'' ER'' is an American

medical drama A medical drama is a Television film, television movie or film in which events center upon a hospital, clinic, doctor's office, a paramedic, or any other medical topic or environment. Most recent medical drama (film and television), dramatic progra ...

television series created by

Michael Crichton John Michael Crichton (; October 23, 1942 – November 4, 2008) was an American author, screenwriter and filmmaker. His books have sold over 200 million copies worldwide, and over a dozen have been adapted into films. His literary works heavil ...

that aired on

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. It is one of NBCUniversal's ...

from September 19, 1994, to April 2, 2009. It was produced by

Constant c Productions John Michael Crichton (; October 23, 1942 – November 4, 2008) was an American author, screenwriter and filmmaker. His books have sold over 200 million copies worldwide, and over a dozen have been adapted into films. His literary works heavil ...

and

Amblin Television Storyteller TV Distribution Co., LLC, doing business as Amblin Television, is the television production division of Amblin Partners. It was established in 1984 by Amblin Entertainment as a small-screen production arm for Steven Spielberg's ''Am ...

, in association with

Warner Bros. Television Warner Bros. Television Studios, operating under the name Warner Bros. Television (abbreviated as WBTV; formerly known as Warner Bros. Television Division), is an American television production and distribution studio and the flagship studio o ...

. The series follows the inner life of the

emergency room An emergency department (ED), also known as an accident and emergency department (A&E), emergency room (ER), emergency ward (EW) or casualty department, is a medical treatment facility specializing in emergency medicine, the acute care of pat ...

(ER) of fictional Cook County General Hospital in

Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

, and various critical issues faced by the room's physicians and staff. ''ER'' featured a large

ensemble cast In a dramatic production, an ensemble cast is one that comprises many principal actors and performers who are typically assigned roughly equal amounts of screen time.Random House: ensemble acting Linked 2013-07-17 Structure In contrast to the po ...

that changed dramatically over its long run. The main cast was augmented by a wealth of recurring characters and award-winning guest stars.

Main cast

The original starring cast consisted of Anthony Edwards as Dr.

Mark Greene Mark Greene, Doctor of Medicine, M.D. is a fictional character from the American medical drama series ''ER (TV series), ER''. Portrayed by actor Anthony Edwards (actor), Anthony Edwards, he first appeared in the series' 24 Hours (ER), pilot e ...

George Clooney George Timothy Clooney (born May 6, 1961) is an American actor, filmmaker, and philanthropist. Known for his leading man roles on screen in both blockbuster and independent films, Clooney has received numerous accolades, including two Ac ...

as Dr. Douglas "Doug" Ross,

Sherry Stringfield Sherry Stringfield (born June 24, 1967) is a retired American actress. She is best known for playing the role of Dr. Susan Lewis on the NBC medical drama '' ER'', a role for which she received three Emmy Award nominations. Stringfield was a m ...

as Dr.

Susan Lewis Susan Lewis, M.D. is a character from the medical drama series ''ER'', portrayed by American actress Sherry Stringfield. Susan appeared as a primary character in the pilot episode and left the show part way through in the third season. She la ...

Noah Wyle Noah Strausser Speer Wyle (; born June 4, 1971) is an American actor, writer, producer and director. He rose to fame as John Carter in the NBC medical drama '' ER'' (1994–2009), receiving five Emmy Award nominations, three Golden Globe Award ...

as medical student (later Dr.) John Carter, and

Eriq La Salle Erik Ki La Salle (born July 23, 1962), professionally known as Eriq La Salle, is an American actor, director, writer and producer. La Salle is known for his performance as Dr. Peter Benton in the NBC medical drama '' ER'' (1994–2002; 2008 ...

as Dr.

Peter Benton Peter Benton, M.D. is a fictional character from the NBC medical drama series '' ER,'' portrayed by actor Eriq La Salle, appearing as a primary character from the pilot episode until part way through the eighth season. La Salle made two guest ...

Julianna Margulies Julianna Margulies (; born June 8, 1966) is an American actress. After several small television roles, Margulies received wide recognition for her starring role as Carol Hathaway in the NBC medical drama series '' ER'' (1994–2000; 2009), fo ...

guest starred in the pilot as Nurse

Carol Hathaway Carol Hathaway is a fictional character from the NBC medical drama series '' ER,'' portrayed by actress Julianna Margulies. She is the nurse manager in the ER. She regularly appeared throughout the series from the pilot episode to her penultimat ...

before becoming part of the regular cast. The first additions to the main cast came in Season 2 with

Gloria Reuben Gloria Elizabeth Reuben (born June 9, 1964) is a Canadian-American actress, producer, and singer. She is well-known for her role as Jeanie Boulet on the medical drama '' ER'' (1995–1999, 2008), for which she was twice nominated for an Emmy Aw ...

signing on as Physician Assistant

Jeanie Boulet Jeanie Boulet is a fictional character from the television series '' ER''. The role was portrayed by Gloria Reuben who debuted as a recurring character in the first season episode, "Long Day's Journey", aired on January 19, 1995. Reuben was prom ...

(recurring character in Season 1), and in Season 3 with

Laura Innes Laura Innes (born August 16, 1957) is an American actress and television director. She played Kerry Weaver in the medical drama '' ER'' (1995–2009), which earned her two Primetime Emmy Award nominations. In 2001, she received her third Primetim ...

as Dr.

Kerry Weaver Kerry Weaver is a fictional character, a physician, in the NBC television series '' ER''. Dr. Weaver first appears as a recurring character in the second-season episode "Welcome Back, Carter!", which aired on September 21, 1995. Dr. Weaver is ...

