Dick Wolf

Dick Wolf Headshot

Producer

Birth Date: December 20, 1946

Age: 77 years old

Birth Place: New York City, New York

A prolific writer and producer who created one of the most successful TV franchises in history, Dick Wolf entered the history books when his creation "Law & Order" (NBC, 1990-2010) tied perennial Western "Gunsmoke" (CBS, 1955-1975) as the longest-running shows on television. After starting his career writing forgettable movies in the late 1970s, Wolf joined the writing staff of "Hill Street Blues" (NBC, 1981-87) before moving on to form his own production company and embark on his signature "Law & Order" franchise, which was unique in breaking up the hour into two halves; the first dedicated to the police investigation of a crime and the second focusing on the courtroom prosecution. Because of the show's ratings success, Wolf had free reign to develop any show he pleased. That resulted in a string of interesting, but ultimately short-lived series failing to last more than a season. He decided instead to expand the "Law & Order" universe into two highly successful shows, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (NBC, 1999- ) and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (NBC, 2001-2011), both of which utilized the original's winning formula. With several characters making crossover appearances, Wolf was able to boost another show's appeal by adding an audience favorite to the cast for an episode, an arc or a season. Though he flopped with "Law & Order: Trial by Jury" (NBC/Court TV, 2005-06) and "Law & Order: Los Angeles" (NBC, 2010-11), Wolf's franchise flourished and underscored the producer's TV dominance for over three decades.

Born on Dec. 20, 1946 in New York City, Wolf was raised by his father, George, an advertising executive, and his mother, Marie, a homemaker. After attending Saint David's School in New York City, he went to private school at the Philips Academy in Andover, MA, where he was classmates with future president George W. Bush, and eventually graduated from The Gunnery in Litchfield Hills, CT. Wolf went on to earn his bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1969, where he was a member of the prestigious Zeta Psi fraternity. Following in his father's footsteps, Wolf began an advertising career as a copywriter for Benton & Bowles, where he created over 100 commercials in the early 1970s and launched into the nation's collective memory such catchphrases as "You can't beat Crest for fighting cavities" and the less than subtle "I'm Cheryl, fly me" for National Airlines. By the end of the decade, however, Wolf turned his attention to screenwriting, and while several of his scripts were bought by major studios, only a few saw the light of day as finished films.

Experienced at producing television ads, Wolf doubled in a similar capacity by producing a feature film, "Skateboard" (1978), a minor but amiable teen-oriented flick that starred famed Z-Boy skateboarder Tony Alva. He fared far less well with the spoof "Gas" (1981), which starred an aged Sterling Hayden as an oil tycoon who orchestrates a phony shortage in order to reap profits, but only manages to cause hysteria in a small town. Perhaps realizing movies were not his calling, Wolf segued to television where he began making an impact on the small screen when he joined "Hill Street Blues" (NBC, 1981-87) in 1985 and earned an Emmy Award nomination for his episode "What Are Friends For?" Wolf's return to feature films first saw another promising script idea go bust with "No Man's Land" (1987), but Wolf enjoyed considerably more success with "Masquerade" (1988), a stylishly executed suspense thriller in the vein of Hitchcock that starred Rob Lowe and Meg Tilly. From there, he formed his own production company, Wolf Films, marking his start in TV production.

Wolf's biggest success of this period was a genuine phenomenon, "Law & Order" (NBC, 1990-2010), a police procedural and legal drama that focused on two halves of a crime: the first half centered on the investigation by NYPD detectives, while the second half followed the prosecution headed by Manhattan's District Attorney's Office. Featuring solid acting and mature writing, the series racked up an impressive list of award nominations and wins for both its regular cast and guest actors. The series was a surprise winner of the 1997 Best Drama Series Emmy even while managing to overcome the departures of its original cast members, including Michael Moriarity, Chris Noth and George Dzunda, as well as the ill-fitting and short-lived addition of major name stars such as Paul Sorvino and Dianne Weist. Perhaps the show's continued critical acclaim and consistent ratings had something to do with the presence of Sam Waterston as Executive Assistant District Attorney Jack McCoy and Jerry Orbach as Det. Lennie Briscoe, both of whom were the heart and soul of the long-running series.

