7 Tearjerking TV Sitcom Tributes To Cast Members Who Died
4. Suddenly Susan (David Strickland - Todd Stities)
Finding the balance between maudlin tribute and whimsical homage is difficult when memorializing an actor most famous for playing a goofy, unfathomably moronic character on a sitcom. To make the ordeal too sentimental would betray the essence of the character, while playing the laughs too heavily might make it feel insincere.
When Suddenly Susan supporting actor David Strickland committed suicide, it was important for the episode that incorporated his death, the Season 3 finale "A Day in the Life," to toe the line.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpLVPmNm7ac
The episode centered around his character Todd, who suddenly went missing, and the requisite search for their lost coworker. Along the way, they all find out some special things about Todd that they never knew, about his generosity and overall good-hearted nature. The episode is spliced together with small scenes of the actors breaking character and talking directly to the camera about their recently deceased costar, often having trouble holding back tears.