List of Law & Order characters
The American television police procedural and legal drama Law & Order (1990–2010, 2022–present) follows the cases of a group of police detectives and prosecutors who represent the public interest in the criminal justice system. Known for its revolving cast, most of the original stars had left the show within the first five seasons;[1] though Dann Florek reprised his role of Capt. Donald Cragen on the spin-off series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit from 1999 to 2014, and Chris Noth reprised his role of Det. Mike Logan on Law & Order: Criminal Intent from 2005 to 2008. The longest-serving main cast members of the original series include Steven Hill as D.A. Adam Schiff (1990–2000), Jerry Orbach as Det. Lennie Briscoe (1992–2004),[2][3] S. Epatha Merkerson as Lt. Anita Van Buren (1993–2010),[4] Sam Waterston as EADA/DA Jack McCoy (1994–2010, 2022–present) Jesse L. Martin as Det. Ed Green (1999–2008). Long-running recurring cast members on the series include John Fiore as Det. Tony Profaci (1990–1998), Carolyn McCormick as Dr. Elizabeth Olivet (1991–2009), Leslie Hendrix as Dr. Elizabeth Rodgers (1992–2010) and J. K. Simmons as Dr. Emil Skoda (1997–2010).
Characters
Main characters
Actor | Character | Rank/Position | Seasons | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Regular | Recurring | Guest | ||||
George Dzundza | Max Greevey | Sergeant | 1 | |||
Chris Noth | Mike Logan | Junior Detective | 1–5 | Appeared in Exiled | ||
Dann Florek | Donald Cragen | Captain | 1–3 | 5, 10, 15 | Appeared in Exiled | |
Michael Moriarty | Ben Stone | EADA | 1–4 | |||
Richard Brooks | Paul Robinette | ADA | 1–3 | 6, 16–17 | ||
Steven Hill | Adam Schiff | DA | 1–10 | |||
Paul Sorvino | Phil Cerreta | Sergeant | 2–3 | 3 | ||
Jerry Orbach | Lennie Briscoe | Senior Detective | 3–14 | Appeared in Exiled | ||
Carolyn McCormick | Elizabeth Olivet | Psychologist | 3–4 | 5–7, 13–14, 16–18 | 2, 9–10, 19–20 | |
S. Epatha Merkerson | Anita Van Buren | Lieutenant | 4–20 | Appeared in Exiled | ||
Jill Hennessy | Claire Kincaid | ADA | 4–6 | |||
Sam Waterston | Jack McCoy | EADA, Interim DA, DA | 5–17, 18–present | Appeared in Exiled | ||
Benjamin Bratt | Rey Curtis | Junior Detective | 6–9 | 20 | Appeared in Exiled | |
Carey Lowell | Jamie Ross | ADA | 7–8 | 10–11, 21 | ||
Angie Harmon | Abbie Carmichael | ADA | 9–11 | |||
Jesse L. Martin | Ed Green | Junior Detective, Senior Detective | 10–16 17–18 | |||
Dianne Wiest | Nora Lewin | Interim DA | 11–12 | |||
Elisabeth Röhm | Serena Southerlyn | ADA | 12–15 | |||
Fred Dalton Thompson | Arthur Branch | DA | 13–17 | |||
Dennis Farina | Joe Fontana | Senior Detective | 15–16 | |||
Michael Imperioli | Nick Falco | Junior Detective | 15 | 16 | Temporarily assigned | |
Annie Parisse | Alexandra Borgia | ADA | 15–16 | |||
Milena Govich | Nina Cassady | Junior Detective | 17 | |||
Alana de la Garza | Connie Rubirosa | ADA | 17–20 | |||
Jeremy Sisto | Cyrus Lupo | Junior Detective, Senior Detective | 18 18–20 | |||
Linus Roache | Michael Cutter | EADA | 18–20 | |||
Anthony Anderson | Kevin Bernard | Junior Detective, Senior Detective | 18–20 21 | 18 | ||
Jeffrey Donovan | Frank Cosgrove | Junior Detective, Senior Detective | 21 22–present | |||
Camryn Manheim | Kate Dixon | Lieutenant | 21–present | |||
Hugh Dancy | Nolan Price | EADA | 21–present | |||
Odelya Halevi | Samantha Maroun | ADA | 21–present | |||
Mehcad Brooks | Jalen Shaw | Junior Detective | 22–present |
Police officers
