Who are the best 'Law & Order' guest stars?

Harry Selman Thu, May 15, 2008 at 06:22 PM EST

I have to agree with Lisa that one of the most memorable if not the most memorable guest stars was the Hallee Hirsh who played Jenny Brandt in tenth season's Killerz. It wasn't just that final camera pan to her face after she was let off, it was all her expressions during the trial. WoW - she was amazing. Ever since them I love to follow her career. She's about twenty or twenty one now I think.

Lisa A. Wed, Oct 10, 2007 at 05:36 AM EST

I did some digging, and the little girl I mentioned below was played by Hallee Hirsh, and the episode was "Killerz" on Law & Order.

Lisa A. Wed, Oct 10, 2007 at 05:21 AM EST

Lots of good mentions here. The one that stays with me the most though - even though I can't remember if it was L&O:SVU or the original (I think the original) - was the little girl who was destined to become a serial killer. She killed a little boy then put a battery in his mouth. The end where she didn't get convicted and on the way out looked at that little boy like she would enjoy doing him bodily harm gave me the creeps.

kriselda jarnsaxa Sun, Sep 30, 2007 at 02:25 PM EST

Stephen Colbert on CI - he so completely inhabited his character that he actually made me forget I was watching Stephen Colbert.

wontonjon Sun, Sep 30, 2007 at 02:07 PM EST

There are a lot of performances that I love: Lea Thompson, Martin SHort, Marcia Gay Harden, the guy from X-Files (Robert patrick?), and Chad Lowe are at the top. But after last night, I'd have to put Cynthia NIxon at the top of all of them. The mastery of her skill that she exhibited in being able to so seamlessly switch from one character to the next. Incredible. But Marcia Gay Harden is a close second.

ANNA Fri, Sep 28, 2007 at 05:47 PM EST

THE CHARACTER ACTORS ON ALL OF THE L&O SERIES ARE GREAT. I LOVE TO SEE THEM AS ONE CHARACTER ON ONE EPISODE OF CI, THEN SEE THEM ON SVU. ONE THAT STANDS OUT IN MY MIND IS MARK LINN-BAKER. ANOTHER CHARACTER I LOVE IS OLIVIA D'ABO. RITA MORENO, ROY SCHEIDER, NEIL PATRICK HARRIS,HAVING SEEN MARTHA PLIMPTON AGAIN AS THE PROFILERS DGT. KILLED TO GET HER FATHER'S ATTENTION. THAT EPISODE WAS OUTSTANDING. BROOKE SHEILD'S AS AN EX-MODEL WAS TERRIFIC. LIZA MINELLI WAS AS ECCENTRIC AS EVER.TOM ARNOLD WOW! MICHEAL NOURI HAS BEEN AN EYEFUL WHENEVER HE IS ON. WHOEVER THE CHARACTER ACTORS ARE ALONG WITH GOREN,EAMES,LOGAN&LOGAN'S NEXT PARTNER, WEAVE AN INTERESTING STORY LINE ALL THE WAY. MAYBE D. WOLF SHOULD TAKE LAW&ORDER TO A PLACE WHERE NO ONE ELSE DARES. LAW & ORDER MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INVESTIGATIONS. IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES? DETECTIVES WORKING WITHIN A FRACTURED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM WHERE NO ONE LIES & NO ONE TELLS THE TRUTH.PEOPLE DIE. DRS.,NURSES,INS.COMPANIES.FINDING THE TRUTH IS A LUCKY GUESS

Jager Fri, Sep 28, 2007 at 01:44 AM EST

§ Olivia d'Abo - Goren's (Donofrio) nemesis. The only character to give him a run for his mental money. LOVE her. Early in her career, she was a teenage Q on ST:TNG - then the best villain on L&O:CI - now an occasional ex-wife of SciFi's "Eureka". (Four L&O:CI episodes, 2002-2005)

§ Richard "John Boy" Thomas - schizo murderer...but what a perfect [infection-induced] crazy person...(episode "Scourge" 2001) - Oh and yes, that was Karen Allen ("Raiders of the Lost Ark", "Animal House") playing the part of his wife.