(recurring character in Season 2). In Season 4,

Maria Bello Maria Bello (born April 18, 1967) is an American actress and producer. Her first major film role was in 1998's '' Permanent Midnight''. She followed this with a range of supporting and leading parts in films such as '' Payback'' (1999), '' Coyot ...

signed on as Dr.

Anna Del Amico Dr. Anna Del Amico is a fictional medical doctor from the television series '' ER''. She was portrayed by Maria Bello. Life and time at County Del Amico first appeared in the show in 1997, guest starring in the last 3 episodes of the third seas ...

(recurring character at the end of Season 3) and

Alex Kingston Alexandra Elizabeth Kingston (born 11 March 1963) is an English actress. Active from the early 1980s, Kingston became noted for her television work in both Britain and the US in the 1990s, including her regular role as Elizabeth Corday, Dr. Eliz ...

joined the cast as Dr.

Elizabeth Corday Elizabeth Corday, M.B.B.S., F.R.C.S. (married name Greene) is a fictional character in the medical drama series '' ER,'' portrayed by British actress Alex Kingston. She first appeared at the beginning of the fourth season and became a lead c ...

. Season 5 saw the addition of

Kellie Martin Kellie Noelle Martin (born October 16, 1975) is an American actress. Her roles have included Rebecca "Becca" Thatcher in '' Life Goes On'' (1989–1993), Lucy Knight on '' ER'' (1998–2000), Samantha Kinsey in the '' Mystery Woman'' TV film se ...

as medical student

Lucy Knight Lucy Knight is a fictional character from the NBC television series '' ER'', portrayed by actress Kellie Martin. The character was part of the show for the fifth and sixth seasons. When she was first introduced on '' ER'', Dr. Doug Ross called h ...

. George Clooney's departure towards the end of Season 5 started a major cycle of main cast changes over the next few years. Season 6 opened with the addition of

Paul McCrane Paul McCrane (born January 19, 1961) is an American film, television and theatre actor, as well as a television director and singer. He is known for his portrayal of Montgomery MacNeil in the 1980 film '' Fame'', Frank Berry in the 1984 film '' T ...

as Dr. Robert "Rocket" Romano (recurring character in both Seasons 4 and 5), Croatian actor

Goran Višnjić Goran Višnjić ( ; born 9 September 1972) is a Croatian actor. He is best known for his roles as Dr. Luka Kovač in '' ER'' and Garcia Flynn in '' Timeless'', both NBC television series. For ''ER'', he and the cast were nominated for two Scre ...

as Dr.

Luka Kovač Luka Kovač is a fictional character from the NBC television series '' ER''. The role was portrayed by Goran Višnjić from the sixth season episode, "Leave It to Weaver", which aired on September 30, 1999 until the thirteenth season episode, "T ...

, and

Michael Michele Michael Michele Williams (born August 30, 1966) is an American actress and fashion designer. She began her career on stage before appearing opposite Wesley Snipes in the 1991 film ''New Jack City''. In the 1990s, Michele had leading roles in t ...

as Dr.

Cleo Finch Cleo Finch is a fictional character from the NBC television series '' ER''. She was portrayed by Michael Michele and appeared on the show from the sixth season's episode, "Leave It to Weaver," which aired on September 30, 1999, until the eighth ...

. A bit later in the season

Erik Palladino Erik Palladino (born May 10, 1968) is an American actor known for his portrayal of Dr. Dave Malucci in the NBC medical drama '' ER'' and Frank in the Amazon series '' The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.'' He is also known for his recurring roles as Lt. ...

joined as Dr.

Dave Malucci Dr. Dave Malucci is a fictional character on the NBC prime time drama '' ER''. He was portrayed by Erik Palladino. Season 6 Dave Malucci first appears as a second-year resident. He often breaks protocol to get things done and appears to lack ...

, and

Ming-Na Ming-Na Wen (; born November 20, 1963) is an American actress and model. She has won multiple awards throughout her career, including an 26th Annie Awards, Annie Award and a 50th Anniversary Saturn Awards, Saturn Award, in addition to a nominat ...

returned to the series as Dr. Jing-Mei "Deb" Chen, reprising a recurring character she portrayed in Season 1. Soon after,

Maura Tierney Maura Lynn Tierney (born February 3, 1965) is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Lisa Miller on the sitcom ''NewsRadio'' (1995–1999), Abby Lockhart on the medical drama '' ER'' (1999–2009) and Helen Solloway on the myst ...

was added as Nurse (later Dr.) Abigail "Abby" Lockhart. Season 8 saw the arrival of

Sharif Atkins Sharif Atkins (born January 29, 1975) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Dr. Michael Gallant on '' ER'' (2001–2006), FBI Agent Clinton Jones on ''White Collar'' (2009–2014), and Captain Norman 'Boom Boom' Gates on '' NC ...

as medical student (later Dr.) Michael Gallant, as well as the return of Dr.

when

reprised her role after having left the series in Season 3.

Mekhi Phifer Mekhi Phifer ( ; born December 29, 1974) is an American actor. Beginning his career in the mid-1990s, Phifer was known for a few notable roles in films including ''Clockers (film), Clockers'', ''Soul Food (film), Soul Food'', ''High School High' ...

joined the cast in Season 9 as Dr. Gregory "Greg" Pratt (recurring character at the end of Season 8). Season 10 saw the addition of

Parminder Nagra Parminder Kaur Nagra (born 5 October 1975) is an English actress. She is known for portraying Jess Bhamra in the film ''Bend It Like Beckham'' (2002) and Dr. Neela Rasgotra in the NBC medical drama '' ER'' (2003–2009). Her other television r ...

as medical student (later Dr.) Neela Rasgotra and

Linda Cardellini Linda Edna Cardellini (born June 25, 1975) is an American actress. In television, she is known for her starring roles in the teen drama ''Freaks and Geeks'' (1999–2000), the medical drama ''ER (TV series), ER'' (2003–2009), and the thriller ...

as Nurse Samantha "Sam" Taggart.

