Actors/actresses who made career-defining mistakes

[Big C]

Sometimes, an actor/actress makes a career decision that they don't live down.

What are some you can recall?

To me, the first name I think of is Lori Rom; I will alwas remember her as someone who passed up the opportunity of a lifetime when she decided not to do "Charmed."

Given what that did for Alyssa Milano's career, I think Lori's decision may have been one of the biggest career blunders anyone could ever commit.

To me, she'll be "the girl who threw away a chance at stardom."

[70s show watcher]

shelley long leaving cheers comes to mind

[Dusty's Fan]

Possibly Jerry Van Dyke's turning down the producers of Gilligan's Island, who offered him the lead role, and also not accepting a chance to replace Don Knotts who had left TAGS.

[TJL]

McLean Stevenson made a big blunder - he even admitted it years later - when he laft M*A*S*H after the third season, and his showbiz career never recovered.

[megamanj2004]

Jeff Conaway - outside of later working on Babylon 5 in the '90s, Jeff leaving Taxi caused not only his career to flop all over the place, heck his own personal lofe is just as big on shambles as his career. He couldn't even last long very long on all those god-awful reality shows he did in recent years. And look where he's at now!

Heck, he can't even pass a simple rehab rehab test on "Celebrity Rehab" and nearly lost his life when was on "Celebrity Fit Club." Doesn't the drug life say something there, Jeff?

[janet42]

Jeanine Riley left "Petticoat Junction" after 2 years thinking she could do better.
Except for doing 2 years on "Hee-Haw" and 1 season "Dusty's Trail", haven't heard much about her since.

[catlover79]

Possibly Jerry Van Dyke's turning down the producers of Gilligan's Island, who offered him the lead role, and also not accepting a chance to replace Don Knotts who had left TAGS.
Thankfully for him, along came Coach. I couldn't imagine anyone else playing Luther Van Dam. :lol:

[megamanj2004]

Thankfully for him, along came Coach. I couldn't imagine anyone else playing Luther Van Dam. :lol:

Wasn't Jerry Van Dyke also part of the drastically cheapened and re-tooled cast of the final season of "Airworlf?" in 1986-87?

[catlover79]

Wasn't Jerry Van Dyke also part of the drastically cheapened and re-tooled cast of the final season of "Airworlf?" in 1986-87?
No - that was BARRY Van Dyke. :lol:

[megamanj2004]

No - that was BARRY Van Dyke. :lol:

Why do I keep getting those Van Dykes (minus Dick) mixed up again!

[catlover79]

Why do I keep getting those Van Dykes (minus Dick) mixed up again!
I don't know. :lol: Are there any other Van Dykes in the business besides those three?

[browneyes106]

David Caruso leaving NYPD Blue.

[catlover79]

Tammy Grimes, who turned down the role of Samantha on Bewitched. The role then of course went to Liz Montgomery, who went onto sitcom immortality. Also, Shelley Long leaving Cheers.

[Marvo301]

David Caruso leaving NYPD Blue to become a movie star. Gee that worked out well. I can't remember a single movie he was in!!

[Stuck In The '70's]

David Caruso leaving NYPD Blue to become a movie star. Gee that worked out well. I can't remember a single movie he was in!!
Kiss of Death is the only one I can think of.

[Stuck In The '70's]

No - that was BARRY Van Dyke. :lol:
He was great in Diagnosis Murder. :D

[catlover79]

He was great in Diagnosis Murder. :D
Scott Baio was in that show, wasn't he?

[Stuck In The '70's]

Scott Baio was in that show, wasn't he?
Scott was on during the first 2 seasons. I'm not sure why he left. That was his last tv show until that Reality show he did. :lol:

[Marvo301]

Scott Baio played Dr. Jack Stewart for 2 seasons on Diagnosis Murder.

[Stuck In The '70's]

Scott Baio played Dr. Jack Stewart for 2 seasons on Diagnosis Murder.
and then he was replaced by Charlie Schlatter who played Dr. Jesse Travis for the rest of the series run. I liked Charlie better than Scott in this series.

[Marvo301]

and then he was replaced by Charlie Schlatter who played Dr. Jesse Travis for the rest of the series run. I liked Charlie better than Scott in this series.
I liked Charlie better too!