§ Keir ("It's full of stars!") Dullea ("2001:Space Odyssey") - although I only recall him in the 2006 episode, he was also in one in 2001 as a different character...

§ Roy ("Don't go in the water") Scheider ("Jaws"). Played the perfect serial killer in Criminal Intent.

The Law & Order franchise has been around SO long, there are HUNDREDS of guest stars worth mentioning...Kudos to them all.

Katie Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 09:49 PM EST

The Tracy Pollan episodes in which she plays a rape victim who eventually gets her revenge with the help of the rapist's wife were exceptional. Andrew McCarthy's turn as a sadist was very memorable as well. This has got me thinking about my favorite guest role ever which was John Larroquette as the insane, but brilliant murderer on The Practice.

rhody Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 08:47 PM EST

Robert Patrick, the actor who played John Doggett on the X-Files, was absolutely riveting as a sexual offender in SVU. Rita Moreno was also outstanding as Goren's mother in CI.

BJohnson Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 07:59 PM EST

Shoot, hit send before I finished. The cheerleader from Heroes was on SVU a couple of times. Younger she was the kid of a famous couple who kept trying to see Hargitay's character, then she was the friend of a girl who had HIV from doing porno.

BJohnson Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 07:53 PM EST

Marcia Gay Harden I forgot, I was so ticked at her character but then to find out she was FBI after all, that was the first time in a long time the infamous L&O twist got me good. Chad Lowe, that final scene, whew.

MotownDweller Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 07:41 PM EST

Richard Thomas (John Boy) was amazing when he guest starred on SVU.

Can anyone explain why that show has NOT won an Emmy for best drama, after 8 riveting seasons? What an injustice to the great cast and all the fantastic guest stars.

Stacey Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 06:43 PM EST

It's already been mentioned, but David Groh's appearances, especially the one in the first season, were unbelievable.

Bennie Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 03:40 PM EST

I only watch SVU so my favorites are : Martha Plimpton as a junkie, Lea Thompson as a child kidnapper, Amanda Plummer as a schysophrenic, Marcia Gay Harden as a white suppremacist, Martin Short as a fake psychic and Jane Krakowsky as a granny killer.

Matt in DC Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 03:05 PM EST

Two Words: Abigail Breslin

Bill Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 01:43 PM EST

"Vincent D'Onofrio as Men in Black's sugar-water-seeking alien..."

Ha ha...no WAY!!?! Completely forgot about that one.

There have been some great guest stars on CI over the years...you should give it a shot. Plus, Alicia Witt is joining the cast for the all new eps. airing on USA, this fall...yummy!!

KateDFW Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 01:26 PM EST

God there are so many episodes to chose from with the 3 different shows but I will have to agree with so many others:

Larry Miller
Chad Lowe
Henry Winkler (great one)
Michael Gross
Martin Short (so creepy)

and a different name to throw out (from and SVU episode), Jane Krakwoski as the "sweet" twin sister of a doctor who she set up to take the fall as a serial killer when it was her all along. Great One!

Mark Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 01:17 PM EST

Larry Miller I believe was the best by far.

Ames Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 01:11 PM EST

Teekay -- I think Cynthia Nixon was on original L&O in the very first season as a woman who shot two guys on the subway.

kimmie Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 12:57 PM EST

Julia Roberts appeared on L&O proper several years back, it was a fairly awesome performance. Also, Ethan Embry and Brad Renfro were great as serial killer cousins in L&O: CI in 2005.

teekay Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 12:51 PM EST

Does anyone recall if Cynthia Nixon played a similar role on L&O, pre sex and the city? I seem to remember her being on the original years ago.

San Anto Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 12:49 PM EST

Sharon Lawrence & Marcia Gay Harden

brige24 Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 12:34 PM EST

There are so many that had me on the edge of my seat but these are the best in ly opinion.
SVU- Martin Short was the best by far. Talk about sending chills up my spine. Andrew McCartney and Chad Lowe tie for a close 2nd.
CI- Olivia D'Abo is my fav villian of all tine on this series. She and Goren were so intertwined. Each one always trying to one up the other. Both extremely intelligent. I also loved the way she said "Bobby"

Newbs Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 12:27 PM EST

Jerry Lewis was fantastic on the SVU episode as Munch's Uncle. He made me laugh for years - and then he does this non-comedic role - way to go, Jerry! Hope he comes back....

