Dann Florek
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| Dann Florek | |
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| Born | May 1, 1950 Flat Rock, Michigan, United States |
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Dann Florek (born Ezekial Dann Florek on May 1, 1950 in Flat Rock, Michigan) is an American actor and director.
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[edit] Career
Florek attended Eastern Michigan University, but never graduated. He moved to New York City to pursue an acting career. Florek worked his way up from the theatre into supporting roles in such diverse '80's films as Sweet Liberty, Moon Over Parador, and Angel Heart.
[edit] Law & Order
After a brief stint as the boring husband of Susan Ruttan on NBC's hit drama L.A. Law, Florek co-starred in the NBC crime drama Law & Order as Capt. Don Cragen. The first few years of Law & Order had mediocre ratings, and finally after the close of the 1992-1993 season, NBC told creator/executive producer Dick Wolf that they would cancel the show unless he added a few women to the all-male cast. Wolf reluctantly complied and fired Florek as well as Richard Brooks (who played Paul Robinette), replacing them with S. Epatha Merkerson and Jill Hennessy, respectively. However, Florek was allowed to direct a few Law & Order episodes in 1994 and 1995.
Florek reprised the role of Cragen in a 1995 episode (which he also directed), and in the 1998 TV-movie Exiled, centered on former L&O star Chris Noth's character, Mike Logan. In 1999 he returned to the Cragen role, only this time on the Law & Order spin-off series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, as unit captain, a part he plays to this day. Florek also had a recurring role in the WB sitcom Smart Guy as TJ's (Tahj Mowry's character) gym coach.
[edit] Personal life
Florek's wife, Karen, works as an artist. His brother, Dave, is also an actor. All three trained in the Daniel L. Quirk Jr. drama school at Eastern Michigan University. On December 13, 2008 Dann received an honorary Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Michigan University from President Susan Martin and the EMU board of registrants. During the Winter 2008 Eastern Michigan Graduation Commencement on December 14, 2008 he received an honorary Doctorate of Arts from Eastern Michigan University from EMU president Susan Martin; Mr. Florek was the head speaker at this event as well.
[edit] Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Eddie Macon's Run | Man in bar | |
| 1986 | Sweet Liberty | Jesse | |
| 1987 | Five Corners | Policeman | |
| Angel Heart | Herman Winesap | ||
| 1988 | Moon Over Parador | Toby | |
| 1989 | An Innocent Man | Prosecuting Attorney | uncredited |
| 1991 | Flight of the Intruder | Lt. Comdr. Mad Jack/Doc | |
| 1994 | Getting Even with Dad | Wayne | |
| The Flintstones | Mr. Slate | ||
| 1998 | Hard Rain | Mr. Mehlor | |
| 2000 | Beautiful Joe | Happy | |
| 2003 | Focus Room | William | |
| 2006 | Copy That | Dann | |
| 2008 | Thira | Trent Parker | (in post-production) |
[edit] References
Eastern Michigan University 2008 Winter Commencement. Lead Speaker Dann Florek. December 14, 2008.
Eastern Michigan University 2008 Winter Commencement. Speaker: EMU President Susan Martin. December 14, 2008.
[edit] External links
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