Who was Eriq La Salle?

Eriq La Salle was an American actor, director, and producer best known for his role as Dr. Peter Benton on the NBC medical drama ER.

La Salle was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on July 23, 1962. He began his acting career in the early 1980s, appearing in small roles in films and television shows. In 1987, he landed a starring role in the NBC sitcom A Different World, a spin-off of The Cosby Show. La Salle played the role of Lionel Richie, a pre-med student, for four seasons.

In 1994, La Salle joined the cast of ER as Dr. Peter Benton, a brilliant but troubled surgeon. La Salle played the role for eight seasons, earning two Emmy Award nominations and a Golden Globe Award nomination. After leaving ER in 2002, La Salle continued to act in films and television shows, including the CBS drama Under the Dome and the Netflix series The OA.

La Salle also directed several episodes of ER and other television shows. In 2009, he made his feature film directorial debut with the film Crazy on the Outside.

La Salle died on August 12, 2021, at the age of 59.

Born	July 23, 1962
Died	August 12, 2021
Occupation	Actor, director, producer
Known for	Dr. Peter Benton on ER

La Salle was a talented actor who made a significant contribution to the world of television. He will be remembered for his iconic role as Dr. Peter Benton on ER.

Eriq La Salle

Eriq La Salle was an American actor, director, and producer best known for his role as Dr. Peter Benton on the NBC medical drama ER. La Salle's career spanned over three decades, and he made significant contributions to the world of television.

Actor
Director
Producer
ER
Dr. Peter Benton
Emmy Award

La Salle's work as an actor was characterized by his intelligence, intensity, and charisma. He was able to bring complex and challenging characters to life, and he always gave memorable performances. La Salle's role as Dr. Peter Benton on ER was one of his most iconic roles. He played the character for eight seasons, and he earned two Emmy Award nominations for his work. La Salle also directed several episodes of ER, and he made his feature film directorial debut with the film Crazy on the Outside.

La Salle was a talented artist who made a significant contribution to the world of television. He will be remembered for his iconic roles, his award-winning performances, and his dedication to his craft.

1. Actor

Eriq La Salle was an actor, director, and producer. He was best known for his role as Dr. Peter Benton on the NBC medical drama ER. La Salle's work as an actor was characterized by his intelligence, intensity, and charisma. He was able to bring complex and challenging characters to life, and he always gave memorable performances.

La Salle's role as Dr. Peter Benton on ER was one of his most iconic roles. He played the character for eight seasons, and he earned two Emmy Award nominations for his work. La Salle also directed several episodes of ER, and he made his feature film directorial debut with the film Crazy on the Outside.

La Salle's work as an actor had a significant impact on the world of television. He was able to bring complex and challenging characters to life, and he always gave memorable performances. La Salle's work helped to shape the way that we think about race, class, and gender on television. He was a pioneer in the field of television, and his work will continue to inspire actors and audiences for years to come.

2. Director

Eriq La Salle was an actor, director, and producer. He was best known for his role as Dr. Peter Benton on the NBC medical drama ER. La Salle's work as a director was characterized by his intelligence, intensity, and charisma. He was able to bring complex and challenging stories to life, and he always gave memorable performances.

Television
La Salle directed several episodes of ER, including the Emmy Award-winning episode "The Long Day." He also directed episodes of other television shows, such as Law & Order, The West Wing, and House.
Film
La Salle made his feature film directorial debut with the film Crazy on the Outside. The film starred Timothy Olyphant and was released in 2010.
Theater
La Salle directed several plays, including August Wilson's Fences and Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun.

La Salle's work as a director had a significant impact on the world of television. He was able to bring complex and challenging stories to life, and he always gave memorable performances. La Salle's work helped to shape the way that we think about race, class, and gender on television. He was a pioneer in the field of television, and his work will continue to inspire actors and audiences for years to come.

3. Producer

Eriq La Salle was an actor, director, and producer. He was best known for his role as Dr. Peter Benton on the NBC medical drama ER. La Salle's work as a producer was characterized by his intelligence, intensity, and charisma. He was able to bring complex and challenging stories to life, and he always gave memorable performances.

Television
La Salle produced several television shows, including ER, Under the Dome, and The OA. He was also an executive producer on the film Crazy on the Outside, which he also directed.
Film
La Salle produced several films, including Crazy on the Outside and The Man in the High Castle. He was also an executive producer on the film Freedomland.
Theater
La Salle produced several plays, including August Wilson's Fences and Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun. He was also an executive producer on the play The Whipping Man.

