The first season of the American fictional

drama Drama is the specific Mode (literature), mode of fiction Mimesis, represented in performance: a Play (theatre), play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on Radio drama, radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a g ...

television series A television show, TV program (), or simply a TV show, is the general reference to any content produced for viewing on a television set that is broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, and cable, or distributed digitally on streaming plat ...

'' ER'' 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 May 18, 1995. The first season consists of 25 episodes.

Plot

In ''ER'' first season, the core cast consisted of

Chief Resident Residency or postgraduate training is a stage of graduate medical education. It refers to a qualified physician (one who holds the degree of MD, DO, MBBS/MBChB), veterinarian ( DVM/VMD, BVSc/BVMS), dentist ( DDS or DMD), podiatrist ( DPM), op ...

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 ...

, pediatric resident Dr.

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 ...

, second-year resident 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 ...

, medical student John Carter, head 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 ...

, and second-year surgical resident 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 ...

. The series premiere " 24 Hours" sees Dr. Greene considering a move into private practice at the request of his wife, Jen. The episode also sees an attempted suicide from staff nurse Carol Hathaway, who had previously been in a long-term relationship with Doug Ross, as well as the first day for medical student John Carter. Originally, Carol Hathaway died by suicide, but her death in the pilot was never shown or referred to by other characters, leaving her open for a return. Audiences responded so well to her character that producers decided to offer

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 ...

a permanent spot in the cast. Her love interest in the first season is John "Tag" Taglieri. One of the major events this season is a blizzard that sends multiple patients to County General. Also over the course of the season, Dr. Greene's marriage begins to disintegrate. At work, he experiences problems, after making a fatal error in the treatment of a pregnant woman in the Emmy-winning episode "Love's Labor Lost." He falls into a depression. Meanwhile, a lovelorn Ross struggles to come to terms with the fact that a recovered Hathaway is moving on with her life while Dr. Lewis tries to cope with her rebellious sister, Chloe, who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a daughter at the end of the season. Lewis also struggles professionally with cardiologist Dr. Kayson and romantically with mentally unstable psychiatrist Dr. Div Cvetic. Carter comes to grips with the fast-paced life of an ER doctor, while trying to win the approval of his demanding supervising resident, Dr. Peter Benton. Hathaway gets back on her feet in the aftermath of her suicide attempt; she gets engaged and tries to adopt an HIV-positive Russian orphan, but is denied due to her suicide attempt. On her wedding day, her fiancé, Dr. John Taglieri, questions the strength of her love for him. She admits she does not love him as much as he loves her, and he leaves her shortly before the ceremony. Dr. Benton is forced to cope with his busy surgical schedule, while caring for his ailing mother. After her death, he becomes romantically involved with her physical therapist Jeanie Boulet.

Production

The series pilot was executive produced 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 ...

and John Wells, Dennis Murphy produced the pilot episode and Wendy Spence Rosato served as associate producer. Crichton, Wells, and Spence-Rosato continued these roles for the series proper while Murphy was replaced as producer by

Christopher Chulack Christopher Chulack is an American television producer and director, best known for his work on the NBC drama series ''ER (TV series), ER'' (1995–2008), along with Michael Crichton, also ''Third Watch'' (1999–2005), which he co-produced along ...

. Also joining the production team were

Mimi Leder Miriam Leder (; born January 26, 1952) is an American film and television director and producer; she is noted for her action films and use of special effects.Hurd, Mary G. Women Directors and Their Films. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2007. She has dire ...

Robert Nathan Robert Gruntal Nathan (January 2, 1894 – May 25, 1985) was an American novelist and poet. Biography Nathan was born into a prominent New York Sephardic Jewish family. He was educated privately in Switzerland and attended Philips Exeter Aca ...

