Line #166 Main/MyParentsAreDead


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4	[[quoteright:207:[[Webcomic/ExterminatusNow https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/she_died.jpg]]]]
5
6	Someone brings up a potential topic about someone close to them. Another one asks what happened to them, and the former frowns, saying, "[[ParentalAbandonment They're dead]]".
7
8	Cue [[BeatPanel awkward silence]].
9
10	This isn't when a main character's parents are dead. Someone has to say some variation of "My Parents Are Dead". Thus, it is a common subtrope of ParentalAbandonment.
11
12	It might not stop [[{{Jerkass}} certain characters]] from cracking a YourMom joke anyway, despite (or maybe especially because of) having this knowledge. On the flip side, the target of such a joke may very well use this as a rebuttal, regardless of whether or not it's true.
13
14	A SelfMadeOrphan may use this as a half-truth to garner undeserved sympathy.
15
16	----
17	!!Examples:
18
19	[[foldercontrol]]
20
21	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
22	* In ''Manga/LuckyStar'' episode 4, Kagami and Tsukasa find out that Konata's mother is dead when Kagami asks her if her mother doesn't have a problem with her playing [[HGame eroge]]. Konata being Konata, she follows up the revelation with "I've had to do housework since I was little, which is why I'm way better at it than Kagami!"
23	-->'''Kagami:''' You can't say things like that [[MoodWhiplash when the mood is like this]]!
24	* Played with in ''Anime/FullmetalAlchemist2003'' when a bunch of thugs asks Al about where his brother is, he replies "He's gone" (as in; gone to renew his State Alchemist-license). Everyone assumes he's dead and wonders if they were rude to bring it up.
25	* ''Manga/{{Yotsuba}}'':
26	** Subverted:
27	--->'''[[TheTrickster Asagi]]:''' Father... isn't with us.\
28	'''Fuuka:''' No, no, no, Dad is ''at work''. Don't give people the wrong impression.
29	** Relatively early on, Mr. Koiwai reveals that Yotsuba isn't his biological daughter, that her "adoption" was basically him finding her and [[ImTakingHerHomeWithMe taking her home]], and that he has never even seen her parents, implying he thinks her biological parents are dead (Naturally, some fans insist that she's actually an alien who got lost).
30	* Early in ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'', Negi wonders why Asuna is working so hard to pay her school fees when her parents could just pay them and Asuna replies matter-of-factly that her parents are dead. Negi freaks out in apology, but Asuna never even knew her parents because she was so young when they died, so she has always just accepted it as a fact of her life.
31	* The GagDub of ''Anime/GhostStories'' features Satsuki saying this line:
32	-->'''Hajime:''' Why do you care so much, it's just a stupid cat!\
33	'''Satsuki:''' Kaya [the cat] showed up the same day our mother left... our ''dead'' mother! You feel bad now!?
34	* ''Anime/DragonballZ'': Played with when Videl asks Gohan where his father is. Gohan replies that Goku isn't with them, and Goten chimes in that they'll see him at the tournament since "the lady is bringing him back from the dead". Videl assumes that the young Goten means that their father divorced and re-married. Later Gohan has to clarify that, no, Goku is ''literally'' dead, but is coming back for one day due to the actions of a fortune-teller.
35	[[/folder]]
36
37	[[folder:Comic Books]]
38	* Franchise/{{Batman}}, to the point of MemeticMutation. The former title image, contrary to popular belief, is actually a photoshopped rendition of [[http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/235/607/200.jpg this panel.]]
39	* ''ComicBook/{{Batgirl}}'': Barbara Gordon once complained about her father James Gordon being too overprotective and intrusive into her life, then followed it up with "...but you know how weird parents can be about these things." Bruce's response: "I wouldn't know".
40	* An issue of ''ComicBook/Batgirl2000'' has a similar exchange. Things are tense between Bruce and Cassandra, and Barbara points out that everyone hates their parents when they're eighteen. Bruce, again, says he wouldn't know.
41	* Happens in ''ComicBook/IdentityCrisis2004'' without the orphaned party being present. [[Franchise/{{Superman}} Clark]] is insisting that he be allowed to help pay his parents' bills, while his parents insist they can take care of themselves. Martha then quips "I bet Batman never does this to ''his'' parents". Clark immediately goes quiet, and the narration states that he was suddenly reminded of just how fortunate he is.
42	* In ''ComicBook/{{Buzz}},'' when Bonnie asks Webster about his parents, he looks sad and mumbles something indistinct; she takes the hint and changes the subject. [[spoiler:Webster's parents were actually deported on false charges of [[SeriousBusiness fixing a spelling bee]]. When Bonnie asks why Webster told her they were dead, he looks confused and points out that he didn't]].
43	* It happens in a ''ComicBook/PowerGirl2009'' issue when ComicBook/PowerGirl is asked if she can stay with her parents for a while. She replies they're not around.
