Dann Florek
| Dann Florek | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Ezekial Dann Florek May 1, 1950 Flat Rock, Michigan, United States |
| Residence | Venice, California |
| Other names | Dann Florek |
| Occupation | Actor, director |
| Years active | 1982 – present |
| Spouse(s) | Karen Florek (1983–present) |
Ezekial Dann Florek (born May 1, 1950), better known as Dann Florek, is an American actor and director. He is best known for his role as Donald Cragen on NBC's Law & Order and its spinoff Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Florek was born in Flat Rock, Michigan, the son of Darlene and Leonard Florek, Sr., a chiropractor. He attended Eastern Michigan University, but never graduated. He moved to New York City to pursue an acting career in the theatre.
Florek worked his way into supporting roles in such diverse '80's films as Sweet Liberty, Moon Over Parador and Angel Heart. He also played Mr. Slate in the live-action film version of The Flintstones.
Florek played Dave Meyer, the husband of Susan Ruttan's character, Roxanne Melman, on 22 episodes of NBC's hit drama L.A. Law beginning in 1988. Florek also had a recurring role in the WB sitcom Smart Guy as the high school gym coach. He also appeared in several episodes of Roseanne.
Starting in 1990, Florek co-starred in the NBC police procedural and legal drama television series Law & Order as Capt. Don Cragen. The first few years of Law & Order had mediocre ratings and finally after the close of the 1992-1993 season, NBC told creator/executive producer Dick Wolf that they would cancel the show unless he added a few women to the all-male cast. Wolf reluctantly complied and fired Florek as well as Richard Brooks (who played Paul Robinette), replacing them with S. Epatha Merkerson and Jill Hennessy, respectively. However, Florek was allowed to direct a few Law & Order episodes in 1994 and 1995.
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