Shane West Shannon Bruce Snaith (born June 10, 1978), better known as Shane West, is an American actor, singer and songwriter. He is known for his portrayal of Eli Sammler in the ABC family drama ''Once and Again'', Landon Carter in '' A Walk to Remember' ...

joined the cast in Season 11 as Dr. Ray Barnett and

Scott Grimes Scott Christopher Grimes (born July 9, 1971) is an American actor and singer. Some of his most prominent roles include appearances in the TV series '' ER'' as Dr. Archie Morris, ''Party of Five'' as Will McCorkle, '' Band of Brothers'' as Technic ...

became part of the main cast in Season 12 as Dr.

Archie Morris ''ER'' is an American medical drama television series created by Michael Crichton that aired on NBC from September 19, 1994, to April 2, 2009, with a total of 331 episodes spanning 15 seasons. It was produced by Constant c Productions and Ambl ...

(recurring character in Seasons 10 and 11). Season 13 saw the addition of

John Stamos John Phillip Stamos ( ; born August 19, 1963) is an American actor and musician. He first gained recognition for his contract role as Blackie Parrish on the ABC television soap opera ''General Hospital'', for which he was nominated for the ...

as Dr. Anthony "Tony" Gates, reprising a role he had originated in Season 12 when he portrayed Gates the paramedic/medical student. Season 15 saw the final additions to the main cast, with David Lyons signing on as Dr. Simon Brenner (recurring character towards the end of Season 14) and

Angela Bassett Angela Evelyn Bassett (born August 16, 1958) is an American actress. Known for her work in film and television since the 1980s, she has received List of awards and nominations received by Angela Bassett, various accolades, including a Primetime ...

as Dr. Catherine "Cate" Banfield. Notably, of the 26 main cast members that starred throughout ''ER''s 15-season run, only seven were not featured in the final season: Gloria Reuben, Maria Bello, Kellie Martin, Michael Michele, Erik Palladino, Ming-Na, and Sharif Atkins. In addition, only four main cast members never made a return appearance of any type following their original stint: Maria Bello, Kellie Martin, Erik Palladino, and Mekhi Phifer.

