Ned Eisenberg, the Law & Order actor, died on Sunday, Feb.27 at his home in New York, via Deadline. Eisenberg was 65. His agents announced the news. Eisenberg is survived by his wife, Patricia Dunnock, and his son Lino Eisenberg.
Dunnock released a statement: “As Ned would say, he was attacked by two very rare assassins — cholangiocarcinoma and ocular melanoma. Over the course of two years, he bravely fought the cancers in private while continuing to work in show business to ensure that his medical coverage paid for himself and his family.”
Eisenberg suffered from complications of cholangiocarcinoma for the past few years. For the last 2 years of his life, Eisenberg continued working while fighting cancer in private ensuring that he and his family still had medical coverage. In 2021, he appeared in two television series, Mare of Easttown and The Blacklist.
Born and raised in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx, Eisenberg attended a performing art high school. He began his acting career in the early 1980s, most notably in four episodes of Miami Vice and, in 1990, a starring role in the short-lived comedy The Fanelli Boys, alongside co-stars Christopher Meloni and Joe Pantoliano.
His most notable role was defense attorney Roger Kressler on NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. His TV credits also include Dear John, The Sopranos, Dash and Lilly, NYPD Blue, Rescue Me, The Black Donnellys, Law & Order, The Plot Against America, The Blacklist, Elementary, Bull, White Collar, The Good Wife, and many more.
Eisenberg also earned movie credits throughout his career. He made his film debut in the 1980 film The Exterminator. His most famous movie role was Sally Mendoza in the Academy-winning film Million Dollar Baby. He also starred in movies including World Trade Center, Limitless, Won’t Back Down, Experimenter, and Asher.
A co-founder of Manhattan’s Naked Angels Theatre Company in 1987, Eisenberg also acted in theater works. He worked on stages for both Broadway and off-Broadway shows such as The Green Bird Awake and Sing!, Golden Boy, and Rocky.
Academy winner Viola Davis (The Help) tweeted her condolences: “RIP Ned Eisenberg!! Nice man and an awesome talent!! Condolences to your wife and son! Godspeed.” Many of his peers also expressed their sadness.