1 of 11
Photo credit: Getty/Files
Showbiz bosses would be thrilled if all the drama on hit television shows stayed on the screen. Instead, backstage antics have gotten plenty of stars fired from their jobs playing lawyers, doctors, and other characters who were soon off the air...
2 of 11
Photo credit: Getty Images
KIM DELANEY was reunited with "NYPD Blue" costar
David Caruso on "CSI: Miami" — but she was off the show before her episodes even aired in 2002. Insiders believed a recent DUI had cost her the role. Similar concerns had followed Kim to the set of her short-lived show "Philly."
She was in rehab by 2003, and Kim's since bounced back with plenty of steady work.
3 of 11
Photo credit: Getty Images
NICOLLETTE SHERIDAN saw her character on "Desperate Housewives" suffer a fatal electrocution in 2009 — and went to court over the death! She claimed show creator Marc Cherry had "forcefully hit her with his hand across her face and head" after she questioned a script, and killed off her character as punishment. Nicollette got no support from fellow cast members, though, and the lawsuit was later dismissed.
4 of 11
Photo credit: Getty Images
COLUMBUS SHORT had his stint as a crisis manager on "Scandal" cut short after a series of scandals. That included a brawl where
cops were called to his house over allegations that he'd held a knife to his wife's throat. Shonda Rhimes killed off his character in 2014. The actor acknowledged a real-life cocaine addiction, saying he wished his cast “nothing but the best.”
5 of 11
Photo credit: Getty Images
SHANNEN DOHERTY was fired twice for bad behavior! The formerly difficult actress threw punches at Jennie Garth on the set of "90210," with
Tori Spelling confessing she personally asked her producer father Aaron Spelling to drop the axe. Shannen then left "Charmed" after three seasons, reportedly over fights with cast mate Holly Marie Combs. “There were definitely some rough days,” said fellow witch
Alyssa Milano.
6 of 11
Photo credit: Getty Images
ISIAH WASHINGTON
ended his run on "Grey's Anatomy" in 2007 after using a homophobic slur during a backstage battle involving T.R. Knight — in a scandal that ended up outing Isiah's embattled costar. He's been trying to rebuild his career ever since. That includes a guest turn on "Grey's Anatomy" in 2014 episode, which was long after T.R. had left the show.
7 of 11
Photo credit: Getty Images
TAYLOR MOMSEN had a showcase role as sweet socialite Jenny Humphrey on "Gossip Girl" — but her off-screen antics were too close to the decadent antics of her character's pals. Insiders were soon blasting her "erratic behavior," and she was let go in 2011 after getting her screen time shrunk. Since then,
Taylor's stuck to rock 'n roll since then. 8 of 11
Photo credit: Getty/Files
ROBERT DOWNEY JR. had to hit bottom before his "Iron Man" comeback, and he did it on the set of "Ally McBeal." Joining the hit series was a big break for the troubled star, who'd come off a series of drug arrests. His character was even set to propose to Ally in 2001 — but then he was fired just hours after another arrest for drug use. The show's writers had to scramble to rewrite the fourth season finale.
9 of 11
Photo credit: Getty Images
JESSICA BIEL was a little too eager to move on past her wholesome role in "7th Heaven" — and producer Aaron Spelling was furious when she did a racy photo shoot for a magazine. Stephen Collins, who played her dad, blasted it as "child pornography."
He'd later be accused of being a child molester. Jessica was off the show by Season 5, later saying: "I was 17 years old and totally rebellious."
10 of 11
Photo credit: Getty Images
THOMAS GIBSON went from the hit sitcom "Dharma & Greg" to 12 seasons as hardened investigator Aaron "Hotch" Hotchner on CBS' "Criminal Minds." That winning streak came to an end in 2016.
Thomas was abruptly fired from "Criminal Minds" for reportedly taking a swing at writer/producer Virgil Williams. “I feel like it took years to make a good reputation,” said Thomas, “and a minute to damage it.”
11 of 11
Photo credit: Getty Images
STANA KATIC didn't know what went wrong when she was
suddenly canned from co-starring with Nathan Fillion on "Castle." She had wrapped the show's eighth season when ABC fired her — and then soon canceled the detective drama. “It hurt and it was a harsh ending,” Stana said. Some insiders blamed greedy producers, with Stana set to earn $12 million for the next season after signing a new contract.