List of Law & Order characters

The American television police procedural and legal drama Law & Order (1990–2010) 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) and 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

Name Portrayed by Occupation Seasons
123456789Exiled: A Law & Order Movie1011121314151617181920
Max GreeveyGeorge DzundzaSergeantMain
Mike LoganChris NothJunior DetectiveMainMain
Donald CragenDann FlorekCaptainMainGuestMainGuestGuest
Ben StoneMichael MoriartyExecutive Assistant District AttorneyMain
Paul RobinetteRichard BrooksAssistant District AttorneyMainGuestGuest
Adam SchiffSteven HillDistrict AttorneyMainMain
Phil CerretaPaul SorvinoSergeantMain
Elizabeth OlivetCarolyn McCormickPsychologistRecurringAlso starringRecurringGuestGuestRecurringGuestRecurringGuest
Lennie BriscoeJerry OrbachSenior DetectiveMain
Anita Van BurenS. Epatha MerkersonLieutenantMain
Claire KincaidJill HennessyAssistant District AttorneyMain
Jack McCoySam WaterstonExecutive Assistant District Attorney,
District Attorney
Main
Rey CurtisBenjamin BrattJunior DetectiveMainGuest
Jamie RossCarey LowellAssistant District AttorneyMainGuest
Abbie CarmichaelAngie HarmonAssistant District AttorneyMainMain
Ed GreenJesse L. MartinJunior Detective,
Senior Detective
Main
Nora LewinDianne WiestInterim District AttorneyMain
Serena SoutherlynElisabeth RöhmAssistant District AttorneyMain
Arthur BranchFred Dalton ThompsonDistrict AttorneyMain
Joe FontanaDennis FarinaSenior DetectiveMain
Nick FalcoMichael ImperioliJunior DetectiveMainGuest
Alexandra BorgiaAnnie ParisseAssistant District AttorneyMain
Nina CassadyMilena GovichJunior DetectiveMain
Connie RubirosaAlana de la GarzaAssistant District AttorneyMain
Cyrus LupoJeremy SistoJunior Detective,
Senior Detective
Main
Michael CutterLinus RoacheExecutive Assistant District AttorneyMain
Kevin BernardAnthony AndersonJunior DetectiveMain

Main characters

Actor Character Rank/Position Seasons Notes
Regular Recurring Guest
George DzundzaMax GreeveySergeant1
Chris NothMike LoganJunior Detective1–5Also appeared in
Exiled: A Law & Order Movie.
Dann FlorekDonald CragenCaptain1–35, 10, 15Also appeared in
Exiled: A Law & Order Movie.
Michael MoriartyBen StoneExecutive Assistant District Attorney1–4
Richard BrooksPaul RobinetteAssistant District Attorney1-36, 16, 17
Steven HillAdam SchiffDistrict Attorney1–10
Paul SorvinoPhil CerretaSergeant2–33
Jerry OrbachLennie BriscoeSenior Detective3–14
Carolyn McCormickDr. Elizabeth OlivetPsychologist3–45, 6, 7, 13,
14, 16, 17, 18
9, 10, 19, 20
S. Epatha MerkersonAnita Van BurenLieutenant4–20
Jill HennessyClaire KincaidAssistant District Attorney4–6
Sam WaterstonJack McCoyExecutive Assistant District Attorney,
District Attorney
5–17
18–20
Benjamin BrattRey CurtisJunior Detective6–9
Carey LowellJamie RossAssistant District Attorney7–8
Angie HarmonAbbie CarmichaelAssistant District Attorney9–11
Jesse L. MartinEd GreenJunior Detective,
Senior Detective
10–16
17–18
Dianne WiestNora LewinInterim District Attorney11–12
Elisabeth RöhmSerena SoutherlynAssistant District Attorney12–15
Fred Dalton ThompsonArthur BranchDistrict Attorney13–17
Dennis FarinaJoe FontanaSenior Detective15–16
Michael ImperioliNick FalcoJunior Detective1516Temporarily Assigned
Annie ParisseAlexandra BorgiaAssistant District Attorney15–16
Milena GovichNina CassadyJunior Detective17
Alana de la GarzaConnie RubirosaAssistant District Attorney17–20
Jeremy SistoCyrus LupoJunior Detective,
Senior Detective
18–20
Linus RoacheMichael CutterExecutive Assistant District Attorney18–20
Anthony AndersonKevin BernardJunior Detective18–20