Sergeants
Name | Portrayed by | Year | Episodes | Junior Partners | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Max Greevey | George Dzundza | 1990–1991 | 23 | Mike Logan | Murdered in 1991.[5][6][7] |
Phil Cerreta | Paul Sorvino | 1991–1992 | 31 | Transferred to a desk job at the 110th Precinct after being shot. |
Senior detectives
Name | Portrayed by | Year | Episodes | Junior Partners | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lennie Briscoe | Jerry Orbach | 1992–2004 | 273 | Mike Logan (1992–1995) Rey Curtis (1995–1999) Ed Green (1999–2004) |
|
Joe Fontana | Dennis Farina | 2004–2006 | 46 | Ed Green (2004–2006) Nick Falco (2005) |
|
Ed Green | Jesse L. Martin | 2006–2008 | 198 | Nina Cassady (2006–2007) Cyrus Lupo (2008) |
|
Cyrus Lupo | Jeremy Sisto | 2008–2010 | 63 | Kevin Bernard |
|
Kevin Bernard | Anthony Anderson | 2022 | 60 | Frank Cosgrove |
|
Frank Cosgrove | Jeffrey Donovan | 2022– | 32 | Jalen Shaw |
|
Junior detectives
Name | Portrayed by | Year | Episodes | Senior Partners | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mike Logan | Chris Noth | 1990–1995 | 111 | Max Greevey (1990–1991) Phil Cerreta (1991–1992) Lennie Briscoe (1992–1995) |
|
Rey Curtis | Benjamin Bratt | 1995–1999 | 94 | Lennie Briscoe |
|
Ed Green | Jesse L. Martin | 1999–2006 | 198 | Lennie Briscoe (1999–2004) Joe Fontana (2004–2006) |
|
Nick Falco | Michael Imperioli | 2005 | 5 | Joe Fontana |
|
Nina Cassidy | Milena Govich | 2006–2007 | 22 | Ed Green |
|
Cyrus Lupo | Jeremy Sisto | 2008 | 63 |
| |
Kevin Bernard | Anthony Anderson | 2008–2010 | 51 | Cyrus Lupo |
|
Frank Cosgrove | Jeffrey Donovan | 2022 | 10 | Kevin Bernard |
|
Jalen Shaw | Mehcad Brooks | 2022– | 22 | Frank Cosgrove |
|
Supervising officers
Name | Portrayed by | Rank | Year | Episodes | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Donald Cragen | Dann Florek | Captain | 1990–1993 | 66 |
|
Anita Van Buren | S. Epatha Merkerson | Lieutenant | 1993–2010 | 390 | Most likely retired. |
Kate Dixon | Camryn Manheim | Lieutenant | 2022– | 32 |
Prosecutors
Executive Assistant District Attorneys
Name | Portrayed by | Year | Partners | Episodes | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Benjamin Stone | Michael Moriarty | 1990–1994 | Paul Robinette, Claire Kincaid | 88 |
|
Jack McCoy | Sam Waterston | 1994–2007 | Claire Kincaid, Jamie Ross, Abbie Carmichael, Serena Southerlyn, Alexandra Borgia, Connie Rubirosa | 368 |
|
Michael Cutter | Linus Roache | 2008–2010 | Connie Rubirosa | 63 |
|
Nolan Price | Hugh Dancy | 2022– | Samantha Maroun | 10 |
Assistant District Attorneys
Name | Portrayed by | Year | Partners | Episodes | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Paul Robinette | Richard Brooks | 1990–1993 | Ben Stone | 66 |
|
Claire Kincaid | Jill Hennessy | 1993–1996 | Ben Stone, Jack McCoy | 68 |
|
Jamie Ross | Carey Lowell | 1996–1998 | Jack McCoy | 48 |
|
Abbie Carmichael | Angie Harmon | 1998–2001 | 72 |
| |
Serena Southerlyn | Elisabeth Röhm | 2001–2005 | 85 |
| |
Alexandra Borgia | Annie Parisse | 2005–2006 | 34 |
| |
Connie Rubirosa | Alana de la Garza | 2006–2010 | Jack McCoy, Michael Cutter | 85 |
|
Samantha Maroun | Odelya Halevi | 2022– | Nolan Price | 10 |
- In the 1997 season 7 episode "We Like Mike", Caleb Duff is listed as Assistant District Attorney beneath Adam Schiff as District Attorney and John J. McCoy as Executive Assistant District Attorney at the New York County District Attorney's Office, though he never appears on screen.