The success of "Law & Order" and Wolf's dependable track record enabled him to launch a seemingly endless progression of new series, though most were unable to survive their inaugural season. His résumé included the sci-fi cop drama "Mann & Machine" (NBC, 1992), the medical drama "The Human Factor" (CBS, 1992), another crime drama "Crime & Punishment" (NBC, 1993) and the spy series "South Beach" (NBC, 1993). He continued churning out short-lived series like the courtroom drama "The Wright Verdicts" (CBS, 1995), "Swift Justice" (UPN, 1996), the gangster series "Feds" (CBS, 1997) and the ensemble urban crime adventure "Players" (NBC, 1997). Though his investigative journalism drama "Deadline" (NBC, 2000) was well-regarded, it too failed to last beyond one season. From there, he made the youthful political potboiler "D.C." (The WB, 2000), the syndicated reality series documenting real-life court room dramas "Arrest & Trial" (2000), another reality series that recycled the title "Crime & Punishment" (NBC. 2002-04) and a remake of the classic cop series "L.A. Dragnet" (ABC/USA Network, 2002-04). The only series to catch on was "New York Undercover" (Fox, 1994-98), a crime drama about a squad of young police detectives from a Harlem precinct assigned to an elite undercover unit in downtown Manhattan where standard police procedures do not apply.

Despite a long string of failures, Wolf was incredibly successful in turning "Law & Order" into a full-fledged franchise complete with TV movies and spin-offs. The first inklings of the broader possibilities came with the highly-rated TV movie "Law & Order: Exiled" (NBC, 1998) in which Chris Noth reprised his role as Det. Mike Logan. From there, the network tapped Wolf to create the spin-off series "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1999- ), which followed the tried-and-true formula established on the original series, but focusing on sex crimes. The show was a big hit with viewers and made stars out of leads Mariska Hargitay as Det. Olivia Benson, who was nominated for numerous Emmy Awards and won in 2006, and Christopher Meloni as Det. Elliot Stabler. Next was the equally well-rated "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (NBC, 2001-2011), viewing the justice system from the criminal's point of view, starring Vincent D'Onofrio, Kathryn Erbe, Jamey Sheridan and Courtney B. Vance. The first spin-off effort to flop was "Law & Order: Trial by Jury" (NBC/Court TV, 2005-06), which focused on the jury system, and starred Bebe Neuwirth and reprising Fred Thompson reprising his role. Orbach was originally supposed to reprise his Briscoe character on the new series, but production was forced to deal with the actor's unexpected death in 2004.

Proving that nothing was infallible, Wolf saw another "Law & Order" spin-off fail to catch on with "Conviction" (NBC, 2006), a mid-season replacement that saw Stephanie March reprise her "SUV" character Alexandra Cabot, who returns to New York City to become a Bureau Chief ADA. After producing the TV movie "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" (HBO, 2007), which won several Emmys including Outstanding Made for Television Movie, Wolf brought his juggernaut franchise across the pond with "Law & Order: UK" (ITV/STV/UTV, 2009-14), where it proved a success. He tried to bring the show out west with "Law & Order: Los Angeles" (NBC, 2010-11) starring Terrence Howard and Alfred Molina, but the series suffered a ratings decline following a revamp before season two. In 2010, after tying "Gunsmoke" (CBS, 1955-1975) as the longest-running series in television history, "Law & Order" was canceled by NBC, much to Wolf's chagrin. He attempted to find a new network for the series, but found no takers. After contemplating a two-hour movie to wrap things up properly, he finally parted ways with his franchise show. Branching out beyond "Law & Order" for the first time in quite a while, Wolf produced "Chicago Fire" (NBC, 2012- ), a drama that followed the trials and tribulations of a team of firefighters and paramedics in Chicago. The show was well-received by critics, but struggled in the ratings. Meanwhile, in 2013, Wolf was inducted into The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' Hall of Fame.

