From Adam Driver to Elle Fanning, many future stars cut their teeth in the Dick Wolf TV universe.

See 40 actors who guest-starred on *Law & Order *before becoming household names (including future Oscar winners)

From Adam Driver to Elle Fanning, many future stars cut their teeth in the Dick Wolf TV universe.

By Madeline Boardman,

Madeline Boardman

Madeline Boardman is a former digital features director at **. She left EW in 2017.

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Kevin Jacobsen,

and Randall Colburn

Randall Colburn

Randall Colburn is a writer and editor at **. His work has previously appeared on The A.V. Club, The Guardian, The Ringer, and many other publications.

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on May 14, 2026 1:12 p.m. ET

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Colman Domingo, Elle Fanning, and Adam Driver on various iterations of 'Law & Order'. Credit:

A guest spot on *Law & Order* (and its various spinoffs) is basically a rite of passage for any working actor. Since the shows shoot in New York City, this is especially true for Broadway hopefuls fresh out of school. A single episode can open a lot of doors.

Binge old seasons of *Law & Order* and you'll see some of the biggest stars on the planet in some of their earliest roles, from Oscar winners like Michael B. Jordan and Zoe Saldaña to TV titans like Kerry Washington and Ellen Pompeo.

Here's just a small selection of the most notable names to guest-star on *Law & Order* and its spinoffs over the years.

Ty Burrell on 'Law & Order'. NBC

Ty Burrell became an Emmy winner in 2011 for *Modern Family *(earning another in 2014), but, 10 years earlier, he made his small-screen debut on *Law & Order*. He appeared in a 2000 episode as Paul Donatelli and returned to the show in 2003 as Herman Capshaw.

Timothée Chalamet

Timothée Chalamet (left) on 'Law & Order'.

Nearly a decade before his Oscar-nominated breakthrough in 2017's *Call Me by Your Name*, Timothée Chalamet made his TV debut as Eric Foley in a 2009 episode of *Law & Order*.

Laverne Cox on 'Law & Order'. NBC

Years before she had her four-time Emmy-nominated breakthrough as *Orange Is the New Black*'s Sophia Burset, Laverne Cox picked up an early role as Minnie on *Law & Order*.

Claire Danes

Claire Danes on 'Law & Order'. NBC

After debuting in a short film, three-time Emmy-winner Claire Danes hit the small screen for the first time in 1992, appearing in an episode of *Law & Order* as Tracy Brandt.

Colman Domingo

Colman Domingo on on 'Law & Order'.

NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Veteran actor Colman Domingo now has an Emmy and multiple Oscar nominations, but, at one point in time, he was a frequent *Law & Order* guest star, first appearing in a 2004 episode of the flagship show as Ronald Gumer. He followed this up with a role as Sgt. Ev Sides on *Law & Order: Criminal Intent* in 2006; that same year he appeared in an episode of *Law & Order: Trial by Jury *as Gus Johnson. Two years later, he played a man named Donnie on *Law & Order*. And then in 2010, he once again popped up on *Law & Order: Criminal Intent*, this time as Andre Lanier.

Adam Driver on a 2010 episode of 'Law & Order' and a 2012 episode of 'Law & Order: SVU'.

Adam Driver is one of Hollywood's most striking actors, parlaying his eccentric breakout role on HBO's *Girls* into a starring turn in the *Star Wars* franchise and collaborations with filmmakers such as Ridley Scott, Spike Lee, Noah Baumbach, Jim Jarmusch, Francis Ford Coppola, and Leos Carax, among others.

Before all of that, though, the actor played a voyeuristic creep in a 2010 episode of *Law & Order* and, well, a different voyeuristic creep in a 2012 episode of *Law & Order: SVU*.

Idris Elba on 'Law & Order'. NBC

Before he was starring on *Luther* and earning critical acclaim for his big-screen work, Idris Elba was filling his résumé with smaller roles, such as an appearance in a 2001 episode of *Law & Order*.

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Peter Facinelli

Peter Facinelli (right) on 'Law & Order'. NBC

*The Twilight Saga*’s Peter Facinelli nabbed his second onscreen gig in 1995, playing Shane Sutter in one *Law & Order *storyline.

Edie Falco and Jerry Orbach on 'Law & Order'. NBC

Four-time Emmy-winner Edie Falco earned an early credit on *Law & Order*, coming on the crime show in 1993 as Sally Bell. She reprised the role for additional turns in 1994, 1997, and 1998. In 2017, Falco starred as real-life criminal defense attorney Leslie Abramson in the miniseries *Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders*, which was executive produced by Dick Wolf.

Elle Fanning

Connie Nielsen and Elle Fanning on 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'.