Main characters

Timeline of County General Staff

ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:15 PlotArea = left:100 bottom:200 top:10 right:10 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:09/19/1994 till:05/01/2009 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:mm/dd/yyyy ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:1 start:1995 ScaleMinor = unit:year increment:1 start:09/20/1994 Legend = position:bottom orientation:ver columns:4 Colors = id:student value:rgb(0.1, 0.77, 0.65) legend:Medical_Student id:intern value:rgb(0.68, 0.85, 0.90) legend:Intern id:doc value:rgb(0.53, 0.81, 0.98) legend:ER_Resident id:chiefres value:rgb(0.12, 0.56, 1) legend:ER_Chief_Resident id:erfellow value:rgb(0.27, 0.51, 0.71) legend:ER_Fellow id:erattend value:rgb(0, 0, 1) legend:ER_Attending id:erchief value:rgb(0.98, 0.56,0.35) legend:Chief_of_Emergency_Medicine id:surgery value:yellowgreen legend:Surgical_Resident id:schiefres value:kelleygreen legend:Surgical_Chief_Resident id:sfellow value:drabgreen legend:Surgical_Fellow id:sperdiem value:limegreen legend:Surgical_Per_Diem id:sattend value:green legend:Surgical_Attending id:schief value: rgb(0.61, 0.02, 0.71) legend:Chief_of_Surgery id:chief value:red legend:Chief_of_Staff id:nurse value:pink legend:Nurse id:chargenurse value:magenta legend:Charge_Nurse id:pa value:lightpurple legend:Physician_Assistant Colors = id:gray value:gray(0.8) LineData = at:09/19/1994 color:black layer:back width:0.7 at:09/21/1995 color:gray layer:back width:0.7 at:09/26/1996 color:gray layer:back width:0.7 at:09/25/1997 color:gray layer:back width:0.7 at:09/24/1998 color:gray layer:back width:0.7 at:09/30/1999 color:gray layer:back width:0.7 at:10/12/2000 color:gray layer:back width:0.7 at:09/27/2001 color:gray layer:back width:0.7 at:09/26/2002 color:gray layer:back width:0.7 at:09/25/2003 color:gray layer:back width:0.7 at:09/23/2004 color:gray layer:back width:0.7 at:09/22/2005 color:gray layer:back width:0.7 at:09/21/2006 color:gray layer:back width:0.7 at:09/27/2007 color:gray layer:back width:0.7 at:09/25/2008 color:gray layer:back width:0.7 at:04/02/2009 color:black layer:back width:0.1 BarData = bar:season text:"Season" bar:greene text:"Mark Greene" bar:ross text:"Doug Ross" bar:lewis text:"Susan Lewis" bar:carter text:"John Carter" bar:hathaway text:"Carol Hathaway" bar:benton text:"Peter Benton" bar:morgenstern text:"David Morgenstern" bar:conni text:"Conni Oligario" bar:lydia text:"Lydia Wright" bar:malik text:"Malik McGrath" bar:haleh text:"Haleh Adams" bar:wendy text:"Wendy Goldman" bar:lily text:"Lily Jarvik" bar:hicks text:"Angela Hicks" bar:chen text:"Jing-Mei Chen" bar:boulet text:"Jeanie Boulet" bar:swift text:"William Swift" bar:chuny text:"Chuny Márquez" bar:weaver text:"Kerry Weaver" bar:tracy text:"Harper Tracy" bar:edson text:"Dale Edson" bar:gant text:"Dennis Gant" bar:anspaugh text:"Donald Anspaugh" bar:doyle text:"Maggie Doyle" bar:keaton text:"Abby Keaton" bar:delamico text:"Anna Del Amico" bar:corday text:"Elizabeth Corday" bar:henry text:"George Henry" bar:romano text:"Robert Romano" bar:west text:"Ellis West" bar:yosh text:"Yosh Takata" bar:knight text:"Lucy Knight" bar:lynetteevans text:"Lynette Evans" bar:lee text:"Amanda Lee" bar:kovač text:"Luka Kovač" bar:finch text:"Cleo Finch" bar:malucci text:"Dave Malucci" bar:lawrence text:"Gabe Lawrence" bar:lockhart text:"Abby Lockhart" bar:gallant text:"Michael Gallant" bar:pratt text:"Greg Pratt" bar:harkins text:"Erin Harkins" bar:nathan text:"Paul Nathan" bar:dorset text:"Eddie Dorset" bar:rasgotra text:"Neela Rasgotra" bar:morris text:"Archie Morris" bar:cooper text:"Nick Cooper" bar:sam text:"Sam Taggart" bar:lester text:"Lester Kertzenstein" bar:lawson text:"Jeremy Lawson" bar:barnett text:"Ray Barnett" bar:howard text:"Howard Ritzke" bar:penny text:"Penny Nicholson" bar:dubenko text:"Lucien Dubenko" bar:figler text:"Jane Figler" bar:scanlon text:"Jake Scanlon" bar:inez text:"Inez" bar:evepayton text:"Eve Payton" bar:clemente text:"Victor Clemente" bar:gates text:"Tony Gates" bar:albright text:"Jessica Albright" bar:hope text:"Hope Bobeck" bar:crenshaw text:"Dustin Crenshaw" bar:katey text:"Katey Alvaro" bar:dawn text:"Dawn Archer" bar:benparker text:"Ben Parker" bar:maeleepark text:"Mae Lee Park" bar:larryweston text:"Larry Weston" bar:suri text:"Suri" bar:moretti text:"Kevin Moretti" bar:grady text:"Paul Grady" bar:zelinsky text:"Harold Zelinsky" bar:skyewexler text:"Skye Wexler" bar:grossman text:"Barry Grossman" bar:brenner text:"Simon Brenner" bar:lavernestjohn text:"Laverne St. John" bar:kayamontoya text:"Kaya Montoya" bar:banfield text:"Cate Banfield" bar:dariawade text:"Daria Wade" bar:andrewwade text:"Andrew Wade" bar:ryansanchez text:"Ryan Sánchez" bar:tracymartin text:"Tracy Martin" bar:chazpratt text:"Chaz Pratt" bar:juliawise text:"Julia Wise" PlotData = textcolor:black align:left width:10 bar:season at:09/19/1994 text:One bar:season at:09/21/1995 text:Two bar:season at:09/26/1996 text:Three bar:season at:09/25/1997 text:Four bar:season at:09/24/1998 text:Five bar:season at:09/30/1999 text:Six bar:season at:10/12/2000 text:Seven bar:season at:09/27/2001 text:Eight bar:season at:09/26/2002 text:Nine bar:season at:09/25/2003 text:Ten bar:season at:09/23/2004 text:Eleven bar:season at:09/22/2005 text:Twelve bar:season at:09/21/2006 text:Thirteen bar:season at:09/27/2007 text:Fourteen bar:season at:09/25/2008 text:Fifteen bar:greene from:09/19/1994 till:09/20/1995 color:chiefres bar:greene from:09/21/1995 till:12/07/2000 color:erattend bar:greene from:02/01/2001 till:04/04/2002 color:erattend bar:ross from:09/19/1994 till:09/20/1995 color:doc bar:ross from:09/21/1995 till:10/15/1998 color:erfellow bar:ross from:10/16/1998 till:02/18/1999 color:erattend bar:lewis from:09/19/1994 till:11/21/1996 