Manhattan District Attorneys
Name | Portrayed by | Terms | Episodes | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alfred Wentworth | Roy Thinnes | 1988 | 1 |
|
Adam Schiff | Steven Hill | 1990–2000 | 228 |
|
Nora Lewin | Dianne Wiest | 2000–2002 | 48 |
|
Arthur Branch | Fred Thompson | 2002–2007 | 116 |
|
Jack McCoy | Sam Waterston | 2007–2010, 2022– | 368 |
|
Other main characters
Name | Portrayed by | Years | Episodes |
---|---|---|---|
Psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Olivet | Carolyn McCormick | 1991–1997; 1999; 2002–2009 | 87 |
Medical Examiner Dr. Elizabeth Rodgers | Leslie Hendrix | 1992–2010 | 139 |
Psychiatrist Dr. Emil Skoda | J. K. Simmons | 1997–2004; 2010 | 44 |
Recurring characters
NYPD officials
Name | Portrayed by | Year | Episodes |
---|---|---|---|
Chief of Detectives Laird | James Biberi | 2008–2010 | 3 |
Borough Chief Commander James Dietz | Michael Cullen | 1998–1999 | 3 |
Borough Detective Commander Joseph Strudevant | Dan Lauria | 2000–2001 | 2 |
27th Precinct support detectives
Name | Portrayed by | Year | Episodes |
---|---|---|---|
Detective Tony Profaci | John Fiore | 1990–1998 | 53 and Exiled |
Detective Gia | Gia Galeano | 1994–1997 | 11 |
Detective Morris LeMotte | Larry Clarke | 1998–2000 | 20 |
Detective Reina Perez | Nancy Ticotin | 2001 | 6 |
Detective Ana Cordova | Andrea Navedo | 2001–2004 | 24 |
Sergeant Martinez | Joe Gonzalez | 2002–2004 | 7 |
Detective Mariluz Rivera | Selenis Leyva | 2004–2006 | 18 |
Detective Joe Cormack | Joe Forbrich | 2008–2009 | 17 |
Detective Dani Vertiz | Shayvawn Webster | 2022 | 9 |
Detective Violet Yee | Connie Shi | 2022–present | 21 |
Crime Scene Unit investigators / crime lab technicians
Name | Portrayed by | Year | Episodes |
---|---|---|---|
CSU Technician Julian Beck | John Cariani | 2002–2006 | 26 |
CSU Technician Jessica Reed | Liz Larsen | 1998–2006 | 12 |
CSU Technician Lisa Santoro | Abigail Lopez | 2004–2005 | 3 |
Forensic Technician Medill | Donald Corren | 1992–1999 | 17 |
Forensic Technician Arlene Shrier | Christine Farrell | 1992–1999 | 16 |
Computer Forensic Technician Myra Camp | Megan Byrne | 2003–2004 | 6 |
Assistant Medical Examiners
Name | Portrayed by | Year | Episodes |
---|---|---|---|
Borak | Josh Pais | 1990–2002 | 15 |
Brody | Richard Hirschfeld | 2002–2006 | 12 |
Dr. Karen Waxman | Angel Desai | 2003–2005 | 4 |
Anskel | Baron Vaughn | 2008–2009 | 2 |
Defense attorneys
Name | Portrayed by | Year | Episodes |
---|---|---|---|
Danielle Melnick | Tovah Feldshuh | 1991–2007 | 13 |
Norman Rothenberg | Jeffrey DeMunn | 1993–2008 | 8 |
Shambala Green | Lorraine Toussaint | 1990–1994, 2003 | 7 |
Larry Weaver | Bob Dishy | 1994–2002 | 7 |
James Granick | Ned Eisenberg | 1997–2009 | 7 |
Nick Margolis | Ben Shenkman | 1999–2009 | 6 |
Bill Patton | Bill Moor | 1991–2000 | 6 |
Helen Brolin | Maria Tucci | 1993–2003 | 6 |
Peter Behrens | Tom O'Rourke | 1996–2001 | 6 |
Arthur Gold | George Grizzard | 1992–2000 | 6 |
Al Archer | Dennis Boutsikaris | 1996–2004 | 5 |
Charles Garnett | James Rebhorn | 1995–2001 | 5 |
Douglas Greer | Richard Venture | 1991–2000 | 5 |
Anne Paulsen | Glynnis O'Connor | 1998–2004 | 5 |
Sanford Remz | Dylan Baker | 2004–2006, 2022–2023 | 5 |
Sally Bell | Edie Falco | 1993–1998 | 4 |