[James]

Not actors and actresses, but I have to nominate Neal Marlens and Carol Black (writers) for leaving The Wonder Years. Just watch the final two seasons (when Kevin and Co. were in high school). They don't hold a candle to the previous ones.

[Big C]

Tammy Grimes, who turned down the role of Samantha on Bewitched. The role then of course went to Liz Montgomery, who went onto sitcom immortality.

And just what became of Tammy after such a ridiculous blunder?

[Liza]

Showgirls very nearly destroyed Elizabeth Berkley's career. Forget Saved by the Bell, this nearly finished her. She was very, very lucky when Goldie Hawn gave her a second chance by appearing in The First Wives Club.

[88survivor]

You guys forgotten this Scott Baio classic from Charles In Charge to Baby Talk. This was way before Diagnosis Murder. This would have killed anybody's career like a dead dog in heat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phWmSjLgpmc

[Retro4Life]

Well, he's done very well for himself outside the acting world, but Wayne Rogers' acting career never recovered from his leaving MASH in 1975.

Nor did Gary Burghoff's when he left in 1979 (though to be honest, I can't see him becoming a leading man or anything close, and he did stay on the show for eight years).

[catlover79]

And just what became of Tammy after such a ridiculous blunder?
She was always primarily a stage actress, and as a result of her short-lived marriage to Christopher Plummer, has a daughter named Amanda. Tammy is still alive but of course did not become a household name like Liz did. Here is some more info about Ms. Grimes:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tammy_Grimes

http://www.filmreference.com/film/57/Tammy-Grimes.html

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/26/PKESS9FIH.DTL&type=music

[catlover79]

Here are some pics of Tammy Grimes. The wedding photo is of her and her first husband, and in the other one she is shown with Mike Wallace.

[catlover79]

Well, he's done very well for himself outside the acting world, but Wayne Rogers' acting career never recovered from his leaving MASH in 1975.

Nor did Gary Burghoff's when he left in 1979 (though to be honest, I can't see him becoming a leading man or anything close, and he did stay on the show for eight years).
My parents saw Gary in a play in Cleveland years ago (I don't know which play it was, though) and liked it. M*A*S*H had been off the air for quite some time at this point.

[catlover79]

You guys forgotten this Scott Baio classic from Charles In Charge to Baby Talk. This was way before Diagnosis Murder. This would have killed anybody's career like a dead dog in heat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phWmSjLgpmc
That's right - I watched that show every week. I'm embarrassed to admit that. :o :lol:

[Stuck In The '70's]

That's right - I watched that show every week. I'm embarrassed to admit that. :o :lol:
Don't feel bad. I watched it too. :lol:

[Retro4Life]

Hey, nobody's judging anyone here. I watched "Out of the Blue" for its entire run! :blush:

[catlover79]

Hey, nobody's judging anyone here. I watched "Out of the Blue" for its entire run! :blush:
Was that the show about an angel from the Garry Marshall camp? :lol:

[Retro4Life]

Yes, with Jimmy Brogan as "Random" the angel! ;)

[catlover79]

Yes, with Jimmy Brogan as "Random" the angel! ;)
Jimmy Brogan also worked with Jay Leno on the Tonight Show for many years. I wonder whatever happened to him. :confused:

[Retro4Life]

He doesn't have a Wikipedia entry, I note.

I remember him hosting a show on the cable network "Showtime" MANY years ago (I think it was called "Laff Off"), but since then, bupkis.

[catlover79]

He doesn't have a Wikipedia entry, I note.

I remember him hosting a show on the cable network "Showtime" MANY years ago (I think it was called "Laff Off"), but since then, bupkis.
Never heard of it. :lol: When did it air?

[Retro4Life]

Sorry, it was "Laff A Thon", I think, and I believe it aired in the early 80's; it was a sort of competition amongst comedians (with the name "Laff A Thon", I guess it was a given that it wasn't a plumbing competition, huh? ;) )

It aired, err...a long time ago, shortly after the "Blue" series. I'm thinking 81-83; right around that time.

[catlover79]

Sorry, it was "Laff A Thon", I think, and I believe it aired in the early 80's; it was a sort of competition amongst comedians (with the name "Laff A Thon", I guess it was a given that it wasn't a plumbing competition, huh? ;) )

It aired, err...a long time ago, shortly after the "Blue" series. I'm thinking 81-83; right around that time.
Ah, I see. Thanks.

