His Co-Stars Must Love Him As Much As WE DO!

Before he left "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," Warren Leight was known as LOCI's "show runner." But I've suspected for quite some time that there's another "show runner" who probably, more often than not, gets his way when he wants his way: Mr. D'Onofrio. And I don't think this is any more evident than it is in the casting of "guest" actors and actresses. There is a significant list of LOCI guest actors who have worked with Vincent in films made prior to LOCI. Off the top of my head, the following come to mind. But I am certain there are several more.

The most memorable, of course, because she was a recurring "bad girl" on LOCI, was Olivia D'Abo as Nicole Wallace (yes ... I know ... one of your "FAVORITE" characters of all time! LOL!). But before she was Nicole ... she worked with Vincent in "The Velocity of Gary, as his character's (Valentino's) former porno co-star, Veronica...

From this ...



To this ...



Another memorable villain in LOCI was our not-so-beloved Judge Harold Garrett in the season 5 two-parter, "In the Wee Small Hours," one of my favorite LOCI episodes. But before he was Judge Garrett, he was another equally evil character, opposite Vincent's naiive cab driver, Elton, in "Claire Dolan," portraying the bullying pimp of Claire, Roland Cain.

From this ...



to this ...



And if you'll recall, Adam Goldberg (shirtless in the pic below) portrayed a rather tweaked-out meth head, Kujo, in "The Salton Sea" alongside Vincent's ever-so-memorable "Pooh Bear."



A few years later, he shows up on LOCI, portraying the convincingly creepy Victor Garros, who, coincidentally, was the one who "did it," in "View From Up Here," the eppy about the poorly built condo building housing a plethora of strange inhabitants. Here's a more "normal" photograph of Goldberg, who has become a rising star in his own right.



I saved one of my favorites for last. For those of you who have seen "Hotel Paradise," you'll remember Ms. Theresa Russell as a mobster's wife-to-be. Nearly the entire 30-minute short focused on she and Vincent's mostly naked encounter, Vincent appearing as "The Naked Stranger" in, dare I say it, one of his "meatiest" roles. He and Ms. Russell definitely seemed to "click" in this rather awkward but interesting portion of one of several "Tales of Erotica" anthology programs produced in Europe for television.



A decade later, Russell shows up on a rather scandalous fifth-season eppy of LOCI called "On Fire," the set-up being a string of church fires. She portrays a jealous and very naughty vamp of a step mommie who parented a mentally challenged offspring with her peacock of a stepson. She also had no problem flirting with a rather non-receptive Detective Goren.

Although I couldn't find a cap of her from "On Fire," this is probably a more recent photograph:



Okay, that's only four examples of former Vincent co-stars landing a part on LOCI. I know there are others ... so help me out here, folks!

21 comments:

  1. Oooh,this is one of my favourite games :-D

    For now,the one that springs most readily to mind is Bruce McVitie(spelling?)..he was in HLOTS:The Subway & Mr Wonderful before appearing in Semi-Professional :-)

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  2. How about Lou Taylor Pucci from Thumbsucker who shows up later as Joey Frost in Cruise to Nowhere. :-)

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  3. Wow! How could I forget Bruce MacVittie and Lou Taylor Pucci!? Lou Taylor, I believe, considers D'Onofrio a mentor. I read that in an interview somewhere.

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  4. Just double-checked IMDB, and Bruce MacVittie was also in a Logan/Fallaci eppy called "Courtship." He was also in several L&O mothership episodes, and an SVU, as well. And guess where else: "Claire Dolan" as the obstetrician!!

    He was also in episodes of Miami Vice and The Equalizer, but not the same episodes as Vincent.

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  5. Snark I think you are spot on about Vincent having a say in the casting. Its also well-known that, at some time or another, almost any decent actor who lives in NYC will get a part on one or other of the L & O Franchises. The ones on LOCI are the luckiest, of course.

    Vincent got his "big break" - the part of Pyle in FMJ - thanks to his friend Mathhew Modine, who tipped him off when he was working the door at the Hard Rock Cafe (I think?)

    Maybe Vincent is just passing on the love. It would be just like him to do that.

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  6. "Cookie" Caspari in Phantom had a bit part in Happy Accidents as one of the girlfriends in the Ex Files living room scene. We shoulda known!

