1. Henry Blake - 'M*A*S*H'

Why it was devastating: Lt. Col. Henry Blake is finally discharged, but the plane taking him back to the United States is shot down over the Sea of Japan. "It spun in… there were no survivors." 

Why it happened: McLean Stevenson wanted to leave the show because of the focus on Alan Alda's character. Producers considered writing him off the show with the character's discharge, but decided to kill Blake off to remind viewers this was a show about war. 

2. Eric "Hoss" Cartwright - 'Bonanza'

Why it was devastating: Hoss is one of the best parts of the series, with his cheery disposition lifting the show. He was one of the first major characters on television to be killed, and it was later revealed he died trying to save a drowing woman. 

Why it happened: Dan Blocker died during production of the series from a pulmonary embolism. Producers agreed no one else could replace Blocker's big personality, so they decided to kill off the character instead. 

3. James Evans, Sr. - 'Good Times'

Why it was devastating: Damn, damn, damn! Who could forget the scene when Florida reads a telegram stating her husband had been killed in a car crash? One moment everyone is celebrating, the next is pure devastation. 

Why it happened: Initial reports said John Amos wanted to focus on his film career, but years later, he had a different story. The actor said Norman Lear wouldn't renew his contract after the third season, meaning his character would be killed off. 

Image: Sony Pictures Television

4. Edith Bunker - 'Archie Bunker's Place'

Why it was devastating: Archie and Edith are a match made in TV heaven. The couple charmed audiences on All in the Family, and continued to do just that on the first season of Archie Bunker's Place. But at the beginning of the second season, we find out Edith had died of a stroke. If that wasn't bad enough, we had to watch Archie start dating again. 

Why it happened: Jean Stapleton decided to leave the series to focus on other projects.

Image: Sony Pictures Television

5. Ernie "Coach" Pantusso - 'Cheers'

Why it was devastating: Coach is one of the strengths of the early years, delivering sharpened lines during the series' first three seasons.

Why it happened: Nicholas Colasanto had suffered from heart disease since the early 1970s, and unfortunately died of a heart attack during the show's third season, in 1985. 

6. Mr. Hooper - 'Sesame Street'

Why it was devastating: The humans on the street had to break the news of Mr. Hooper's passing to Big Bird, who didn't quite understand the concept of death. It's one of the most crushing and touching scenes in television history, and it provided a lesson in grieving for children and adults alike.

Why it happened: One of the show's original human characters, Will Lee died of a heart attack in 1982. Producers decided to use his death as a lesson, and the episode has been lauded as one of the most influential moments in daytime television. 

Image: Sesame Workshop

7. Jock Ewing - 'Dallas'

Why it was devastating: It's hard for any show with an ensemble cast to lose the patriarch, but Dallas created a dramatic exit for the Ewing leader by having him die in a helicopter crash in South America. 

Why it happened: Jim Davis was diagnosed with cancer during the show's fourth season and continue to perform until he couldn't any longer. 

Image: Warner Bros. Television

8. Dan Conner - 'Roseanne'

Why it was devastating:  After nine seasons, it's revealed Dan Conner died of a heart attack before the family won the lottery. Shocking!

Why it happened: Fans weren't too happy with the final season of Roseanne, especially when it was revealed during the series finale that John Goodman's character had died. Perhaps the character's fate was in retaliation for Goodman's lengthy contract negotiations prior to filming the final season. 

Image: SFM Entertainment