Leaving Early- 1

Michael J. Fox - Spin City

How he left: Michael J. Fox’s charisma alone lifted Spin City from middling sitcom to a surprising delight for four seasons. When Fox’s Parkinson’s disease became too unmanageable, he announced his departure from the series. His final episode in 2000 found his character, deputy mayor of New York City, nobly taking the fall when the administration is linked to organized crime. The two-part send-off was filled with tear- jerking goodbyes from the series’ supporting characters, as Fox’s Mike Flaherty moved to Washington, D.C., to work as an environmental lobbyist. (In a wink to Fox’s role of Family Ties, he meets a senator named Alex P. Keaton in one of the episode’s final moments.)

What happened next: Spin City ran two more seasons, with Charlie Sheen replacing Fox. Ratings spiked initially and critics were charmed by Sheen’s chemistry with co-star Heather Locklear. Fox devoted much of his post-Spin City time to raising awareness for his disease, and has appeared in recurring roles on Boston Legal, Rescue Me (which he won an Emmy for), and The Good Wife.