Law & Order Original Cast Members: Where Are the Stars of the 25-Season Legend Now?

Where did your favorite detectives go? Since its debut in 1990, Law & Order has defined the procedural genre. Now in its 25th season, the show remains an NBC staple, but not a single original cast member remains in the precinct. According to Entertainment Weekly, the departures of these icons were fueled by everything from creative disputes to network ultimatums.

Law & Order Original Cast Members: The Stories Behind the Exits

The early days of the franchise were marked by significant shakeups. George Dzundza, who played Sgt. Max Greevey in Season 1, left because he felt the storytelling was becoming too formulaic. Meanwhile, Dann Florek was famously let go after Season 3 because the network demanded more female leads to save the show from cancellation. This paved the way for stars like S. Epatha Merkerson to join the ranks.

• 1. George Dzundza (Max Greevey): Currently living in Oregon, where he co-founded Rising Tide Productions.
• 2. Dann Florek (Donald Cragen): Transitioned to SVU for 15 seasons and appeared in Organized Crime.
• 3. Michael Moriarty (Ben Stone): Left in Season 4 after a political fallout; later won an Emmy in 2001.

Controversy and Legacy Beyond the Screen

The exit of Michael Moriarty remains one of the most talked-about in TV history. His vocal opposition to then-Attorney General Janet Reno led to a self-imposed exile from the U.S. entertainment industry. Despite his departure, the character's legacy lived on through his son, Peter Stone, who appeared as an ADA on SVU, proving that in the Dick Wolf universe, no one is ever truly forgotten.