*The Great* star Elle Fanning was only 8 years old when she guest-starred on *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* in 2006, playing a foster child named Eden.

Vera Farmiga

Vera Farmiga on 'Law & Order'. NBC

Oscar-nominated Vera Farmiga added a third title to her résumé in 1998 for her performance as Lindsay Carson, a woman caught up in a murder trial, on *Law & Order*.

Jennifer Garner

Jennifer Garner (right) on 'Law & Order'. NBC

After making brief appearances in TV movies and episodes of *Swift Justice* and *Dead Man's Walk*, Jennifer Garner joined *Law & Order* for one 1996 installment. She played Jaime, a graduate student.

Ginnifer Goodwin

Ginnifer Goodwin on 'Law & Order'. NBC

After appearing in a short film in 2000, Ginnifer Goodwin joined *Law & Order* for one 2001 episode. Then a relatively unknown actress, Goodwin played a young woman named Erica.

Tony Hale on 'Law & Order'.

Following his breakout role on *Arrested Development*, two-time Emmy-winner Tony Hale guest-starred on a 2010 episode of *Law & Order* as Phillip Shoemaker, a dangerous ex-husband. He also appeared in an episode of *SVU* in 2012 as Rick Simms, a teacher who becomes the victim of a hate crime.

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Philip Seymour Hoffman on 'Law & Order'. NBC

Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman landed his first credited acting gig with a 1991 episode of *Law & Order*. The late star played Steven Hanauer, a man facing trial in a rape case.

Felicity Huffman

Felicity Huffman on 'Law & Order'. NBC

Early in her career, *Desperate Housewives* star Felicity Huffman appeared on *Law & Order*. The actress joined the show for one episode in 1992, playing Diane Perkins, and returned in 1997 as Hillary Colson.

Sarah Hyland

Sarah Hyland on 'Law & Order'. NBC

Sarah Hyland was just 13 when she appeared on *Law & Order*. The future *Modern Family* actress played Kristine McLean in a 2004 episode.

Allison Janney

Allison Janney on 'Law & Order'. NBC

Years before she made it to the White House as *The West Wing*'s C.J. Cregg, seven-time Emmy-winner Allison Janney (who also has an Oscar for her supporting turn in 2017’s *I, Tonya*) was on *Law & Order* for two episodes. She played Nora in a 1992 installment and Ann Madsen in 1994.

Michael B. Jordan

Michael B. Jordan on a 2010 episode of 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent'.

After Michael B. Jordan broke hearts as Wallace on *The Wire*, the young actor took a series of guest spots on *CSI, Cold Case*, and *Law & Order: Criminal Intent*. The latter saw him playing a young boxer swept up in a murder investigation. After helping to revive the *Rocky* franchise with *Creed*, the actor won an Oscar for his dual role in Ryan Coogler's *Sinners* (2026).**

Laura Linney

Laura Linney on 'Law & Order'. NBC

Years before *Primal Fear*, *The Truman Show*, and *Love Actually*, three-time Oscar nominee Laura Linney appeared on *Law & Order*. The actress was featured in one 1994 episode as Martha Bowen.

Julianna Margulies

Julianna Margulies on 'Law & Order'. NBC

Three-time Emmy-winner Julianna Margulies nabbed the second onscreen credit of her career thanks to *Law & Order*. After appearing in *Out for Justice*, she popped up in a 1993 episode as Navy Lieutenant Ruth Mendoza.

Jesse McCartney

Jesse McCartney on 'Law & Order'. NBC

Before the boys of Dream Street dropped their first album, Jesse McCartney landed his second acting credit for a segment of *Law & Order*. The actor and Grammy-nominated singer rolled in on the show in 2000, playing Danny Driscoll.

Leighton Meester

Leighton Meester on 'Law & Order'. NBC

Joining the list of newbies who debuted on *Law & Order*, *Gossip Girl *star Leighton Meester picked up her first TV credit, thanks to a 1999 episode, playing a young woman named Alyssa Turner.

Chris Messina

Chris Messina on 'Law & Order'. NBC

*The Mindy Project* and *Based on a True Story*’s Chris Messina debuted his screen acting career in 1995, thanks to *Law & Order*. He played Tommy Bell in his first role, and would return to the show in 1996 and 2003 as Kevin Turner and Don Cushman, respectively.

Keke Palmer in a 2005 episode of 'Law & Order: SVU'.

Keke Palmer is renowned as an actress, musician, and TV host, having earned both Daytime *and* Primetime Emmy Awards. In 2005, a year before her breakout role in *Akeelah and the Bee, *she turned heads as kidnapping victim (and Hurricane Katrina survivor) Tasha Wright on *Law & Order: SVU*.

Pedro Pascal

Pedro Pascal on a 2011 episode of 'Law & Order: SVU,' a 2008 episode of 'Law & Order,' and a 2006 episode of 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent'.