44	* ''ComicBook/BatgirlRebirth'': In a flashback issue, ComicBook/{{Batgirl}} gets all steamed up about her father and ComicBook/{{Robin}} implies he doesn't know what to have a parent-son argument is like. Barbara asks if his parents aren't around, and Dick answers he's orphaned.
45	-->'''Robin:''' Parents! They're are the worst, right? I mean, so I hear.\
46	'''Batgirl:''' Your parents are out of the picture? Are you, like, a foster kid?\
47	'''Robin:''' Kind of. I mean, technically, I'm an orphan.\
48	'''Batgirl:''' What?! Oh God. I'm sorry.
49	* In ''ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}'' ''[[ComicBook/Supergirl2005 2010 story]]'' ''ComicBook/DeathAndTheFamily'', Kara -in her civilian identity Linda Lang- is told her "aunt" ''ComicBook/LanaLang'' has passed away. When a doctor asks about the rest of her family, she sobs they aren't around anymore.
50	-->'''Doctor:''' --Are counselors on staff if you'd like to talk to someone, and I'm sure the rest of your family is worried about you--\
51	'''Kara:''' No. They're not around. Lana is... was my family here. I have no one else right now.
52	[[/folder]]
53
54	[[folder:Comic Strips]]
55	* In one ''ComicStrip/{{Peanuts}}'' [[https://www.gocomics.com/peanuts/1973/09/27 strip,]] when Peppermint Patty is going to stay at Charlie Brown's house while her father is away, Marcie asks her, "Why can't you just stay home with your mother?" Patty replies, "I don't have a mother, Marcie!"
56	[[/folder]]
57
58	[[folder:Fan Works]]
59	* In [[http://archiveofourown.org/works/437234/chapters/744208 this]] ''Series/TeenWolf'' fic, when Stiles mistakenly assumes that Derek's track record when it comes to relationships can't possibly be worse than his own:
60	-->'''Stiles:''' I've never had a relationship last more than four months.\
61	'''Derek:''' I've only had one.\
62	'''Stiles:''' Oh...\
63	'''Derek:''' She set my house on fire.\
64	'''Stiles:''' ... oh.\
65	'''Derek:''' My whole family died.\
66	'''Stiles:''' [[BeatPanel ...awkward]].
67	* In ''Series/Supergirl2015'' story ''Fanfic/{{Survivors}}'', Alex and her parents ask [[ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} Kara]] several times what happened to her parents. Kara changes subjects or looks away until she finally explains she and her cousin are orphans.
68	-->"What happened... Where are... Parents?" she decided, pointing at Kara. Kara looked up and Alex saw the tears threatening to fall were now slowly gliding down her cheeks.
69	* From ''Fanfic/VoldemortGoesBackToSchool'':
70	-->'''Harry:''' Why can't you just directly ask your mother or father? You could Fire-Call them, right?\
71	'''"Evan"/Voldemort:''' Oh, the reason I, uh, can't ask them, is uh, [[VillainsNeverLie because they're]] [[SelfMadeOrphan both dead.]]\
72	'''Harry:''' Oh, I'm, er, so sorry. I, er, know what it's like to... not have a family.\
73	'''Draco:''' Nice one, Potter. I think the prize for the Gryffindor's stupidest House-member just got handed over from the Weasel to you.
74	* In the ''Fanfic/EmpathTheLuckiestSmurf'' novel, Papa Smurf gives his little Smurfs the reminder that their own parents are dead after his revelation that [[spoiler:Empath is Papa Smurf's only biological son]].
75	* ''Fanfic/ChildrenOfAnElderGod'': In chapter 7, Shinji tells Asuka that his father sent him away. Then he asks her what her parents are like, and she replies "Dead".
76	-->They both laughed. "So what are your parents like?" Shinji asked.\
77	"Dead". Her voice was a little sharp.\
78	Shinji looked away. "I'm sorry".
79	* In the fourth episode of ''Manga/Evangelion303'', Asuka asks Shinji about his past, and he answers that he barely remembers his homeland or his mother. When she asks if his mother died and Shinji confirms it, she feels embarrassed.
80	-->'''Asuka:''' So your mother...\
81	'''Shinji:''' Died.
82	* ''Fanfic/ThousandShinji'': When Shinji asks Asuka why she's always so hurt and angry, she screams that her mother died. Shinji replies that his own mother is dead, too.
83	-->'''Shinji:''' And I have such pain Asuka, such pain, but I will keep it for now. For you though, you owe me a favour for my victory. Tell me of your pain Asuka. Tell me honestly, tell me fully.\
84	'''Asuka:''' I... I... never agreed to this.\
85	'''Shinji:''' We rarely agree to the things that hurt us. So either defeat me, prove that you are worthy of keeping your pain secret, or show some honour in defeat and give me that which I ask.\
86	'''Asuka:''' ...\
87	'''Shinji:''' TELL ME!\
88	'''Asuka:''' Momma died!\
89	'''Shinji:''' So? Everyone in our class at school has a dead mother. Including me.
