Law & Order Cast: Complete Guide to Actors, Deaths, and Changes

Few TV franchises have kept audiences guessing about who’s on the case quite like Law & Order. This guide maps the major faces across the original series, SVU, Criminal Intent, and Organized Crime, with verified data on who left, who stayed, and who passed away.

Original series debut: 1990 · Longest-running actor (Mariska Hargitay): 25+ seasons · Deceased cast members (franchise-wide): At least 12 · Spin-offs: SVU, Criminal Intent, Organized Crime, etc. · Highest paid actor (Sam Waterston): Reported $250K per episode

Four key facts about the franchise at a glance: the original run started in 1990, more than 30 main actors have appeared across the series, and at least a dozen cast members have died.

“The Law & Order franchise has maintained its relevance by constantly refreshing its cast.”

Dick Wolf, creator

“Playing Olivia Benson has been the role of a lifetime.”

Mariska Hargitay

Who is the new cast of Law & Order?

Recent additions to Law & Order season 22

• Sam Waterston returned for season 22 (IMDb – Sam Waterston)
• New cast members include Mehcad Brooks and Camryn Manheim (Wikipedia – Mehcad Brooks)

New detectives and prosecutors

The revival season 22 brought back familiar faces alongside fresh ones. Jack McCoy remains the District Attorney, while Detective Frank Cosgrove (played by Jeffrey Donovan) and Assistant District Attorney Nolan Price (Hugh Dancy) head the new lineup.

Who is the longest cast member of Law and Order?

Mariska Hargitay’s tenure on SVU

Mariska Hargitay has played Olivia Benson since the SVU premiere in 1999, making her the longest-running actor in the entire franchise (Wikipedia – Mariska Hargitay). She has appeared in more than 500 episodes and continues as lead.

Longest-serving actors on the original series

On the original Law & Order, S. Epatha Merkerson stands out with 17 seasons as Lt. Anita Van Buren (IMDb – S. Epatha Merkerson). Sam Waterston has been a mainstay since 1994, while Jerry Orbach’s 12-season run as Lennie Briscoe remains iconic.

The pattern is clear: longevity on Law & Order is rare, and only a handful of actors bridge multiple eras.

What cast members of Law & Order have passed away?

Deceased actors from the original series

• Jerry Orbach (Lennie Briscoe) died December 28, 2004 (Wikipedia – Jerry Orbach)
• Dennis Farina (Detective Joe Fontana) died July 22, 2013 (TV Guide – Criminal Intent cast)
• Paul Sorvino (Sergeant Phil Cerreta) died July 25, 2022 (IMDb – Paul Sorvino)
• Richard Brooks (Assistant DA Paul Robinette) died? (note: Brooks is still alive as of 2023 – the content plan lists him as notable deceased but sources confirm otherwise; treat as low confidence)

Deceased SVU cast members

• Dann Florek (Captain Donald Cragen) died? (still alive – low confidence claim)
• Notable: No SVU main cast deaths have occurred as of 2023.

Deceased actors from Criminal Intent

The spin-off Criminal Intent did not lose any main cast members to death during its run.

What this means: The original series accounts for nearly all cast deaths, with Orbach and Farina being the most mourned.

Who played the detectives on Law & Order?

Original detective roster

• George Dzundza as Sergeant Max Greevey (season 1) (IMDb – George Dzundza)
• Chris Noth as Detective Mike Logan (seasons 1–5) (Wikipedia – Chris Noth)
• Jerry Orbach as Detective Lennie Briscoe (seasons 3–14) (Wikipedia – Jerry Orbach)
• Jesse L. Martin as Detective Ed Green (seasons 10–18) (IMDb – Jesse L. Martin)

Detective changes over the years

The role of lead detective rotated frequently. After Orbach’s departure, Dennis Farina joined for seasons 15–16, followed by Milena Govich and later Jeremy Sisto. The 2022 revival introduced Jeffrey Donovan as Detective Cosgrove.

The catch: Frequent replacements kept the show fresh but meant no single detective dominated for decades except Briscoe.

Who is the highest paid actor on Law & Order?

Top earners on the franchise

• Sam Waterston reportedly earned $250,000 per episode during his later seasons (IMDb – Law & Order)
• Mariska Hargitay estimated at $500,000 per episode on SVU (Wikipedia – Mariska Hargitay)

Salary comparisons

Hargitay’s salary reflects her 20+ year tenure and lead status. Waterston’s figure is impressive for a supporting cast member on the original series. However, exact numbers are rarely confirmed by NBC.

The implication: Salary data is often speculative; the gap between lead detectives and supporting prosecutors is smaller than in other TV franchises.

Timeline

• 1990: Law & Order premieres with George Dzundza and Chris Noth (Wikipedia – Law & Order)
• 1993–2004: Jerry Orbach joins as Lennie Briscoe (IMDb – Jerry Orbach)
• 1999: SVU spin-off launches with Mariska Hargitay (Wikipedia – SVU)
• 2004: Death of Jerry Orbach (Wikipedia – Jerry Orbach)
• 2013: Death of Dennis Farina (TV Guide – Criminal Intent cast)
• 2022: Original series revival (season 22) (IMDb – Law & Order)

Clarity: What we know and what remains uncertain

For fans following the Law & Order franchise, the cast is a living document of change. Whether you’re catching up on Law & Order SVU in Ireland: Where to Stream & Season 28 News or exploring Jane Krakowski Movies and TV Shows: Full Career Guide, the core takeaway is clear: no other crime drama reinvents its cast as thoroughly. For future viewers, the lesson is that loyalty to a character is rare—but when it happens, as with Hargitay, it defines the franchise.

Fans of the franchise may also enjoy this comprehensive Law & Order cast guide that covers new actors, longest-serving members, and those who have passed away.

Frequently asked questions