Police officers

Sergeants

NamePortrayed byYearEpisodesJunior PartnersNotes
Maxwell "Max" GreeveyGeorge Dzundza1990–199123Mike LoganMurdered in 1991.
Philip "Phil" CerretaPaul Sorvino1991–199231Mike LoganTransferred to a desk job at the 110th Precinct after being shot on the job.

Senior detectives

NamePortrayed byYearEpisodesJunior PartnersNotes
Leonard "Lennie" Wilbur BriscoeJerry Orbach1992–2004273Mike Logan (1992–1995)
Rey Curtis (1995–1999)
Ed Green (1999–2004)
  • Retired (2004)
  • Deceased (2005) (due to Jerry Orbach's death).
Joseph "Joe" FontanaDennis Farina2004–200646Ed Green (2004–2006)
Nick Falco (2005)
Retired (2006).
Edward "Ed" GreenJesse L. Martin2006–2008198Nina Cassady (2006–2007)
Cyrus Lupo (2008)
  • Promoted to Senior Detective (2006).
  • Retired following his absolution during an Internal Affairs investigation (2008).
Cyrus LupoJeremy Sisto2008–201063Kevin Bernard (2008–2010)
  • Transferred from Intelligence Division (2008).
  • Promoted to Senior Detective (2008).

Junior detectives

NamePortrayed byYearEpisodesSenior PartnersNotes
Michael "Mike" LoganChris Noth1990–1995111Max Greevey (1990–1991)
Phil Cerreta (1991–1992)
Lennie Briscoe (1992–1995)
Reynaldo "Rey" CurtisBenjamin Bratt1995–199994Lennie Briscoe
  • Took early retirement so he could care for his ill wife (1999).
  • Returned in 2009 to bury his deceased wife in New York.
Edward "Ed" GreenJesse L. Martin1999–2006198Lennie Briscoe (1999–2004)
Joe Fontana (2004–2006)
  • Promoted to senior detective (2006).
  • Retired following his absolution during an Internal Affairs investigation (2008).
Nicolas "Nick" FalcoMichael Imperioli20055Joe Fontana
  • Temporary replacement from Brooklyn for Ed Green, while Green was recovering from a gunshot wound.
  • Appears again in 2006 as a murder suspect, but was later cleared.
Nina CassidyMilena Govich2006–200722Ed Green
  • Nicknamed "Detective Beauty Queen" after her involvement in a shooting that led to her promotion.
  • Dismissed in 2007, although no reason is given on the show (however, it was most likely due to her lack of detective experience).
Cyrus LupoJeremy Sisto200863Ed Green (2008)
  • Transferred from Intelligence Division (2008).
  • Promoted to Senior Detective (2008).
Kevin BernardAnthony Anderson2008–201049Cyrus LupoTransferred from Internal Affairs (2008).

Supervising officers

NamePortrayed byRankYearEpisodesNotes
Donald "Don" CragenDann FlorekCaptain1990–199366
  • Transferred to the Anti-Corruption Task Force and later to the Manhattan Special Victims Unit.
  • Left the NYPD in 2014, taking a six-month vacation that brought him up to the mandatory retirement age.
  • Returned briefly in 2015 to help the SVU re-examine a decades-old rape case.
Anita Van BurenS. Epatha MerkersonLieutenant1993–2010390

