WHERE ARE THEY NOW: 16 actors who were killed off of 'Grey's Anatomy'

Kirsten AcunaAug 26, 2020, 06:38 IST

The "Grey's Anatomy" cast has gone through a lot of changes over the years.Kelsey McNeal/ABC

"Grey's Anatomy" has killed many doctors and patients off across its 16-season run.
From most of Meredith Grey's family to fan favorite Denny Duquette, many cast members have gone on to other successful roles.

If you're a "Grey's Anatomy" fan, you know more than anyone that watching just one episode of the series is a roller coaster of emotions. But nothing leaves a fan more rattled than the death of a major character.

Though many of the people that have been killed off of the series on episodes past are alive and thriving in real life today, we still cried real tears while watching some of their last moments on the show.

Keep reading to see what some of your favorite "Grey's" characters have been up to since their on-screen deaths.

Danielle Jackson contributed to a previous version of this story.

George O'Malley (T.R. Knight) was the first major casualty of the series.

George was one of the show's original cast members. ABC

Since leaving the show, Knight has had guest roles on episodes of "Law and Order: SVU" and CBS's "The Good Wife."

T.R. Knight at the Los Angeles screening of "Genius" in April 2017. Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for National Geographic

Kate Burton made recurring appearances on the series as Ellis Grey, Meredith’s no-nonsense mother who was basically a legend in the medical world.

Meredith had a strained relationship with her mother. ABC

Burton has also made the jump over to "Scandal" as Sally Langston, the fire-spitting news anchor we all love to hate. She most recently appeared on another popular show.

Did you recognize Burton on the NBC show "This is Us"? NBC

Burton has also made the jump over to "Scandal" as Sally Langston, the fire-spitting news anchor we all love to hate. She most recently appeared on another popular show.

Dr. Craig Thomas (William Daniels) was Cristina Yang's mentor throughout the series.

Craig Thomas was an attending cardiothoracic surgeon. ABC

Daniels has since appeared in the "Boy Meets World" spin-off, "Girl Meets World."

Daniels on "Girl Meets World" Disney Channel/Ron Tom

Meredith's half-sister Lexie (Chyler Leigh) was introduced on season three and stayed on for five seasons until her death in season eight's unforgettable plane crash.

No one saw Lexie's death coming. ABC

Following the season eight finale, Leigh admitted to E! News that her exit from the series was a joint decision made between herself and Shonda Rhimes.

Leigh has gone from being a super doctor to the sister of Supergirl. The CW

Susan Grey (Mare Winningham) was Lexie's mom, Molly Grey-Thompson, and died from a bad case of the hiccups.

Susan Grey appeared on seasons two and three of the show. ABC

Winningham most recently appeared on HBO's "The Outsider."

Mare Winningham at the 68th annual Tony Awards. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions

Jeff Perry played Meredith's father, Thatcher Grey.

Thatcher Grey was killed off the show on season 15, episode 11. ABC

Perry appeared on the true crime anthology "Dirty John."

Perry is seen above on season one, episode seven. Bravo via Netflix

Mark Sloan (Eric Dane) started off as a guest star, but Derek Shepherd's best friend quickly became a series regular as head of plastics.

He made his mark as becoming known as McSteamy. ABC

Dane was most recently seen on HBO's "Euphoria."

Jules runs into Cal at a carnival on season one, episode four. HBO Max

In one of the show's most shocking deaths, Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) died after a severe car accident toward the end of season 11.

McDreamy deserved better. ABC

Dempsey said his decision to leave the show was a joint decision with creator Shonda Rhimes.

Dempsey has started to embrace his graying hair. Here he is in the trailer for TV series "Devils." Sky Atlantic

Jeffrey Dean Morgan's character, Denny Duquette, was a transplant patient who died of a stroke shortly after receiving a new heart on the second season.

Denny almost instantly became a fan-favorite. ABC

The actor joined "The Walking Dead" at the end of season six to play the show's bat-wielding villain, Negan.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan was a big fan of the character. Gene Page/AMC

Henry (Scott Foley) died on season eight due to complications from a very rare condition.

Foley joined "Grey's Anatomy" on season seven. ABC

Since leaving "Grey's," Foley has starred on other series, including the short-lived "Whiskey Cavalier."

Foley starred on "Whiskey Cavalier" with Lauren Cohan. Nick Ray/ABC

Loretta Devine made guest appearances on over 20 episodes of the series as Richard's wife, Adele.

Adele Webber was a former nurse and appeared on the show from seasons two through nine. ABC

Devine later played Cynthia Carmichael on "The Carmichael Show" and has also appeared on "Supernatural."

Devine stars in the upcoming TV One movie "Behind the Movement," which tells the story of Rosa Parks. NBC

Robert Baker joined the cast on the show's sixth season as Dr. Charles Percy, after Seattle Grace merged with Mercy West.

