AboutKitt Montague Expertise Fan since 1995; have seen every show from the start to the end; co-edit a Law & Order `zine, apocrypha; freelance entertainment writer. My interest propels my knowledge, so I`m pretty well versed in all things Law & Order!
Question You did such a great job listing the ADA's. Can you do the same with the detectives. Main question is the whereabouts of Det. Joe Fontana and where HE went.
Thanks
Answer Sgt. Sgt. Max Greevey (George Dzundza)
On show: 1990-91
Why actor left: Disputes with show creators
Why character left: Killed on show
Det. Mike Logan (Chris Noth)
On show: 1990-94 (appeared in one-off 1998 movie Exiled, returned on Criminal Intent in 2005)
Why actor left: Show creator wanted to shake things up, wanted new blood
Why character left: Transferred to Staten Island after punching homophobic councilman
Sgt. Phil Cerreta (Paul Sorvino)
On show: 1991-92
Why actor left: Felt cold of NY outdoor shoots was ruining his opera voice. (Seriously.)
Why character left: Shot, then put on desk job thereafter.
Det. Lennie Briscoe (Jerry Orbach)
On show: 1992-04 (appeared briefly in "Trial By Jury" in 2004)
Why actor left: Orbach died in 2004.
Why character left: He retired from NYPD but then went to investigate for the DA's office in TBJ. Logan later says Briscoe has died, but that's all.
Det. Rey Curtis (Benjamin Bratt)
On show: 1995-99
Why actor left: More film opportunities
Why character left: Wife developed MS, Curtis retired early to help her.
Det. Eddie Green (Jesse L. Martin)
On show: 1999-2008
Why actor left: Unclear, just decided not to renew contract. (This is only recent news, and he's not off the show yet.)
Why character left: TBD
Det. Joe Fontana (Dennis Farina)
On show: 2004-06
Why actor left: Schedule, opportunities elsewhere
Why character left: Retired
Det. Nina Cassady (Milena Govich)
On show: 2006-07
Why actor left: Schedule, opportunities elsewhere
Why character left: Unclear, though she was yelled at for being unprofessional by her superiors, and then just vanished at the start of the 18th season.
Det. Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto)
On show: 2008-present
FWIW, you can find a lot of this information on Wikipedia and it does appear to be fairly current and relevant, though. Also worth having is "Law & Order: The Unofficial Companion." It covers the show from inception to 1997, and is pretty thorough.