Prosecutors

Executive assistant district attorneys

NamePortrayed byYearPartnersEpisodesNotes
Ben StoneMichael Moriarty1990–1994Paul Robinette
& Claire Kincaid
88* Resigns due to his feelings of guilt over the death of a witness whose safety he tried to guarantee.
* In 1996, Adam Schiff informs Jack McCoy that Stone is travelling in Europe.
* In 2018, an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit discusses his death, and shows his funeral.
Jack McCoySam Waterston1994–2007Claire Kincaid,
Jamie Ross,
Abbie Carmichael,
Serena Southerlyn,
Alexandra Borgia &
Connie Rubirosa
368* Promoted to interim D.A. (2008)
* Begins his campaign to be elected as New York County District Attorney in 2009, with support from Adam Schiff.
* Later episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit references a "new District Attorney," implying McCoy is no longer in office.
Michael CutterLinus Roache2008–2010Connie Rubirosa63* Promoted to Bureau Chief of the Sex Crimes Unit of the DA's office. (2011)

Assistant district attorneys

NamePortrayed byYearPartnersEpisodesNotes
Paul RobinetteRichard Brooks1990–1993Ben Stone66* Resigns to pursue private practice in 1993.
* Appears in three subsequent episodes as a defense attorney between 1996 and 2005.
Claire KincaidJill Hennessy1993–1996Ben Stone &
Jack McCoy
68* Dies in a car crash in 1996.
Jamie RossCarey Lowell1996–1998Jack McCoy47* Resigns to pursue private practice and to spend more time with her daughter (1998).
* Reappears as a defense attorney in 1999 and 2001.
* Reappears as a judge in Law & Order: Trial By Jury (2005).
Abbie CarmichaelAngie Harmon1998–2001Jack McCoy72* Resigns to accept a job at the United States Attorney General's Office (2001).
Serena SoutherlynElisabeth Röhm2001–2005Jack McCoy85* Fired by Arthur Branch for being inappropriately sympathetic towards a defendant she was prosecuting (2005).
Alexandra BorgiaAnnie Parisse2005–2006Jack McCoy34* Dies after being kidnapped and beaten during a murder trial (2006).
Connie RubirosaAlana de la Garza2006–2010Jack McCoy & Michael Cutter85* Moves to Los Angeles and joins the DA's office there as a DDA (2011).
* Later appears in Law & Order: SVU as a federal prosecutor leading an investigation into an underage sex trafficking operation (2014).
  • 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

NamePortrayed byTermsEpisodesNotes
Alfred WentworthRoy Thinnes19901* Only appears in "Everybody's Favorite Bagman"
Adam SchiffSteven Hill1990–2000228* Leaves office to work overseas for The Holocaust Project with Simon Wiesenthal and to investigate Swiss Banks during WWII,
went with former President Jimmy Carter as part of a delegation to Zimbabwe in 2008.
Nora LewinDianne Wiest2000–200248* Prior to her appointment as interim DA by the Governor of New York, she was a law professor
Chooses not to run for election following her interim term.
Arthur BranchFred Thompson2002–2007116Branch's departure, the reason for which was never specified on the series, occurred after Thompson announced his campaign for the Republican Party's 2008 nomination for President.
Jack McCoySam Waterston2007–2010368* Appointed interim DA after Branch's departure in 2007.
* Begins his election campaign to become New York County District Attorney in 2009.
* Episode count includes those as Executive Assistant DA (62 as DA).

Other main characters

NamePortrayed byYearsEpisodes
Psychologist Dr. Elizabeth OlivetCarolyn McCormick1991–1997; 1999; 2002–200987
Medical Examiner Dr. Elizabeth RodgersLeslie Hendrix1992–2010139
Psychiatrist Dr. Emil SkodaJ. K. Simmons1997–2004; 201044

Recurring characters

NYPD officials

NamePortrayed byYearEpisodes
Chief of Detectives LairdJames Biberi2008–20103
Borough Chief Commander James DietzMichael Cullen1998–19993
Borough Detective Commander Joseph StrudevantDan Lauria2000–20012

