Grey's Anatomy: Dr. George Is Dead, Dead, Dead!

Thu., Jul. 23, 2009 12:50 PM PDT by Marc Malkin

Ya heard it here first! Dr. George O'Malley is a goner.

I broke the news back in May that T.R. Knight's character on Grey's Anatomy was being killed off because the actor was leaving the show.

And now, finally, series creator Shonda Rhimes has confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that the young doctor will flatline forever during the season premiere, airing Sept. 24. Last we saw the poor chap was during last season's finale, when he was at death's door and unrecognizable after being hit by a bus.

Meanwhile, Knight, reveals to the magazine for the first time why he decided to ditch Seattle Grace...

The actor, no surprise, was not happy with his diminishing presence on the show. He never asked Rhimes for an explanation. "My five-year experience proved to me that I could not trust any answer that was given [about George]," Knight told EW.

He claims his relationship with Rhimes was never the same after she apparently discouraged him not to come out after Isaiah Washington's infamous f-word outbursts.

"I think she was concerned about having my statement come out so close to the [initial] event," Knight said.

Rhimes remembers things quite differently, insisting that she supported the decision and thought his coming out was "awesome."

Knight realizes not everyone will understand—or appreciate—his decision to walk away from a $14 million paycheck. "There are a lot of people who would like to be in my position," he acknowledged. "But in the end, I need to be fulfilled in my work—that's more important than the money. [So] that's the goal. If I'm lucky to ever work again."

Don't be so modest, Mr. Knight. We all know you've already lined up two major theater gigs.

In September, he'll star in the Tony-winning Parade in Los Angeles. Then it's off to New York in February, where he'll headline the Stanley Tucci-directed Broadway revival of Lend Me a Tenor.

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T.R. Knight isn't the only person who follows his conscience. Check out others in our Do-Gooder Gallery.