90	* ''Fanfic/OnceMoreWithFeeling'': In episode 9, Shinji and Asuka talk about their first meeting when they were little kids and Asuka asks if he’ll hide behind his mom again. Shinji replies that his mother is dead, and Asuka feels horrible about herself because she’s an orphan, too.
91	-->'''Asuka:''' So, Baka; are you going to run and hide behind mummy again with me here?\
92	'''Shinji:''' My Mother is dead, Asuka. She died when I was Four in an... incident, with Unit One.\
93	'''Asuka:''' I'm... I'm sorry.
94	* In [[https://www.deviantart.com/crydius/art/Applebloom-s-predicament-589767536 this]] fan comic, [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic Apple Bloom]] asks WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse if Pearl is his mom. He replies no, explains that his mom gave up her physical form to give birth to him, then asks Apple Bloom about ''her'' [[MissingMom mom]]. Apple Bloom awkwardly tries to change the subject, suggesting they talk to someone without a complicated family situation...and immediately turns to Scootaloo (who, at the time the comic was made, had ''nothing'' revealed about her family life).
95	-->'''Scootaloo:''' Yeah, just keep digging that grave Apple Bloom. Doin' good.\
96	[[/folder]]
97
98	[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
99	* With its penchant for the MissingMom and DisappearedDad tropes, the Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon has some notable examples:
100	** ''WesternAnimation/TheGreatMouseDetective'': Basil, depressed about failing to catch Ratigan yet again and playing the violin to console himself, dismisses Olivia's request that he find her father with "Surely your mother knows where he is." Olivia responds, "I don't have a mother," and Basil's playing comes to a screeching halt.
101	** ''WesternAnimation/TheRescuersDownUnder'': After Marahute shows Cody her egg, Cody asks, "Where's the daddy eagle?" Marahute just lowers her head. Cody understands and responds, "My dad's gone too."
102	** In ''WesternAnimation/BigHero6'', just as Hiro is about to go off to bot fight illegally again just after getting bailed out of jail for it, Tadashi laments, "What would mom and dad say?" Hiro says he wouldn't know and reminds him that they died when he was three.
103	** PlayedForLaughs in ''WesternAnimation/RalphBreaksTheInternet''. Vanellope meets the Franchise/{{Disney Princess}}es and they pepper her with questions to decipher if she's a [[PrincessClassic true princess]] too. They're unsure until Vanellope reveals she ''also'' [[MissingMom doesn't have a mother]].
104	--->'''[[WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}} Jasmine]]:''' Do you have daddy issues?\
105	'''Vanellope:''' I don't even have a mom!\
106	'''Jasmine, [[WesternAnimation/BeautyAndTheBeast Belle]], WesternAnimation/{{Pocahontas}}, [[WesternAnimation/SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs Snow White]], WesternAnimation/{{Cinderella}}, [[WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid1989 Ariel]], [[WesternAnimation/Frozen2013 Elsa and Anna]]:''' Neither do we!
107	* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Ratatouille}}'', Linguini is asked how his sick mother is doing. After Linguini stammers for a few seconds that she is getting better, another character responds, "She died," in a monotone voice.
108	[[/folder]]
109
110	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
111	* ''Film/{{Aliens}}'' has this conversation:
112	-->'''Ripley:''' Is Timmy around here, too? Maybe hiding like you were? Any sisters? Mom and Dad? Newt, look at me. Where are they?\
113	'''Newt:''' They're dead, all right? Can I go now?
114	* In ''Film/{{Hanna}}'', Hanna is eating dinner with a nice (If slightly weird) family that are not aware of her history as a trained killer and current status as a fugitive from the CIA. When they ask her why she is on her own she explains that her father encourages independence and that her mother is dead. There is a bit of an awkward silence before the father asks how she died, to which Hanna calmly replies "Three bullets". There is a suitably hilarious SpitTake in response.
115	* ''Film/SilentNightDeadlyNight'':
116	-->'''Mr. Sims:''' Hey, what'cha doin', huh?\
117	'''Billy:''' I was, uh, thinking about my parents.\
118	'''Mr. Sims:''' Oh, good! Good! Good, that's fine. That's fine. A boy should think about his parents at Christmas. Good boy.\
119	'''Billy:''' They're dead.\
120	'''Mr. Sims:''' Oh, God.
121	* In an outtake for ''Film/SpiderManHomecoming'', Peter begins telling Liz how great it is that her parents let her throw a party in her house when actor Tom Holland starts to ad-lib, "My parents...". There's a moment of realization on Holland's face before he finishes the sentence, "...are dead" and all the actors and extras crack up.
122	* ''Film/Terminator2JudgmentDay''. The Terminator is on the phone (using John Connor's voice) to check out his foster mother. After using the wrong name for John's dog (proving his foster mother is actually the T-1000), he hangs up the pay phone, and says to John, "Your foster parents are dead",
123	* In ''Film/WandaNevada'', Beau tells Wanda, "Your parents must be worried sick about you". Wanda replies, "My parents died".