color:doc bar:lewis from:10/25/2001 till:05/15/2003 color:erattend bar:lewis from:01/31/2002 till:05/15/2003 color:erchief width:3 bar:lewis from:05/16/2003 till:05/07/2004 color:erattend bar:lewis from:10/21/2004 till:10/20/2005 color:erchief bar:carter from:09/19/1994 till:09/20/1995 color:student bar:carter from:09/21/1995 till:05/16/1996 color:student bar:carter from:05/16/1996 till:09/24/1997 color:surgery bar:carter from:09/25/1997 till:09/24/1998 color:intern bar:carter from:09/24/1998 till:02/17/2000 color:doc bar:carter from:03/23/2000 till:05/18/2000 color:doc bar:carter from:10/19/2000 till:10/18/2001 color:doc bar:carter from:10/18/2001 till:10/02/2003 color:chiefres bar:carter from:01/08/2004 till:05/19/2005 color:erattend bar:carter from:02/14/2009 till:04/02/2009 color:erattend bar:hathaway from:09/19/1994 till:09/22/1994 color:chargenurse bar:hathaway from:09/22/1994 till:01/30/1997 color:chargenurse bar:hathaway from:02/20/1997 till:05/11/2000 color:chargenurse bar:benton from:09/19/1994 till:04/16/1998 color:surgery bar:benton from:04/30/1998 till:09/30/1999 color:surgery bar:benton from:09/30/1999 till:10/11/2000 color:sfellow bar:benton from:10/12/2000 till:10/26/2000 color:sattend bar:benton from:11/02/2000 till:02/01/2001 color:sperdiem bar:benton from:02/01/2001 till:12/24/2001 color:sattend bar:morgenstern from:09/19/1994 till:03/30/1995 color:erchief bar:morgenstern from:09/19/1994 till:03/30/1995 color:schief width:3 bar:morgenstern from:09/21/1995 till:10/02/1997 color:erchief bar:morgenstern from:09/21/1995 till:10/02/1997 color:schief width:3 bar:morgenstern from:04/09/1998 till:04/23/1998 color:erchief bar:conni from:09/19/1994 till:10/09/2003 color:nurse bar:lydia from:09/19/1994 till:10/09/2003 color:nurse bar:lydia from:04/02/2009 till:04/02/2009 color:nurse bar:malik from:09/19/1994 till:04/02/2009 color:nurse bar:haleh from:09/19/1994 till:09/22/1994 color:nurse bar:haleh from:09/22/1994 till:09/29/1994 color:chargenurse bar:haleh from:09/29/1994 till:01/30/1997 color:nurse bar:haleh from:01/30/1997 till:02/20/1997 color:chargenurse bar:haleh from:02/20/1997 till:05/11/2000 color:nurse bar:haleh from:05/11/2000 till:09/15/2002 color:chargenurse bar:haleh from:09/15/2002 till:11/03/2005 color:nurse bar:haleh from:11/17/2005 till:04/02/2009 color:nurse bar:haleh from:10/09/2008 till:04/02/2009 color:chargenurse width:3 bar:wendy from:09/19/1994 till:04/24/1997 color:nurse bar:lily from:11/10/1994 till:04/02/2009 color:nurse bar:hicks from:12/08/1994 till:11/06/1997 color:sattend bar:chen from:01/12/1995 till:04/06/1995 color:student bar:chen from:01/06/2000 till:09/21/2001 color:doc bar:chen from:09/21/2001 till:10/18/2001 color:chiefres bar:chen from:10/25/2001 till:10/25/2001 color:erattend bar:chen from:01/31/2002 till:11/13/2003 color:erattend bar:chen from:02/19/2004 till:05/13/2004 color:erattend bar:chen from:12/02/2004 till:12/24/2004 color:erattend bar:boulet from:01/19/1995 till:11/21/1997 color:pa bar:boulet from:12/11/1997 till:11/11/1999 color:pa bar:swift from:03/30/1995 till:09/20/1995 color:erchief bar:chuny from:05/11/1995 till:04/02/2009 color:nurse bar:weaver from:09/21/1995 till:05/16/1996 color:chiefres bar:weaver from:05/16/1996 till:09/30/1999 color:erattend bar:weaver from:09/30/1999 till:04/06/2000 color:erchief bar:weaver from:10/02/1997 till:11/05/1998 color:erchief width:3 bar:weaver from:05/04/2000 till:03/13/2003 color:erchief bar:weaver from:05/30/2002 till:10/10/2002 color:chief width:3 bar:weaver from:03/13/2003 till:03/16/2006 color:chief bar:weaver from:04/20/2006 till:09/22/2006 color:chief bar:weaver from:09/22/2006 till:01/04/2007 color:erattend bar:tracy from:09/21/1995 till:09/24/1996 color:student bar:edson from:04/25/1996 till:05/16/1996 color:student bar:edson from:05/16/1996 till:10/31/2002 color:surgery bar:edson from:10/31/2002 till:10/07/2004 color:sattend bar:gant from:09/26/1996 till:01/16/1997 color:surgery bar:anspaugh from:10/03/1996 till:09/30/1999 color:chief bar:anspaugh from:10/02/1997 till:11/05/1998 color:schief width:3 bar:anspaugh from:11/12/1998 till:12/09/1998 color:erchief width:3 bar:anspaugh from:01/08/1999 till:02/04/1999 color:erchief width:3 bar:anspaugh from:09/30/1999 till:11/20/2003 color:sattend bar:anspaugh from:03/13/2003 till:11/20/2003 color:schief width:3 bar:anspaugh from:11/21/2003 till:04/08/2004 color:schief width:3 bar:anspaugh from:11/21/2003 till:09/22/2006 color:sattend bar:anspaugh from:09/22/2006 till:04/02/2009 color:chief bar:doyle from:10/10/1996 till:09/25/1997 color:intern bar:doyle from:09/25/1997 till:03/25/1999 color:doc bar:keaton from:10/10/1996 till:01/16/1997 color:sattend bar:delamico from:05/01/1997 till:05/14/1998 color:erfellow bar:corday from:09/25/1997 till:10/08/1998 color:sfellow bar:corday from:10/09/1998 till:10/07/1999 color:surgery bar:corday from:10/07/1999 till:05/16/2002 color:sattend bar:corday from:10/07/1999 till:05/16/2002 color:schief width:3 bar:corday from:10/02/2002 till:04/08/2004 color:sattend bar:corday from:10/02/2002 till:04/08/2004 color:schief width:3 bar:corday from:04/08/2004 till:10/21/2004 color:schief bar:henry from:10/02/1997 till:12/18/1997 color:student bar:romano from:10/30/1997 till:11/11/1998 color:sattend bar:romano from:11/12/1998 till:09/30/1999 color:schief bar:romano from:02/05/1999 till:09/30/1999 color:erchief width:3 bar:romano from:09/30/1999 till:05/16/2002 color:schief width:3 bar:romano from:09/30/1999 till:05/29/2002 color:chief bar:romano from:10/10/2002 till:03/13/2003 color:chief bar:romano from:10/10/2002 till:03/13/2003 color:schief width:3 bar:romano from:03/13/2003 till:05/01/2003 color:erchief width:3 bar:romano from:03/13/2003 till:05/01/2003 color:schief bar:romano from:09/25/2003 till:11/20/2003 color:erchief width:3 bar:romano