Pedro Pascal is ubiquitous these days, with his acclaimed performances on *Game of Thrones* and *Narcos* paving the way for leading roles on *The Mandalorian* and *The Last of Us*, the latter of which earned him two Emmy nominations.

But he spent years guest-starring on everything from *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* to *NYPD Blue, *not to mention *Law & Order*, *Law & Order: SVU*, and *Law & Order: Criminal Intent*.

Sarah Paulson

Sarah Paulson on 'Law & Order'. NBC

Emmy winner Sarah Paulson earned her very first onscreen credit thanks to one 1994 episode of *Law & Order*. She played a 14-year-old girl named Maggie Conner, who is being investigated for the murder of her mother.

Amanda Peet on 'Law & Order'. NBC

*Dirty John* actress Amanda Peet picked up an early role in one 1995 episode of *Law & Order*. She played Leslie Harlan, a woman in the midst of a mysterious case.

Ellen Pompeo

Ellen Pompeo on 'Law & Order'. NBC

Before spending 20-plus seasons playing Dr. Meredith Grey on *Grey’s Anatomy*, Ellen Pompeo's first credited small-screen role was in a 1996 episode of *Law & Order*, playing Jenna Weber. She returned in 2000 as Laura Kendrick.

Josh Radnor on 'Law & Order'. NBC

Early in his career, Josh Radnor joined *Law & Order* for one 2002 episode. The future *How I Met Your Mother* star played a man named Robert Kitson.

Emmy Rossum on 'Law & Order'. NBC

*Shameless*’ Emmy Rossum's first credited acting gig was in a 1997 episode of *Law & Order*. The young actress played Alison Martin, a girl in a bad situation with her family.

Zoe Saldaña and Selenis Leyva on 'Law & Order'. NBC

Zoe Saldaña, pictured here with *Orange Is the New Black* star Selenis Leyva, continued the tradition of debuting on *Law & Order *and played a woman named Belinca in 1999. The Oscar-winning *Emilia Pérez* star returned to the franchise as Gabrielle Vega, the daughter of a murder victim, in a 2004 spot on *Special Victims Unit*.

Amanda Seyfried

Amanda Seyfried (right) on a 2004 episode of 'Law & Order: SVU'.

In 2004, the same year she made her film debut in *Mean Girls*, Amanda Seyfried guest-starred on *Law & Order: SVU* as Tandi McCain, a teenage sexual assault victim. Since then, the actress has earned an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award nomination.

Sebastian Stan

Carolyn McCormick and Sebastian Stan on 'Law & Order'. NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Oscar-nominated Sebastian Stan — also the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier — landed his very first onscreen role in 2003 on *Law & Order*. He played Justin Capshaw, a young man who was kidnapped as a boy.

Courtney B. Vance

Courtney B. Vance on 'Law & Order'. NBC

Two-time Emmy-winner Courtney B. Vance found his way to the courtroom as Johnnie Cochran on *The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story*, but, more than 20 years prior, he pulled early roles on *Law & Order*. He had an uncredited part as a mayor’s assistant in a 1990 episode and returned in 1995 as Benjamin "Bud" Greer.

Milo Ventimiglia

Milo Ventimiglia in a 2003 episode of 'Law & Order: SVU'.

Milo Ventimiglia was already established as an actor — and in the midst of his run on *Gilmore Girls* — when he guested on a 2003 episode of *Law & Order: SVU* as Lee, a sexual assault victim whose story isn't quite as it initially seems. The actor went on to earn multiple Emmy nominations for his turn on NBC's *This Is Us*.**

Kate Walsh on 'Law & Order'. NBC

*Grey’s Anatomy* alum Kate Walsh hit the small screen for one of her first times in 1997, playing Kirstin Blair, a Navy lieutenant under investigation, on *Law & Order*.

Isaiah Washington

Isaiah Washington on 'Law & Order'. NBC

Another *Grey’s Anatomy* alum, Isaiah Washington secured one of his very first projects as Derek Hardy on *Law & Order*, appearing on the show in 1991. Ten years later, he popped up in an episode of the one-season wonder *Law & Order: LA* as Roland Davidson.

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington on 'Law & Order'. NBC

Before *Scandal*, *Django Unchained*, or even *Ray*, there was *Law & Order*. Early in her career, Emmy winner Kerry Washington guest-starred in one 2001 episode of the crime show, playing Allie Lawrence.

Chandra Wilson

Chandra Wilson on 'Law & Order'. NBC

More than a decade before she became *Grey's Anatomy*'s Dr. Miranda Bailey, Chandra Wilson was Serena Price for one 1992 episode of *Law & Order*.

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