124	* In ''Film/DancingTrees'', Martha starts chatting with one of the customers at Nicky's bookstore about mystery novels. Then she abruptly says, "My mom was murdered", to the customer's shock. She then resumes talking about Creator/PatriciaCornwell.
125	[[/folder]]
126
127	[[folder:Literature]]
128	* In Louise Penny's novel ''Literature/AFatalGrace'', a group of people at dinner are talking about things they used to dream of when they were children. It's gotten real enough for the gay man among them to say that he dreamed of being straight. When series detective Inspector Armand Gamache is asked he says, "That I saved my parents".
129	* One of ''Literature/TheHardyBoys'' books had this: A guy randomly asks Frank what became of his girlfriend, he replies that she died in a terrorist bombing.
130	* In ''Literature/HarryPotter'', even though everyone knows that the titular character's parents are dead, uncomfortable topics might come up.
131	** ''[[Literature/HarryPotterAndThePhilosophersStone Philosopher's Stone]]'': When Harry meets Draco Malfoy for the first time (in Diagon Alley while they're being fitted for their uniforms), albeit without knowing each other's name:
132	--->"Why's he [Hagrid] with you?" he sneered, "Where are your parents?"\
133	"They're dead."\
134	"Oh, sorry", he said, not sounding very. "But they were ''our'' [[FantasticRacism sort]], weren't they?".
135	** ''[[Literature/HarryPotterAndThePrisonerOfAzkaban Prisoner of Azkaban]]'': Harry says that he'll never know what his parents would want him to do because he's never spoken to them.
136	** ''[[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix The Order of the Phoenix]]'': When Hermione wishes aloud she could see [[HellishHorse Thestrals]], which can only be seen by those who have seen death, and Harry replies, "Do you?".
137	** ''[[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows Deathly Hallows]]'': When Ron was worried about his family's safety, he told his friends that "It's all right for you two, isn't it, with your parents safely out of the way?". It was probably supposed to be addressed at Hermione only, since he was directly talking to her, but Harry was not amused about the accidental wording.
138	* ''Literature/OldKingdom'': In ''Lirael'' the book opens with her saying that her internal mantra ever year on her birthday is "No mother, no father, no Sight" and her mother's abandonment is not infrequently commented on by her aunt.
139	* In Ari Bach's novel ''{{Literature/Valhalla}}'', the main character's parents die within the first few pages. Additionally, most of the residents of Valhalla have similar origins.
140	* Subverted in ''Literature/SoulMusic''. Someone tries to console Susan for losing her grandfather only for her to have to explain that she didn't say he was ''dead''. She said he was ''[[TheGrimReaper Death]]''.
141	* In ''Literature/WhenMyHeartJoinsTheThousand'', Stanley tells Alvie that [[HomeschooledKids his mom homeschooled him for a few years]] and asks if her parents homeschooled her. Alvie replies, "I don't have parents".
142	* In ''Literature/TheSpeedOfSound'', cafeteria worker Jerome tells Eddie, "Your mama done raise you right". Eddie says, "No, she didn't. She died when I was born".
143	* ''Literature/TheMissingPieceOfCharlieOReilly'': When Cody tells Ana and Charlie about his attempted shoplifting, Ana says, "Your parents must have freaked". Cody says, "I don't have parents."// He explained that [[DisappearedDad he never knew his dad]], and his mom died in a drunk driving accident when he was six, leaving him to be raised by his grandma.
144	[[/folder]]
145
146	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
147	* ''Series/BattlestarGalactica2003'': Colonel Tigh manages to put his foot firmly (and predictably, since they are a "rag-tag fugitive fleet" of refugees of a multi-planet genocidal nuclear apocalypse) in his mouth while dealing with a kid he finds hanging out with the Viper pilots.
148	-->'''Tigh:''' Where's your mommy?\
149	'''Boxey:''' Dead. Where's yours?
150	* A Season 6 episode of ''Series/{{Community}}'' has the Save Greendale Committee's e-mails all get hacked and released publically. A night of promising not to read each other's secrets [[ForegoneConclusion obviously does not work]], and the next day, they begin calling each other out on the weird and disturbing things they found (Jeff sends e-mails to astronauts, Chang ranks Annie and Britta by physical attractiveness every day, [[BreadEggsMilkSquick Elroy has been making 3D models of the entire female cast, allegedly for a computer game]], et cetera). It's PlayedForLaughs until Jeff makes fun of Frankie for sending messages to her sister even though she never writes back.
151	-->'''Frankie:''' ''[tearing up]'' She's ''dead''. I send her e-mails as a journaling device.
152	* On ''Series/ElChavoDelOcho'', El Chavo doesn't have parents and has never known any kind of filial love, but since he rarely brought it up the rest of the cast simply doesn't bring it up either or just ignore it for the sake of keeping the series funny.