from:09/25/2003 till:11/20/2003 color:schief bar:west from:12/11/1997 till:01/29/1998 color:erattend bar:yosh from:11/20/1997 till:10/09/2003 color:nurse bar:knight from:09/24/1998 till:02/17/2000 color:student bar:LynetteEvans from:10/01/1998 till:04/29/1999 color:nurse bar:lee from:12/10/1998 till:01/07/1999 color:erchief bar:kovač from:09/30/1999 till:10/14/1999 color:erattend bar:kovač from:11/18/1999 till:11/07/2002 color:erattend bar:kovač from:11/14/2002 till:01/30/2003 color:erattend bar:kovač from:02/13/2003 till:05/15/2003 color:erattend bar:kovač from:10/09/2003 till:11/20/2003 color:erattend bar:kovač from:10/09/2003 till:12/01/2005 color:erattend bar:kovač from:12/01/2005 till:05/10/2007 color:erchief bar:kovač from:05/10/2007 till:05/17/2007 color:erattend bar:finch from:09/30/1999 till:11/15/2001 color:doc bar:malucci from:10/05/1999 till:10/11/2001 color:doc bar:lawrence from:10/14/1999 till:11/18/1999 color:erattend bar:lockhart from:11/25/1999 till:02/03/2000 color:nurse bar:lockhart from:02/03/2000 till:10/12/2000 color:student bar:lockhart from:10/13/2000 till:10/17/2002 color:nurse bar:lockhart from:10/17/2002 till:05/13/2004 color:chargenurse bar:lockhart from:10/30/2003 till:05/06/2004 color:student width:3 bar:lockhart from:05/14/2004 till:05/19/2005 color:intern bar:lockhart from:05/19/2005 till:09/21/2006 color:doc bar:lockhart from:10/19/2006 till:12/06/2007 color:doc bar:lockhart from:01/10/2008 till:01/10/2008 color:doc bar:lockhart from:04/28/2008 till:05/08/2008 color:doc bar:lockhart from:05/08/2008 till:10/16/2008 color:erattend bar:gallant from:11/08/2001 till:09/24/2003 color:student bar:gallant from:09/25/2003 till:04/08/2004 color:intern bar:pratt from:04/04/2002 till:07/01/2002 color:intern bar:pratt from:07/01/2002 till:05/15/2003 color:intern bar:pratt from:05/16/2003 till:05/13/2004 color:doc bar:pratt from:10/14/2004 till:03/16/2006 color:doc bar:pratt from:03/30/2006 till:09/22/2006 color:doc bar:pratt from:09/22/2006 till:09/25/2008 color:erattend bar:harkins from:10/02/2002 till:01/16/2003 color:student bar:nathan from:10/31/2002 till:11/21/2002 color:student bar:dorset from:01/30/2003 till:10/30/2003 color:sattend bar:rasgotra from:09/25/2003 till:05/06/2004 color:student bar:rasgotra from:11/04/2004 till:05/19/2005 color:intern bar:rasgotra from:02/02/2006 till:03/30/2006 color:surgery bar:rasgotra from:03/30/2006 till:10/05/2006 color:doc bar:rasgotra from:05/19/2005 till:02/02/2006 color:doc bar:rasgotra from:10/05/2006 till:09/27/2007 color:surgery bar:rasgotra from:10/18/2007 till:03/19/2009 color:surgery bar:morris from:10/09/2003 till:05/05/2005 color:doc bar:morris from:05/05/2005 till:09/21/2006 color:chiefres bar:morris from:10/05/2006 till:04/02/2009 color:erattend bar:cooper from:10/09/2003 till:11/20/2003 color:doc bar:sam from:10/30/2003 till:04/02/2009 color:nurse bar:sam from:11/03/2005 till:05/15/2008 color:chargenurse width:3 bar:lester from:10/23/2003 till:05/06/2004 color:student bar:lester from:05/07/2004 till:05/07/2004 color:intern bar:lawson from:02/05/2004 till:05/07/2004 color:sattend bar:barnett from:09/23/2004 till:05/19/2005 color:intern bar:barnett from:05/19/2005 till:05/03/2007 color:doc bar:howard from:09/23/2004 till:10/21/2004 color:intern bar:penny from:10/07/2004 till:01/20/2005 color:student bar:penny from:10/06/2005 till:01/12/2006 color:student bar:dubenko from:10/14/2004 till:12/02/2004 color:sattend bar:dubenko from:12/02/2004 till:09/25/2008 color:schief bar:dubenko from:10/16/2008 till:03/26/2009 color:schief bar:figler from:11/04/2004 till:02/17/2005 color:student bar:figler from:05/19/2005 till:09/22/2006 color:intern bar:figler from:09/22/2006 till:05/03/2007 color:doc bar:scanlon from:12/24/2004 till:05/13/2005 color:student bar:inez from:09/25/2005 till:03/23/2006 color:nurse bar:evepayton from:10/06/2005 till:12/08/2005 color:chargenurse bar:clemente from:10/20/2005 till:02/09/2006 color:erattend bar:clemente from:03/23/2006 till:05/11/2006 color:erattend bar:gates from:09/28/2006 till:09/27/2007 color:intern bar:gates from:09/27/2007 till:04/02/2009 color:doc bar:albright from:12/08/2005 till:09/22/2006 color:schiefres bar:hope from:10/05/2006 till:10/04/2007 color:intern bar:crenshaw from:10/05/2006 till:10/04/2007 color:schiefres bar:crenshaw from:10/04/2007 till:12/04/2008 color:sattend bar:katey from:10/12/2006 till:10/18/2007 color:student bar:dawn from:11/02/2006 till:04/02/2009 color:nurse bar:benparker from:11/30/2006 till:02/08/2007 color:nurse bar:maeleepark from:02/22/2007 till:05/10/2007 color:student bar:larryweston from:04/12/2007 till:05/01/2008 color:student bar:suri from:04/19/2007 till:04/02/2009 color:nurse bar:moretti from:05/10/2007 till:11/15/2007 color:erchief bar:grady from:09/27/2007 till:10/09/2008 color:intern bar:grady from:10/09/2008 till:03/19/2009 color:doc bar:zelinsky from:10/25/2007 till:04/17/2008 color:intern bar:skyewexler from:11/01/2007 till:11/29/2007 color:erattend bar:skyewexler from:11/29/2007 till:04/24/2008 color:erchief bar:grossman from:11/15/2007 till:01/17/2008 color:sattend bar:brenner from:04/10/2008 till:04/02/2009 color:erattend bar:lavernestjohn from:04/10/2008 till:05/15/2008 color:student bar:lavernestjohn from:10/09/2008 till:04/02/2009 color:intern bar:kayamontoya from:05/08/2008 till:10/09/2008 color:student bar:kayamontoya from:10/09/2008 till:12/04/2008 color:intern bar:banfield from:10/09/2008 till:04/02/2009 color:erchief bar:dariawade from:10/09/2008 till:03/12/2009 color:intern bar:andrewwade from:10/09/2008 till:03/19/2009 color:intern bar:ryansanchez from:10/09/2008 till:04/02/2009 color:intern bar:tracymartin from:10/09/2008 till:04/02/2009 color:intern bar:chazpratt from:11/06/2008 till:03/12/2009 color:student bar:juliawise from:04/02/2009 till:04/02/2009 color:intern

