It’s possible that the US version of The Office proved to be even more popular than the UK original – which is an unusual feat in the realm of sitcoms.
Birthing stars like Steve Carell, John Krasinski and Rainn Wilson, the office-based comedy show brought laughter to millions of homes over the years.
But sadly not all of its stars lived to see the total success of the show, which followed bumbling boss Michael Scott in his attempts to run paper company Dunder Mifflin.
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Daily Star takes a look at the stars who sadly died since the show aired.
Ranjit Chowdhry – Vikram
(Image: NBC)
When Michael landed a temporary gig as a telemarketer due to his financial struggles in season four, former surgeon Vikram was the one to help him out as top salesman.
Played by Ranjit Chowdhry, Vikram only starred in a few episodes of the show, but left a huge impression on fans. Chowdry also appeared in hit shows like Law & Order, Girls and Prison Break in his long tenure as an actor.
Sadly, Ranjit died in April 2020, after being rushed to hospital for emergency surgery to correct a ruptured ulcer.
He was just 65 at the time, and passed away in Mumbai, India – despite planning to return to New York to be with his family before Covid-19 hit.
Patrice O’Neal – Lonny Collins
(Image: NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
Appearing in the first three seasons of The Office as warehouse worker Lonny Collins – AKA Sea Monster – Patrice O’Neal’s character was left fuming when Michael wrecked his perfectly organised systems.
As for O’Neal himself, he was best known as a stand-up comedian, but also appeared in everything from the Grand Theft Auto video game series to the Scary Movie franchise.
O’Neal was just 41 years old when he died in November 2011 due to complications from a stroke.
Doctors had previously warned him that he needed to lose weight “to stay alive”, as the star weighed in at around 300 pounds.
John Ingle – Robert Dunder
(Image: Getty Images)
Founder of Dunder Mifflin, Robert Dunder only appeared in one episode of the show when he was invited by Michael to come to a conference room meeting and shame Ryan.
But despite his short show stint, actor John Ingle left a lasting impression on fans.
He was best known for roles in General Hospital and the Land Before Time films, and reached the grand old age of 84 when he sadly died from complications relating to cancer in September 2012.
The star had returned to the General Hospital set just a month before his death in a wheelchair, and landed a standing ovation from the cast and crew.
Mark York – Billy Merchant
Paraplegic Billy Merchant was the owner of Scranton Business Park in The Office, and actor Mark York reprised his role several times until season six, when Dwight decided to buy the park for himself.
Sadly, Mark passed away after the show ended in May 2021 aged just 55.
He suffered a “brief and unexpected illness” at Miami Valley Hospital, and had used a wheelchair since a car crash in 1988 left him with a spinal cord injury.
Speaking of the accident, Mark said: “I reached in my back seat for my gym bag and, with my left hand, inadvertently pulled up on the steering wheel too much.”
He had been driving at 60 miles per hour and the car hit a ditch before flipping over and landing in a field.
Hugh Dane – Hank Tate
(Image: NBC via Getty Images)
Known best as Dunder Mifflin’s security guard Hank Tate, Hugh Dane’s character was a man of few words but cast a huge shadow over Michael’s efforts to bumble his way through running the company.
Sadly, Hugh passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer in May 2018, aged 75.
His Office co-stars, including Steve Carell and Rainn Wilson, paid emotional tributes to the actor, with Wilson writing: “RIP Hugh Dane, aka Hank the security guard. He was one of the greats. So kind, funny, talented. We will all miss him.”
Steve added: “What a terrific guy.”
Brad William Henke – Frank
(Image: WireImage)
Former NFL player Brad William Henke appeared in just one episode of The Office, appearing in season nine as Frank, the man who vandalised Pam’s mural in the warehouse.
The actor also appeared in Orange is the New Black and ER before his tragic death in November 2022.
His health issues began a year before, when Henke suffered a 90% blockage of an artery and had to have two stents put into his heart.
Henke also had his pancreas and half of his spleen removed to treat a tumour the size of a “golf ball”.
He died in his sleep aged just 56.
Ken Howard – Ed Truck
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Known best for playing Michael’s former boss Ed Truck, who weighed in on Michael being pranked by an employee, Ken Howard appeared in just one episode of the show.
Ed was later killed off in season three, leading Michael to contemplate his own mortality.
And it appears that sometimes life imitates art, as actor Ken sadly died aged 71 in March 2016.
His official cause of death was listed as pneumonia, complicated by prostate cancer and shingles.
Celebs including George Clooney and Alec Baldwin paid tribute to the Child’s Play star upon hearing the tragic news.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
