MomSkoop
Sometimes actors grow tired of their characters or want to explore new opportunities.
When this happens, they might ask the writers to kill off their character instead of just fading into the background.
These bold requests have led to some of the most shocking and memorable deaths in television and film history.
1. Harrison Ford — Han Solo (Star Wars)
Harrison Ford wanted Han Solo to die as far back as Return of the Jedi.
He believed the character’s death would add emotional weight and give the story more meaning.
For decades, Ford pushed for this ending whenever he discussed the original trilogy.
When Ford agreed to return for The Force Awakens, he finally got his wish.
Han’s death at the hands of his son, Kylo Ren, became one of the most heartbreaking moments in Star Wars history.
The scene shocked audiences worldwide and proved Ford was right about the dramatic impact.
Ford felt the sacrifice would make Han’s journey complete and meaningful.
2. Sigourney Weaver — Ellen Ripley (Alien 3)
After two successful Alien films, Sigourney Weaver felt Ripley’s story needed a definitive ending.
She worried the character would be exploited in endless sequels without proper closure.
Weaver specifically requested that Ripley die in Alien 3 to prevent the studio from continuing without her input.
The actress worked with filmmakers to craft a sacrificial death that felt heroic and purposeful.
Ripley throws herself into molten lead to destroy the alien queen growing inside her.
This dramatic finale gave the character dignity and prevented future films from cheapening her legacy.
Weaver’s insistence on death gave Ripley the ending she deserved.
3. Jamie Lee Curtis — Laurie Strode (Halloween: Resurrection)
Jamie Lee Curtis agreed to appear in Halloween: Resurrection on one condition: Laurie Strode had to die.
After surviving so many encounters with Michael Myers, Curtis felt the character deserved a final confrontation.
She wanted Laurie’s story to have a clear conclusion rather than dragging on indefinitely.
The opening scene shows Laurie in a psychiatric hospital where Michael finds her one last time.
Their rooftop battle ends with Laurie falling to her death after kissing Michael’s mask.
Curtis believed this ending, though controversial, gave Laurie peace after years of trauma.
Fans were shocked, but Curtis stood by her decision for closure.
4. Channing Tatum — Duke (G.I. Joe: Retaliation)
Channing Tatum surprised everyone by requesting his character Duke be killed off early in G.I. Joe: Retaliation.
Despite being the main character in the first film, Tatum wanted to focus on other projects.
He asked the filmmakers to write him out permanently rather than simply reducing his role.
Duke dies in a surprise attack that wipes out most of the G.I. Joe team.
The explosion happens early in the movie, shocking audiences who expected him to be the hero.
Tatum’s request allowed Dwayne Johnson’s character to take center stage for the rest of the film.
The unexpected death set a darker tone for the sequel.
5. Dan Stevens — Matthew Crawley (Downton Abbey)
Dan Stevens shocked Downton Abbey fans when he asked to leave the show after three seasons.
He wanted to pursue film opportunities and felt Matthew’s story had run its course.
Stevens gave the producers advance notice, but his departure still required a dramatic exit.
Matthew dies in a car accident just hours after his son is born.
The tragic timing made his death even more heartbreaking for viewers.
The Christmas special episode ended on this devastating note, leaving audiences in tears.
Stevens’ career flourished afterward with roles in major films.
His departure remains one of television’s most talked-about character deaths.
6. Jeffrey DeMunn — Dale Horvath (The Walking Dead)
Jeffrey DeMunn asked to leave The Walking Dead after showrunner Frank Darabont was fired.
DeMunn had worked with Darabont multiple times and felt loyal to the director’s vision.
He requested his character Dale be killed off rather than continue without his friend at the helm.
Dale’s death came much earlier than in the comic books.
A zombie attacks him in a field, leading to a mercy killing by Daryl.
The emotional scene highlighted Dale’s role as the group’s moral compass.
DeMunn’s departure was a statement of solidarity with Darabont.
Dale’s death marked a turning point for the show’s tone and direction.
7. Frank Dillane — Nick Clark (Fear the Walking Dead)
Frank Dillane wanted to leave Fear the Walking Dead to pursue other creative projects.
He felt he had explored Nick’s character fully over four seasons.
Dillane requested his character be written out permanently, leading to a shocking mid-season death.
Nick dies from a gunshot wound while trying to help others in his community.
His sudden death caught viewers completely off guard since he was a main character.
The funeral episode that followed became one of the show’s most emotional moments.
Dillane’s departure changed the show’s dynamic significantly.
Nick’s death proved no character was safe, even the original cast members from season one.
8. Emma Caulfield — Anya Jenkins (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
Emma Caulfield asked Joss Whedon to kill Anya in the Buffy series finale.
She wanted Anya’s death to mean something and show the real stakes of the final battle.
Caulfield felt a heroic death would complete Anya’s transformation from demon to human.
