Left: Home Improvement
Reason: To Focus on Schooling
Estimated Salary Loss: $500,000 per episode*
Jonathan Taylor Thomas starred as the dimple-cheeked, Randy on “Home Improvement” and became a teenage crush for many young girls watching the show. Taylor Thomas left the hit show to focus more on his schooling and later took a total hiatus from Hollywood, much to the disappointment of loving fans.
A very grounded individual, Thomas said that he had no regrets about walking away from Hollywood. He recognized the cost of being a child actor and said that he’d been “going nonstop” since he was eight years old.
Steve Carrell
Left: The Office
Reason: Didn’t Renew His Contract
Estimated Salary Loss: $175,000 per episode*
"The Office" fans were devastated when Michael Scott, played by Steve Carrell, left the series, leaving a gaping wound in the show. In fact, Carrell’s departure proved to be the death of the show completely, leading to declining ratings and an ultimate cancelation after season nine.
In season seven, Carrell had left the show under the public impression that it was so he could focus on his film career. However, it was revealed in the spring of 2020, that Carrell’s contract was up at that time and he had also requested a raise, which was denied by executives. NBC falsely believed that the show could survive without Michael Scott, but it ended up being the death blow to the series, proof that a good actor deserves his raise!
Mischa Barton
Left: The O.C.
Reason: To Pursue Other Projects
Estimated Salary Loss: $15,000-$25,000 per episode*
Many remember their childhood framed by the teenage soap opera, "The OC." Mischa Barton was a major actress as she played angst-ridden, Marissa Cooper on the show. But Barton felt that, after a few seasons, she had outgrown the series and was ready to head to movie making. So, in season three, poor Marissa Cooper left the show via a tragic car accident.
Unfortunately for Barton, her movie career has never taken off, though she will always be the face of "The OC."
Amy Carlson
Left: Blue Bloods
Reason: Wanted to Move On
Estimated Salary Loss: $200,000 per episode*
Amy Carlson announced her exit from "Blue Bloods" on her Instagram in 2018. As with many actors, Carlson was ready to try something new in her career and was all set to hang up her role as Linda Reagan, Danny Reagan’s wife.
As to be expected in the circumstances, producers had Linda killed off in a helicopter crash on the show. Fans were shocked, confused, and upset that Carlson’s death had occurred between seasons. Carlson had a nice comradery with her castmates and said that Donny Wahlberg was “generous” and “sweet about her departure.”
Pamela Anderson
Left: Baywatch
Reason: Wanted A Break From Acting, Focusing on Her Family
Est. Salary Loss: Over $300,000 per episode*
Everyone knows that the "Baywatch" beach jog was made famous primarily by blonde bombshell, Pamela Anderson. Anderson had the role of C.J. Parker on the eye-candy-laden, action-drama series. But after five seasons and having just given birth to her first child, Anderson was ready to set her sights elsewhere.
She admitted she wasn’t looking to be a big-name star and simply wanted the freedom to explore other options. Though she hasn’t been known for much since "Baywatch," Pamela Anderson is still a household name because of the show.