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.”
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."
Jonathan Taylor Thomas
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.
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.
Anthony Edwards
Left: E.R.
Reason: Wanted to Develop His Directing Career
Est. Salary Loss: Over $350,000 per episode*
Anthony Edwards had it really good on the show "ER." He reportedly had a $35 million contract and played a starring role (that of Dr. Mark Greene). But for the character of Dr. Greene, the grass was a little greener behind the camera.
Edwards was allowed to direct an episode of the show and afterward, he expressed that he wanted to take a pause on acting to pursue directing. Producers complied and Dr. Greene sadly succumbed to cancer in season 8, leaving Edwards free to direct. Unfortunately for Edwards, he hasn’t had nearly as much success with directing as he has with acting.