Peter Benton

Dr. Peter Benton was a fictional surgeon on the television series ER from season one through season eight. He was portrayed by Eriq La Salle. His character was often portrayed as arrogant, irritable, hostile, but also brilliant and passionate towards medicine.

Dr. Peter benton is first introduced in the pilot as a second year surgical resident. Unsupported by senior colleagues, he decides to open a man up to control a bleeding aneurysm. He ends up saving the man's life.

Also in the pilot, John Carter is introduced as a third-year medical student, on his ER rotation. He is assigned to Benton. Benton gives Carter a hard time. They never got along and their personalities clashed on many occasions. Benton is more ambitious whereas Carter is more compassionate. Eventually, the two form a close friendship, despite Carter switching to Emergency Medicine. Later on, Benton is instrumental in getting Carter into drug rehab.

In season one, Benton's mother falls down a flight of stairs, breaking her hip. She later has a stroke which Benton finds difficult to deal with, especially when she needs to move into a care home. Benton meets Jeanie Boulet, a married Physical Therapist, who is working with his mother. Benton's mother dies, devastating Benton, Jeanie comforts him and they end up having an affair.

In season two, things fall apart. After Jeanie's marriage ends it becomes clear she is HIV positive, though Peter is not.

Dr. Benton was fired from County General by Doctor Romano over arrangements for surgery for a Medicare patient. He later begged his job back from Romano. Dr. Benton later left County General for good because of a custody battle for his deaf son. He needed more free time to spend with his son in order to gain custody.

After leaving the series Dr. Benton was seen at the funeral of Mark Greene. He was then seen in a photo as part of a slideshow at Dr. Carter's farewell party, and was heard in a voice-over as Dr. Carter left the ER for the last time in the 11th season finale of the show.

In season three, Peter has a son with Carla Reese, who owns her own restaurant. They name him Reese Benton. He is premature and due to those complications it is eventually found out he is deaf. He gets involved in a custody battle.