By Shawn Dwyer

Credits

Homicide: New YorkStream

Executive Producer
Docuseries
2024

TEST SHOW

Executive Producer
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2024

Prosecuting Evil with Kelly SieglerStream

Executive Producer
Reality
2023

LA Fire & RescueStream

Executive Producer
Reality
2023

FBI: International

Executive Producer
Show
2023

Blood & MoneyStream

Creator
Docuseries
2023

Blood & MoneyStream

Executive Producer
Docuseries
2023

Law and Order SVU

Creator
Show
2023

Final MomentsStream

Executive Producer
Reality
2022

FBI: InternationalStream

Creator
Series
2021

FBI: InternationalStream

Executive Producer
Series
2021

FBI: InternationalStream

Writer
Series
2021

Law & Order: For the Defense

Executive Producer
Show
2021

Law & Order: Organized CrimeStream

Creator
Series
2021

Law & Order: Organized CrimeStream

Executive Producer
Series
2021

Naked SingularityStream

Executive Producer
Movie
2021
28%

Prawo i porządek: Zbrodniczy zamiar

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Show
2020

Prawo i porządek: Zbrodniczy zamiar

Executive Producer
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2020

FBI: Most WantedStream

Executive Producer
Series
2020

The Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVU

Actor
Show
2020

First Responders LiveStream

Executive Producer
Reality
2019

Murder for HireStream

Creator
Docudrama
2019

Murder for HireStream

Executive Producer
Docudrama
2019

Law & Order: Hate Crimes

Creator
Show
2019

Law & Order: Hate Crimes

Executive Producer
Show
2019

FBI's Most Wanted

Executive Producer
Show
2018

FBIStream

Creator
Series
2018

FBIStream

Executive Producer
Series
2018

FBIStream

Writer
Series
2018

Nightwatch NationStream

Executive Producer
Reality
2018

Criminal Confessions

Executive Producer
Reality
2017

Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez MurdersStream

Executive Producer
Docudrama
2017
64%

Inside the FBI: New York

Director
Reality
2017

Inside the FBI: New York

Executive Producer
Reality
2017

Chicago JusticeStream

Executive Producer
Series
2017
73%

The Paley Center Salutes NBC's 90th Anniversary

Guest
Show
2017

The Super

Producer
Movie
2017

Chicago MedStream

Creator
Series
2015

Chicago MedStream

Executive Producer
Series
2015

Cold Justice: Sex Crimes

Executive Producer
Reality
2015

NightwatchStream

Executive Producer
Reality
2015

Nightwatch

Executive Producer
Show
2015

Dead Again

Executive Producer
Show
2014

Chicago P.D.Stream

Creator
Series
2014

Chicago P.D.Stream

Executive Producer
Series
2014

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Extras

Actor
Show
2013

Cold JusticeStream

Creator
Reality
2013

Cold JusticeStream

Executive Producer
Reality
2013

Chicago FireStream

Executive Producer
Series
2012

Chicago FireStream

Writer
Series
2012

Stars Earn StripesStream

Executive Producer
Reality
2012

Law & Order: LA

Executive Producer
Show
2010

Paris enquêtes criminelles

Creator
Show
2010

Paris enquêtes criminelles

Director
Show
2010

Test Show 1

Executive Producer
Show
2010

Test Show 1

Executive Producer
Show
2010

Crime and Punishment

Producer
Show
2010

Law & Order: UKStream

Creator
Series
2009

Law & Order: UKStream

Executive Producer
Series
2009

The Doors: When You're StrangeStream

Producer
Movie
2009
60%

Paris enquêtes criminelles

Creator
Show
2007

Paris enquêtes criminelles

Writer
Show
2007

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee

Executive Producer
Movie
2007

Conviction

Creator
Show
2006

Conviction

Executive Producer
Show
2006

Law & Order: Trial by JuryStream

Executive Producer
Series
2005

Fire and Rescue

Executive Producer
Show
2003

L.A. DragnetStream

Executive Producer
Series
2003

Dragnet

Executive Producer
Show
2003

Crime & Punishment

Executive Producer
Show
2002

Law & Order: Criminal IntentStream

Actor
Series
2001

Law & Order: Criminal IntentStream

Executive Producer
Series
2001

Law & Order: Criminal IntentStream

Story
Series
2001

Deadline

Executive Producer
Show
2000

D.C.