Aaron Solomon | John Benjamin Hickey | 2002–2006 | 4 |
Daniel Metzler | John Cunningham | 1997–2008 | 4 |
Mr. Axtell | Jack Gilpin | 1997–2001 | 4 |
Barry Kaufer | Lee Shepherd | 1998–2002 | 4 |
Charlotte Swan | Helen Carey | 1999–2005 | 4 |
Leon Chiles | Joe Morton | 2000–2005 | 4 |
Gordon Schell | Philip Bosco | 1990–1994 | 3 |
Deirdre Powell | Joanna Merlin | 1994–1998 | 3 |
Max Hellman | Ron Orbach | 1994, 2002 | 3 |
James Linde | Joe Grifasi | 1996–2001 | 3 |
Paul Robinette | Richard Brooks | 1996, 2005, 2006 | 3 |
Stephen Olson | Spencer Garrett | 2000–2004 | 3 |
Erica Gardner | Kate Burton | 2001–2004 | 3 |
Jessica Sheets | Susan Floyd | 2002–2006 | 3 |
Randy Dworkin | Peter Jacobson | 2003–2006 | 3 |
Vanessa Galiano | Roma Maffia | 2003–2006 | 3 |
Madeline Myers | Kate Miller | 2003–2007 | 3 |
Rodney Fallon | Giancarlo Esposito | 2004–2005 | 3 |
Gary Lowenthal | Eric Bogosian | 1992–1993 | 2 |
Lanie Stieglitz | Elaine Stritch | 1992, 1997 | 2 |
Ruth Miller | Patti LuPone | 1996, 1997 | 2 |
Stan Shatenstein | Sig Libowitz | 1997, 2005 | 2 |
Bernie Adler | Ron Silver | 2004–2007 | 2 |
Grubman | Elizabeth Marvel | 2008–2009 | 2 |
Marcus Woll | Jonathan Cake | 2009 | 2 |
Arraignment judges
Name | Portrayed by | Year | Episodes |
---|---|---|---|
Arraignment Judge Morris Torledsky | David Lipman | 1992–2005 | 26 |
Arraignment Judge Colin Fraser | Larry Sherman | 1994–2004 | 12 |
Arraignment Judge Harriet Doremus | Barbara Spiegel | 1991–2003 | 12 |
Arraignment Judge Janice Goldberg | Fran Lebowitz | 2001–2007 | 12 |
Arraignment Judge Ian Feist | Merwin Goldsmith | 1991–2005 | 11 |
Arraignment Judge William Koehler | Mark Kenneth Smaltz | 1998–2007 | 11 |
Arraignment Judge Antonia Mellon | Mary Lou Mellace | 1999–2006 | 9 |
Arraignment Judge Joseph Flint | Doug Stender | 1999–2005 | 9 |
Arraignment Judge Anna Shiro | Karen Shallo | 2000–2005 | 8 |
Arraignment Judge David Venturelli | Vince Pacimeo | 1998–2000 | 4 |
Arraignment Judge Lisa Cutler | Kathleen Chalfant | 2001–2009 | 3 |
Arraignment Judge Harper | Brian Smiar | 1990 | 2 |
Trial judges
Name | Portrayed by | Year | Episodes |
---|---|---|---|
Trial Judge Alan Berman | David Rosenbaum | 1992–2004 | 14 |
Trial Judge Walter Bradley | Peter McRobbie | 2001–2009 | 13 |
Trial Judge Lisa Pongracic | Charlotte Colavin | 1992–2006 | 13 |
Trial Judge Elizabeth Mizener | Lynn Cohen | 1993–2006 | 12 |
Trial Judge Walter Schreiber | John Ramsey | 1991–2001 | 11 |
Trial Judge Margaret Barry | Doris Belack | 1990–2001 | 10 |
Trial Judge Herman Mooney | Ben Hammer | 1991–2002 | 9 |
Trial Judge Harrison Taylor | Michael Mulheren | 1999–2006 | 9 |
Trial Judge Andrew Barsky | Fred J. Scollay | 1992–1999 | 8 |
Trial Judge Donald Karan | Jordan Charney | 2000–2006 | 8 |
Trial Judge Grace Larkin | Rochelle Oliver | 1993–2003 | 8 |
Trial Judge Rebecca Stein | Joan Copeland | 1991–2001 | 8 |
Trial Judge Rebecca Steinman | Susan Blommaert | 1991–2004 | 8 |
Trial Judge Deborah Burke | Donna Hanover | 1997–2004 | 7 |
Trial Judge Michael Callahan | Bernie McInerney | 1991–1999 | 7 |
Trial Judge Henry Fillmore | William Severs | 1991–2004 | 7 |
Trial Judge Rosalyn Lenz | Tanya Berezin | 1991–2001 | 7 |
Trial Judge Barbara Lusky | Iris Little Thomas | 1999–2009 | 7 |
Trial Judge Eric Caffey | John Newton | 1991–1998 | 6 |