Charles spent his last moments hiding out in a patient's bathroom. ABC

Baker has guest starred on episodes of "Grace and Frankie," "Modern Family," and more shows.

Baker has had a recurring role as Otis Graves on "Supergirl." Warner Bros. TV

Heather Brooks was electrocuted when she went searching for Richard during the super storm in season 10.

Heather Brooks met an unfortunate end. ABC

Tina Majorino joined CBS's "Scorpion" before it was canceled.

Majorino played Florence on "Scorpion." Jessica Brooks/CBS

Wilmer Valderrama briefly appeared on "Grey's" as Kyle, a musician suffering from multiple sclerosis.

Valderrama appeared on the 12th season of "Grey's Anatomy." ABC

Valderrama is currently playing Special Agent Nick Torres on "NCIS."

Wilmer Valderrama on "NCIS." CBS

Kyle Chandler was featured on a handful of episodes as Dylan, the bomb squad leader who was called into the hospital during a bomb scare.

Kyle Chandler appeared briefly on seasons two and three of "Grey's." ABC

You may recognize Chandler from his role as Coach Eric Taylor on "Friday Night Lights."

Kyle Chandler on "Bloodline." od Millington/Netflix

Mandy Moore's character, Mary, was originally brought into the hospital for a colostomy bag reversal surgery.

Mandy Moore on "Grey's Anatomy." ABC

She's now playing Rebecca, the matriarch of the Pearson family on NBC's new hit show, "This Is Us."

Mandy Moore plays her character at both a young and older age on "This is Us." NBC

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW: 16 actors who were killed off of 'Grey's Anatomy'

George O'Malley (T.R. Knight) was the first major casualty of the series.

Since leaving the show, Knight has had guest roles on episodes of "Law and Order: SVU" and CBS's "The Good Wife."

Kate Burton made recurring appearances on the series as Ellis Grey, Meredith’s no-nonsense mother who was basically a legend in the medical world.

Burton has also made the jump over to "Scandal" as Sally Langston, the fire-spitting news anchor we all love to hate. She most recently appeared on another popular show.

Dr. Craig Thomas (William Daniels) was Cristina Yang's mentor throughout the series.

Daniels has since appeared in the "Boy Meets World" spin-off, "Girl Meets World."

Meredith's half-sister Lexie (Chyler Leigh) was introduced on season three and stayed on for five seasons until her death in season eight's unforgettable plane crash.

Following the season eight finale, Leigh admitted to E! News that her exit from the series was a joint decision made between herself and Shonda Rhimes.

Susan Grey (Mare Winningham) was Lexie's mom, Molly Grey-Thompson, and died from a bad case of the hiccups.

Winningham most recently appeared on HBO's "The Outsider."

Jeff Perry played Meredith's father, Thatcher Grey.

Perry appeared on the true crime anthology "Dirty John."

Mark Sloan (Eric Dane) started off as a guest star, but Derek Shepherd's best friend quickly became a series regular as head of plastics.

Dane was most recently seen on HBO's "Euphoria."

In one of the show's most shocking deaths, Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) died after a severe car accident toward the end of season 11.

Dempsey said his decision to leave the show was a joint decision with creator Shonda Rhimes.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan's character, Denny Duquette, was a transplant patient who died of a stroke shortly after receiving a new heart on the second season.

The actor joined "The Walking Dead" at the end of season six to play the show's bat-wielding villain, Negan.

Henry (Scott Foley) died on season eight due to complications from a very rare condition.

Since leaving "Grey's," Foley has starred on other series, including the short-lived "Whiskey Cavalier."

Loretta Devine made guest appearances on over 20 episodes of the series as Richard's wife, Adele.

Devine later played Cynthia Carmichael on "The Carmichael Show" and has also appeared on "Supernatural."

Robert Baker joined the cast on the show's sixth season as Dr. Charles Percy, after Seattle Grace merged with Mercy West.

Baker has guest starred on episodes of "Grace and Frankie," "Modern Family," and more shows.

Heather Brooks was electrocuted when she went searching for Richard during the super storm in season 10.

Tina Majorino joined CBS's "Scorpion" before it was canceled.

Wilmer Valderrama briefly appeared on "Grey's" as Kyle, a musician suffering from multiple sclerosis.

Valderrama is currently playing Special Agent Nick Torres on "NCIS."

Kyle Chandler was featured on a handful of episodes as Dylan, the bomb squad leader who was called into the hospital during a bomb scare.

You may recognize Chandler from his role as Coach Eric Taylor on "Friday Night Lights."

Mandy Moore's character, Mary, was originally brought into the hospital for a colostomy bag reversal surgery.

She's now playing Rebecca, the matriarch of the Pearson family on NBC's new hit show, "This Is Us."