During its twelve seasons, Two and a Half Men has become one of the most-watched sitcoms on television, with a combination of quick jokes and a revolving door of unforgettable personalities. The series was also welcoming to its regular actors, a collection of comedy legends, and unexpected celebrity guests. Unfortunately, not all of these are with us anymore but their work in the show, and the entertainment in general, is in the hearts of the fans.
This is a retrospective of some of the great actors who have died and eventually were part of the show who left a mark.
1. Conchata Ferrell
Berta, the housekeeper and outspoken and fast-tongued woman became a staple of the comedy in the show, Conchata Ferrell. Getting in at the very beginning of the run, she remained with all twelve seasons, and received two Emmy nominations on the basis of her performance. Her career was of decades and she appeared in Edward Scissorhands, L.A. Law, and Erin Brockovich. Ferrell passed away in 2020 when he was 77 years old, leaving behind him an unblemished legacy of perfect comic timing and scene-thieving.
2. Carl Reiner
Comedy star Carl Reiner featured as suitor Marty Pepper to Evelyn who came into the scene creating family conflict. Reiner, who was known as the producer of The Dick Van Dyke Show and the Oceans films series, added the vintage television gravitas to his guest appearances. He passed away in 2020 aged 98 having had a career that assisted in shaping American comedy.
3. Martin Mull
Martin Mull reappeared as Russell, the cynical pharmacist whose monotonous speaking style was well suited to the tone of the show. Beyond the series, he was known as a star in Roseanne, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and an art and comedy prolific actor. Mull died in 2024, leaving behind his way with words and ability to do it all.
4. Fred Willard
The sitcom also allowed Fred Willard to display his trademark style of deadpan humor, which was developed in Christopher Guest mockumentaries such as Best in Show. Willard was an icon with a long-lasting television career of more than decades, not only with Everybody Loves Raymond and Modern Family but also as a favorite until his death in 2020.
5. Harry Dean Stanton
Harry Dean Stanton came to the celebrity poker game table looking like himself in an episode of the show. Having appeared in such a film as Paris, Texas or even Alien, Stanton was also making a reference to his reputation as a highly-regarded character actor. He died in 2017 at the age of 91.
6. Eddie Van Halen
The legendary guitarist had a brief, but memorable cameo, holding a guitar in hand, in one episode of the seventh season. His look served as a follow-up to his celebrity icon status of rock and contributed to the repertoire of real-life celebrity moments in the show. Touted as a redefiner of the rock guitar, Van Halen passed away in 2020 aged 65.
7. Georgia Engel
In two episodes Georgia Engel appeared as the mother, Jean, of Lyndsey. Engel made her mark on the hearts of her fans through her natural style of comedies as Georgette on the Mary Tyler Moore Show. She passed away in 2019 at age 70.
8. Cloris Leachman
Cloris Leachman made a guest appearance as Norma, a rich neighbor with a blatant offer to Alan. She was an Emmy and Oscar winner and people loved her in such roles as The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Young Frankenstein and many others. Leachman died in 2021 at age 94.
9. Michael Clarke Duncan
Michael Clarke Duncan was the former NFL player and father to the girlfriend of Jake playing the role of Jerome. Duncan was memorable with his warm personality and deep voice as he was known to have been nominated in the Oscar in the Green Mile. He died in 2012 at age 54.
10. Brian Turk
Brian Turk featured in one episode of season five, but was familiar as an actor in Carnivale, and with many television guest appearances. He died of cancer in 2019 at age 49.
11. Mike Connors
In 2007, Hugo was portrayed by Mike Connors, his last time on screen. The star of Mannix, Connors passed away in 2017, at the age of 91.
12. Dusty Hill
ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill showed up with his band with a season seven hallucination sequence. Hill was a rock legend since the 1970s, and he passed away in 2021, when he was 72.
13. Suzanne Whang
Suzanne Whang, the host of the House Hunters, also made an appearance in a 2006 episode. She passed away in the year 2019 at 56 years old due to a long struggle with cancer.
14. Orson Bean
In the episode, Does This Smell Funny to You, Orson Bean was the actor who portrayed the character of Norman. Bean had been a successful actor, filmmaker, and TV host, and in 2020, he passed away due to a car hit when he was 91.
15. Jon Polito
In season six, Jon Polito was cast as Mr. Sharipa. Polito was known as the star of The Big Lebowski and a variety of TV series, as well as a producer of several films, but he died in 2016 aged 65. These were the actors who added humour, emotion, and memorable scenes to Two and half men. Although they are no longer around, they still entertain people with their continued work, and as long as they are seen on-screen through reruns and memories, they are alive in their spirit.