27th Precinct support detectives

NamePortrayed byYearEpisodes
Detective Tony ProfaciJohn Fiore1990–199853
Detective Morris LeMotteLarry Clarke1998–200020
Detective Reina PerezNancy Ticotin20016
Detective Ana CordovaAndrea Navedo2001–200424
Sergeant MartinezJoe Gonzalez2002–20047
Detective Mariluz RiveraSelenis Leyva2004–200618
Detective Joe CormackJoe Forbrich2008–200917

Crime Scene Unit investigators / crime laboratory technicians

NamePortrayed byYearEpisodes
CSU Technician Julian BeckJohn Cariani2002–200626
CSU Technician Jessica ReedLiz Larsen1998–200612
CSU Technician Lisa SantoroAbigail Lopez2004–20053
Forensic Technician MedillDonald Corren1992–199917
Forensic Technician Arlene ShrierChristine Farrell1992–199916
Computer Forensic Technician Myra CampMegan Byrne2003–20046

Medical Examiners

NamePortrayed byYearEpisodes
BorakJosh Pais1990–200215
BrodyRichard Hirschfeld2002–200612

Assistant Medical Examiners

NamePortrayed byYearEpisodes
AnskelBaron Vaughn2008–20092

Defense attorneys

NamePortrayed byYear# of Eps
Danielle MelnickTovah Feldshuh1991–200713
Professor Norman RothenbergJeffrey DeMunn1993–20088
Shambala GreenLorraine Toussaint1990–1994, 20037
Lawrence "Larry" WeaverBob Dishy1994–20027
Nick MargolisBen Shenkman1999–20096
Bill PattonBill Moor1991–20006
Helen BrolinMaria Tucci1993–20036
Peter BehrensTom O'Rourke1996–20016
Arthur GoldGeorge Grizzard1992–20006
Al ArcherDennis Boutsikaris1996–20045
Charles GarnettJames Rebhorn1995–20015
James GranickNed Eisenberg1997–20085
Douglas GreerRichard Venture1991–20005
Anne PaulsenGlynnis O'Connor1998–20045
Sally BellEdie Falco1993–19984
Aaron SolomonJohn Benjamin Hickey2002–20064
Daniel MetzlerJohn Cunningham1997–20084
Mr. AxtellJack Gilpin1997–20014
Barry KauferLee Shepherd1998–20024
Charlotte SwanHelen Carey1999–20054
Leon ChilesJoe Morton2000–20054
Paul RobinetteRichard Brooks1996, 2005, 20063
Gordon SchellPhilip Bosco1990–19943
Deirdre PowellJoanna Merlin1994–19983
Max HellmanRon Orbach1994, 20023
James LindeJoe Grifasi1996–20013
Stephen OlsonSpencer Garrett2000–20043
Erica GardnerKate Burton2001–20043
Jessica SheetsSusan Floyd2002–20063
Randolph J. 'Randy' Dworkin, Esq.Peter Jacobson2003–20063
Vanessa GalianoRoma Maffia2003–20063
Madeline MyersKate Miller2003–20073
Rodney FallonGiancarlo Esposito2004–20053
Sanford RemzDylan Baker2004–20063
Gary LowenthalEric Bogosian1992–19932
Lanie StieglitzElaine Stritch1992, 19972
Ruth MillerPatti LuPone1996, 19972
Stan ShatensteinSig Libowitz1997, 20052
Bernie AdlerRon Silver2004–20072
GrubmanElizabeth Marvel2008–20092
Marcus WollJonathan Cake20092

Arraignment judges

NamePortrayed byYearEpisodes
Arraignment Judge Morris TorledskyDavid Lipman1992–200526
Arraignment Judge Colin FraserLarry Sherman1994–200412
Arraignment Judge Harriet DoremusBarbara Spiegel1991–200312
Arraignment Judge Janice GoldbergFran Lebowitz2001–200712
Arraignment Judge Ian FeistMerwin Goldsmith1991–200511
Arraignment Judge William KoehlerMark Kenneth Smaltz1998–200711
Arraignment Judge Antonia MellonMary Lou Mellaces1999–20069
Arraignment Judge Joseph FlintDoug Stender1999–20059
Arraignment Judge Anna ShiroKaren Shallo2000–20058
Arraignment Judge David VenturelliVince Pacimeo1998–20004
Arraignment Judge Lisa CutlerKathleen Chalfant2001–20093
Arraignment Judge HarperBrian Smiar19902