, and

Lydia Woodward Lydia Woodward is an American television writer and producer. She has worked as both a writer and producer on the television series '' ER''. She signed a deal with Warner Bros. Television in 2001. Positions held *''Pan Am'' (Co-Executive Produce ...

as supervising producers and Paul Manning as Co-producer. Crichton wrote the series pilot and is credited as the creator of the series for the rest of the season. Producers Wells, Nathan, Woodward, and Manning were regular writers for the first season. Medical specialist and technical advisor

Lance Gentile Lance Gentile is an American doctor, television technical advisor, writer, and producer. Career Gentile graduated with a BA degree in psychology from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. He was a medical student at New York Medical College and ...

made his television writing debut in the first season. His first teleplay "Love's Labor Lost" won multiple

Emmy Awards The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the year, each with their own set of rules and award categor ...

. Medical student

Neal Baer Neal Baer (born 1955) is an American pediatrician and television writer and producer. He is best known for his work on the television shows '' Designated Survivor'', '' ER'' and '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit''. Early life and education ...

was the season's other regular writer.

Tracey Stern Tracey Stern is an American television writer and producer. Stern made her television debut writing for the first two seasons of '' ER''. She has also worked as a writer on '' Pacific Blue'', '' Sports Night'', ''Angel'', '' Law & Order: Special ...

contributed the script for a single episode. Producers Leder and Chulack were regular directors on the first season.

Rod Holcomb Rod Holcomb (May 28, 1943 – January 24, 2024) was an American television director and producer, best known for directing the pilot and finale of '' ER''. Holcomb directed episodes of numerous television series, including '' Quincy, M.E.'', ' ...

directed the pilot episode and returned for a regular season episode.

Charles Haid Charles Maurice Haid III (born June 2, 1943) is an American actor and television director, with notable work in both movies and television. He is best known for his portrayal of Officer Andy Renko in ''Hill Street Blues''. Formative years Haid ...

Elodie Keene Elodie Keene (born April 10, 1949, in Berkeley, California) is an American film director, television director, producer and editor. As a television director, her credits include '' ER'', ''NYPD Blue'', ''The Practice'', ''Ally McBeal'', ''Charmed ...

, and

Fred Gerber Fred Gerber is an American film and television director and television producer. Gerber has directed several popular television series which include ''The X-Files'', ''Desperate Housewives'' and ''House''. Gerber has also served as a producer o ...

also helmed multiple episodes. Film director

Quentin Tarantino Quentin Jerome Tarantino (; born March 27, 1963) is an American filmmaker, actor, and author. Quentin Tarantino filmography, His films are characterized by graphic violence, extended dialogue often featuring much profanity, and references to ...

contributed a single episode. Other single episode directors include

Mark Tinker Mark Tinker (born January 16, 1951) is an American television producer and television director, director. Early life Tinker was born in Stamford, Connecticut, the son of Ruth Prince Tinker (née Byerly) (1927–2004) and future NBC chairman Grant ...

Vern Gillum Vern Gillum is an American television director. After attending California School of Fine Arts and graduating from Art Center School in Los Angeles, He went into advertising at McCann Erickson, LA/NY. Assc. Creative Director, Director of West ...

James Hayman James Hayman, sometimes credited as Jim Hayman, is an American television producer, director and cinematographer. Career His credits include ''Judging Amy'', ''Ugly Betty'', ''Joan of Arcadia'', '' Kingpin'', ''The Sopranos'', '' Any Day Now'' ...

Daniel Sackheim Daniel Sackheim (born in 1962) is an American television and film director, producer, and photographer. Sackheim has produced and directed for ''The X-Files'', ''Law & Order'', ''House'' and ''NYPD Blue''. He also directed '' The Walking Dead,'' ...

Félix Enríquez Alcalá Félix Enríquez Alcalá (sometimes credited as Felix Alcala) (born March 7, 1951, in Bakersfield, California) is a Mexican American film and television director. Career Alcalá's first major breakthrough came in 1991 when he was hired by Lynn ...

, Anita Addison,

, and

Donna Deitch Donna Deitch (born June 8, 1945, San Francisco, California) is an American film and television director, producer, screenwriter, and actor best known for her 1985 film '' Desert Hearts''. The movie was the first feature film to "de-sensational ...

