Betty White, 'The Golden Girls'

Sure, asking the question may be a little insensitive, but haven’t you ever wondered what happened to TV stars who’ve just plain old dropped off the map? Well, here are some answers.

Dead or Alive? Our favorite 'Golden Girl' landed her first TV role in 1953. The animal activist, now 80 years old, has a recurring role on ABC's ’Boston Legal.’

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Jaleel White, 'Family Matters'

Dead or Alive? If you believed the rumors, Jaleel White -- who played nerdy neighbor Steve Urkel on the hit ‘90s comedy 'Family Matters' -- committed suicide earlier this year. The story, started by a fabricated news report, said White was obsessed with the show and still depressed about its cancellation. Luckily though, Steve -- err, Jaleel -- is alive and well, working as a TV writer.

Larry Wilcox, 'CHiPs'

Dead or Alive? You remember him as Officer Jon Baker on the classic ‘70s TV show 'CHiPs.' Though it seems he’s disappeared, Wilcox has been active in the TV world behind the scenes, producing made-for-
TV-movies with his own company. And he says he still talks to his old partner, Ponch (Erik Estrada), a few times a year.

Wilford Brimley, 'Our House'

Dead or Alive? Name a classic TV show featuring a stodgy old guy, and chances are Wilford Brimley probably played him. If the name makes you hungry for oatmeal, think again. The former Quaker Oats pitchman is shilling a new product: Liberty Medical’s diabetes testing supplies.

Bronson Pinchot, 'Perfect Strangers'

Dead or Alive? When you think of ‘80s TV stars who’ve gone AWOL, Bronson Pinchot of 'Perfect Strangers' fame ranks pretty high. But Balki Bartokomous turned into a reality TV star a few years ago as one of the cast members of VH1’s ‘The Surreal Life.’

Barbara Eden, 'I Dream of Jeannie'

Dead or Alive? Long before Christina Aguilera was singing about it, Barbara Eden was a “genie in a bottle” of a different sort. The ‘60s sitcom siren, who is still setting hearts aflutter, made appearances on the final seasons of ’Sabrina, the Teenage Witch’ and in 2003 was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Ben Savage, 'Boy Meets World'

Dead or Alive? Ben Savage, brother of the older and more famous Fred, was yet another subject of an Internet celebrity death hoax. So the story went, the 'Boy Meets World' star was killed in a September 2006 drunk-driving accident. But Ben, who graduated from Stanford University in 2004 with a degree in political science, is actually working on two films.

Leonard Nimoy, 'Star Trek'

Dead or Alive? William Shatner ('Star Trek's’ Capt. Kirk) is all over TV these days, but whatever happened to Spock and those unmistakable pointy ears? Well, Nimoy has appeared in a few commercials, done some
voice-over work, and in 2003 presented his photographic exhibit of nude, overweight women. (We don't make this stuff up, folks.)

Mister Rogers, 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'

Dead or Alive? It was always a beautiful day in his neighborhood. Mister Rogers, died in 2003, but he’ll live on in the hearts of generations who grew up watching his show. The icon, known for his cardingan sweaters and blue canvas boat shoes, died from stomach cancer shortly after his retirement at the age of 74. 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood' airs in reruns on PBS.

Richard Biggs, 'Bablyon 5'

Dead or Alive? You might not have known his name, but sci-fi fans definitely knew his face. Biggs starred as Dr. Stephen Franklin on the hit show 'Bablyon 5.' In 2004, Biggs died suddenly of an undetected tear in his aorta. At the time, he was a regular on the series 'Strong Medicine.'

Paul Reubens, 'Pee-wee's Playhouse'

Dead or Alive? Reubens, better known as "Pee-wee Herman," probably wanted to die after being arrested for lewd conduct in a Florida adult movie theater back in 1991. But Rubens has popped up lately on the talkshow circuit, and is said to be kicking around the idea of a Pee-Wee comeback. Until then, catch 'Pee-wee's Playhouse' reruns on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim.

Sherman Helmsley, 'The Jeffersons'

Dead or Alive? The young remember Helmsley as a pitch man for Old Navy. The slightly older remember him as cranky, wise-cracking George Jefferson. His most recent stint on TV was a quick cameo on Bravo’s ’Being Bobby Brown’ and a run on VH1’s ’The Surreal Life.’ (So, yes, he's still alive.)

Lisa Nicole Carson, 'Ally McBeal'

Dead or Alive? Carson had the kind of luck most actors would kill for. (No pun intended.) She had recurring roles on ‘ER’ and then 'Ally McBeal.' But she was unceremoniously fired from both shows because of her attitude problem. She was later arrested for screaming obscenities and refusing to leave a swank Los Angeles hotel. But Carson’s not dead; she just can’t find work.

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