Executive Producer
Show
2000

Law & Order: Special Victims UnitStream

Creator
Series
1999
78%

Law & Order: Special Victims UnitStream

Executive Producer
Series
1999
78%

Family Guy

Guest Voice
Himself
Show
1999

Family GuyStream

Guest Voice
Himself
Series
1999

Exiled: A Law & Order Movie

Executive Producer
Movie
1998

Players

Executive Producer
Show
1997

Feds

Executive Producer
Show
1997

Feds

Writer
Show
1997

Swift Justice

Executive Producer
Series
1996

The Wright Verdicts

Executive Producer
Show
1995

New York UndercoverStream

Executive Producer
Series
1994

School TiesStream

Writer
Movie
1992
60%

Law & OrderStream

Creator
Series
1990

Law & OrderStream

Executive Producer
Series
1990

Law & OrderStream

Producer
Series
1990

Law & OrderStream

Writer
Series
1990

Gideon Oliver: The Last Plane From Coramaya

Producer
Movie
1989

Masquerade

Executive Producer
Movie
1988

Masquerade

Screenwriter
Movie
1988

No Man's Land

Writer
Movie
1987

Miami ViceStream

Writer
Series
1984
71%

Entertainment Tonight

Guest
News
1981

20/20Stream

Guest
News
1978

Skateboard

Producer
Movie
1978

Today

Guest
News
1952

News aboutDick Wolf

Dean Winters as Detective Brian Cassidy, Dann Florek as Captain Donald Cragen, Mariska Hargitay as Detective Olivia Benson, Christopher Meloni as Detective Elliot Stabler, Michelle Hurd as Detective Monique Jefferies, Richard Belzer as Detective John Munch in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - Season 1

Why We Still Can’t Get Enough of ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’

Daphne Abdela in court

Dick Wolf’s ‘Homicide: New York’ Cases: What Happened to the Killers?

Mariska Hargitay, Christopher Meloni in 'Law & Order'
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‘Law & Order’: What to Expect From the Franchise in 2024

Oliver Platt as Daniel Charles and Marlyne Barrett as Maggie Lockwood in 'Chicago Med' - 'The Winds Of Change Are Starting To Blow'

‘Chicago Med’ Adding ‘Troubled’ New Doctor With Past Connection to Dr. Charles

Christopher Meloni as Detective Elliot Stabler, Mariska Hargitay as Captain Olivia Benson in Law & Order: Organized Crime

‘Law & Order,’ ‘FBI’ & ‘Chicago Fire’ Writers Back at Work: When Will Shows Return to TV?

Bria Samoné Henderson as Dr. Jordan Allen and Brandon Larracuente as Dr. Danny Perez in 'The Good Doctor'

Brandon Larracuente Exiting ‘The Good Doctor,’ Joining New Dick Wolf Show ‘On Call’

Katherine Renee Kane, Boyd, Peregrym, Dylan McDermott
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‘FBI’ Blowout! Crossover Boss Explains How Each Episode is Connected

‘Law & Order: SVU’ Family Mourns Richard Belzer: Mariska Hargitay, Chris Meloni & More Tributes

Kelli Giddish on Law & Order: SVU

Kelli Giddish Exits ‘SVU’: Mariska Hargitay & More Pay Tribute

John Oliver and Dick Wolf

‘Law & Order’ & Dick Wolf Slammed by John Oliver Over Portrayal of Police

Cold Justice - Kelly Siegler and team
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‘Cold Justice’ Sets Series Return & Landmark 100th Episode at Oxygen (VIDEO)