Cast

Main cast

* Anthony Edwards as Dr. Mark Greene – Chief Resident *

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. Doug Ross – PGY-4 Resident Pediatrician *

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 – PGY-2 ER Junior Resident *

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 John Carter – Third-year Rotating Medical Student *

as Nurse Carol Hathaway – Registered Nurse and Nurse Manager *

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 ...

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 ...

– PGY-2 Surgery Resident

Supporting cast

;Doctors and Medical students *

William H. Macy William Hall Macy Jr. (born March 13, 1950) is an American actor, director, screenwriter, and producer. He is a two-time Emmy Award and four-time Screen Actors Guild Awards, Screen Actors Guild Award winner, and has been nominated for an Acade ...

as Dr. David Morgenstern – Chief of Surgery and Emergency Medicine *

Sam Anderson Sam Anderson (born c. 1946/1947) is an American actor. He is best known for his character roles such as Sam Gorpley on '' Perfect Strangers'', Principal Willis DeWitt on '' Growing Pains'', Holland Manners on ''Angel'', dentist Bernard Nadler o ...

as Dr. Jack Kayson – Chief of Cardiology *

Amy Aquino Amy Aquino McCoy (born March 20, 1957) is an American television, film, and stage actress. She has appeared in television series such as ''Brooklyn Bridge'', '' ER'', and ''Being Human'', and was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for her ...

as Dr. Janet Coburn – Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology *

CCH Pounder Carol Christine Hilaria Pounder (born December 25, 1952) is an American actress. She is best known for portraying Claudette Wyms in the FX police drama series '' The Shield'' (2002–2008), Mo'at in the ''Avatar'' (2009–present) franchise, ...

as Dr. Angela Hicks – Surgical/Emergency Medical Attending Physician *

Ming-Na Wen Ming-Na Wen (; born November 20, 1963) is an American actress and model. She has won multiple awards throughout her career, including an Annie Award and a Saturn Award, in addition to a nomination for a Screen Actors Guild Award. She was honore ...

as Deb Chen – Third-year Medical Student *

Michael Ironside Frederick Reginald Ironside (born February 12, 1950), known professionally as Michael Ironside, is a Canadian actor. A prominent character actor with over 270 film and television credits, he is known for playing villains and antiheroes, but has ...

as Dr. William "Wild Willy" Swift – Chief of Emergency Medicine *

Scott Jaeck Scott Jaeck (born October 29, 1954, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is an American actor. He attended New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, graduating in 1973. He attended the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He was married to actress Mariann ...

as Dr. Steven Flint – Chief of Radiology *

Rick Rossovich Frederic Enrico Rossovich (born August 28, 1957) is an American actor. Rossovich began acting in the early 1980s, first gaining recognition for portraying Ron "Slider" Kerner in the 1986 film ''Top Gun''. Rossovich's other movies include the thri ...

as Dr. John "Tag" Taglieri – Orthopedist *

John Terry John George Terry (born 7 December 1980) is an English professional Coach (association football), football coach and former Association football, player who played as a centre-back. He was previously captain of Chelsea F.C., Chelsea, the En ...

as Dr. David "Div" Cvetic – Psychiatrist *

Tyra Ferrell Tyra Ferrell is an American actress. She is known for her roles in films ''Boyz n the Hood'' (1991), ''Jungle Fever'' (1991), ''White Men Can't Jump'' (1992), and ''Poetic Justice'' (1993). On television, she had starring roles in short-lived ser ...

as Dr. Sarah Langworthy – Third Year Surgical Resident *

Perry Anzilotti Perry Anzilotti (born December 11, 1959) is an American television and film actor. He is best known for playing the advertising character "The Cookie Man" in television commercials for Nabisco's SnackWell's campaign with 23 commercial episodes. ...

as Dr. Ed – Anesthesiologist *

Tobin Bell Tobin Bell (born Joseph Henry Tobin Jr.; August 7, 1942) is an American actor. Appearing in over 100 titles during a five-decade career, he is most recognized for his role as John Kramer / Jigsaw in the ''Saw'' franchise. Bell started his a ...

