Law & Order Actors We've Sadly Lost

Does it get any bigger than "Law & Order"? The prime-time drama was the definition of a smash hit, running for 20 seasons, topping off at 456 episodes, and inspiring four different spinoffs, as per NBC. Plus, the show won six Primetime Emmys, 41 other awards, and over 200 nominations. All it takes is two simple, punchy chords, and almost anyone around the country will think: "Law & Order!"

The premise is simple enough: A team of police officers investigate a crime (usually a ripped-from-the-headlines murder), and then district attorneys prosecute those responsible. But perhaps what made "Law & Order" so successful was its laundry list of amazing actors. 

From the red-carpet-worthy stars that headlined the show to memorable guests that appeared as perps and judges, it was the actors that made "Law & Order" impossible to turn off — which is why it's heartbreaking that so many have since died. Here are the "Law & Order" actors we've sadly lost.

While the judges on "Law & Order" might not have been as provocative as the detectives or as dangerous as the perps, they were certainly memorable. And none, perhaps, were as memorable as Judge Margaret Barry, brought to life by actor Doris Belack. 

Belack played Judge Barry for more than 10 years, appearing in 10 episodes of "Law & Order" as well as two episodes of the spinoff "Law & Order: Special Victim's Unit." However, the stern-faced judge will never grace a courtroom again, as Belack died in 2011 at the age of 85. According to Variety, Belack died from natural causes in Manhattan, outliving her husband of 65 years by four months. 

Beyond her work as Judge Barry, Belack was also a prolific film actor, gathering credits in hits like "What About Bob," "Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult," and "Prime." The actor also appeared in the massive comedic hit "Tootsie" as a harried producer, as well as other big TV shows like "Family Ties," "The Cosby Show," and "The Golden Girls." Belack's final role was as a character in the video game "Grand Theft Auto IV."

Procedural shows like "Law & Order" would be missing something special without guest stars. Who would play all the victims, expert witnesses, defense attorneys, and serial killers otherwise? While "Law & Order" had hundreds, if not thousands of guest stars over the years, few popped up as many times as James Rebhorn. 

The actor appeared in seven different episodes as three different characters: one as a serial killer, five as a defense attorney, and one as a doctor. Rebhorn's credits don't stop there, either. The actor also had memorable roles in other hits like "Seinfeld," "30 Rock," and "Homeland," as well as in big movies like "My Cousin Vinny" and "Independence Day." 

Unfortunately, Rebhorn's career was cut short when he died at the age of 65 in New Jersey. "He died from melanoma, which had been diagnosed in 1992," his agent told The Hollywood Reporter. "He fought it all this time. He died ... at his home in New Jersey, where he had been receiving hospice care for a week and a half."

While most actors on "Law & Order" were just actors, there were some that brought real-life experience to their roles — like Fred Dalton Thompson. Thompson played District Attorney Arthur Branch for five years, but before he played a DA, he was a real-life politician and lawyer. 

According to The Tennessean, the lawyer-turned-actor played a crucial role in the Watergate Committee; then in 1977, he represented Marie Ragghianti after she blew the whistle on a parole bribery ring. The American public was so captivated by the drama that it was turned into a movie, and Thompson was cast as himself. 

The acting bug bit Thompson hard during that first movie, as he went on to appear in other hits like "The Hunt for Red October," "Die Hard 2," and, of course, "Law & Order." Sadly, Thompson was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2004 and died from the cancer in 2015, as reported by the Tennessean. "Fred stood on principle and common sense," his family wrote in a statement. "He enjoyed a hearty laugh, a strong handshake, a good cigar, and a healthy dose of humility."

Dennis Farina played Detective Joe Fontana in 46 episodes of "Law & Order." According to The Hollywood Reporter, he was the only actor in the show who brought actual law enforcement experience to his role. Farina had been working in the Chicago Police Department for 10 years when a chance encounter brought him into the world of entertainment. As the story goes, Farina gave movie director Michael Mann a tour of the city while he was shooting a movie. The director liked Farina so much that he gave him a role! 

This was serendipity at its best, as Farina went on to star in big hits like "Saving Private Ryan" and "Snatch," even scoring an American Comedy Award for his work in "Get Shorty." 

Unfortunately, Farina died in 2013 at the age of 69 from a blood clot. "I was stunned and saddened to hear about Dennis' unexpected passing this morning," "Law & Order" creator Dick Wolf said in a statement. "The Law & Order family extends sympathy and condolences to his family. He was a great guy."

George Grizzard, an award-winning stage actor and frequent guest star of "Law & Order," died at age 79 in 2007. As reported by the New York Daily News, Grizzard died from complications from lung cancer at New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell. The prolific actor was in five episodes of "Law & Order" between 1992 and 2000, appearing as a defense attorney named Arthur Gold. 

Though Grizzard held several strong film and TV credits beyond "Law & Order," he was first and foremost a stage actor, bringing his talents to many off-Broadway and Broadway plays. Grizzard's first Broadway appearance was in 1955 when he played Paul Newman's brother in "The Desperate Hours." He was also in the first production of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and was nominated for several Tony Awards for his work in plays like "The Disenchanted" and "Big Fish, Little Fish." Grizzard won a Tony Award in 1996 for "A Delicate Balance."

His former onstage co-star Paul Newman once said of Grizzard, "When we were on the stage together, he was the best thing around" (via the New York Daily News).

Philip Bosco, a Tony Award-winning actor and "Law & Order" guest star, died in 2018 from dementia complications. "We will not soon forget your grace, your courage, your resolute will, or the love which you found so easily all around you," his grandson wrote about Bosco in a Facebook post (via Variety). "You are my hero and a hero to so many other young actors ... And let's not forget your irresistible urge to crack a joke in any setting. You will be dearly missed."

Bosco appeared in five episodes of "Law & Order" between 1990 and 1999, three of which as defense attorney Gordon Schell. He was also in six episodes of the spinoff "Law & Order: Special Victim's Unit" as Judge Joseph Terhune. 

In addition to his work in the world of "Law & Order," Bosco gathered credits in several huge movies like "Working Girl," "The Savages," "My Best Friend's Wedding," "Hitch," and "Three Men and a Baby." Bosco won a Daytime Emmy Award for "Read Between The Lines" and was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1998.

Richard Belzer is probably best known to "Law & Order: SVU" fans as Detective John Munch. From 1999 until 2016, the actor appeared in over 300 episodes. He had also previously played the same role in "Homicide: Life on the Street." He even made an appearance on "The Wire" as the same character. 

However, he was also known for shorter-lived roles in "Scarface," "Arrested Development," and "30 Rock." Although Belzer was famous for his many portrayals of TV detectives, he actually got his start as a comedian in the '70s as one of the earliest cast members on "Saturday Night Live."

Belzer died in 2023 in his home in France after struggling with "lots of health issues," as his friend Bill Scheft told The Hollywood Reporter. "His last words were, 'F*** you, motherf***er,'" Scheft added. He left behind his wife, Harlee McBride, and two stepdaughters.