The 10 Saddest Character Exits on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, Ranked

It’s sad to see them go.

Over Grey’s Anatomy’s 19 seasons and counting, it has depicted the lives of its doctors as they manage their personal and professional lives and the ways the two often collide. With so many episodes behind it, the show has featured countless characters, from patients at the hospital to its staff and their loved ones. And of course, not all of them have stuck around.

While Grey’s has featured plenty of tragedies that have claimed the lives of numerous characters, not all exits have been dramatic, devastating sendoffs – some have simply moved on to other opportunities, creating happy endings for their characters while also leaving room for a return. But plenty of other Grey’s Anatomy exits have been heartbreaking, whether because of a tragic death or a character whose absence is hugely felt.

10.Cristina Yang

Played by Sandra Oh

Cristina was among the original group of interns introduced in the Grey’s Anatomy pilot, and she quickly became Meredith’s best friend – or her “person” – and worked her up to become a cardiothoracic surgical fellow. She is also a highly skilled and ambitious cardiothoracic surgeon who is known for her dedication to her work, sharp wit, and complex personality. Cristina was played by Sandra Oh.

After 10 seasons, Cristina receives a prestigious job offer to lead a cardiothoracic research facility in Switzerland, and despite her deep connections with her colleagues and Seattle Grace, she chooses to take the opportunity. While Cristina’s departure from Grey’s Anatomy aligns seamlessly with her character development, it carries a bittersweet tone. Cristina, a cherished character, has endeared herself to fans over the years through her sharp wit and sarcasm. Witnessing her departure truly evokes a mix of emotions, appreciating the fitting resolution to her arc yet feeling the pang of saying goodbye to a beloved figure in the series.

9.Meredith Grey

Played by Ellen Pompeo

For 19 seasons, Ellen Pompeo played Meredith Grey, the central protagonist of the show, and is a surgical resident, later becoming an attending general surgeon. Over the course of the series, she has faced numerous challenges both in her personal and professional life, including the loss of loved ones, career changes, and health issues.

Meredith ultimately moved to Boston with her children to work towards finding a cure for Alzheimer’s in Season 19. She first stepped down into a smaller role before leaving altogether, and although it was the right move for Meredith and her family, her departure was the end of an era. Furthermore, some fans contend that Grey’s Anatomy wouldn’t be complete without Meredith. Although Pompeo is set to return as a guest in the final season, her presence is expected to be a crucial and transformative moment for the show as it comes to an end.

8.Andrew Deluca

Played by Giacomo Gianniotti

Andrew DeLuca was an attending at the hospital who once had a relationship with Meredith and often struggled with his mental health. He was played by Giacomo Gianniotti and also appeared on Grey’s Anatomy spinoff Station 19 – in fact, it was a crossover between the two shows that led to DeLuca being stabbed in a heroic attempt to stop a sex trafficker after previous attempts to alert his colleagues were dismissed as part of his mental illness.

The attack on DeLuca damaged multiple vital organs, and he died on the operating table. As he drifted in and out of consciousness, he appeared on the beach with Meredith during her ongoing COVID-19 infection, where he delivered a moving monologue about how he didn’t regret acting to save someone else. Although DeLuca’s death was sudden and violent, it was the result of a selfless act and was a great way to end his time on the show.

7.Alex Karev

Played by Justin Chambers

Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) was among the original interns introduced in the first season of Grey’s Anatomy and one of Meredith’s best friends and confidantes. He begins as a rough-around-the-edges character with a guarded personality but evolves into a more compassionate and skilled physician. He eventually married Jo Wilson (Camilla Luddington) after plenty of ups and downs and seemed to have a great life with her.

Nevertheless, Alex’s unexpected exit in Season 16 surprised both fellow characters and the audience. Through a voiceover, he reveals that he is the father of Izzie’s (Katherine Heigl) twins, conceived through IVF without his knowledge. Consequently, he decides to leave Jo and be with Izzie. Moroever, the sad part lies in the revelation being conveyed through letters, carrying significant implications for other characters, particularly his wife, Jo. This revelation also diminishes the character development that Karev has undergone during his time on the show.

6.Charles Percy

Played by Robert Baker

Charles Percy, played by Robert Baker, was introduced in the fifth season of the show as one of the surgical residents transferred from Mercy West to Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. His cocky attitude and the way he bullied Izzie made him disliked by fans. He also had feelings for his colleague Reed (Nora Zehetner), yet, he never had a chance to confess his feelings to her.