[factsoflife]

the first name i thought of was Suzanne Somers. Her problems with the Three's Company producers almost, nearly destroyed her career. I'm not sure what the real problem was but clearly her career wasn't the same afterwards.

Also, Farrah Fawcett leaving Charlie's Angels wasn't a very smart decision at all. all she really got was a few TV-Movies and a few direct-to-video movies, she definetly never got the movie star career she expected to get.

I think many would agree that Shannen Doherty leaving "90210" was a GIANT mistake for her career. It took nearly a decade before she was able to be taken even semi-seriously again... and then she left "Charmed" too.

Valiere Harper inisting that she deserved a raise on "Valiere" and allowing the producers to force her out of that show and get replaced by Sandy Duncan. Her reputation was hurt a bit by that---and then even more when she ran for president of SAG and mounted one of the most viscious, mean-spirited campaings in recent history.

Roseanne Barr---singing the national anthem. talk about scandal.

[James]

the first name i thought of was Suzanne Somers. Her problems with the Three's Company producers almost, nearly destroyed her career. I'm not sure what the real problem was but clearly her career wasn't the same afterwards.

Actually, I thought she was much better in Step By Step than Three's Company.

Roseanne Barr---singing the national anthem. talk about scandal.

I totally agree. And ABC kept her show on--go figure.

[OOliver]

I think Kate Jackson made a mistake of leaving 'Charlie's Angels' to persue movies as well. She made one movie I can tnink of (1982's "Making Love") and that was the beginning of the end.

I also think hunky actor Al Corley made a huge mistake leaving the role of Steven Carrington on 'Dynasty' in 1982, to start a music career. Sure, he had the looks of an 80's pop-rocker, and sure he was involved with singer Carly Simon at the time (and appeared in a few of her videos), but with no singing talent to speak of, it didn't do much for his new career.

The one for the history books, though is Patti Lupone. She decided to leave the matriarchal role in "Life Goes On" back in 1992-93 (which eventually led to the cancellation of the series itself), to star in Andrew Lloyd Webber's SUNSET BOULEVARD in London. That was a disastersous move in every respect (she received scathing reviews, was fired from the production eight months in, and was not offered the role on B'way).

[factsoflife]

I think Kate Jackson made a mistake of leaving 'Charlie's Angels' to persue movies as well. She made one movie I can tnink of (1982's "Making Love") and that was the beginning of the end.

I also think hunky actor Al Corley made a huge mistake leaving the role of Steven Carrington on 'Dynasty' in 1982, to start a music career. Sure, he had the looks of an 80's pop-rocker, and sure he was involved with singer Carly Simon at the time (and appeared in a few of her videos), but with no singing talent to speak of, it didn't do much for his new career.

The one for the history books, though is Patti Lupone. She decided to leave the matriarchal role in "Life Goes On" back in 1992-93 (which eventually led to the cancellation of the series itself), to star in Andrew Lloyd Webber's SUNSET BOULEVARD in London. That was a disastersous move in every respect (she received scathing reviews, was fired from the production eight months in, and was not offered the role on B'way).

but at the end of the day Lupone's career recovered and hasn't she gone on to win Tony after tony?

[TryN2BGood]

Farrah Fawcett leaving Charlies Angels

[Torgo]

Scott was on during the first 2 seasons. I'm not sure why he left. That was his last tv show until that Reality show he did. :lol:

I have read or heard in an interview that Scott left Diagnosis Murder because it wasn't his type of show, he preferred doing comedies.

[Torgo]

He was great in Diagnosis Murder. :D

He was better in Galactica 1980 :happyface

[Torgo]

Jeff Conaway - outside of later working on Babylon 5 in the '90s, Jeff leaving Taxi caused not only his career to flop all over the place, heck his own personal lofe is just as big on shambles as his career. He couldn't even last long very long on all those god-awful reality shows he did in recent years. And look where he's at now!

Heck, he can't even pass a simple rehab rehab test on "Celebrity Rehab" and nearly lost his life when was on "Celebrity Fit Club." Doesn't the drug life say something there, Jeff?

I followed Jeff over to Wizards and Warriors from Taxi, sadly it only lasted 8 episodes. Granted I was only 13, but I remember really enjoying it. Julia Duffy was in it. And Duncan Regehr was great as Prince Blackpool.
Years later when I started watching the Hercules series, it reminded me of W&W with its fantasy-comedy blend.