During the battle in the Hellmouth, Anya is cut down by a Bringer’s sword.
Her death happens quickly without fanfare, emphasizing the brutal reality of war.
Xander learns about it afterward, making the moment even more tragic.
Caulfield believed Anya deserved to die fighting for humanity.
The understated death made it feel more realistic and impactful for fans.
9. Julian Glover — Grand Maester Pycelle (Game of Thrones)
Julian Glover reportedly asked the Game of Thrones writers to kill off Pycelle when he was ready to retire from acting.
At over 80 years old, Glover wanted to end his time on the show with a memorable exit.
The producers honored his request with a brutal death scene.
Pycelle is stabbed repeatedly by Qyburn’s little birds during Cersei’s purge.
The violent death shocked viewers who had watched the character scheme for six seasons.
His murder was part of Cersei’s plan to eliminate all her enemies in King’s Landing.
Glover’s final scene gave Pycelle a dramatic farewell.
The veteran actor ended his television career with an unforgettable moment.
10. Tom Payne — Paul “Jesus” Rovia (The Walking Dead)
Tom Payne asked to leave The Walking Dead because he felt Jesus wasn’t being used to his full potential.
The character was a skilled fighter in the comics but rarely got action scenes on the show.
Payne wanted to explore other opportunities where his talents would be better utilized.
Jesus dies during an encounter with the Whisperers in a foggy graveyard.
A walker he’s fighting suddenly speaks and stabs him, revealing the new threat.
His death introduces one of the show’s most terrifying villain groups.
Payne’s departure disappointed fans who wanted more Jesus storylines.
His death scene at least gave the character an important narrative purpose.
11. Paul Wesley — Stefan Salvatore (The Vampire Diaries)
Paul Wesley advocated for Stefan’s death in The Vampire Diaries finale.
He felt Stefan needed to sacrifice himself to redeem his past sins as the Ripper.
Wesley believed this ending would give his character the most meaningful conclusion after eight seasons.
Stefan takes his brother Damon’s place and dies destroying Katherine and hellfire.
The sacrifice allows Damon to live a human life with Elena.
Stefan finds peace in the afterlife, reuniting with Lexi and eventually Elena years later.
Wesley’s input shaped one of television’s most emotional series finales.
Stefan’s heroic death gave him the redemption his character always sought.
12. Mischa Barton — Marissa Cooper (The O.C.)
Mischa Barton wanted to leave The O.C. after three seasons to pursue film opportunities.
She felt Marissa’s storylines had become repetitive and wanted a fresh start.
Barton requested her character be killed off rather than simply moving away.
Marissa dies in Ryan’s arms after a car accident caused by Volchok.
The season finale became one of the most-watched episodes in the show’s history.
Fans were devastated by the loss of one of the original main characters.
The show continued for one more season without Barton, but ratings declined significantly.
Marissa’s death changed The O.C. forever and marked the beginning of its end.
13. Katie McGrath — Zara Young (Jurassic World)
Katie McGrath specifically requested that her character Zara have a memorable death in Jurassic World.
She wanted to be part of the film’s action rather than just surviving as a background character.
McGrath asked the filmmakers to give her one of the movie’s most spectacular death scenes.
Zara’s death became one of the most elaborate in the franchise.
Pteranodons grab her, drop her in water multiple times, and finally a Mosasaurus swallows her whole.
The extended sequence shocked audiences with its intensity.
McGrath got exactly what she wanted—an unforgettable movie moment.
Her character’s death remains one of Jurassic World’s most talked-about scenes among fans.
14. Dean Norris — Hank Schrader (Breaking Bad)
Dean Norris asked Breaking Bad creators to kill Hank earlier than planned due to scheduling conflicts.
He had committed to another television series and wasn’t sure he could finish Breaking Bad’s final season.
Norris requested his death happen sooner to accommodate his other obligations.
Fortunately, his scheduling worked out, and Hank died as originally planned.
The desert execution by Jack’s gang became one of television’s most shocking moments.
Hank’s defiant final words to Walt cemented his status as a hero.
Norris’s early request didn’t change the timeline, but it shows his professionalism.
Hank’s death remains one of Breaking Bad’s most powerful and heartbreaking scenes.
15. Liev Schreiber — Cotton Weary (Scream franchise)
Liev Schreiber asked to be killed off in Scream 3’s opening to make a statement about his character.
Cotton had survived the previous films and become a talk show host.
Schreiber wanted Cotton’s death to shock audiences and set the tone for the new film.
Cotton and his girlfriend are murdered by Ghostface in a tense phone sequence.
The opening proved no one was safe, even returning characters.
Cotton’s death happens before the title card, making it especially unexpected.
Schreiber’s request created one of the franchise’s most effective openings.
Cotton’s murder demonstrated that Scream 3 would be just as brutal as its predecessors.