However, his time on the show was marked by a tragic event. In the sixth season, during a shooting at the hospital known as the Grey’s Anatomy hospital shooting, Charles was one of the characters who tragically lost his life. He ultimately died in Bailey’s arms after they learned the power to the elevators had been shut down, making it impossible to get him the help he needed. Bailey’s realization that she wouldn’t be able to save him was devastating, and his death was one of the saddest on Grey’s.

5.Lexie Grey

Played by Chyler Leigh

Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh) arrived at Seattle Grace Hospital as an intern in Season 3 and was later revealed to be Meredith’s paternal half-sister. Initially, Lexie struggles with living in Meredith’s shadow, but she eventually establishes herself as a skilled and dedicated doctor. Lexie, like most characters, goes through various personal and professional challenges during her time on the show, including romantic relationships, conflicts with fellow doctors, and the complexities of her family dynamics.

Among the many tragedies to struck the hospital was the plane crash at the end of Season 8, and the crash resulted in significant injuries and fatalities among the characters including Lexie. Lexie sustains critical injuries, and despite the efforts of her colleagues to save her, she tragically passes away due to complications from the crash. Her passing was incredibly sorrowful, given her widespread popularity and the poignant love story Lexie shared with Mark. Their relationship was among the few tragic love stories that many felt deserved a second chance.

4.Mark Sloan

Played by Eric Dane

Mark Sloan (Eric Dane), often referred to as “McSteamy,” is a nod to Derek’s “McDreamy.” He was first introduced in Season 2 as Derek’s best friend and the person whom Derek’s then-wife, Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) cheated with. Mark is known for his charismatic and flirtatious personality who once slept with lots of female employees in the hospital. Later on, he found true love in his on-again, off-again relationship with Lexie Grey.

Throughout his time on Grey’s Anatomy, Mark went through a great transformation and is beloved among not only fellow characters but also fans. Like Lexie, Sloan was injured in the plane crash in Season 9, ultimately succumbing to his injuries after being put on life support. His passing, much like Lexie’s, is terrible as both characters deserve happiness. Their deaths signify a significant turning point in the show’s narrative. The hospital was renamed Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital in their honor and gave their love story some closure, even if it was tragic.

3.Denny Duquette

Played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Denny Duquette, played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, is a patient at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital who suffers from a severe heart condition. He captures the attention and care of Izzie Stevens, one of the surgical interns. As Izzie becomes emotionally involved in Denny’s case, a romantic relationship develops between them. Although Denny did receive a new heart, he died of a stroke after the operation and was discovered by a devastated Izzie.

Denny was a beloved character for his warmth and sense of humor, making his death that much more unexpected and heartbreaking. It ranks among Grey’s most memorable moments. Moreover, Denny’s death hit Izzie the hardest which led to a period of grief and guilt for her, as she struggled with the consequences of her controversial decision to cut Denny’s LVAD wire to expedite his heart transplant. Their love deserved a second chance on Grey’s Anatomy.

2.George O’Malley

Played by T. R. Knight

George O’Malley (T. R. Knight), was one of the five original interns when Grey’s Anatomy began and a fan-favorite character, known for his kind and compassionate nature, and he quickly forms close friendships with the other interns. He has notable storylines, including his struggles with self-confidence, his relationships with fellow doctors, and his pursuit of becoming a skilled surgeon. Even though he’s often involved in Grey’s Anatomy‘s worst romances, he remains a beloved character throughout.

George’s death is among the most devastating and shocking in the series. After deciding to join the army, he was hit by a bus while trying to save a woman’s life and was unrecognizable when he was brought into the hospital. Staff only realized who he was after he spelled “007” in Meredith’s palm. He ultimately died during surgery, then later returned during a dream sequence as Meredith was battling coronavirus in Season 17, 11 years later.

1.Derek Shepherd

Played by Patrick Dempsey

Derek Shepherd, played by Patrick Dempsey, is a neurosurgeon with a charismatic and confident demeanor. He serves as the Head of Neurosurgery at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Derek’s romantic relationship with Meredith Grey is a central focus of the series. After multiple seasons of ups and downs in his relationship with Meredith, the two got married and had children together. He was

Similar to George, Derek was hit by a bus while trying to help someone else and was brought into the hospital for treatment in Season 11, and a devastating voiceover revealed he was aware of everything happening to him but was unable to communicate with his doctors and ultimately died. He, too, returned during Meredith’s battle with COVID, appearing in a dream sequence in the Season 17 premiere. His passing was devastating, given that he was the love of Meredith’s life. It was challenging to witness her grapple with the grief of losing him.