TV's exits: Saying goodbye to familiar faces

(Richard Cartwright / The WB)
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'Charmed'

Abruptly departed: Shannen Doherty, left
Played: Prue Halliwell
Lasted: Three years (1998-2001)
Why she left: Doherty claims she asked to leave the show because she didn't find the work fulfilling. Rumors persist that the creative shift from the show being a Shannen-starring vehicle to an ensemble sister piece with Alyssa Milano caused her departure.
How it went down on air: Prue gets murdered by a demonic assassin named Shax.
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