Brian Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 12:16 PM EST

Mary Alice as a woman who killed her drug addicted daughter.

Shirley Knight as an abused mother.

Brian Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 12:06 PM EST

Dani you are right!!! That performance by O'Hare was extraordinary!

dani Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 11:30 AM EST

In season the 6th or 7th season (McCoy/Kincaid and Briscoe/Logan) of the original, Denis O'Hare played a szichophrenic lawyer who goes off his meds and kills someone and then goes back on medication to defend himself. It is the most moving, powerful performance I have seen on TV, not just L & O.

rob mathews Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 11:02 AM EST

have to go with Olivia D'abo on Criminal Intent. although "the Fonz" wasn't bad on his SVU episode.

Stephanie Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 10:26 AM EST

Chad Lowe, M.G. Harden, Cynthia Nixon (awesome performance on Monday!), and Martin Short.

Ames Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 10:22 AM EST

I don't know if this counts b/c she's a character actor, not a guest star, but I say Marcia Jean Kurtz. This was from a first season L&O and she played a mother who beat her daughter to death but Stone prosecuted the father. Some guest stars playing the bad guys have so much fun hamming it up and playing over the top, but her character was so sad and pathetic that I think her commitment to it took more guts.

But everyone else is naming some good ones. This is a fun trip down TV memory lane.

chippy Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 10:17 AM EST

L&O Criminal Intent is a fine TV series,well written,very well acted and I love watching it and all the guest stars have been a treat to watch as well.

matchkithjohn Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 10:03 AM EST

When L&O alum Richard Brooks came back as Robinette and was a defense attorney. One of the first times anyone came back.

cory Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 09:58 AM EST

chad lowe - amazing and so creepy
ellen pompeo as the incestuous, killer sister
claire danes in a very early original l&o episode was great as a scored teenager that kills her much older, sleezebag photog lover

Pam Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 09:54 AM EST

I have to agree with those who said Andrew McCarthy's guest appearance on "SVU."

He was so super-creepy, and I just remember him in the interrogation room: "Honey, I'd like a mineral water, no ice." Benson: "And I'd like your b***s in a blender, but ain't life a b***h?"

Darby Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 09:35 AM EST

Loved Larry Miller as Dobson too! Those are my favorite eps ever! He was great. Also enjoyed Mark-Paul Gosselaer (of Saved by the Bell & NYPD Blue fame) as the desperate father doing porn to pay his kid's medical bills.

MM Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 09:34 AM EST

Marcia Gay Harden was very good in her role. I also enjoyed Ludacris and Lisa Gay Hamilton.

Tasha Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 08:56 AM EST

Loved the two episodes with Larry Miller as Michael Dobson. Hired someone to kill his first wife and then fought to keep her on life support so they couldn't pull the bullet. Then he comes the next season and asks Jerry Orbach "where's the other guy?" - Chris Noth left, Benjamin Bratt came on. Its a great nod to how they love to re-use actors and characters.

Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 08:50 AM EST

I immediately thought of when Andrew McCarthy guest-starred in the 2nd season of SVU--I still get chills when I remember him in that episode (the one where he hid the girl in a box built under the bed).

Lillybird Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 08:27 AM EST

Chad Lowe. The scene where his character breaks down, acting out what his mother, excellent Margot Kidder, did to him, was scary. And I mean scary in the giving-you-goosebumps-it's-so-awesome way.

Sadie Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 08:24 AM EST

Do people not remember Bob Saget and his character implanting an RFID chip in his wife's arm to catch her cheating. THAT was a good cameo. And Ludacris. I know there are plenty of others, but I've seen these two most recently.

Megan Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 08:13 AM EST

No contest, MARTIN SHORT!!!!!

Evie Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 08:04 AM EST

Vincent Donofrio was THOR?????? Wow. You really DO learn something new everyday.

For what it's worth, I enjoyed Andrew McCarthy on SVU a few years ago. He does extra super-icky surprisingly well.

colbyfan Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 08:00 AM EST

Cynthia Nixon was incredible Tuesday night. Wish she had her own show again. Olivia D'Abo on Criminal Intent, Lucy Arnaz on Law & Order, and Blair Underwood and Michael Michele on SVU - that was one of the most disturbing episodes I have ever seen.

Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 07:27 AM EST

Did they rip off Primal Fear or what? Was that $350,000 worth of acting for each of the leads? It appreaed to be the same old thing to me. They must not be able to afford good writers anymore. For my time I go with House.

Rachel K Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 07:25 AM EST

I'm with you Ang Knee on the Boston Legal thing, where's the love popwatch?

But, to the question at hand, I agree with Ellen Pompeo and Marcia Gay Harden, particularly that first episode where we meet her and the shooting goes down in the courtroom, that was excellent tv! I also liked *what's his name* in the episode with the "Kashitis." I can't remember who it is (which is sad), but it was the episode with the guy who went off his meds and kidnapped a little boy cuz the voices in his head told him so. He was great.

Oh, and Lou Diamond Phillips, he was FANTASTIC!

DanOregon Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 06:55 AM EST

David Groh (Rhoda's ex) has had a couple of great turns on L&O.
Denis O'Hare, Elaine Stritch, Jeffrey DeMunn, Michael Nouri, Joe Morton and Martin Campbell have also made solid turns on the various shows

Babuda Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 06:02 AM EST

Chevy Chase as "Mel Gibson" on L&O. Just kidding! He was terrible.

Jakeem Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 04:56 AM EST

I always enjoyed Olivia d'Abo as Nicole Wallace/Elizabeth Hitchens, who frequently played Professor Moriarty to Detective Goren's Sherlock Holmes on "Law & Order: Criminal Intent."
Not bad for a former "Wonder Years" cutie!

Kim Thu, Sep 27, 2007 at 04:10 AM EST

Marcia Gay Harden on SVU as a white supremacist/undercover FBI agent was pretty awesome...

Ang Knee Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 10:48 PM EST

Sorry, not the place for this, I know - but why is the PW univerise pretending Boston Legal didn't make a triumphant return to our televisions last night?

Glenn Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 09:56 PM EST

OK, now how about some of the worst "star" performances? Two words: Julia. Roberts.

Rae Rae Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 09:51 PM EST

i don't know if i would say he was the best, but I really enjoyed Mathew Modine when he was on SVU

Nell Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 09:44 PM EST

Bobby Cannavale

Amanda Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 09:29 PM EST

This isn't a "tour de force" or anything, I just love the episode. The second Larry Miller episode. He'd already been on once for killing his wife, and then they got him back to play the same character having killed wife #2, and moving towards wife #3. Larry Miller's awesome (he's just so smarmy seeing as he gets arrested by the same cops who failed to put him away the first time), the episode is awesome, and the Mexican flunky who "shoulda stayed in Oaxaca" is awesome.

Rey Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 09:22 PM EST

ludacris on svu was awesome. he nearly took down the entire dept and brought up stuff that occurred during the original L&O. stephen colbert on ci was good as well.my personal favorite was david keith on svu as retired det.hawk investigating a serial killer/rapist who was captured but released later. keith performance was so good i was disappointed when i found out it wasnt a possible spinoff.

Trace Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 08:49 PM EST

SVU's season premiere last night was awesome. Gotta love Chris and Mariska!! Cynthia Nixon gave a truly memorable performance (Emmy, anyone!?) but I've also loved Martin Short and Dean Cain on SVU. I didn't even think of Superman once while I was watching Dean, and I was a huge Lois & Clark fan when it was on! I wish they would have him back!

BJohnson Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 08:12 PM EST

Abriel, you were right, Orback did play a lawyer b4 his permanent role. S. Epatha played the mother of a young boy who was shot b/c the young shooter couldn't read the address.
I've watched too much L&O all shows but the best ones were when guys & gals played against their usual roles: John Ritter (RIP) as the nutso doc who killed the wife & unborn son. Henry Winkler as the con artist. Martin Short, man he was such a surprise as the killer. Acting was awesome! Olivia D'Abo as Bobby's nemesis on CI. I'm sure I'll be back to read more and add a couple more.

Ron Hogan Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 07:45 PM EST

James Urbaniak in the Criminal Intent episode where he was a last-minute fill-in for Andrew McCarthy. Jay O. Sanders as the psycho dad on the original L&O.