153	-->'''El Chavo:''' ''[after hearing Kiko complaining about his mom not buying him a toy]'' Well, I'd be just happy if I ever had a mom, even if she never give me toys...
154	* ''Series/DoctorWho'': In [[Recap/DoctorWhoS31E1TheEleventhHour "The Eleventh Hour"]], young Amy Pond says "I don't have a mum and dad". (Which is true, but strictly speaking, [[RetGone they're not]] ''[[RetGone dead]]''...).
155	* Kurt on ''Series/{{Glee}}'' answers the phone this way:
156	--> "No, [[MissingMom she's dead]]. [[BlackComedy This is her son.]]"
157	* Happens in a ''Series/LastComicStanding'' challenge where one comedian performs their act and the other heckles them. When Chris Porter, in the role of the heckler, cracks an IBangedYourMom joke at Josh Blue, Blue responds with this trope. Later, when their places are reversed, Porter makes the same joke in response to one of Blue's heckles, except with "sister" in place of "mom". Blue again says she's dead, but this time Porter's ready with the comeback "No, she just doesn't call you anymore".
158	* Parodied on ''Series/MadTV1995'''s alternative ending of ''Film/TheWizardOfOz'', where Dorothy screams this at Glinda.
159	* In the 2007 adaptation of ''Literature/NorthangerAbbey'', there's this exchange between Catherine (protagonist) and her new friend Eleanor:
160	-->'''Catherine:''' And is your mother in Bath with you as well?\
161	'''Eleanor:''' Our mother is dead.\
162	''[awkward pause]''\
163	'''Eleanor:''' [[TalkAboutTheWeather So this is your first time in Bath]]?
164	* ''Series/MotherlandFortSalem'': The reason Scylla joined the Spree (they were killed by the Army, and she wanted revenge).
165	* In ''Series/PrettyGuardianSailorMoon'', Usagi tells Makoto is must be hard to be transferring school. Makoto brings up the topic, saying it's even harder as she lives on her own since her parents' death.
166	* During an episode of ''Series/{{Supergirl\|2015}}'', Cat Grant asks Kara about her parents. Kara tells her that they died "in a fire" (Actually, a planet-wide apocalypse, but, technically, yes, a "fire").
167	* In the ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'' episode [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E09Croatoan "Croatoan" (S02, Ep09)]], this is an InvertedTrope, where everyone in the room knows that Duane is now an orphan because of Dean's actions except for Duane.
168	-->'''Duane Tanner:''' Has anybody seen my mom and dad?\
169	'''Dean:''' ''[quietly]'' Awkward.
170	** This trope, or a version, can come from the Winchesters, too. In episode [[Recap/SupernaturalS10E20AngelHeart 10.20, Angel Heart]], we get this gem of a conversation between Sam and Claire Novak:
171	-->'''Sam:''' You came all the way to tell her off?\
172	'''Claire:''' You always get along with your mom?\
173	'''Sam:''' Never got the chance to find out. She died when I was a baby.\
174	'''Claire:''' I'm... I'm sorry. I didn't...\
175	'''Sam:''' Oh, no, it's okay. I-I got to know her later in life. And, yeah, I suppose we got along okay.\
176	'''Claire:''' What?\
177	'''Sam:''' In this line of work, death isn't always good-bye.
178	* Said disbelievingly by Rick on ''Series/TheYoungOnes'', when Mike informs him that his parents had died that morning. Subverted in that, rather than an awkward silence commencing, Rick immediately starts ranting about how selfish they were to die and leave him with nobody to stay with for the summer holidays.
179	* ''Series/LateNight with Creator/SethMeyers'': Milked to the extreme in the sketch "Seth Brings Jon Snow to a Dinner Party". Jon Snow, a hero from ''Series/GameOfThrones'', is unable to make small talk with New Yorkers. Whatever the other guests bring up, Jon has something ''very'' bleak to say about himself ("I'm a bastard, so I never knew my mother" & "My father's head was chopped off" & "My brother was stabbed to death at his own wedding" & "[My first love] Ygritte shot me with three arrows and then a child murdered her in cold blood").
180	[[/folder]]
181
182	[[folder:Theatre]]
183	* During the song "Freeze Your Brain" in ''Theatre/{{Heathers}}'', Veronica makes a snarky remark on how J.D.'s mom feels about him consuming so much 7/11, to which J.D. quickly mentions that his mom is dead. The OhCrap faces the actors who've played Veronica pull makes the moment even more darkly humorous.
184	--> '''Veronica:''' Does your mommy know you eat all this crap?
185	--> '''J.D.:''' Not anymore!
186	--> When mom was alive\
187	we lived halfway normal.\
188	Now it's just me and my dad\
189	we're less formal.
