Cast of 'ER' Then and Now
The cast of ER captured the hearts of millions during its 15-season run, starting in 1994 and ending in 2009. The series attracted a dedicated fan base from the start and attracted more and more viewers as the years went on, making it one of the most popular and enduring medical dramas in TV history.
Created by Michael Crichton, the show was set in the emergency room of the fictional County General Hospital in Chicago, and it followed the lives and work of the doctors, nurses and other staff who grappled with life-and-death situations on a daily basis. The cast of ER was known for its intense and realistic portrayal of the chaotic and high-pressure environment of an emergency room. The medical cases depicted on the show were often complex, and the drama skillfully balanced the personal lives of the characters with the medical emergencies they encountered.
It didn’t hurt that the show boasted a talented ensemble, including George Clooney, Julianna Margulies, Noah Wyle and Anthony Edwards. (See them all below!)
Related: George Clooney Young: 19 Must-See Photos of the Heartthrob Over the Years
The cast of ER was not only popular with audiences, but the show also received critical acclaim throughout its run. It earned a record-setting 124 Emmy nominations, winning a total of 23 trophies, including one for Outstanding Drama Series.
Here we take a look at the beloved cast of ER and what they are doing today.
George Clooney as Dr. Doug Ross
George Clooney, who portrayed the charming Dr. Doug Ross, used ER as a launchpad to Hollywood superstardom.
In 1994, the same year ER first aired, Clooney made his directorial debut with the film Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. While it wasn't an instant box office hit, the film marked the beginning of his journey behind the camera, and it showcased his versatility in the entertainment industry. Clooney continued to balance acting and directing over the next 30 years.
One of Clooney's most iconic roles came in 2001 when he portrayed Danny Ocean in Steven Soderbergh's Ocean's Eleven. The film was a massive success and led to two sequels: Ocean's Twelve (2004) and Ocean's Thirteen (2007). The trilogy established Clooney as a charismatic leading man in the world of heist films and garnered significant box office success.
In 2006, Clooney starred in Syriana, a political thriller that earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
In 2013, Clooney's personal life took a significant turn when he married international human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin in a lavish wedding ceremony in Venice, Italy. The Clooney’s expanded their family in 2017 with the birth of twins, Ella and Alexander.
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In 2005, Clooney directed and starred in Good Night, and Good Luck, a critically acclaimed drama. The film earned several Academy Award nominations, including Best Director for Clooney.
Julianna Margulies as Nurse Carol Hathaway
Julianna Margulies played the dedicated Nurse Carol Hathaway. She left ER in 2000 and wasted no time in pursuing a diverse range of projects. Margulies's most notable post-ER endeavor came in the form of the critically acclaimed TV series The Good Wife. The show premiered in 2009 and ran for seven seasons. For her Good Wife role as Alicia Florrick, a lawyer navigating the legal world while dealing with personal challenges, Margulies received critical acclaim, including a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award and multiple Screen Actors Guild Awards.
In her personal life, Julianna Margulies married attorney Keith Lieberthal in 2007. The couple has maintained a relatively private personal life.
Margulies also appearanced in various films, including City Island (2009), Stand Up Guys (2012), and The Upside (2019). Her foray into the world of theater included performances in Intrigue with Faye (2015) and The Parisian Woman (2017).
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Margulies has also been involved in advocacy and philanthropy. She has been involved in organizations such as Project ALS and has spoken out on issues related to women's rights and gender equality.
In 2018, Margulies published her memoir, Sunshine Girl: An Unexpected Life.
Noah Wyle as Dr. John Carter
Noah Wyle's portrayal of Dr. John Carter, a medical student who eventually becomes an attending physician, was one of the most enduring and beloved characters on the cast of ER. He began his role on the show in 1994 and remained a central figure throughout the series, evolving from a naive young intern to a seasoned doctor. Wyle's heartfelt and compelling performance endeared him to audiences.
After spending over a decade on ER, Wyle decided to move on and left the show in 2005.