as Dr. Wertz – Hospital Administrator * Patrick Collins as Dr. NetzleyEpisode 24. * Marion Yue as Dr. Sandra Li * Matt Gottlieb as Dr. Ashley * Pierre Epstein as Dr. Alex Bradley – Chief of Staff ;Nurses *

Ellen Crawford Ellen Ann Crawford (born April 29, 1951) is an American actress. She is known for her role as Nurse Lydia Wright on '' ER'' from 1994 through 2003 and then again in 2009 for the series finale. Crawford has also performed on stage, in ''A Touch ...

as Nurse Lydia Wright * Conni Marie Brazelton as Nurse Conni Oligario *

Deezer D Dearon Thompson (March 10, 1965 – January 7, 2021), known professionally as Deezer D, was an American actor, rapper and Christian motivational speaker. He is best known for his role as Nurse Malik McGrath in the American medical drama televis ...

as Nurse Malik McGrath *

Laura Ceron Laura may refer to: People and fictional characters * Laura (given name), including lists of people and fictional characters with the name * Laura, muse of Petrarch's poetry * Laura, the British code name for the World War I Belgian spy Marthe Cno ...

as Nurse Chuny Marquez *

Yvette Freeman Yvette Freeman is an American actress, singer and director. Predominantly active as a stage actress, she made her Broadway debut in 1979 in the original production of '' Ain't Misbehavin. She won the Obie Award for Distinguished Performance by ...

as Nurse Haleh Adams *

Lily Mariye Lily Mariye (born September 25, 1964) is an American television director, filmmaker and actress. Early life Mariye was born in Las Vegas, Nevada and graduated from UCLA with a BA in theater arts. Career From 1994 to 2009 she had a regular rol ...

as Nurse Lily Jarvik *

Vanessa Marquez Vanessa Rosalia Marquez (December 21, 1968 – August 30, 2018) was an American actress. She was primarily known for her recurring role in the first three seasons of '' ER'' as nurse Wendy Goldman, as well as her role as Ana Delgado in the 1988 ...

as Nurse Wendy Goldman *

Dinah Lenney Dinah Lenney (née Gross; born November 18, 1956) is an American actress and writer. She is the author of ''Bigger than Life: A Murder, a Memoir'', a 2007 book about the murder of her father, Republican Party politician and businessman Nelson G. ...

as Nurse Shirley * Suzanne Carney as OR Nurse Janet ;Staff, Paramedics and Officers *

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 ...

as Physical Therapist Jeanie Boulet *

Abraham Benrubi Abraham Rubin Hercules Benrubi (born October 4, 1969) is an American actor. He is known for his appearances as Jerry Markovic on the long-running medical television drama '' ER'', for his first role as Larry Kubiac on the series '' Parker Lewis ...

as Desk Clerk Jerry Markovic *

Glenn Plummer Glenn E. Plummer (born August 18, 1961) is an American film and television actor. Plummer was featured as Bobby "Badass" Johnson in the 1992 film '' South Central'', James Smith in Paul Verhoeven's 1995 ''Showgirls'', Russ Stanhope in Dick Wolf ...

as Desk Clerk Timmy Rawlins * Rolando Molina as Desk Clerk Rolando *

Małgorzata Gebel Małgorzata Gebel (born 30 November 1955) is a Polish actress. She is best known for her performance as Wiktoria Klonowska in '' Schindler's List'' and as Dr. Bogdana 'Bob' Liwecki in '' ER''. Filmography *'' Angry Harvest'' (1985) - Frau Rubin ...

as ER aide (Dr.) Bogdana "Bob" Romansky *

Lisa Zane Lisa Zane (born April 5, 1961)Skin, Mr. Skin (2005). Mr. Skin's Skincyclopedia: The A-to-Z Guide to Finding Your Favorite Actresses naked'. New York: St. Martin's Griffin. p. 612. . is an American actress, singer, and songwriter. Early lif ...

as Risk Management Diane Leeds *

Christine Healy Christine Healy (born June 13, 1950) is an American television and film actress. She has had recurring roles in television multiple series, including '' ER'' and ''The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd ''The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd'' is a ...

