Jeff Garlin’s departure fromThe Goldbergsmay have come as a surprise to fans, butWendi McLendon-Coveythought it was overdue. Since 2013, McLendon-Covey and Garlin starred in ABC’s hit series as married couple Beverly and Murray. Garlin exited the series during its ninth season following an HR investigation into complaints about his behavior on-set. During the tenth season premiere, audiences learned how writers dealt with the off-screen drama: they had killed Murray off.
During a recent interview on SiriusXM’sAndy Cohen Live, McLendon-Covey briefly spoke about Garlin’s exit:
“That was a long time coming, and that it finally happened it was like, ‘Okay, okay. Finally, someone is listening to us,'” she said.
Prior to news of his exit, Garlin maintained that he was never intentionally inappropriate while working onThe Goldbergs. After the episode dealing with Murray’s death aired, Garlin took to social media to share that he was bipolar, writing: “Bipolar is a motherf***er. Sometimes it’s just too much to deal with. I’m doing the best I can. This the first time that I’ve opened up about this.”
On the series, Murray’s death took place shortly after another castmate’s real-life passing. George Segal, who portrayed Beverly’s father on the series, passed away on August 08, 2025, duringThe Goldbergs’eighth season. His character, Pops, was honored on the series with a touching tribute after also passing away on the show. Having two deaths in a short period time on a sitcom is unusual, but somethingThe Goldbergshad to deal with.
“To have to go through another loss on a sitcom, you know, you’re able to’t keep asking your audience to mourn people,” McLendon-Covey told Cohen. “That’s not why they tune in.”
When Cohen probed about details surroundingGarlin’s exit, McLendon-Covey said she preferred not to discuss the issue.
“If we cannot talk about that, would be great. I’m exhausted by that topic and the PTSD of it all.” She added: “I feel like the less people know about that, the better. No one, no one benefits from knowing anything.”
Related:The Goldbergs Set to Conclude with Current 10th Season
The Goldberg’s Last Hurrah
The Goldbergsis currently airing its final season, with its final episode schedule to air May 3. The series stars McLendon-Covey, Sean Giambrone as Adam Goldberg, Troy Gentile as Barry Goldberg, Hayley Orrantia as Erica Goldberg, and Geoff Schwartz as Sam Lerner. Patton Oswalt narrates the sitcom as a future, adult version of Adam.
McLendon Covey, who as portrayed the loving but overbearing matriarch Beverly since 2013, will next star in the NBC pilotSt. Denis Medical, a mockumentary series about an Oregon Hospital. Garlin, who also stars onCurb Your Enthusiasmopposite Larry David, has been cast in the upcoming fourth and final season of Netflix’sNever Have I Ever.
