On March 4, Luke Perry died after having a massive stroke just days earlier, leaving fans wondering what would happen to his character, Fred Andrews, on "Riverdale," which is still in production on the show's third season. Although the show temporarily shut down in light of Perry's death, Warner Bros. and The CW have yet to announce what "Riverdale" plans to do with his character going forward.
Read on for ways that different TV shows have handled an actor's death during production.
Bill Paxtons death led to the cancellation of "Training Day."
When Bill Paxton unexpectedly died in 2017 at age 61 after complications from surgery, he had already completed the full first season order of the "Training Day." That meant that the season continued to air as planned, according to Deadline , and the show was then canceled.
Anton Yelchins role in "Trollhunters" was recast.
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In 2016, Anton Yelchin died after an auto accident, according to The Wrap . At the time, Yelchin was voicing Jim in Netflix's animated series, "Trollhunters." After his death, Netflix recast Emile Hirsch in Yelchin's former role in the third and final season.
Cory Monteiths character Finn died on "Glee."
After Cory Monteith was found dead of an overdose in 2013, "Glee" decided that his character, Finn Hudson, would die on the next season. Although Finn's cause of death was never revealed, an episode of the show called "The Quarterback" centered around his death and how each character coped with it, especially Rachel, who was played by Lea Michele, the actress who was dating Monteith in real life at the time.
Lee Thompson Youngs character also died on "Rizzoli & Isles."
In 2013, Lee Thompson Young was found dead at 29 years old, with his manager later confirming that he took his own life. At the time, he was starring on "Rizzoli & Isles" as Detective Barry Frost. On the show, his character died as well, but in a car accident , and the show featured Frost's funeral service.
John Ritters "8 Simple Rules" character was killed off.
After John Ritter died of an aortic dissection at 54 in 2003, the show he was currently starring in, "8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter," was left to decide how to proceed without him. In a one-hour episode, Ritter's character, Paul Hennessy, left to get milk and died of a heart attack , and in the episodes that followed, his family coped with their loss.
Freddie Prinzes absence from "Chico And The Man" was explained away.
When Freddie Prinze died by suicide at 22 in 1977, he was starring in "Chico And The Man." At the time, Prinze's absence was explained as Chico being "away," according to the Baltimore Sun , but Chico was confirmed to be dead later in the series.
Stanley Kamels character in "Monk" also died.
In 2008, Stanley Kamel was found dead of a heart attack in his home in Hollywood Hills at 65. Since he was starring in "Monk" at the time, his character Dr. Kroger, who was Monk's therapist, died in the show's season seven premiere.
Phil Hartmans "NewsRadio" character died of a heart attack.
Jim Daviss character on "Dallas" was killed off.
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Will Lees "Sesame Street" character, Mr. Hooper, died, too.
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When Will Lee, who played Mr. Hooper on "Sesame Street," died in 1982 at 74 years old, it gave the show the unique opportunity to help explain death to its audience of young children. In the episode "Farewell Mr. Hooper," Big Bird coped with Mr. Hooper's death as the show aimed to help the kids watching at home do the same with deaths they might confront in their own lives.
Nancy Marchand was brought back to "The Sopranos" through CGI.
In 2000, Nancy Marchand, who played Livia in "The Sopranos," died at 71 from lung cancer. Although the show did bring her character back through the use of CGI, eventually, Livia did die on the show.