190	* In ''Theatre/ThoroughlyModernMillie'', the landlady Mrs. Meers wishes her tenant Ethel's family condolences after receiving notice that Ethel's uncle died recently. Ethel then informs Meers that she is an orphan and has no other family, [[spoiler: which [[BigBad Meers]] exploits to sell Ethel into white slavery without being caught]].
191	[[/folder]]
192
193	[[folder:Video Games]]
194	* In ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'', a Warden with the Human Noble background has the option of telling Alistair that their entire family was murdered recently when he asks if they’ve ever lost anyone close to them.
195	* Parodied in ''VideoGame/NoMoreHeroes''. When the fourth ranked assassin Harvey Moiseiwitsch Volodarskii invites Travis on stage as part of his magic show, Harvey compliments Travis on his name and his parents on choosing the name. Travis, smiling and cheerful, simply says, "My parents are dead!" At this point, Harvey regrets what he said, but Travis forgives him. [[spoiler: It's actually a really important plot point. Along with money and, later on, "doing it" with Sylvia, this is why Travis became an assassin, with the final boss being the one who killed his parents.]]
196	* ''VideoGame/Persona4'' has the protagonist and the Investigation Team taking Nanako to the food court at Junes after Dojima's job forces him to break his promise to her about going on a vacation together. While discussing making boxed lunches, the team suggests a "cook-off" and Yosuke says that maybe they'll whip up something as good as her mom's cooking. Nanako's response is that she doesn't have a mom, and that she died in an accident. This is the first inkling of [[TheWoobie just how sad Nanako is under her adorable exterior]].
197	* In ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind'', one Mages Guild quest has you rooting out a [[EvilSorcerer Telvanni]] [[TheMole spy]]. When turning in the quest, you can choose to lie and say that Balmora Guild Hall Stewardess Ranis Athrys is the spy. If you do, the quest giver is surprised, mentioning that Ranis' parents were killed by the Telvanni (Don't feel too bad for her though, as she is rather [[JoinOrDie aggressive]] when it comes to [[WithUsOrAgainstUs convincing independent mages to join the Guild]], so this may just be [[LaserGuidedKarma karma]] catching up to her).
198	[[/folder]]
199
200	[[folder:Visual Novels]]
201	* ''VisualNovel/LittleBusters'':
202	** At one point in the common route, Mio nonchalantly and snarkily asks Riki if his parents taught him any manners, and he responds just as nonchalantly by saying he doesn't have any. She is genuinely sorry about her remark, making it quite possibly the first time Riki is able to break through her [[SugarAndIcePersonality stoic facade]].
203	** He also ends up telling Sasami during her route. As the two are talking about why they applied to the BoardingSchool they attend, she assumes his parents were lenient in letting him apply because it was the school his friend Kyousuke attended. This causes him to clarify they died in a car accident when he was a kid, and ends with Sasami apologetic about her assumption and in tears over what Riki had to endure.
204	* In the ''VisualNovel/AceAttorney'' case "Rise From The Ashes" Phoenix asks Ema Skye, who's older sister is a defendant, about their parents. Ema explains (with a calm smile on her face surprisingly) that they died in a car crash when she was little.
205	[[/folder]]
206
207	[[folder:Webcomics]]
208	* The [[TropeNamer trope-naming]] ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' example pictured above was parodied in [[http://imgur.com/gallery/FxS6VqI this]] ''Webcomic/{{PvP}}'' webcomic.
209	* ''Webcomic/ExterminatusNow'' subverts this: [[http://exterminatusnow.comicgenesis.com/d/20080920.html Eastwood tells Lothar his girlfriend is dead]], at which point Virus calls bullshit: not only is his girlfriend not dead, she broke up with him, and he had her new boyfriend [[KnightTemplar declared Hereticus Abomini]] and [[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill shot him several dozen times while on the toilet]] (Amusingly enough, the boyfriend ''was'' a heretic, it's just he was already dead when that was found out).
210	* A variant appears in ''Webcomic/TheAdventuresOfDrMcNinja'' when [[ItMakesSenseInContext Ben Franklin meets the Beeman in the restaurant on the other side]]. Franklin, being cranky and noting the obvious similarity to Batman, sardonically jokes "who killed '''your''' parents?". Beeman responds that he has no idea; they never caught him. Cue SpitTake and awkward silence before Franklin gets his bearings and apologizes.
211	* In ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'', Noah says if everything was public knowledge his [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-03-31 "parents would still be alive".]]
212	* Done in the ''Boxdog'' webcomic by Weaver twice. [[http://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Boxdog/4876233/ The first one,]] about Boxdog's parents, is more or less a ShaggyDogStory. The second one is about her [[http://www.drunkduck.com/Boxdog/4914840/ friend, Teadog.]]
213	** [[http://www.drunkduck.com/Boxdog/5187432/ Played for laughs here.]]
214	* In ''Webcomic/{{Moxie}}'', Mari's parents are no longer alive, but would be [[http://www.moxiecomic.com/comic/p2 proud if they could see her now.]]