Trial Judge Rochelle Desmond | Patricia R. Floyd | 2006–2009 | 6 |
Trial Judge Nathan Murphy | Mark Zimmerman | 1997–2008 | 6 |
Trial Judge Robert Quinn | Roger Serbagi | 1992–1999 | 6 |
Trial Judge Joseph Rivera | Shawn Elliott | 1994–2002 | 6 |
Trial Judge Carla Solomon | Lauren Klein | 1999–2005 | 6 |
Trial Judge William Wright | Ron McLarty | 1998–2000 | 4 |
Trial Judge Hugo Bright | Robert J. Hogan | 2003–2006 | 4 |
Trial Judge Delano Burns | Mike Hodge | 1991–2006 | 4 |
Trial Judge John Laramie | Peter Francis James | 2008–2010 | 4 |
Trial Judge Manuel Leon | Sam Gray | 1990–1994 | 4 |
Trial Judge Michael Schneider | David Little | 2004–2006 | 4 |
Trial Judge Norman Barclay | Wayne Duvall | 2004–2010 | 3 |
Trial Judge Gary Feldman | Cliff Gorman | 1998 | 3 |
Trial Judge Eric Bertram | George Murdock | 1992–1999 | 3 |
Trial Judge Derek Hafner | David Wolos-Fonteno | 2001–2009 | 3 |
Trial Judge Elayne Link | Maggie Burke | 1993–2003 | 3 |
Trial Judge Ida Zeller | Polly Adams | 2009 | 3 |
Trial Judge Keith Fischer | Tom Mardirosian | 2004–2006 | 2 |
Trial Judge Linda Taft | Jenna Stern | 2009–2010 | 2 |
Trial Judge Leanne Dreben | Milica Govich | 2022 | 2 |
Appellate judges
Name | Portrayed by | Year | Episodes |
---|---|---|---|
Appellate Judge Pamela Jensen | Norma Fire | 1993–2003 | 7 |
Appellate Judge Shawn McNamara | George Bartenieff | 1993–1999 | 4 |
Appellate Judge Bloom | Ira Wheeler | 1991–1993 | 2 |
Appellate Judge Lewis Getman | Leslie Barrett | 1991–1993 | 2 |
Appellate Judge Wayne Humphrey | Chester A. Sims II | 1993–1995 | 2 |
Appellate Judge Barry Marton | Graham Brown | 1991–1993 | 2 |
Guest characters
Defense attorneys
Name | Portrayed by | Year | Episodes |
---|---|---|---|
Clay Bollock | Xander Berkeley | 2005 | "Fluency" |
Depago | Vyto Ruginis | 2006 | "Public Service Homicide" |
Leslie Drake | Dan Hedaya | 1997 | "Baby, It's You" |
Paul Kopell | Ron Leibman | 1995 | "House Counsel" |
Harold Morton | Victor Raider-Wexler | 1991 | "Mushrooms" |
Bill Wendyll | Robert LuPone | 1994 | "Breeder" |
See also
References
- Carlson, Erin (2008-10-31). "Can 'Law & Order' outlive 'Gunsmoke'?". San Jose Mercury News. Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-11-06.
- Starr, Michael (May 18, 2004). "Jerry Orbach Signs Off After 12 Years on 'Law & Order'". Fox News. Retrieved December 20, 2009.
- Brantley, Ben; Severo, Richard (December 29, 2004). "Jerry Orbach, Star of 'Law & Order,' Dies at 69". The New York Times. Retrieved December 20, 2009.
- Ausiello, Michael. "Exclusive: S. Epatha Merkerson exits 'Law & Order'". The Ausiello Files. Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2010-04-04. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
- Jane Hall (August 20, 1991). "The High Cost of Reality : Television: The producers of NBC's 'Law & Order' say filming the hourlong drama in Manhattan costs 20% more than re-creating New York on a Los Angeles back lot--but the results are worth it". LA Times. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- Jennifer Mashuga (January 6, 2022). "The Impact Of Greevey's Death In Law & Order". Looper. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- "Stolen". Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Season 3. Episode 3. October 12, 2001. NBC.