Also, there was an episode of CI last season where Bill O'Brien played a police officer who was also an ASL interpreter which was very effective, to the point where it felt like they were testing him out as a recurring character.

Joe from NYC Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 07:24 PM EST

I've got to say Burt Young's portrayal as a rapist on a stand-out mid-`90's L&O (Original Flavor) was intense and gripping. McCoy went all out to nail him at the point of having to, as DA Adam Schiff put it, "going through a sewer to catch a rat." The resulting squeeze, as done by Briscoe and Curtis, pushed the Burt Young character into becoming a desperate animal.

Ambriel Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 06:51 PM EST

o.k. I love, LOVE stephen colbert, but I kept thinking he was going to do a "threat down" or a "wag of the finger" during his guest spot.

Ambriel Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 06:49 PM EST

My favorites are when they use an actor in a guest roll and then they show up as a main, and completely seperate character. For example, the actess who plays the female african-american boss was also the mom of victim in a previous season. I also think Jerry Orback was a lawyer on the show before he was ever a cop.

Snarf Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 06:48 PM EST

I only watch SVU but I thought Holly Hunter was amazing. Dean Cain as well.

Steph Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 06:19 PM EST

Liza Minnelli as the mother of the murdered child actress on criminal intent was really good. I believe Matthew Modine was on SVU as a child murderer which was really good as well.

AD Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 06:17 PM EST

Stephen Colbert pre Colbert Report was actually pretty creepy as a handwriting specialist killer on Criminal Intent

Ceballos Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 06:16 PM EST

I know it's recent, but I thought Ludacris was surprisingly very, very good on SVU last season (I believe).

Cynthia Nixon was too unintentionally funny for me to call a truly great performance. As far as unintentional comedy, I liked Chevy Chase doing his Mel Gibson impersonation on Law & Order: Original Flava the best.

clarabelle Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 06:15 PM EST

I agree that Ellen Pompeo was completely insane and such a good (crazy) episode. But Martin Short scared the living daylights out of me on SVU. I had to sleep with the lights on the night after I watched it. (Shudder)

Chaddogg Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 05:58 PM EST

Michael Gross....wow was Mr. Keaton creepy in his appearances on the show.

mscisluv Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 05:57 PM EST

Martin Short sticks out the most to me, but I don't know that he was the "best."

Joe Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 05:40 PM EST

Allison Janney on Michael Moriarty's last ep of the original. Heartbreaking as a reluctant witness.

Kbop Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 05:33 PM EST

I'd have to go with Lindsay Crouse and John Heard from the origina L&O. Fantastic, underused actors in a great storyline. Lauren Ambrose is a close second.

Aaron Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 05:26 PM EST

Isn't that the exact plot of Primal Fear?

actingup Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 05:23 PM EST

The elegant and stunning Leslie Caron on SVU (just won the Emmy!). Now that is what it means to age gracefully. And such an amazing performance. And Lynda Carter on SVU. She is also still stunning without tons of plastic surgery. What a thrill to see her act again and she was great. Tracy Pollan was so powerful in two episodes as a rape survivor. Loved Alfred Molina and Angela Lansbury as mother and son. Two of my favorite actors!

Nick R. Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 05:18 PM EST

Frances Fisher, as an obsessed (and nutso) woman will forever be my fave guest spot. Look it up! Delusional love never looked so fine!

Samantha Scarlett Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 05:18 PM EST

Ellen Pompeo had two guest starring roles througout "Law and Order" and she was phenomenal in both of them especially in the episode "Fool for Love" where she played Laura Kendrick , inspired on Karla Homolka . " SPOILER" The scene where she reveals to the court how she helped to kill her sister is a tour de force of acting expertise .

Allison Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 04:59 PM EST

Kal Pen as the janitor son in a family full of doctors and lawyers. He was totally creepy. And totally awesome.

Shirley Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 04:56 PM EST

I too got the creeps from Martin Short on SVU but CI has had some great guest stars Olivia D'abo Roy Scheider & Rita Moreno

JAE Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 04:46 PM EST

Chad Lowe on SVU was one of the best and creepiest performances. The image of him in bed with Margot Kidder stays with you for quite some time.