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It’s not just our original Aunt Viv who took a permanent hiatus from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – here are eight Black actors who you may not have noticed disappeared from their original roles.

1. Chadwick Boseman for Michael B. Jordan, All My Children

Chadwick Boseman for Michael B. Jordan, All My Children

The late Chadwick Boseman briefly played a role on ABC’s former soap opera, “All My Children,” before Michael B. Jordan took his place.

In 2018, Boseman detailed how he was fired early in his career during his Howard University commencement speech. This was prompted after he questioned the negative stereotypes of his role. Years later, Boseman and Jordan went on to co-star in Marvel’s “Black Panther” together.

2. Terrence Howard for Don Cheadle, Iron Man

Terrence Howard for Don Cheadle, Iron Man

During an interview on “Watch What Happens Live,” Howard revealed that his initial three-movie contract had been amended, without his knowledge, and on behalf of one of his costars. In reference to Robert Downey Jr., he went on to say:
“It turns out that the person I helped become Iron Man…when it was time to re-up for the second one, [he] took the money that was supposed to go to me and pushed me out.”

3. Janet Hubert for Daphne Maxwell Reid, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Janet Hubert for Daphne Maxwell Reid, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Hubert did not depart amicably from the cast. Hubert played the original Vivian Banks on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” before being replaced by Daphne Maxwell Reid after season three. Her exit from the show was controversial and was said to be due to differences with Will Smith and executives. Although In 2011 she told TMZ she would never do a reunion with the cast, they all gathered for the HBO special in 2020.

4. Aml Ameen for Toby Onwumere, Sense8

Aml Ameen for Toby Onwumere, Sense8

Ameen played Netlfix’s Sense8’s Capheus “Van Damme” Onyango, but was replaced during the first two seasons. It was announced that he was being recast for the show’s Christmas special and subsequent second season. However, “creative differences” allegedly led to the switch with Toby Onwumere cast within a week.

5. Mike Evans for Damon Evans, The Jeffersons

Mike Evans for Damon Evans, The Jeffersons

Lionel Jefferson was originally played by Mike Evans, before being replaced by Damon Evans. However, Mike made a return for the final two seasons.

6. Sharon Wilkins for Sherri Shephard, 30 Rock

Sharon Wilkins for Sherri Shephard, 30 Rock

30 Rock’s Tracy Jordan had a larger than life personality, and a larger than life wife to match. However, after just one season, Wilkins’ role of Angie was swapped for Sherri Shepard who left her stamp on the character.

It is unknown as to why Wilkins had just a brief life on the sitcom before she was recast.

7. Merrin Dungey for Audra McDonald, Private Practice

Merrin Dungey for Audra McDonald, Private Practice

Naomi was played by Merrin Dungey before Audra McDonald assumed her role. Variety reported that the switch was “partly a chemistry thing between Merrin and Taye Diggs, who played Naomi’s estranged husband, Sam.”

It was suggested that the decision was a hard one for executives due to the showrunner’s, Shonda Rimes, relationship with Merrin.

8. Julie Newmar for Eartha Kitt, Catwoman

Julie Newmar for Eartha Kitt, Catwoman

When the opportunity presented itself to takeover the character, Kitt was claws out! “That character to me was so much fun,” Eartha said. “I was in dire need of tremendous help at that time, and like a starving cat, I had to find a way to survive….People recognized my name and still do because of Catwoman.”