Departures from the main cast

's first departure from the show was in 1996, when her character,

, moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in the Season 3 episode "Union Station." In 2001, Stringfield returned to the series, reprising her role of Dr. Lewis, in the Season 8 episode "Never Say Never." She departed again after the Season 12 premiere, "Cañon City." This departure was not depicted, but was mentioned by character Kerry Weaver two episodes later, in "Man With No Name", as not coming in due to interviewing for a tenured position, having been denied tenure at County, and again later in "Wake Up," when Weaver explains that Susan accepted a tenure-track position at a hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. Stringfield returned once again for the

series finale A series finale is the final installment of an episodic entertainment series, most often a television series. It may also refer to a final theatrical sequel, the last part of a television miniseries, the last installment of a literary series, ...

. After playing

for one season,

was not part of the ensemble cast when Season 5 began. Like Susan Lewis's second exit, her character's departure was mentioned but not depicted: in the season premiere, "Day for Knight," John Carter explains to new medical student Lucy Knight that the locker she is inheriting previously belonged to Del Amico, who returned to Philadelphia to rejoin a prestigious Pediatrics unit there and be with her family and boyfriend.

left the show in the Season 5 episode "The Storm (Part II)," when his character,

Doug Ross Douglas Ross, M.D. is a fictional character from the NBC medical drama series '' ER,'' portrayed by American actor George Clooney. He is a pediatric fellow, employed by the pediatric service, but works in the ER. He is later promoted to a pedi ...

, resigned before being fired for his involvement in a patient's death. Clooney made a cameo appearance in the Season 6 episode "Such Sweet Sorrow" when his character reunited with Carol Hathaway and appeared in the Season 15 episode "Old Times" where his character was the attending physician caring for a terminal organ donor in Seattle.

departed early in Season 6, in the episode "The Peace of Wild Things," when her character,

, decided to become a stay-at-home mom and care for her newly adopted HIV-positive baby. Reuben returned in the Season 14 episode "Status Quo" when her character's son was brought into the ER.

, who played medical student

, left the series midway through Season 6 in the episode "All in The Family," when her character was killed by a patient with undiagnosed

schizophrenia Schizophrenia () is a mental disorder characterized variously by hallucinations (typically, Auditory hallucination#Schizophrenia, hearing voices), delusions, thought disorder, disorganized thinking and behavior, and Reduced affect display, f ...

; his

psychotic break In psychopathology, psychosis is a condition in which a person is unable to distinguish, in their experience of life, between what is and is not real. Examples of psychotic symptoms are delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized or incoher ...

occurred before a backed-up psychiatry department could arrive in the ER for a consult.

left the show at the end of Season 6, in the episode "Such Sweet Sorrow," when her character,

, decided on the spur of the moment to go to Seattle, Washington, and reunite with Doug Ross, her true love and the father of her twin daughters. Margulies returned in the Season 15 episode "Old Times," with her character coordinating transplant efforts from a single organ donor in Seattle.

departed early in Season 8, in the episode "Never Say Never," after his character,

, was fired by an angry Kerry Weaver. While she putatively fired him for having sex with an off-duty female EMT, he was officially fired for a mis-diagnosis that led to a patient's death, which in tandem with his error-ridden record at County meant that the hospital would not give him any more chances.

's character,

, departed in the Season 8 episode "I'll Be Home for Christmas." He took a job with a set schedule at another hospital in order to spend more time with his son, Reese, and his girlfriend, former fellow ER doctor Cleo Finch. La Salle returned for two more episodes in Season 8 and then again for two episodes in Season 15, including the series finale.

's character,

, departed in the Season 8 episode "I'll Be Home for Christmas" with her boyfriend, and fellow doctor, Peter Benton, after having previously taken a job at the same hospital (in fact it was she who arranged the interview which resulted in Benton's job offer). Michele made a cameo appearance in the Season 8 episode "On the Beach" at Mark Greene's funeral. Cleo did not return to the show after that, but Peter confirmed they had gotten married and were raising Reese together in the series finale. Anthony Edwards's character,

, died of a brain tumor in Season 8's penultimate episode, "On the Beach." Anthony Edwards was still credited in the Season 8 finale episode "Lockdown" as a tribute to what both the actor and character had meant to the series. Edwards returned in the Season 15 episode "Heal Thyself" where he appeared in multiple flashback scenes to give insight into the past of

Catherine Banfield Catherine "Cate" Banfield is a fictional character in the American medical drama '' ER'', portrayed by Angela Bassett. She is an attending physician with a mysterious past involving County General. Bassett's addition into the main cast opening cred ...