215	[[/folder]]
216
217	[[folder:Web Original]]
218	* The [[MemeticMutation infamous]] "THEN WHO WAS PHONE" {{creepypasta}}:
219	-->So ur with ur honey and yur making out wen the phone rigns. U anser it n the vioce is "wut r u doing wit my daughter?" U tell ur girl n she say "my dad is ded". THEN WHO WAS PHONE?
220	** "[[SamusIsAGirl My mom has a kind of husky voice, though]]".
221	* The musical parody ''Theatre/AVeryPotterSequel'' makes fun of the way Harry is treated like the only orphan in the wizarding world with the following quote (about his invisibility cloak):
222	-->"It was left to me by my dad, my dad that's dead. My father is dead. I have a dead father".
223	* Deirdre Rees's parents killed in a drive-by when she was seven in [[http://gaius0artemis.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d4lwgxe Night Hunters]]
224	* In ''WebVideo/DeathNoteTheAbridgedSeriesKpts4tv'', Near gets fed up with some of the insensitive comments of his colleagues.
225	-->'''Halle [[spoiler: Naomi]]''': When I was a young orphan my parents took me to Disneyland.\
226	'''Near''': Go buy a dictionary and look up the word ''orphan!''
227	* This is the core joke of the OldeEnglish sketch [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JizOTlM4jKk "Arthur Got a Haircut."]]
228	--> '''Diner:''' Mentally disabled children, huh? Did one of them give Arthur his new haircut? Heh.
229	--> '''Arthur:''' My mom gave me this haircut. And then she died.
230	* A variation is PlayedForLaughs in the Yule Ball installment of ''WebVideo/PotterPuppetPals'':
231	--->'''Voldemort''': You kids know about the killing curse, right?\
232	'''Harry''': Uh, no, my parents died of old age. OF COURSE I KNOW!!
233	* As [[http://www.wipeouthomophobia.com/hatemailreplies.htm archived]] on their site, the following reply to a message that the website Wipeout Homophobia received on their original Facebook page:
234	-->'''Hater:''' If you don't remove STOP Homophobia from Facebook I will make it my life's crusade to track you down and kill you. I have investigated you and I know who your mother is, she will be first on my list. You have 1 hour.\
235	'''Reply:''' Well done on your investigative work, please remember to bring a shovel with you as my mother has been dead for 23 years.
236	[[/folder]]
237	[[folder:Web Animation]]
238	* In WebAnimation/HelluvaBoss, In "Truth Seekers", Blitzo makes [[YourMom a mom joke]] on Agent One only to be told that his mom is dead. This doesn't stop him from doing it later.
239	[[/folder]]
240	[[folder:Western Animation]]
241	* In ''WesternAnimation/TheAmazingWorldOfGumball,'' Gumball attempts to make a "your mom" joke to [[spoiler:Rob.]] After being told that [[spoiler:Rob]] doesn't have a mom, Gumball does quite a bit more [[VerbalBackspace backtracking,]] only to arrive on various other familial topics of discussion.
242	--> '''Gumball:''' Oh, you know what else is thick? Your mom's chin!
243	--> '''[[spoiler:Rob:]]''' I don't have a mom.
244	** This provides an extra bit of FridgeHorror when you realize that [[spoiler:Rob's parents are probably trapped in [[EldritchLocation the Void]] and Rob was the only one to escape.]]
245	* Brought up quite a bit in ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender,'' since a hundred years of war isn't without its casualties. Quite often it gives a chance for bonding.
246	-->'''Katara''': The Fire Nation took my mother away from me!\
247	'''[[spoiler: Zuko]]''': That's something we have in common.
248	** In SequelSeries ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'' episode "The Revelation", Mako snaps at Korra when she comments she has people to take care of her, and his brother Bolin explains to Korra that they've been orphaned for quite some time. Later, Mako elaborates further, revealing to Korra that at age eight, he witnessed his parents' murder during a mugging by a [[PlayingWithFire firebender]].
249	*** Amon's (the leader of the [[MugglePower Equalists]]) parents were killed by a firebender, but that may be a case of UnreliableNarrator. Also, Asami Sato's mother was killed by a firebender as well. It's a pretty strange coincidence.
250	*** [[spoiler: In the first season finale, it's explained that Amon's whole story is a lie--his father was a waterbending gangster and neither of his parents were killed by a firebender. He probably made the story up because of the firebender's bad reputation from both the original series and the sequel.]]
251	* ''WesternAnimation/ChipNDaleRescueRangers'': When Chip, Dale, and Monty go looking for Geegaw Hackwrench, they find his daughter, Gadget, instead. When they ask about him, her words are ambiguous, but her tone is not; only Dale doesn't get it, so she has to be more clear. When Monty says he'll be missed, she says, "He already is".
252	* In ''WesternAnimation/TheDragonPrince,'' Rayna gives this answer when Callum asks about her parents. Later in the episode, she reveals that [[spoiler:she lied; she ''wishes'' that they were dead, because they actually abandoned their post protecting [[EggMacGuffin the dragon egg]] and thus dishonored the family]].
