Laurence Fishburne Quits 'CSI' to Make More Movies

By AOL TV Editors Posted Jun 8th 2011 07:50AM

Time to break out the handkerchiefs and wave good-bye to Dr. Raymond Langston: 'CSI' star Laurence Fishburne has decided to step down from the long-running procedural drama.

Deadline.com reports that after two seasons with 'CSI' Fishburne decided not to renew his contract when it expired in May. He is now expected to return to his movie career full-time.

'The Matrix' star was hired in 2008 as a replacement for William Petersen, and his departure leaves 'CSI' producers and writers with a major headache right before production's due to start on Season 12. Although Paul Guilfoyle is expected to stay on, some actors are still in contract talks, and Marg Helgenberger has said she will appear in only a few episodes next season.

Many 'CSI' insiders were reportedly unsurprised by Fishburne's decision, with one saying: "Nobody expected him to be on the show for seven years, it's Laurence Fishburne."

However, he did recently tell 'Entertainment Weekly' that he wanted to stay with the show. "I'm having a great time,'' he said, while acknowledging that replacing Petersen's character of Gil Grissom had been a challenge.

"I was cognizant of the fact that Grissom was a much-beloved character. I made it my business to sit down and watch almost every episode of 'CSI' from Season 1 until I came on. It was about understanding the world and becoming as immersed in the show as possible. I love it.''

Meanwhile, Executive Producer Carol Mendelsohn told 'EW' that the Season 11 finale was a cliffhanger in more ways than one. "Most of our actors are negotiating for next season, so at the moment we don't know. It must be a test for the writers of 'CSI.' We always start planning for next season without knowing for sure."

Hiring an expensive movie star of Fishburne's caliber was a risky strategy for 'CSI.' Petersen and Helgenberger were a winning team for nine seasons, and 'CSI' was a primetime ratings grabber for CBS. However, by the time Petersen left, the veteran show was starting to shed viewers, and although Fishburne was judged to be worth his estimated $14 million salary in his first season, by the end of Season 11 ratings were way down on 'CSI's glory days, and it dropped out of the Top 10 for the first time.

The drama was already facing a new challenge in Season 12 as it moves to a new day and time slot, airing on Wednesdays at 10PM ET instead of Thursdays at 9PM ET. Speculation's now rife about who will replace Fishburne, and wishful thinking will have a lot of fans hoping for the return of Grissom. Whatever happens with casting, it's likely that 'CSI' will have to be drastically retooled, and in this era of lower salaries and budget cuts execs will probably hire a less prestigious -- less expensive --actor.

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Tags: CSI, Laurence Fishburne

Comments

(21)

Wednesday 08 June

By cac006006

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I was a faithful viewer of CSI until around season 7. Then I lost interest. I am surprised it has gone on this much longer. Sometimes a tv show has just run its course.

By NETTIE

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I think the actors are doing a wonderful job and the basic story lines are interesting. However, the only part that bores me is the forensics. Mr. Fishburne will be sorely missed and I wish him much success in all of his endeavors.

By bigtimeliberal

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i really liked him on csi. i think him replaceing petersen was very smooth. on other cbs shows that thought they needed a black actor, the lady on the mentalist adds absolutely nothing to the show and the same for rocky carroll, on ncis.

By OLIE

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THANK GOD !!!! I have NOT watched my all time FAVORITE show since WILLIAM PETERSON left .... and this DUFIS ... LAURENCE FISHBURNE ...came on the show !!!
BRING BACK WILLIAM PETERSON !!

By jaywest71

It's about time! He ruined the show. His character is a poor imitation of his predecessor. I stopped watching when he joined the cast. There was no character dynamic among the principals. Perhaps they have learned a valuable lesson. I hope they chose a suitable replacement.

By MacD

Never cared for him at all on the show, so Yah,,,,, do not think I ever saw him in a movie so I am safe there.
Do love CSI, and maybe they will bring Peterson back. HOPE HOPE

By Fleisha

I think Laurence Fishburne did an outstanding job on the show. I never watched it until he joined the cast. I wish him continued success.

By allyndp

I agree with Ollie. I reduced my viewership of CSI when WP left. I bore though it mostly just to get to the Mentalists.

By Betty Hicks

I still watch this this show. It is the BEST CSI. Loved ALL of the ORIGNAL CAST The ONLY other CSI I watch is NCIS & NCIS LA

By Richard L Bunce

Vincent D'Onofrio is available.

By stu

Christopher Meloni too.

By tlmck

I thought I saw something about him and Erbe returning to CI.

I don't think Meloni would be a good fit. Maybe on the NY show.

By Dmoongo

Cool.

By lancelegstrong

I got the feeling that before the show started shedding actors it'd already shed all its good writers.

Also ... would someone tell Marg H that the ability to use deep sighs and pregnant pauses do not make one an actor. That, and she needs to loosen up the draw string on her face. Yikes.

By the_fool

I thought he was doing a CSI spinoff type of show. I did not know it was the regular CSI.

By berber24

I WANT WILLIAM PETERSEN BACK!!!!! THE SHOW TOTALLY LOST IT'S PERSONALITY AND HUMANITY WHEN HE LEFT. The door's already there for his return. He just needs to walk back through it to be with Sarah and his team.

By Erin

Great show, but maybe it's time to let it go before it slowly dies.

By scorpian777

Fishburne will be sorley missed! Good luck

By laura22122

I guess Morpheus is taking the red pill this season

By Sally

I say hire Canadian actor Ian Tracey to replace Fishbourne - if he is willing to move south. The man can do anything and he is very familiar in face if not name to American viewers.

As an upside to producers - he is so low key, low drama in his personal life they would have no problems there.

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