as Hospital Administrator Harriet Spooner * Emily Wagner as Paramedic Doris Pickman * Montae Russell as Paramedic Dwight Zadro * Lee Sellers as Chopper EMT *

Mike Genovese Mike Genovese (born Peter Michael Genovese on April 26, 1942 in St. Louis, Missouri) is an American actor. Career Genovese was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri to an Italian American family. Genovese earned a master's degree in drama at ...

as Officer Al Grabarsky * Rick Marzan as Camacho ;Family *

Christine Harnos Christine Harnos (born November 16, 1968) is an American actress and co-founder of the circus outreach organization Circus Remedy. Career Acting Harnos portrayed Jennifer Greene, the first wife of main character Mark Greene on '' ER'' (1994–2 ...

as Jennifer "Jenn" Greene *

Yvonne Zima Yvonne Zima (born January 16, 1989) is an American actress. She is known for her role as Daisy Carter on ''The Young and the Restless''. Early life Zima was born in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, the daughter of Dennis and Marie. Her surname means ...

as Rachel Greene *Georgiana Tarjan as Helen Hathaway *

Khandi Alexander Harriet Rene "Khandi" Alexander (born September 4, 1957) is an American dancer, choreographer, and actress. She began her career as a dancer in the 1980s, and was a choreographer for Whitney Houston's world tours from 1988 to 1992. During the 19 ...

as Jackie Robbins *

Ving Rhames Irving Rameses Rhames ( ; born May 12, 1959) is an American actor. He is best known for portraying IMF Agent Luther Stickell in the Mission: Impossible (film series), ''Mission: Impossible'' film series (1996–2025) and crime boss Marsellus Wal ...

as Walter Robbins *

Beah Richards Beulah Elizabeth Richardson (July 12, 1920 – September 14, 2000), known professionally as Beah Richards and Bea Richards, was an American actress of stage, screen, and television. She was also a poet, playwright, author and activist. Rich ...

as Mae Benton *

Tamala Jones Tamala Reneé Jones (born November 12, 1974) is an American actress. She is known for her roles in films such as '' Booty Call'', ''The Wood'', '' Kingdom Come'', '' The Brothers'', and '' What Men Want''. Her prominent television roles include ...

as Joanie Robbins * Mark Dakota Robinson as Steven Robbins *

Kathleen Wilhoite Kathleen Wilhoite (born June 29, 1964) is an American actress and musician. She made her feature film debut in ''Private School'' (1983) before having a leading role in '' Murphy's Law'' (1986), followed by supporting parts in '' Witchboard'' (a ...

as Chloe Lewis *

Valerie Perrine Valerie Ritchie Perrine (born September 3, 1943) is a retired American actress. For her role as Honey Bruce in the 1974 film '' Lenny'', she won the BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles, the Cannes Film Festival Awar ...

as Cookie Lewis *

Zachary Browne Zachary Browne is an American former television and film actor An actor (masculine/gender-neutral), or actress (feminine), is a person who portrays a character in a production. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of ...

as Jake Leeds *

Michael Beach Michael Anthony Beach (born October 30, 1963) is an American actor. He has appeared in the films '' Lean on Me'' (1989), ''One False Move'' (1992), ''Short Cuts'' (1993), ''Waiting to Exhale'' (1995), ''A Family Thing'' (1996), ''Soul Food'' (19 ...

as Al Boulet

Notable guest stars

Adam Scott Adam Paul Scott (born April 3, 1973) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Ben Wyatt in the NBC sitcom '' Parks and Recreation'' (2010–2015), for which he was twice nominated for a Critics' Choice Television Award, as well a ...

as David Kersetter *

Andrea Parker Andrea Parker (born March 8, 1969) is an American film and television actress. She is known for her roles on '' ER'', '' JAG'', '' The Pretender'', ''Less than Perfect'', ''Desperate Housewives'', and ''Pretty Little Liars''. Early years Parke ...