One of Wyle's notable post ER endeavors was his role in the sci-fi television series Falling Skies, which premiered in 2011. The show depicted the aftermath of an alien invasion and the struggle of a group of survivors to fight back.
Wyle also made appearances in various films, including The Myth of Fingerprints (1997), Enough (2002), and Donnie Darko (2001).
In his personal life, Wyle married Tracy Warbin in 2000, and the couple had two children together before divorcing in 2009. Wyle married actress Sara Wells in 2014.
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Wyle appeared in numerous stage productions, including The 24th Day (2000) and The Mercy Seat (2002).
Sherry Stringfield as Dr. Susan Lewis
Sherry Stringfield's portrayal of Dr. Susan Lewis was a pivotal part of ER from its inception in 1994. She played a dedicated and compassionate emergency room physician, endearing her character to both the show's characters and its viewers. After spending several years as one of the show's key characters, Sherry Stringfield made the decision to leave ER in 1996, during the third season.
Stringfield's career has been marked by a combination of television and film roles. One of her notable film appearances came in 1999 when she played the lead role in the drama Autumn in New York, opposite Richard Gere and Winona Ryder.
She has had parts in multiple TV dramas including Touched by an Angel, NYPD Blue and Crisis Center. Stringfield also played the role as Laura Ballard in the legal drama series The Inside (2005).
In addition to her work on screen, Sherry Stringfield made appearances in various theater productions.
Anthony Edwards as Dr. Mark Greene
Anthony Edwards's character, Dr. Mark Greene, was a fan favorite from the start in 1994. As the show's medical director and an empathetic and dedicated physician, Dr. Greene's character resonated deeply with viewers. Edwards's compelling performance brought the character to life, and his presence became synonymous with the enduring appeal of the series.
After spending eight years as a central figure in the cast of ER, Edwards made the decision to depart from the show in 2002, during its eighth season.
Post ER, Edwards ventured into the world of theater, appearing in the Broadway production of The Normal Heart in 2004.
In 2006, Edwards starred in the drama film Zodiac. The film was based on the true story of the hunt for the Zodiac Killer, and Edwards's portrayal of Inspector William Armstrong was praised for its depth and authenticity.
In addition to his work on screen and stage, Edwards took on various television roles. He appeared in shows like Northern Exposure, Zero Hour and Designated Survivor.
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Edwards was not only an actor, but also moved into directing. He directed several episodes of ER and continued to direct for television after leaving the series.
Eriq La Salle as Dr. Peter Benton
Eriq La Salle's portrayal of Dr. Peter Benton was a central figure in the cast of ER. As a brilliant, no-nonsense surgeon, Dr. Benton's character provided an essential counterpoint to the often chaotic emergency room setting.
After spending a monumental eight years on ER, Eriq La Salle departed from the series in 2002 during its eighth season.
La Salle, like many of his former ER castmates, moved into directing. In addition to directing several episodes of ER, he also directed other shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and CSI.
In 2004, La Salle starred in the television movie Johnny Was, a crime drama where he played the role of Johnny Doyle.
He also was involved in several theater productions. Most notably, in 2009, he starred in the production of A Raisin in the Sun on Broadway alongside Hollywood legends Denzel Washington and Diahann Carroll. His role as Walter Lee Younger in Lorraine Hansberry's classic play showcased his acting prowess on the prestigious Broadway stage.
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Apart from his acting and directing career, La Salle also ventured into producing. He was an executive producer for the TNT medical drama series Hawthorne, which starred Jada Pinkett Smith as a chief nursing officer.
Laura Innes as Dr. Kerry Weaver
Dr. Kerry Weaver was introduced to the viewers of ER during its second season in 1995, and Laura Innes's portrayal of the character instantly added depth to the show. Dr. Weaver was a complex character known for her strong-willed, no-nonsense attitude and her dedication to her profession. She was one of the few disabled characters on television at the time, with Dr. Weaver using a crutch due to her physical disability.
