Chevy Chase exits NBC's 'Community'

Bill Keveney, USA TODAY | USATODAY

Chevy Chase is saying an early goodbye to NBC's Community, which is still filming episodes.

The veteran comic actor, who plays older community college student Pierce Hawthorne on the NBC comedy, is parting by mutual agreement with producers, according to a source with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly.

Community, an ensemble comedy starring Joel McHale, focuses on a group of students at Greendale Community College. Pierce plays a successful businessman who is part of the study group.

The show, which returns for a fourth season on Feb. 7, has completed filming most of its episodes. Chase is likely to miss only one or two episodes.

Chase has had a tumultuous history with the low-rated Community. He has clashed with creator Dan Harmon, who left day-to-day oversight of the show after the third season. In one leaked phone message to Harmon, Chase criticized the show while asking for better storylines.