Family Guy Confirms Death of Long-Running Character Ernie After 23 Seasons

Family Guy has officially killed off one of its longest-running recurring characters, Ernie the Giant Chicken, as confirmed by executive producer Alec Sulkin following the Season 23 episode "The Chicken or the Meg." In that episode, Meg decapitates Ernie after he gives her an ultimatum to cut ties with her father or stop dating his son, Nugget. Despite Ernie surviving many previous violent encounters with Peter Griffin, Sulkin explained that this death is permanent because the production team felt they had exhausted the character's potential and the elaborate fight sequences had become hard to top. Ernie's rivalry with Peter had been a beloved and iconic running gag for over 20 years, debuting in Season 2, but the showrunners decided it was time to retire the character to bring new energy to the series. This death marks a rare instance of a recurring character's permanent exit in a show known for its flexible continuity and character resurrections. Family Guy is preparing for Season 24 in 2026, where Ernie will not return, signaling a shift in the show's approach to long-standing gags.