Dick Wolf launched his crime drama franchise with "Law & Order" in September 1990, and the NBC series aired for a whopping twenty seasons before its final episode in May 2010.
The show's characters became familiar faces on television as they investigated crimes and brought the suspects to justice; in turn, we investigated what twelve members of the cast have been up to since the show ended.
SAM WATERSTON: JACK MCCOY
Sam Waterston attends the 2019 Lo Maximo Awards at The JW Marriot at L.A. Live on March 30, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images.
Sam joined the cast in 1994 as the Executive Assistant District Attorney Jack McCoy and remained on the show until its finale in 2010.
JERRY ORBACH: LENNIE BRISCOE
Jerry Orbach arrives at the NBC upfront at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, May 14, 2001. | Source: Getty Images.
The wisecracking Det. Lennie Briscoe became a part of the "Law & Order" family in 1991 and tragically written out of the show in 2004 when Jerry died of prostate cancer at the age of 69.
RICHARD BELZER: JOHN MUNCH
Richard Belzer attends the Friars Club celebration of Jerry Lewis and the 50th anniversary "The Nutty Professor" at New York Friars Club on June 5, 2014, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images.
ICE-T: ODAFIN TUTUOLA
Ice-T attends the "Coco Licious" Collection Launch at The Raven on March 25, 2014, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images.
DANN FLOREK: DONALD CRAGEN
Dann Florek attends the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation's 12th Annual Celebrity Gala at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers on November 13, 2014, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images.
As one of the show's original cast members, Dann left the show as a full-time cast member in 1993, but he continued to make regular guest appearances until the series ended.
JESSE L. MARTIN: ED GREEN
Jesse L. Martin attends the CW Network's 2016 New York Upfront Presentation at The London Hotel on May 19, 2016, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images.
Jesse became a household name due to his role as Ed Green, which he played for ten years before leaving the show a year before its final season aired in 2010.
SELENIS LEYVA: MARILUZ RIVERA
Selenis Leyva attends the Netflix's 71st Emmy Awards After Party on September 22, 2019, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images.
CAROLYN MCCORMACK: DR. ELIZABETH OLIVET
Carolyn McCormack attends the play opening of Roundabout Theatre Comany's "The Foreigner" on November 7, 2004, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images.
Carolyn became a part of the cast as the police psychologist in 1991 after producers realized their all-male cast needed some changing up.
S. EPATHA MERKERSON: ANITA VAN BUREN
S. Epatha Merkerson attends The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Oscar night New York viewing party at Jazz at Lincoln Center on February 24, 2019, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images.
The actress remains a constant on television since she starred as the most featured actor on "Law & Order." She joined the cast in 1991 and stayed until the series wrapped up.
LESLIE HENDRIX: DR. ELIZABETH RODGERS
Leslie Hendrix arrives at a party to celebrate the 100th episode of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" at The Lighthouse Restaurant January 11, 2006, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images.
ALANA DE LA GARZA: CONNIE RUBIROSA
Alana De La Garza attends CBS' 2015 Summer TCA party at the Pacific Design Center on August 10, 2015, in West Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images.
CAREY LOWELL: JAMIE ROSS
Actress Carey Lowell attends "The Great Gatsby" world premiere at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on May 1, 2013, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images.
Carey played the role of the Assistant District Attorney for five years from 1996 and reprised her role in "Law & Order: Trial by Jury" in 2005.
The former model kept a busy career and went on to star in the 2006 series "Six Degrees," before she landed a role in the 2016 film "C Street." In 2018, the actress popped up in episodes of "Blue Bloods" and "Bull."
Relatedly, the spin-off "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" started its twenty-first season with a premiere on September 26, 2019.