Innes remained an integral part of the show for 12 seasons, departing from the series in 2007.
That same year, she appeared in the Tony Award-winning play The Vagina Monologues.
Post ER, Innes returned to the small screen and played parts in several TV series including The Event, Awake and Colony.
Alex Kingston as Dr. Elizabeth Corday
Alex Kingston's character, Dr. Elizabeth Corday, was introduced to the viewers of ER during its fourth season in 1997. Dr. Corday was a skilled and determined British surgeon who joined the County General Hospital staff. Kingston's performance brought an extra layer of complexity to the series as Dr. Corday grappled with the challenges of working in a high-pressure environment far from her native country.
After ER, Kingston embarked on various television and film projects. One of her notable endeavors was her role as River Song in the British science fiction series Doctor Who, which she began in 2008. She was also in the film Like Crazy (2011), which received critical acclaim, and the British drama series Upstairs Downstairs (2012).
Maura Tierney as Dr. Abby
Maura Tierney's character, Dr. Abby Lockhart, was introduced to the viewers of ER during its sixth season in 1999. Dr. Lockhart was a complex character who evolved throughout the series, beginning as a nurse before becoming a medical student and eventually a resident.
Tierney's tenure on ER extended from the sixth season through to the 15th, making her one of the longest-serving cast members in the show.
After her departure from ER, Tierney continued her career with notable appearances in various movies. In 2010, she appeared in The Whole Truth, a legal drama film that starred Keanu Reeves and Renée Zellweger. In 2014, Tierney starred in Beneath the Harvest Sky and in 2016 she was in the comedy-drama Beautiful Ohio. She also had a role in the critically acclaimed Showtime series The Affair.
Goran Visnjic as Dr. Luka Kovac
Goran Visnjic a Croatian actor, captivated audiences as Dr. Luka Kovac. His character's arrival in the sixth season introduced a new dynamic to the show. Following his success on ER, Visnjic ventured into the world of film.
One of his notable film appearances was in Practical Magic (1998), playing opposite Sandra Bullock. He also played opposite George Clooney in The Peacemaker (1997). His role as the iconic inventor and artist Leonardo da Vinci in the historical drama series Da Vinci's Demons (2013-2015) earned him critical acclaim.
Additionally, he lent his voice to various animated projects. He voiced the character Soto in the Croatian-language version of Ice Age and also provided the voice for Bruce Wayne (aka Batman) in the animated film Justice League: Gods and Monsters (2015).
He married Eva Vi?nji?, a sculptor, in 1999, and the couple has three children together.
Deezer D as nurse Malik McGrath
Deezer D, whose real name is Dearon Thompson, portrayed Nurse Malik McGrath in the cast of ER. Nurse McGrath was a dedicated and skilled nurse who worked alongside the doctors and staff of the emergency room. Malik was known for his witty and often humorous interactions with both patients and colleagues, providing a light-hearted balance to the often intense and high-stress environment of County General.
Deezer D's tenure on ER lasted for 12 seasons; he departed in 2009.
Outside the cast of ER, he had roles in television shows and movies including, Bringing Down the House, Bones and The Way Back Home.
Sadly, he passed away in 2021 at age 55 from heart issues.
Laura Cerón as nurse Chuny Marquez
Laura Cerón's character, Nurse Chuny Marquez, was a dedicated and compassionate nurse who worked tirelessly in the emergency room of County General Hospital. Her character was known for her warm and nurturing personality, and her interactions with both patients and colleagues showcased her caring nature. Ceron continued on the show for 14 seasons.
In addition to ER, Ceron spent over a decade on the stage in various plays in Chicago.
Yvette Freeman as nurse Haleh Adams
Yvette Freeman, a talented actress and singer, made a lasting impression with her role as Nurse Haleh Adams. Freeman played the role for an impressive 13 seasons.
She has appeared in other films and tv shows including Dead Again (1991) and Orange Is the New Black (2013).
She has been married to Lanny Hartley since January 27, 1996.
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