Dick Wolf Shows FBI Missy Peregrym and Law & Order Sam Waterston

Ask Matt: Dick Wolf’s Multi-Network Empire

Mehcad Brooks attends Tyler Perry's 'A Fall From Grace' New York premiere

‘Law & Order’: Mehcad Brooks Joins Season 22 as Detective

Sam Waterson in Law & Order / Christopher Meloni & Ainsely Seiger in Law & Order: Organized Crime

NBC Renews ‘Law & Order’ and ‘Law & Order: Organized Crime’

Final Moments Oxygen
Preview

Oxygen’s ‘Final Moments’ Explores the Emotional Impact of Crime

Sam Waterston as D.A. Jack McCoy, Anthony Anderson as Detective Kevin Bernard in Law & Order
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The Road Back to ‘Law & Order’ With Dick Wolf, Sam Waterston & Anthony Anderson

Sam Waterston as Asst. D.A. Jack McCoy in Law & Order

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Dark Woods art

A TV Adaptation of Dick Wolf’s Podcast ‘Dark Woods’ Is in the Works

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How Monica Raymund’s Role in the ‘Dark Woods’ Podcast Compares to ‘Chicago Fire’s Dawson

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Heida Reed, Luke Kleintank, Vinessa Vidotto, 'FBI: International,' 'FBI' Spinoff 'FBI: International' Casts Its Leads, Featured Image

‘FBI: International’: Leads Cast for New ‘FBI’ Spinoff on CBS

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All the Dick Wolf TV Shows Scheduled for the 2021–2022 Season

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‘FBI: International’ Takes Dick Wolf’s Franchise to New Places (VIDEO)

NBC Fall Schedule

NBC Announces Fall 2021’s Drama-Filled Schedule, ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ to Conclude This Summer

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‘Law & Order: Organized Crime’ Renewed for Season 2 at NBC

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IMDb TV Orders New Dick Wolf Drama ‘On Call’

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CBS Renews ‘FBI’ and ‘Most Wanted,’ Orders ‘International’ Spinoff

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‘Law & Order’ Turns 30: Inside the Making of the Iconic Procedural

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Where Can You Stream ‘Law & Order: SVU’ & One Chicago? Dick Wolf Series Being Shopped

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‘First Responders Live’ Sneak Peek: Meet Ramon Cooper (VIDEO)

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Dick Wolf Planning ‘FBI’ Crossover With ‘Law & Order: SVU’ or ‘Chicago P.D.’

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‘Live PD’ & ‘First Responders Live’ EPs on Viewers’ ‘Huge Appetite’ for Heroes

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‘Murder for Hire’ Sneak Peek: See What Happens When a Therapist Blackmails a Patient (VIDEO)

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - Season 20

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113903-0219b

‘FBI’ Is Getting the Spinoff Treatment at CBS With ‘FBI: Most Wanted’

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‘FBI’s Dick Wolf on Casting Missy Peregrym & Zeeko Zaki and What Makes This Series Different

Screen Shot 2018-09-04 at 4.00.12 PM

Dick Wolf Expands ‘Law & Order’ Franchise With New Series

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‘Nightwatch Nation’ Follows Real Life EMTs Saving Lives Across the U.S. (VIDEO)

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Dick Wolf Goes Unscripted With His Latest Venture, ‘Inside the FBI: New York’

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The Heat Is On: Why Season 5 of ‘Chicago Fire’ Is Hotter Than Ever

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‘Chicago Justice’: Dick Wolf’s New Legal Series Tackles the “Anger Prevalent in the Country Today”

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Dick Wolf on ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’s Unaired Trump-Inspired Episode

JIMMY FALLON - TVGM

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NBC Orders ‘Chicago Justice’ to Series

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‘Law & Order: SVU’ Lands a New Showrunner: ‘Law & Order’ Alum Rick Eid

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Dick Wolf, NBC Extend Deal Through 2020

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A Fourth ‘Chicago’ Series? Dick Wolf Confirms, ‘There Have Been Discussions’

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Nightwatch

Nightwatch: Dick Wolf’s Latest Crime Drama ‘Doesn’t Have Filters’