10 TV Characters Who Just Disappeared

5. Troy McClure - The Simpsons

Buzz Hickey Community
20th Century Fox

Hi, he's Troy McClure. You may remember him from such shows as The Simpsons and... well that's about it.

Phil Hartman's Hollywood has-been was one of the most popular side characters on the show. He would frequently pop up to sell us garbage or introduce us to sex education videos, all the while reminding us what films he'd been in.

Troy was even the star of the Season 7 episode A Fish Called Selma. It followed his attempts to revitalise his career (and get rid of the rumours about what he did to that fish) by marrying Marge's sister. He also hosted the behind-the-scenes The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular and The Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase.

Tragically, Hartman was killed by his wife Brynn Omdahl in a domestic dispute in 1998. Rather than killing off McClure or writing him out of the show, the Simpsons writers instead decided to retire the character (along with Hartman's other character, lawyer Lionel Hutz) with the actor.

What (Probably) Happened To Him: Troy McClure is probably still out there somewhere, starring in late night infomercials, children's educational films and whatever reality shows the Simpsons' universe have to exploit out of work celebrities.

 
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