'Glee'

( Beth Dubber / Fox )

Abruptly departed: Chord Overstreet
Played: Sam Evans, the bleach-blond, fish-lipped add-on to New Directions after transferring to William McKinley High School during the show's second season.
Lasted: One season (2010-11)
Why he left: The recurring guest star was not asked back as a series regular.
How it went down on air: Sam was just beginning a secret romance with the persistently out-shined Mercedes, but his character fell on troubled times when his father lost his job and their home. It seemed like they would pack up and leave any minute, and they did. But "trouty mouth" returned the following season in a guest spot to help New Directions once again.