10 TV Shows That Killed Off Unhappy Actors

This is still a sore one for Grey's Anatomy fans, despite all the wonderful characters we've seen come and go over the years. T R Knight was a main cast member for the first five seasons of the medical drama, playing Dr. George O'Malley, and fans were shocked when it was announced he wouldn't return to the show for Season Six.

Behind the scenes, fellow actor Isaiah Washington got into a fight with Patrick Dempsey and used a homophobic slur during the confrontation. The controversy led to Washington having his contract terminated, and Knight took the opportunity to come out as gay, a fact he said the cast and crew were aware of.

This could have been the end of it, but unfortunately Knight also had issues within the show, primarily in regards to his lack of character development and limited screen time. He had disagreements with show-runner Shonda Rhimes about the way his character was being portrayed, and he felt as though O'Malley was fading further and further into the background. After some talks, he was given the chance to leave his contract early and took it.

George O'Malley was killed in a bus accident at the beginning of Season Six which left him disfigured and identified as a John Doe. His friends and colleagues realised who he was too late, however, and he died before they could save him. It was an unceremonious end for many fans, but a necessary one, as Knight was done with the show and wanted to put his focus elsewhere.