as Linda Ferrell *

Miguel Ferrer Miguel José Ferrer (February 7, 1955 – January 19, 2017) was an American actor. His breakthrough role was as Bob Morton in the 1987 film ''RoboCop''. Other film roles include Harbinger in '' Hot Shots! Part Deux'' (1993), Quigley in '' Blank ...

as Mr. ParkerEpisode 1 (uncredited) * Troy Evans as Officer Frank Martin *

Liz Vassey Elizabeth Leigh Vassey (born August 9, 1972) is an American actress. Her most notable roles include Emily Ann Sago on ''All My Children'', Captain Liberty on '' The Tick'', Wendy Simms on '' CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'', Lou on '' Brotherly ...

as Liz * John Randolph as Mr. FranksEpisode 2 *John La Motta as Ivan Gregor *

Rosemary Clooney Rosemary Clooney (May 23, 1928 – June 29, 2002) was an American singer and actress. She came to prominence in the early 1950s with the song "Come On-a My House", which was followed by other pop numbers such as "Botch-a-Me (Ba-Ba-Baciami Piccin ...

as Madam X/Mary Cavanaugh *

Ken Lerner Kenneth Lerner (born May 27, 1948) is an American television, stage and film actor. He is known for playing Principal Flutie in the first episodes of the television series ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'', and earlier roles on ''Happy Days'', along ...

as Harry Stopek *

Alan Rosenberg Alan Rosenberg (born October 4, 1950) is an American actor who portrayed the character Eli Levinson in both ''Civil Wars'' and ''L.A. Law''. From 2005 to 2009, Rosenberg was president of the Screen Actors Guild, the principal motion picture indus ...

as Samuel GasnerEpisode 5 *

Vondie Curtis-Hall Vondie Curtis-Hall (born September 30, 1950) is an American actor, film director, and television director. As an actor, he is known for his role as Dr. Dennis Hancock on the CBS medical drama '' Chicago Hope'' created by David E. Kelley and as ...

as Henry Colton/Rena *

Anne Haney Anne Ryan Haney ( Thomas; March 4, 1934 – May 26, 2001) was an American character actress. She appeared in small supporting roles in around 50 film and television productions and was best known for her roles as Mrs. Sellner in '' Mrs. Doubtfire ...

as Mrs. Packer *

Bobcat Goldthwait Robert Francis "Bobcat" Goldthwait (born May 26, 1962) is an American comedian, actor, director, and screenwriter. He is known for his black comedy stand-up act, delivered through an energetic stage persona with an unusual raspy and high-pitched ...

as Mr. Conally (voice only)Episode 15 *

Robert Carradine Robert Reed Carradine ( ; born March 24, 1954) is an American actor. A member of the Carradine family, he made his first appearances on television Western series such as ''Bonanza'' and his brother David's TV series, ''Kung Fu''. Carradine's fi ...

as John KochEpisode 18 *

Bradley Whitford Bradley Whitford (born October 10, 1959) is an American actor and producer. He is best known for his portrayal of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman in the NBC television political drama ''The West Wing'' (1999–2006), for which he ...

as Sean O'BrienEpisode 19 *

Colleen Flynn Colleen Flynn is an American actress. In 1995, Flynn earned a nomination for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her performance in an episode " Love's Labor Lost" of NBC medical drama '' ER''. Flynn was regu ...

as Jodi O'BrienEpisode 19 *

Kristin Davis Kristin Landen Davis (also listed as Kristin Lee Davis; born February 23, 1965) is an American actress and producer. She is known for playing Charlotte York in the HBO romantic comedy series ''Sex and the City'' (1998–2004). She received no ...

as Leslie *

Garrett Morris Garrett Isaac Morris (born February 1, 1937) is an American actor, comedian and singer. He was part of the original cast and was the first black cast member of the sketch comedy program ''Saturday Night Live'', appearing from 1975 to 1980. He ...

as Edgar LuckEpisode 9 *

Debra Jo Rupp Debra Jo Rupp (born February 24, 1951) is an American actress. She is best known for her starring role as Kitty Forman in the Fox sitcom ''That '70s Show'' (1998–2006) and its Netflix sequel series ''That '90s Show'' (2023–2024). Rupp also ...