253	* PlayedForLaughs in ''WesternAnimation/FriskyDingo'', where [[InsistentTerminology every mention]] of Xander's parents refers to them as "[his] murdered parents", regardless of the context.
254	-->'''Xander''': My murdered parents were ''[[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment murdered]]'', Stan!\
255	'''Stan''': [[CrossesTheLineTwice Nobody cares about your dead-ass murdered parents.]]
256	* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'', when Leela's former [[OrphanageOfFear Orphanarium]] declared her "Orphan of the Year" for successfully holding a normal blue collar job, her SpoiledSweet AsianAirhead friend Amy Wong says "Your parents must be so proud... oops". [[spoiler:It turns out her parents are still alive, and they ''are'' [[SoProudOfYou very proud of Leela]].]]
257	%%* ''WesternAnimation/{{Mad}''}: Parodied episode segment "Super Hero Millionaire Matchmaker".
258	* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': It's pretty much common knowledge in the fan community that the parents of Applejack, Big Mac, and Apple Bloom are dead. The show has VERY carefully avoided any mention of this, but as of season 7 it's EXTREMELY heavily implied, and as close to confirming it as the show can come [[NeverSayDie without outright saying it]].
259	* In the ''WesternAnimation/OKKOLetsBeHeroes'' episode "My Dad Can Beat Up Your Dad", a bully named Chameleon Jr. tells K.O. [[MyDadCanBeatUpYourDad the titular taunt]]; K.O. tries to respond in kind, before remembering that [[DisappearedDad he doesn't have a dad]]. He quickly recovers by saying that his mom can beat up ''anyone''.
260	* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
261	** In "Little Orphan Millie", Milhouse is staying with the family while his parents are out on their second honeymoon. Just after he discovers that they were lost at sea, Bart comes in and sprays him with a hose, as a prank.
262	--->'''Bart:''' ''(laughter dies as he notices everyone's expressions)'' Hey, who died?\
263	'''Milhouse:''' My parents, probably.
264	** In "The Great Louse Detective", when Homer finds out that the person trying to kill him is [[spoiler: the son of Frank Grimes]], Homer asks [[spoiler: "How is Grimey?", to which his son replies "He's dead". Made worse by the fact that Grimes died after going crazy because of Homer, Homer saw him die and was at the funeral, and that was the reason Frank Grimes Jr. wanted to kill Homer.]]
265	* Played with in the ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'' episode "The Jeffersons", where [[NoCelebritiesWereHarmed Michael Jefferson]]'s son Blanket is asked about his mom. Because Blanket was "made in a laboratory" (via in vitro fertilization) and born from a surrogate, he doesn't consider himself to have ''any'' mother, living or dead.
266	* ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels'': From [[Recap/StarWarsRebelsSparkOfRebellion "Spark of Rebellion"]]:
267	-->'''Hera:''' We'll get you home now. Your parents must be worried sick.\
268	'''Ezra:''' I don't have parents.
269	** His parents were arrested for making anti-Imperial broadcasts. [[spoiler:[[Recap/StarWarsRebelsS2E09Legacy "Legacy"]] reveals that at the time, they weren't dead. They were killed shortly before "Legacy" begins leading a successful prison break.]]
270	* Happens a couple of times on ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' in regards to the title character's MissingMom:
271	** In the episode "Fusion Cuisine", Connie's mother asks to speak to Steven's mother over the phone.
272	---> '''Connie:''' Hi, Mother. It's Connie. Mm-hmm. Yes, ma'am. I'm at the home of Steven Universe. Mm-hmm. Yes, ma'am. We're—we're just hanging out. Oh... Steven's parents. They're, uh—they're in the other room. You would like to talk to Steven's mom? Oh, okay. Hold on a moment.
273	---> '''Steven:''' That's gonna be pretty hard since my mom gave up her physical form to make me.
274	** In the episode "Gem Harvest", when [[spoiler: Andy DeMayo]] finds out that [[spoiler: his cousin]] Greg has a son (Steven), he starts teasing Greg about his wife. It gets even more awkward when the conservative [[spoiler: Andy]] finds out that Greg and Rose Quartz weren't even married.
275	---> '''[[spoiler: Andy:]]''' Oh, sorry, Steven. I ain't used to holdin' nephews. 'Cause I didn't know I had one! So, uh, which one of these girls is the wife? I gotta give her my condolences, right? Hey, come on. What, I gotta guess, here? It's gotta be you. I bet this useless lump needs a big girl to keep him in line. You're not big, I'm just saying. You're tall, not, you know.
276	---> '''Greg:''' Rose is... no longer with us.
277	---> '''[[spoiler: Andy:]]''' Uh, wow. I'm sorry. I didn't know.
278	[[/folder]]
279

Context Main / MyParentsAreDead