[Torgo]

and as a result of her short-lived marriage to Christopher Plummer, has a daughter named Amanda.


And I'm glad she did, Amanda Plummer is one of my favorite character actresses- she played 2 of John Irving's most memorable characters- Ellen James in 'World According to Garp', and Miss Miscarriage in 'Hotel New Hampshire'. She's still playing great zany parts. The mom in 'Satan's Little Helper', and a very humorous appearance with Robert Englund as a white trash couple in 'Red'.

[Liza]

Here are some pics of Tammy Grimes. The wedding photo is of her and her first husband, and in the other one she is shown with Mike Wallace.

Wow, Amanda really looks like her.

And I'm glad she did, Amanda Plummer is one of my favorite character actresses- she played 2 of John Irving's most memorable characters- Ellen James in 'World According to Garp', and Miss Miscarriage in 'Hotel New Hampshire'. She's still playing great zany parts. The mom in 'Satan's Little Helper', and a very humorous appearance with Robert Englund as a white trash couple in 'Red'.

How could you forget Needful Things and Pulp Fiction????

[Stuck In The '70's]

I think Kate Jackson made a mistake of leaving 'Charlie's Angels' to persue movies as well. She made one movie I can tnink of (1982's "Making Love") and that was the beginning of the end.

I also think hunky actor Al Corley made a huge mistake leaving the role of Steven Carrington on 'Dynasty' in 1982, to start a music career. Sure, he had the looks of an 80's pop-rocker, and sure he was involved with singer Carly Simon at the time (and appeared in a few of her videos), but with no singing talent to speak of, it didn't do much for his new career.

The one for the history books, though is Patti Lupone. She decided to leave the matriarchal role in "Life Goes On" back in 1992-93 (which eventually led to the cancellation of the series itself), to star in Andrew Lloyd Webber's SUNSET BOULEVARD in London. That was a disastersous move in every respect (she received scathing reviews, was fired from the production eight months in, and was not offered the role on B'way).
Kate Jackson did star on Scarecrow and Mrs. King for 4 seasons in the 1980's ( 1983-1987). The beginning of the end for her was really that awful dramedy Baby Boom in 1988.

[catlover79]

Kate Jackson did star on Scarecrow and Mrs. King for 4 seasons in the 1980's ( 1983-1987). The beginning of the end for her was really that awful dramedy Baby Boom in 1988.
According to Marilu Henner's autobiography, she turned down Baby Boom in favor of a pilot that went nowhere. At the same time, Kate Jackson had a reoccurance of breast cancer and had to undergo surgery - so her health had quite a bit to do with her career stalling.

[Stuck In The '70's]

According to Marilu Henner's autobiography, she turned down Baby Boom in favor of a pilot that went nowhere. At the same time, Kate Jackson had a reoccurance of breast cancer and had to undergo surgery - so her health had quite a bit to do with her career stalling.
Oh yea I remember that. Kate Jackson had a great career though. If you think about it, she was in 4 hit series: Dark Shadows, The Rookies, Charlie's Angels and Scarecrow and Mrs. King. I've always been a fan of hers. I think CA suffered without her. Although Farrah was my favorite Angel, Kate was the leader of that group and the show never was really the same again. Shelley Hack got a lot of flack for the ratings dropping but I thought she did pretty good under the circumstances. Ratings were going to drop regardless.

[catlover79]

Oh yea I remember that. Kate Jackson had a great career though. If you think about it, she was in 4 hit series: Dark Shadows, The Rookies, Charlie's Angels and Scarecrow and Mrs. King. I've always been a fan of hers. I think CA suffered without her. Although Farrah was my favorite Angel, Kate was the leader of that group and the show never was really the same again. Shelley Hack got a lot of flack for the ratings dropping but I thought she did pretty good under the circumstances. Ratings were going to drop regardless.
Plus Kate was nominated for an Emmy for her guest spot in Ally McBeal. With Season 4 of Charlie's Angels coming out on DVD in a couple of months, it'll be interesting to watch Shelley's work on the show again. The writers didn't develop Tiffany as a character very well, and I think Shelley did the best she could with what little she was given. But Kate really was the glue of CA - Kate Hepburn could've been the 3rd Angel and gotten flack for replacing Sabrina!! :eek: :lol:

[James]

How about Miss Michael Learned leaving The Waltons after the 1978-79 season? She was on one series, Nurse, that lasted like one season. Plus, I remember her starring in commercials for Sinutab. The last two seasons of TW sucked without her.

