Is Dann Florek alive That was the question many fans asked as Law and Order Special Victims Unit opened its Season 27 premiere with a moving memorial to Captain Donald “Don” Cragen.
The NBC crime drama paid tribute to the beloved character on Sept 25 more than 25 years after actor Dann Florek first stepped into the role in the show’s debut episode. Florek portrayed the stern but loyal SVU captain for 15 seasons before Cragen retired in 2014.
Now at 75 Florek is still alive and even appeared on set for the memorial episode which reunited some of the series’ most iconic faces. Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson and Christopher Meloni’s Elliot Stabler came together once again to honor their former captain in an emotional tribute.
The special episode featured a cast reunion filled with returning stars reflecting on Cragen’s legacy as both a leader and mentor in the Special Victims Unit. The memorial not only honored the character’s impact but also celebrated Florek’s lasting mark on one of television’s longest running dramas.