La Salle's work as a producer had a significant impact on the world of television. He was able to bring complex and challenging stories to life, and he always gave memorable performances. La Salle's work helped to shape the way that we think about race, class, and gender on television. He was a pioneer in the field of television, and his work will continue to inspire actors and audiences for years to come.

4. ER

ER is an American medical drama television series that aired on NBC from September 19, 1994, to April 2, 2009. The series was created by novelist and physician Michael Crichton. ER follows the professional and personal lives of the staff of the emergency room of County General Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.

Dr. Peter Benton
Eriq La Salle played the role of Dr. Peter Benton, a brilliant but troubled surgeon, for eight seasons on ER. Benton was a complex and challenging character, and La Salle's performance earned him two Emmy Award nominations and a Golden Globe Award nomination.
Director
La Salle also directed several episodes of ER, including the Emmy Award-winning episode "The Long Day." La Salle's direction was characterized by his intelligence, intensity, and charisma, and he was able to bring complex and challenging stories to life.
Producer
La Salle was also a producer on ER, and he was involved in the development and production of the show for many years. La Salle's work as a producer helped to shape the way that ER was made, and he was instrumental in the show's success.
Legacy
ER was a groundbreaking television series that changed the way that medical dramas were made. The show's realistic portrayal of the medical field and its complex characters made it a critical and commercial success. La Salle's work on ER was a major factor in the show's success, and he helped to create one of the most iconic television shows of all time.

La Salle's work on ER had a significant impact on the world of television. He was able to bring complex and challenging characters to life, and he always gave memorable performances. La Salle's work helped to shape the way that we think about race, class, and gender on television. He was a pioneer in the field of television, and his work will continue to inspire actors and audiences for years to come.

5. Dr. Peter Benton

Dr. Peter Benton is a fictional character in the NBC medical drama ER. He is a brilliant but troubled surgeon, and he is known for his complex and challenging personality. Dr. Benton is played by actor Eriq La Salle.

La Salle's performance as Dr. Benton is one of the most iconic in television history. He brings a depth and complexity to the character that makes him both relatable and sympathetic. La Salle's work on ER helped to change the way that medical dramas are made, and he is credited with helping to create one of the most realistic and groundbreaking shows in television history.

The connection between Dr. Peter Benton and Eriq La Salle is a powerful one. La Salle's performance brings the character to life, and he helps to make Dr. Benton one of the most memorable and beloved characters in television history.

6. Emmy Award

The Emmy Award is one of the most prestigious awards in the television industry. It is given to recognize outstanding achievement in television production, including acting, directing, writing, and producing. Eriq La Salle has been nominated for three Emmy Awards, for his work on the NBC medical drama ER.

La Salle's first Emmy Award nomination came in 1995, for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, for his role as Dr. Peter Benton on ER. He was nominated again in 1996 and 1997, for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, for his continued work on ER. Although La Salle did not win an Emmy Award, his nominations are a testament to his talent and the high regard in which he is held by his peers in the television industry.

The Emmy Awards are a major honor in the television industry, and La Salle's nominations are a significant achievement. His nominations are a recognition of his talent and his dedication to his craft. La Salle's work on ER has helped to change the way that medical dramas are made, and he is considered to be one of the most talented actors working in television today.

FAQs about Eriq La Salle

Eriq La Salle is an American actor, director, and producer best known for his role as Dr. Peter Benton on the NBC medical drama ER. La Salle has been nominated for three Emmy Awards for his work on ER, and he has won a Golden Globe Award. Here are some frequently asked questions about Eriq La Salle:

Question 1: What is Eriq La Salle's most famous role?

Eriq La Salle is best known for his role as Dr. Peter Benton on the NBC medical drama ER.

Question 2: How many Emmy Awards has Eriq La Salle won?

Eriq La Salle has been nominated for three Emmy Awards, but he has not won any.

Question 3: What is Eriq La Salle's ethnicity?

Eriq La Salle is African-American.

Question 4: Is Eriq La Salle still acting?

Yes, Eriq La Salle is still acting. He recently appeared in the television series The Looming Tower and The OA.

Question 5: What is Eriq La Salle's net worth?

Eriq La Salle's net worth is estimated to be $25 million.

These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about Eriq La Salle. He is a talented actor, director, and producer who has made significant contributions to the world of television.

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Conclusion

Eriq La Salle is a talented actor, director, and producer who has made significant contributions to the world of television. His work on ER helped to change the way that medical dramas are made, and he is considered to be one of the most talented actors working in television today.

La Salle's work has had a major impact on the television industry, and his legacy will continue to inspire actors and audiences for years to come. He is a true pioneer in the field of television, and his work has helped to make television a more diverse and inclusive place.