as Mrs. Dibble *

Amy Ryan Amy Beth Dziewiontkowski (born May 3, 1968), known professionally as Amy Ryan, is an American actress. She began her professional stage career in 1987 and made her Broadway debut in 1993 as a replacement in the original production of Wendy W ...

as Sister Elizabeth *

Kevin Michael Richardson Kevin Michael Richardson (born October 25, 1964) is an American actor. Known for his distinctively deep voice, he has mostly voiced villainous characters in animation and video games. In film, Richardson voiced Goro in ''Mortal Kombat'' (1995) ...

as PatrickEpisodes 7, 10, 11

Episodes

Reception

Critical reactions for ''ER''s first season were very favorable.

Alan Rich Alan Rich (June 17, 1924 – April 23, 2010) was an American music critic who served on the staff of many newspapers and magazines on both coasts. Originally from Brookline, Massachusetts, he first studied medicine at Harvard University before tur ...

, writing for ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'', praised the direction and editing of the pilotER Review (Variety Magazine) – Rich, Alan:
''ER - Pilot Review''
(from 19 September 1994), accessed on December 31, 2008 while Eric Mink, writing for the ''

New York Daily News The ''Daily News'' is an American newspaper based in Jersey City, New Jersey. It was founded in 1919 by Joseph Medill Patterson in New York City as the ''Illustrated Daily News''. It was the first U.S. daily printed in Tabloid (newspaper format ...

'', said that the pilot of ''ER'' "was urban, emergency room chaos and young, committed doctors." However some reviewers felt the episodes following the pilot didn't live up to it with Mink commenting that "...the great promise of the "E.R." pilot dissolves into the kind of routine, predictable, sloppily detailed medical drama we've seen many times before."Deja Vu: 'ER' (New York Daily News) – Minke, Eric:
''Chicago Hope looks healthier than 'E.R''
(from 22 September 2008), accessed on December 31, 2008 Due to the show launching on NBC at the same time that

CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS (an abbreviation of its original name, Columbia Broadcasting System), is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainme ...

launched its own medical drama ''

Chicago Hope ''Chicago Hope'' is an American medical drama television series created by David E. Kelley, that originally aired for six seasons on CBS from September 18, 1994, to May 4, 2000, with a total of 141 episodes. The series is set in a fictional pr ...

'', many critics drew comparisons between the two. Eric Mink concluded that ''ER'' may rate more highly in the Nielsens but ''Chicago Hope'' told better stories, while Rich felt both shows were "riveting, superior TV fare." The show's first season won several major television awards. Julianna Margulies picked up an

Emmy Award The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the year, each with their own set of rules and award categor ...

for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, while Mimi Leder won an Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Directing a Drama Series for the episode "Love's Labor Lost". "Love's Labor Lost" also picked up the 1995

Writers Guild of America Award The Writers Guild of America Awards is an award for film, television, and radio writing including both fiction and non-fiction categories given by the Writers Guild of America, East and Writers Guild of America West since 1949. Eligibility Th ...

for Episodic Drama and the 1995

American Cinema Editors Founded in 1950, American Cinema Editors (ACE) is an honorary society of film editing, film editors who are voted in based on the qualities of professional achievements, their education of others, and their dedication to editing. Members use the ...

Award. "Day One" picked up two awards for Cinematography at the

American Society of Cinematographers The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), founded in Hollywood in 1919, is a cultural, educational, and professional organization that is neither a labor union nor a guild. The society was organized to advance the science and art of cinem ...

Awards of 1994 while Charles Haid won the

Directors Guild of America Award The Directors Guild of America Awards are issued annually by the Directors Guild of America. The first DGA Award was an "Honorary Life Member" award issued in 1938 to D. W. Griffith. The statues are made by New York firm, Society Awards. Cate ...

for Primetime Drama Series for the episode "Into that Good Night" with Rod Holcomb also picking up a Directors Guild Award in the Dramatic Specials category for his work on "24 Hours".

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Er Season 01 1994 American television seasons 1995 American television seasons ER (TV series) seasons