Trial judges

NamePortrayed byYearEpisodes
Trial Judge Alan BermanDavid Rosenbaum1992–200414
Trial Judge Walter BradleyPeter McRobbie2001–200913
Trial Judge Lisa PongracicCharlotte Colavin1992–200613
Trial Judge Elizabeth MizenerLynn Cohen1993–200612
Trial Judge Walter SchreiberJohn Ramsey1991–200111
Trial Judge Margaret BarryDoris Belack1990–200110
Trial Judge Herman MooneyBen Hammer1991–20029
Trial Judge Harrison TaylorMichael Mulheren1999–20069
Trial Judge Andrew BarskyFred J. Scollay1992–19998
Trial Judge Donald KaranJordan Charney2000–20068
Trial Judge Grace LarkinRochelle Oliver1990–20038
Trial Judge Rebecca SteinJoan Copeland1991–20018
Trial Judge Rebecca SteinmanSusan Blommaert1991–20048
Trial Judge Deborah BurkeDonna Hanover1997–20047
Trial Judge Michael CallahanBernie McInerney1991–19997
Trial Judge Henry FillmoreWilliam Severs1991–20047
Trial Judge Rosalyn LenzTanya Berezin1991–20017
Trial Judge Barbara LuskyIris Little Thomas1999–20097
Trial Judge Eric CaffeyJohn Newton1991–19986
Trial Judge Rochelle DesmondPatricia R. Floyd2006–20096
Trial Judge Nathan MurphyMark Zimmerman1997–20086
Trial Judge Robert QuinnRoger Serbagi1992–19996
Trial Judge Joseph RiveraShawn Elliott1994–20026
Trial Judge Carla SolomonLauren Klein1999–20056
Trial Judge William WrightRon McLarty1998–20004
Trial Judge Hugo BrightRobert J. Hogan2003–20064
Trial Judge Delano BurnsMike Hodge1991–20064
Trial Judge John LaramiePeter Francis James2008–20104
Trial Judge Manuel LeonSam Gray1990–19944
Trial Judge Michael SchneiderDavid Little2004–20064
Trial Judge Norman BarclayWayne Duvall2004–20103
Trial Judge Gary FeldmanCliff Gorman19983
Trial Judge Derek HafnerDavid Wolos-Fonteno2001–20093
Trial Judge Elayne LinkMaggie Burke1993–20033
Trial Judge Ida ZellerPolly Adams20093
Trial Judge Keith FischerTom Mardirosian2004–20062
Trial Judge Linda TaftJenna Stern2009–20102
Trial Judge Barry DilwynnJeffrey Tambor20071

Appellate judges

NamePortrayed byYearEpisodes
Appellate Judge Pamela JensenNorma Fire1993–20037
Appellate Judge Shawn McNamaraGeorge Bartenieff1993–19994
Appellate Judge BloomIra Wheeler1991–19932
Appellate Judge Lewis GetmanLeslie Barrett1991–19932
Appellate Judge Wayne HumphreyChester A. Sims II1993–19952
Appellate Judge Barry MartonGraham Brown1991–19932

See also

References

  1. Carlson, Erin (2008-10-31). "Can 'Law & Order' outlive 'Gunsmoke'?". San Jose Mercury News. Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-11-06.
  2. Starr, Michael (May 18, 2004). "Jerry Orbach Signs Off After 12 Years on 'Law & Order'". Fox News. Retrieved December 20, 2009.
  3. Brantley, Ben; Severo, Richard (December 29, 2004). "Jerry Orbach, Star of 'Law & Order,' Dies at 69". The New York Times. Retrieved December 20, 2009.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-04-04. Retrieved 2010-04-01.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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