As supremely confident medico Peter Benton, Eriq La Salle (also billed as Eric La Salle) raised the bar on intensity during his eight-season tenure on “ER” (NBC, 1994- ), and was rewarded with numerous awards and nominations for his portrayal. Following his departure from the series in 2002, he contributed supporting turns to several features, including “One Hour Photo” (2002) with Robin Williams. He also stepped behind the camera several times, most notably in 1996 for the well-regarded TV biopic, “Rebound: The Legend of Earl ‘The Goat’ Manigalt” with Don Cheadle.
Born Erik Ki La Salle in Hartford, CT on July 23, 1962, La Salle began his training as an actor at Julliard before transferring to New York University’s theater program. Stage gave him an initial exposure to performing, most notably through Joseph Papp’s Shakespeare in the Park productions, and later, in various off-Broadway and Broadway shows. He broke into the movie business in 1985 with roles in low-budget features aimed at the exploitation crowd like “Rappin’” (1985) and “Cut and Run” (1985), before landing a role as reporter Mike Rivers on the long-running daytime soap, “One Life to Live” (ABC, 1968- ). He departed the show the following year and headed west to find more substantial work in Los Angeles, including guest shots on “Spenser: For Hire” (ABC, 1985-88) and a recurring character on the soap “Another World” (NBC, 1964-1999) in 1987.
His visibility increased in 1988 with a supporting role as the haughty Daryl Jenks, whose family grew rich due to a fictional jheri curl product, in the Eddie Murphy comedy “Coming to America.” More feature work soon followed, including “Jacob’s Ladder” (1990), “Color of Night” (1993), and a lead in the Spike Lee-produced “Drop Squad” (1994), about a black militant group who kidnaps an advertising executive (La Salle) who produces advertising spots that belittle African-Americans. The following year, La Salle was tapped to join the cast of Michael Crichton’s fledgling medical drama, “ER.”
An exceptionally talented doctor, La Salle’s Peter Benson clashed with his fellow surgical residents – especially Noah Wyle’s John Carter – over his take-charge attitude and occasionally arrogant behavior. However, as the series progressed, Benson softened somewhat, thanks in part to relationships with physician assistant Jeanie Boulet (Gloria Reuben) and a former girlfriend, with whom he had a son, Reese, who was born deaf. Benson’s character developed further layers, as he attempted to raise Reese on his own, dated white surgeon Elizabeth Corday (Alex Kingston), and clashed with chief surgeon Robert Romano (Paul McCrane) over patient treatment. Eventually, Benton departed County General for a better job that would allow him more time with his son, who had returned to the custody of his mother and her new husband. La Salle’s performance was popular with viewers and critics alike. He netted a substantial share of awards, including three Image Awards and three Screen Actors Guild Awards (for Outstanding Ensemble). Among his many nominations for Benton, included three Emmy nods and a Golden Globe nomination in 1998.
While still a regular on “ER,” La Salle made his debut as director on the short film “Psalms from the Underground” (1996), in which he also co-starred with such top-notch actors as John C. McGinley, Ronny Cox and Lorraine Toussaint. The following year, he tackled his first feature with the made-for-cable drama, “Rebound,” about the troubled life of street basketball player Earl “The Goat” Manigault. La Salle later tackled episodes of television series like “Soul Food” (Showtime, 2000-04) and the independent feature “Crazy As Hell” (2002), in which he also starred as a mental patient who calls himself Satan. The picture earned him a Black Reel Award for Best Actor in 2003.
Following his departure from “ER” in 2002, La Salle appeared as a detective investigating a terror campaign waged on a family by a deranged photo technician (Robin Williams) in “One Hour Photo” (2002). He also contributed a cameo to the action film “Biker Boyz” (2003), about black motorcycle racers; co-starred as a Jamaican gangster in “Johnny Was” (2006); and appeared in several made-for-TV features. On the directorial front, he helmed episodes of “The Twilight Zone” (UPN, 2002-03), “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC, 1999- ) and “Without a Trace” (CBS, 2002- ).