's character, Robert Romano, whose arm had been severed just above the elbow by a helicopter's tail rotor in the Season 9 premiere "Chaos Theory," died in the Season 10 episode "Freefall." A helicopter that was taking off from the hospital roof was buffeted by strong winds, causing it to crash on the roof and plummet over the side of the building; it fell into a crowded ambulance bay and landed squarely on Romano. McCrane returned in the Season 15 episode "Heal Thyself" in a cameo set in 2002 (the current day of that episode was 2008).

left the series in the Season 10 episode "Where There's Smoke," when his character, Michael Gallant, revealed that the Army was sending him to Iraq. Atkins returned for two episodes during Season 11 where he is seen serving duty in Iraq and then for four episodes during Season 12 when he marries Neela Rasgotra before redeploying to Iraq where he is killed by an

improvised explosive device An improvised explosive device (IED) is a bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional warfare, conventional military action. It may be constructed of conventional military explosives, such as an artillery shell, attached t ...

while serving a second tour.

's character,

, departed early in Season 11 in the episode "Fear" after getting in trouble for performing an illegal organ donation procedure; rather than being summarily fired, County offered her a demotion to a non-tenured position, but she turned it down and opted to return to England instead. Kingston returned for two episodes in Season 15, including the series finale.

departed midway through Season 11 in the episode "Twas The Night" when her character,

Jing-Mei Chen Jing-Mei Chen, M.D. is a fictional character from the medical drama series '' ER,'' portrayed by Ming-Na Wen. The character first appears in the first season as a recurring guest character, going by the name Debra "Deb" Chen. She departs the serie ...

, resigned in order to take care of her ailing father, whom she later

euthanized Animal euthanasia (euthanasia from ; "good death") is the act of killing an animal humanely, most commonly with injectable drugs. Reasons for euthanasia include incurable (and especially painful) conditions or diseases, lack of resources to con ...

. This was the second time her character left County General: in Season 1, medical student "Deb" Chen appeared in an eight episode story arc which concluded with her leaving medical school after accidentally leaving a guide wire in a patient's chest, deciding she was better suited to research than to applied medicine.

left in the Season 11 finale, "

The Show Must Go On "The show must go on" is a phrase in show business, meaning that regardless of what happens, whatever show has been planned still has to be staged for the waiting patrons. There is no evidence to suggest that it is the abbreviation of a longer p ...

." His character, John Carter, having received tenure at County, decided to reunite with his girlfriend Kem Likasu. Wyle returned for four episodes during Season 12 where he is seen practicing medicine in Darfur and then for five episodes during Season 15 when he needed a life-saving kidney transplant.

left midway through Season 13 in the episode "A House Divided," when a reluctant Luka Kovač was forced by budget cuts to fire her character,

, due to her high salary. After bracing for a battle to keep her position, and in spite of the fact that Kovač realized he must find a way to keep her on staff, Weaver ultimately decided to resign from County and accept a job offer from a television station in Miami, Florida. Innes returned for two episodes in Season 15, including the series finale.

left in the Season 13 finale, "The Honeymoon Is Over," after his character, Ray Barnett, got hit by a truck, lost both his legs and returned to Baton Rouge with his mother to recuperate. West returned for three episodes during Season 15 when his character reunited with Neela Rasgotra.

, who played the character of

, departed in the Season 13 finale, "The Honeymoon Is Over," when he left for Croatia to care for his ailing father. He returned for seven episodes in Season 14 to wrap up his medical storyline and then made a brief appearance in the Season 15 episode "The Book of Abby" where he, Abby Lockhart, and their son Joe embark on their new life together.

departed in the Season 15 premiere, "Life After Death," when his character,

Greg Pratt Gregory Pratt, Doctor of Medicine, M.D. is a fictional character from the medical drama series ''ER (TV series), ER'', portrayed by Mekhi Phifer. He first appears as a recurring character towards the end of the ER (season 8), eighth season, becom ...

, died in the ER as the result of blast injuries suffered in an ambulance explosion.

, who played the character of

Abby Lockhart Abigail Marjorie "Abby" Lockhart, M.D. (née Wyczenski) is a fictional character from the NBC medical drama series '' ER,'' portrayed by Maura Tierney. She first appears as a guest star in the first half of the sixth season, before becoming a ...

, departed early in Season 15 in the episode "The Book of Abby" with her husband Luka Kovač. Along with their son Joe, they presumably headed to Boston, where Abby had accepted a new job. She attempted to leave the ER quietly, however the rest of the staff made it known how much they would miss her. Nurse Haleh Adams showed Abby a hidden wall with the locker labels of all the past staff members since season one, with the exceptions of Carter (who refused to deface government property) and Boulet (who took hers as a memento when she departed in Season 6). Other names on the wall include departed former characters as well as some prominent writers and producers. Abby then left the ER and met Luka and Joe outside to embark on their new life together. Tierney returned in the Season 15 episode "Shifting Equilibrium" in a cameo during a phone conversation with Neela Rasgotra.

Supporting cast

Desk clerks and other non-medical hospital staff

Nurses and other medical staff

Secondary doctors and medical students

Firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and social workers

Family members

Notable patients

External links

Official website

''ER'' Cast & Crew
{{DEFAULTSORT:ER, Cast Of ER (TV series) Lists of drama television characters Lists of American television series characters Lists of American drama television series characters