alexander
Left: NCIS
Reason: The Work Was Too Difficult
Estimated Salary Loss: $100,000 per episode*
Though being an actor can appear to be a life of continual privilege, it comes with some hefty working hours. Sasha Alexander played Caitlin Todd on "NCIS," could not endure the heavy hours placed on her as an actress for the show and wanted out.
"NCIS" is not known for its light and fluffy plotlines and Alexander confessed that the work was physically and mentally draining for her. The common fix the producers used in this case was to write Alexander off the show. The official diplomatic reason for her character’s departure was that she was released from her contract in order to “pursue other opportunities.” But in an interview with TV Guide, Alexander said she felt she had her life back and affirmed that she had no regrets after leaving the series.