[catlover79]

How about Miss Michael Learned leaving The Waltons after the 1978-79 season? She was on one series, Nurse, that lasted like one season. Plus, I remember her starring in commercials for Sinutab. The last two seasons of TW sucked without her.
She did win an Emmy for Nurse, so it wasn't a complete wash for her. I still fail to see why the show didn't just fold after the grandparents were gone and the parents were gone, and John-Boy was recast and then shipped out again. What was the point?? Nothing against Peggy Rea, but I liked her a lot better as Lulu Hogg on Dukes of Hazzard. Plus she was a lot of fun on Step By Step and Grace Under Fire. I just didn't care for her character on The Waltons - or her grandkids.

[Torgo]

How could you forget Needful Things and Pulp Fiction????

I didn't forget, I just wasn't listing every movie she was in. :D

[janet42]

the first name i thought of was Suzanne Somers. Her problems with the Three's Company producers almost, nearly destroyed her career. I'm not sure what the real problem was but clearly her career wasn't the same afterwards.

I disagree. Suzanne came back to TV on "Step By Step". I disagree on how she handled her dispute with "Three's Company" producers and I am surprised that her husband is still her manager, but she was successful on her seven seasons of "Step By Step".

[catlover79]

I disagree. Suzanne came back to TV on "Step By Step". I disagree on how she handled her dispute with "Three's Company" producers and I am surprised that her husband is still her manager, but she was successful on her seven seasons of "Step By Step".
True, but she had a 10-year gap from the time she left TC to getting SBS. Suzanne did do her cabaret act and starred in the ill-fated, short-lived She's the Sheriff in the interim. I think what factsoflife meant was that she had a long dry spell but made it back into a hit show despite some industry figures saying she'd never work in Hollywood again.

[Torgo]

I disagree. Suzanne came back to TV on "Step By Step". I disagree on how she handled her dispute with "Three's Company" producers and I am surprised that her husband is still her manager, but she was successful on her seven seasons of "Step By Step".

She came back to TV before Step By Step with She's The Sheriff in the late 80's.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/eb/Shesthesheriff.jpg

[Stuck In The '70's]

She came back to TV before Step By Step with She's The Sheriff in the late 80's.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/eb/Shesthesheriff.jpg
and I liked that show even though Suzanne has said that she hated it. :lol:

She was also in the blockbuster mini-series Hollywood Wives before She's the Sheriff premiered.

[catlover79]

and I liked that show even though Suzanne has said that she hated it. :lol:

She was also in the blockbuster mini-series Hollywood Wives before She's the Sheriff premiered.
That show is notable because Jenilee Harrison, Priscilla Barnes and Don Knotts all guest-starred - although not all in the same episodes.

[Torgo]

That show is notable because Jenilee Harrison, Priscilla Barnes and Don Knotts all guest-starred - although not all in the same episodes.

According to IMDB trivia, it was originally meant for Priscilla Barnes.

[Torgo]

and I liked that show even though Suzanne has said that she hated it. :lol:

She was also in the blockbuster mini-series Hollywood Wives before She's the Sheriff premiered.

I haven't seen it since the 80's, but I remember watching and liking it too.

[catlover79]

According to IMDB trivia, it was originally meant for Priscilla Barnes.
I know, but I read that Priscilla actually did guest star on one ep of STS.

[Zoneboy]

Pernell Roberts: After leaving Bonanza his career was mostly limited to guest appearances until he made a strong comeback in Trapper John M.D.

Steven Hill left Mission Impossible after the first season and like Pernell Roberts appeared in mostly guest-starring roles until he made a comeback as D.A. Adam Schiff in Law & Order.

[catlover79]

Pernell Roberts: After leaving Bonanza his career was mostly limited to guest appearances until he made a strong comeback in Trapper John M.D.

Steven Hill left Mission Impossible after the first season and like Pernell Roberts appeared in mostly guest-starring roles until he made a comeback as D.A. Adam Schiff in Law & Order.
I LOVED Steven Hill as DA Schiff on L&O. He rocked!! :D

[megamanj2004]

Speaking of Mission: Impossible cast members, when Martin Landau and Barbara Bain quit M:I, not only did their careers flop all over the place (not counting Landau's 2-season stint on Space: 1999), but so did their marriage.

