Cocreator Steven Bochco used his Hill Street Blues formula of multiple and intricate storylines to adapt this legal series about McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak into eight seasons and earned 15 Emmy awards.
Hamlin, Eikenberry, Susan Dey, Michael Tucker, Richard Dysart and Jimmy Smits all played roles on this series; many went on to bigger roles after appearing.
Harry Hamlin
Hamlin first gained attention for his roles in Clash of the Titans, appearing as bartender Bart McGuire, and in Making Love (history’s first gay movie). Later, Steven Bochco created L.A. Law which became a hit among viewers and critics alike – winning 15 Emmy awards throughout its eight season run.
Corbin Bernsen made an impressionful performance as Arnie Becker on the original series and is expected to reprise that role for its revival. His fame had already spread widely from his role as Ken Graham on Ryan’s Hope.
Jill Eikenberry was one of the original partners on McKenzie Brackman Chaney and Kuzak but left after only two seasons, appearing in movies such as Bed of Lies and Blue River. Jimmy Smits portrayed Victor Fuentes on this series and has also since had numerous roles both onscreen and off, earning multiple nominations and awards throughout his career.
Jill Eikenberry
Jill Eikenberry spent eight years at McKenzie Brackman Chaney and Kuzak as one of its partners. Her performances earned her critical acclaim – garnering four Emmy nominations and two Golden Globe awards for her efforts. Although not the most experienced attorney on screen, Eikenberry’s strong presence helped balance out any drama amongst the other characters on screen.
As one of the more memorable scenes on the show, her most celebrated scene came during season five episode “He’s a Crowd,” when she and Michele Greene kissed on camera for the first time ever on primetime television show. At that time, it caused controversy for being the first time two women kissed on screen together on national TV show.
Eikenberry continued her acting career after the series concluded in 1994, with guest roles on Numb3rs and Law & Order, films such as Manna from Heaven and Young Adult starring her, as well as currently collaborating on a screen project with her husband Michael Tucker.
Alan Rachins
Alan Rachins is an American screen and voice actor with an accomplished career spanning theatre, film and television. He made his Broadway debut as part of H’adrian the Seventh and After the Rain; went on to graduate from American Film Institute’s writing and directing programs; sold scripts to TV shows like Knight Rider and Hart to Hart; earned critical acclaim starring in Henry Jaglom’s independent movie Always which brought wider recognition; also graduated with honors at Columbia Film School’s film school writing programs and sold scripts to several TV series including Knight Rider and Hart to Hart
L.A. Law ran from 1986-1994 and remains popular today with fans, both new and old alike. With compelling plotlines and outstanding performances from such actors as Dysart, Hamlin, Tucker Eikenberry Smits Donohoe Underwood Bernsen it remains timeless entertainment for many viewers who still hope for its return despite its end; Lifetime and A&E have since rebroadcast the show; there have even been discussions of a reunion show.
Michael Tucker
Michael Tucker was a familiar sight on television. With his short stature and unique facial features, Michael made a mark on Broadway performances by Joseph Papp as well as Arena Stage in Washington D.C. He and Jill Eikenberry have two children together.
He and his wife have been in a relationship for over 30 years and are active fundraisers for breast cancer research and treatment. Although based out of New York City, they regularly travel back to Umbria where their dream house – a 350-year-old stone farmhouse with 125 olive trees – awaits them.
Tucker earned numerous Emmy nominations during the show’s run, especially in its final season when his work stood out and earned an Emmy nomination as part of an ensemble cast that also included Richard Dysart, Corbin Bernsen, Harry Hamlin, Susan Dey and Amanda Donohoe for best supporting actor in a drama series.
Richard Dysart
Richard Dysart, best known for playing Leland McKenzie on NBC’s L.A. Law series, passed away peacefully at home in Santa Monica at 86.
Dysart, who appeared in Broadway’s All In Good Time and was part of the American Conservatory Theater, was nominated four years in a row for a supporting actor Emmy for his performance on that series – eventually winning it in 1992. Additionally, he voiced Uncle Pom in Disney’s English version of Hayao Miyazaki’s Castle in the Sky and Cogliostro on Todd McFarlane’s Spawn the Animated Series on HBO.
He appeared in movies such as Hal Ashby’s Being There and Clint Eastwood’s Pale Rider. Born in Skowhegan, Maine and graduated from Gould Academy in Bethel before working at a radio station; Dysart also enjoyed dogs, writing, art, fitness and ocean swimming – activities he shared with Kathryn Jacobi (an artist). Together they had one stepson.
Susan Dey
Susan Hallock Dey is best known for her portrayal of Laurie Partridge on The Partridge Family on television. Dey has since gone on to appear in over 50 films and television shows as both actor and writer/producer; in addition to serving on the board of Rape Treatment Center at UCLA Medical Center as a member, as well as co-narrating a documentary with L.A. Law co-star Corbin Bernsen about campus rape.
She has worked on numerous stage plays and written two books; additionally she is an active motivational speaker.
Corbin Bernsen and Blair Underwood will return as Corbin Bernsen is set to star. Originally airing from 1986-1994 on NBC, L.A. Law became one of the most beloved shows during its run and earned 15 Emmy awards during this timeframe.
Jimmy Smits
Jimmy Smits first came into public prominence in 1986 with his portrayal of Victor Sifuentes on L.A. Law, an immensely successful five-season drama which garnered critical and commercial acclaim – giving rise to Smits becoming known as a Latino heartthrob.
After LA Law had ended, Smits appeared in several forgettable movies like Old Gringo (1989) and Blake Edwards’ medical drama Switch (1990), before landing an iconic role as Congressman Matt Santos on Aaron Sorkin’s The West Wing – breaking away from traditional depictions of Latino characters on TV and cementing his place as one.
Smits went on to star as Detective Bobby Simone on NYPD Blue and have had several prominent film roles such as Senator Bail Organa in Star Wars franchise films, astounding audiences with his incredible performances and captivating presence on screen.
Blair Underwood
Underwood played Jonathan Rollins, an idealistic attorney. The show became known for its large ensemble cast and willingness to confront topics such as abortion, racism, sexual harassment and HIV/AIDS. Underwood joined in Season 2 and stayed until its conclusion – also appearing in its 2002 reunion movie.
Underwood struggled with addiction and mental health issues despite his success on television, opening up about these struggles openly and crediting the lessons from the series for helping him recover. Today he holds successful roles across film, TV, and theatre productions.
Underwood will star in ABC’s revamped L.A. Law series, announced for development in December. He’ll serve as executive producer as well. Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed wrote the pilot script while Anthony Hemingway directed it – this project being co-produced by Steven Bochco Productions and 20th Television.
Corbin Bernsen
Corbin Bernsen first earned widespread acclaim as Arnie Becker on L.A. Law; since its end, however, Bernsen has gone on to enjoy a distinguished acting career across television and movies – with over 250 acting credits to his name including roles on popular shows like Psych and in upcoming projects like Barlowe Mann.
He will reprise his role of Henry Spencer on Psych 3: This Is Gus, premiering November 18 on Peacock. Additionally, he appears regularly on The Resident and Magnum P.I.
Bernsen will star in a follow-up series to L.A. Law, which originally ran on NBC from 1986-1994 and won 15 Emmy awards during its run. Created by Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher, Bernsen will join Blair Underwood (Jonathan Rollins from L.A. Law) who stars alongside Marc Guggenheim’s pilot script (directed by Anthony Hemingway of Arrow & Legends of Tomorrow fame) while Dayna Bochco will executive produce alongside their late husband’s widow Dayna and son Jesse who have executive produced since their father passed on –
