Josh Charles

The Good Wife was a prominent role for actor Josh Charles, playing the memorable Will Gardner. It took all of a year for his contract to expire, which coincided with his proposal to his now-wife, leaving him to settle on not returning to the show.

Charles was making $100,000 each episode, playing an enigmatic,  dramatic, and charming part of the ensemble. If it had been up to the producers, Charles would’ve likely continued on for many more seasons to come. His character’s death provided the ultimate twist on The Good Wife, with The New York Times quoting the collective “gasp” of viewers. It’s safe to say Gardner’s death was not an easy pill to swallow.