Lauren Graham
Left: “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist”
Reason: Scheduling Issues
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
Lauren Graham had to make a tough decision during 2020. She was not only in “Zoey,” but she was also contracted to appear in the Disney+ show “The Mighty Ducks,” and thanks to SOMETHING that happened during all of 2020, the scheduling for both shows was thrown mightily out of whack.
“The Mighty Ducks” was supposed to finish shooting much earlier than it did, and the producers of “Zoey” decided to remove Graham’s character, Joan, from the second season, though they’ve said publicly the door is open for her character to return.
Brian Dunkleman
Left: “American Idol”
Reason: Wanted to Pursue Stand-up and Acting
Est. Salary Loss: $15 million per year
The estimated salary loss you see above is based on what Brian Dunkleman's co-host, Ryan Seacrest, is making every year at the legacy reality TV show. Dunkleman was only a host for “American Idol” for a single year before leaving to try acting and comedy.
It was a bad decision on his part since “American Idol” went on to make it bigger than anybody thought possible, while Dunkleman didn't. Right now he's making less than a thousand a week, and regrets not sticking with the show, especially, according to him, when he opens his bank statements.
Michael Learned
Left: “The Waltons”
Reason: The Role Wasn't Challenging Enough
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
After playing the matriarch of the titular family in the hit show “The Waltons,” Michael Learned decided her time was up. She felt the role wasn't challenging her enough as an actress, despite winning three Emmy Awards and four Golden Globes for her performance.
In 2017 she said she regretted leaving the show, but she couldn't stand sitting around and asking if John wanted more coffee any longer. Her character disappeared from the show, but she was able to return a few times for four made-for-TV reunion movies.
Anna Faris
Left: “Mom”
Reason: Wanted to Pursue New Opportunities
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
After leading the CBS show “Mom” for seven years alongside Allison Janey, Anna Faris decided she had done everything she could and wanted to explore other options.
She called the seven years she spent on “Mom” “Some of the most fulfilling and rewarding of my career.” She went on to thank the producers and her castmates and says that she looks forward to watching the next season from the comfort of her own home. However, she reiterated that her journey as Christy had come to an end.
Courtney Hope
Left: “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Reason: Unknown
Est. Salary Loss: Unknown
While most of the details about Hope's departure from “The Bold and the Beautiful” are unknown, it looks like it wasn't the actress's decision to do so, as related in an Instagram post she made following her departure.
She regrets the decision was so abrupt but also relates the three years she spent as Sally Spectra had been amazing. She wasn't sure what the future would hold, and thanked everyone in the cast and crew dearly, and looked forward to a time when they could all appear together again. She said that some things were out of her control, but is ready for new beginnings.