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.
Josh Charles
Left: The Good Wife
Reason: Wanted to Get Married
Estimated Salary Loss: $100,000 per episode*
Josh Charles played Will Gardner on "The Good Wife" and, quite ironically, was looking at having a wife himself. Near the time when Charles’ contract expired with the show and he had to make a decision for his career, he also proposed to his now-wife, Sophie Flack.
He decided not to return to "The Good Wife," and his character, Will Gardner, was written off. So in a major plot twist, Gardner was killed off, surprising fans. Clearly, fans were very sad to see this beloved character go but it was certainly for a good reason!
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.
Harrison Ford
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.
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.