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  7. Anonymous6:22 PM

    Funny, I don't mind 'Veronica' at all, but I can't stand the sight of....old heart-in-a-box ;0)


    I was watching a movie the other night, can't even remember what it was called, but it was kind of a C.I. role call. Jamie Sheridan was there, and several former 'perps' from across the seasons.

    Methinks Vincent is actually quite hands-on with the show. What a lovely idea (the hands-on bit of course)

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  8. Oh no Diane - now you've started a veritable chain-reaction of thoughts ...

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  9. Thanks, Mauigirl! I think you are referring to Cara Buono who portrayed Charlotte Fielding in "Phantom" and she played "Bette" in Happy Accidents, according to IMDB.

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  10. "Old heart-in-a-box" ... Diane, you crack me up!

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  11. There was whatshisface who played Keith in Baggage, he was the boyfriend in Bark.

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  12. Very good observation Lozzie;

    A while ago, I'd metioned the very same idea to a fellow Vincent fan, that Vincent must definitly have a saying in the casting, and above that, not only, when he comes across a talented actor -due to his standards- he'll never forget them, but also, he's not afraid to HELP his co-stars SHINE -as he has, time and time, again....

    If you watch "Mr. Wonderful" closely, apart from adoring Dominic, you'll see 3 lead and guest actors of the to-be-CI;
    Ms. Fallaci is just ONE OF THEM.....

    Now, who's THE REAL Mr. Wonderful...??

    Saghy

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  13. You’re absolutely right snarkangel, Vincent must have a say in the quests that appear on the show. Right from the very first episode he worked with a fellow cast member. The show “One” has Jake Weber (I believe that’s the actor’s name) as Carl Atwood (diamond thief); Jake also appeared in the Cell with VDO as a FBI agent. There are a lot more but I’m afraid I can’t remember the actor’s names or their characters. Shame on me!

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  14. Spot on as usual sir. I have thought for a long time that he makes sure that his 'friends' get a guest spot. And why wouldn't they when an actor of his caliber calls you have to say yes don't you, i'm pretty sure it's in a rule book somewhere!

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  15. Of course they do!!No one can resist his to work with Vincent again;not just becauze of his talent and good co actor to work with,becauze too he is one hottt tammale!!

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  16. Val, the actor's name is Lee Tergesen, and YES, he played "Peter" in "Bark," and played Keith Ramsey in "Baggage." He also showed up in a Logan episode: "30." He has also had appearances on "Law & Order" and "Homicide: Life on the Streets." He is probably best remembered for his role as Beecher on the TV series "Oz" with SVU star Chris Meloni.

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  17. Good catch, Saghy2!! Of course, Annabella Sciorra, who played Leonora in "Mr. Wonderful," joined LOCI to play Logan's partner, Carolyn Barek. The second one I caught at IMDB is Bruce Altman, who played "Mr. Wonderful" in "Mr. Wonderful;" he played Jack Crawley in LOCI's "Tuxedo Hill." He also appeared in several Law & Order episodes - one was even a repeat character. The third is Peter Appel, who portrayed Harry in "Mr. Wonderful," and later played Louis Bernoff in LOCI's "Shandeh." He also appeared in the Logan eppy "Bombshell."

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  18. Score one for Artistonthehudson! Jake Weber was Gordon Ramsey in "The Cell" and played Karl Atwood in the very first eppy of LOCI.

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  19. Snark's 'co-star' jazzy is back. HA!

    P.S. earl hindman from fires within was a sheriff in loci the third horseman

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  20. Leave it to our dear Jazzy to find another one! Very interesting that Earl, who died the year following his LOCI appearance, played a sergeant in "Fires Within" and played a sheriff in "The Third Horseman." Many people remember him from the TV show "Home Improvement." He also appeared on the Mothership Law & Order, and was in the ORIGINAL film version of "The Taking of Pelham, One, Two, Three (not Vincent's version)." Another irony, he appeared as a police lieutenant in several episodes of The Equalizer, although not in the two episodes in which Vincent guest-starred.

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  21. Am I late?? LOL (of course no one will read this now)
    Okay, here it is:
    Victor Garros was in "The Salton Sea" as Kujo and in "View from Up Here".

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