[catlover79]

Speaking of Mission: Impossible cast members, when Martin Landau and Barbara Bain quit M:I, not only did their careers flop all over the place (not counting Landau's 2-season stint on Space: 1999), but so did their marriage.
You bring up a good point, but didn't Martin Landau later win an Oscar (for Ed Wood)?

[megamanj2004]

You bring up a good point, but didn't Martin Landau later win an Oscar (for Ed Wood)?

Yes he did!

That was the time he got frustrated and pounded his fist onto the podium and yelling "NO!" when he accepted his award after the orchestra tried to cut his speech short.

[catlover79]

Yes he did!

That was the time he got frustrated and pounded his fist onto the podium and yelling "NO!" when he accepted his award after the orchestra tried to cut his speech short.
I forgot about his speech. :lol:

[factsoflife]

True, but she had a 10-year gap from the time she left TC to getting SBS. Suzanne did do her cabaret act and starred in the ill-fated, short-lived She's the Sheriff in the interim. I think what factsoflife meant was that she had a long dry spell but made it back into a hit show despite some industry figures saying she'd never work in Hollywood again.


That is exactly what i meant... it took Suzanne a long time to recover from the Three's company dispute and her reputation was severly hurt because of it. Also, nobody really ever took "Step by step" seriously. it may have run for 7 years but it was never a major hit and critics didn't care for it either.

[catlover79]

That is exactly what i meant... it took Suzanne a long time to recover from the Three's company dispute and her reputation was severly hurt because of it. Also, nobody really ever took "Step by step" seriously. it may have run for 7 years but it was never a major hit and critics didn't care for it either.
If it hadn't been part of TGIF, I don't think it would've lasted as long as it did. I liked it but I was always a bigger fan of Perfect Strangers, Mr. Cooper and Family Matters (before it became the All Urkel, All The Time Show).

[treky]

McLean Stevenson leaving "MASH". He had a couple short-lived shows after that, and an ocaisonnell guest apearence, but his carreer never recovered. Ditto for Harvey Korman and Lyle Waggoner leaving "THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW".

[jimpickens]

Actually both guys did pretty good after TCBS Lyle was in both Wonder Woman series and Harvey had a pretty good movie career working with Mel Brooks. Back to the subject David Garrison made a big mistake leaving MWC he should've stayed.

[catlover79]

Actually both guys did pretty good after TCBS Lyle was in both Wonder Woman series and Harvey had a pretty good movie career working with Mel Brooks. Back to the subject David Garrison made a big mistake leaving MWC he should've stayed.
Whatever happened to David Garrison, anyway??

[Marvo301]

Whatever happened to David Garrison, anyway??
David Garrison left MWC to return to Live Theater which is where his career started. As far as I know that's where David continues to work. On stage. According to information I found online, David is currently appearing as The Wizard of Oz in the San Francisco production of Wicked.

[catlover79]

David Garrison left MWC to return to Live Theater which is where his career started. As far as I know that's where David continues to work. On stage. According to information I found online, David is currently appearing as The Wizard of Oz in the San Francisco production of Wicked.
OK, it seems he mainly just concentrates on the stage these days. Thanks for that info. :cool:

[Marvo301]

OK, it seems he mainly just concentrates on the stage these days. Thanks for that info. :cool:
You're welcome. :tiphat:

[OOliver]

but at the end of the day Lupone's career recovered and hasn't she gone on to win Tony after tony?


No, she actually won her second Tony a year ago for 'Mama Rose' in the 2008 GYPSY revival. Her first Tony was in 1980 for 'Evita Peron' in 'EVITA'.

After 'Sunset Boulevard', she didn't headline another musical on B'way until 'Sweeney Todd' in 2005. She did return to B'way in "Master Class" while SB was still running, however she didn't open 'MC' - she replaced Zoe Caldwell.

She was due back to headline a B'way musical in 2003 for the 'Gypsy' revival, but had a falling out with director Sam Mendes and either 'left the show' or was 'fired', depending on which story you believe. Bernadette Peters got the part instead.

[catlover79]

You're welcome. :tiphat:
It's funny, I'd always wondered what had happened to him after he left MWC.