‘Law & Order: SVU‘ Mourns the Loss of Captain Donald Cragen in Recent Episode
New York,NY – Longtime “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” character Captain Donald Cragen died in a recent episode of the series,airing September 25th. The death of cragen, portrayed by Dann Florek, resonated deeply with Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and viewers alike, prompting reflection on his impactful mentorship and paternal presence within the SVU squad.
The episode served as a poignant moment for Benson, who acknowledged Cragen’s belief in her abilities and the profound influence he had on her career. His passing prompted her to recognize the similarities between them – a shared dedication to the job that provided meaning and purpose. Florek’s portrayal of Cragen spanned decades, establishing the character as a cornerstone of the series and a father figure to many both on and off screen.
“I had this really great boss who believed in me and who told me that I was worthy,” Benson says to a victim during the episode. “then eventually, I started to believe it.” she further reflects,”He worked a lot longer than he needed to because he was so good at his job,because it gave his life meaning.he and I were a lot alike,and I don’t think I fully realized it until after he was gone.”
Florek himself echoed the paternal role of his character, stating in a January 2024 interview with TODAY.com, “I think Cragen was a father figure to a lot of the people in the show, but for some wonderful reason, I think Dann Florek was kind of a father figure to a lot of the people and the actors.” He emphasized his commitment to welcoming new cast members, recalling the support he received early in his career. “I always made a point to go out of my way and welcome everyone when they came in, because I remember when people did it for me,” Florek said.
