Why ER Killed Off Dr. Mark Greene In Season 8
Airing for roughly fifteen years, ER has seen the death and abrupt exits of many beloved characters, most notably Dr. Mark Greene in ER season 8–but why was he killed off? Created by physician and sci-fi novelist Michael Crichton (creator of Jurassic Park and Westworld), ER made its debut on NBC in 1994, achieving overwhelming success with a total of 331 episodes over the course of 15 seasons before ending in 2009, making it the second-longest-running medical drama behind Grey's Anatomy.
Played by Anthony Edwards, the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning star of Top Gun and Revenge of the Nerds fame, Dr. Greene was one of ER's most inherently likable leading men, as well as, arguably, the overall main protagonist through ER season 8. From ER's pilot episode, which started with Dr. Greene tending to his drunk friend Dr. Doug Ross (George Clooney) while also overseeing a dozen critically injured patients, to his final moments in ER season 8, Dr. Greene consistently remained both a good friend and an authority figure to his fellow medical team. With his tragic passing to a brain tumor in ER season 8, a void was left in his stead for the cast members and fans of the primetime television series.
Related: ER: Why George Clooney's Ross Left The Show (& His Season 15 Cameo)
Although Dr. Greene's death in ER season 8 came as a massive blow for the other characters and for audiences, it was planned on purpose. Anthony Edwards had planned to leave ER, which gave the show time to prepare and give Dr. Greene an emotional sendoff. Here's what happened to Dr. Greene in ER season 8 and why he was killed off in the first place.
In a fittingly tragic Anthony Edwards death, Dr. Greene died from a brain tumor in ER season 8 episode 21, «On The
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