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23 Actors Who Went On To Have Big Careers After Starting As Guest Stars On A "Law & Order" Series

Timothée Chalamet's first TV acting credit was in a Law & Order episode in 2009.

1. Sarah Paulson's very first acting credit was in a 1994 episode of Law & Order as Maggie Conner.

Closeup of Sarah Paulson in Law and Order

2. After starring in a movie, where he's credited as "kid," Sebastian Stan's first notable acting credit came when he appeared as Justin Lafferty on Law & Order in 2003.

Sebastian Stan on Law and Order

3. Sabrina Carpenter's very first acting credit was an episode of Law & Order: SVU from 2011 where she played a girl named Paula.

Sabrina Carpenter on Law and Order

4. Before his breakout role in Stranger Things, Caleb McLaughlin appeared in an episode of Law & Order: SVU in 2013 as "Boy." It marked his first ever acting credit.

Screenshot from "Law and Order"

5. After appearing in two short films, Timothée Chalamet made his TV acting debut as Eric Foley in an episode of Law & Order in 2009.

Timothée Chalamet in Law and Order

6. One of Jeremy Allen White's earliest acting credits was as Jeremy in an episode of Law & Order in 2007.

Jeremy Allen White in "Law and Order"

7. Chandra Wilson's second TV role ever was in an episode of Law & Order as Serena Price in 1992.

Chandra Wilson in "Law and Order"

8. Long before Modern Family, Ty Burrell's very first acting credit was as Paul Donatelli in an episode of Law & Order in 2000. Ty also appeared in the same episode as Sebastian Stan in 2003, where he played his dad.

Ty Burrell on Law and Order

9. Jennifer Garner's first recognizable acting credit was as Jaime in the Season 6 finale of Law & Order in 1996.

Closeup of Jennifer Garner

10. In his first TV appearance ever, Rob McElhenney appeared on an episode of Law & Order in 1997 as Joey Timon.

Rob McElhenney on Law and Order

11. After appearing in a short film, Ellen Pompeo's first acting credit was in a 1996 episode of Law & Order as Jenna Weber.

Closeup of Ellen Pompeo

12. Emmy Rossum's first ever acting credit was in a 1997 episode of Law & Order as Alison Martin.

Emmy Rossum in Law and Order

13. In his first acting appearance ever, Philip Seymour Hoffman guest starred in an episode of Law & Order in 1991 as Steven Hanauer.

Philip Seymour Hoffman in Law and Order

14. In her first onscreen acting appearance ever, Leighton Meester appeared as Alyssa Turner in an episode of Law & Order in 1999.

Leighton Meester in Law and Order

15. Long before Stranger Things, David Harbour's second TV credit was in a 2002 episode of Law & Order: SVU as Terry Jessup.

Closeup of David Harbour

16. In 2004, Chadwick Boseman made an appearance on Law & Order as Foster Keyes. This marked one of Chadwick's very first TV appearances.

Closeup of Chadwick Boseman

17. A year before her breakout role in Center Stage, Zoe Saldaña's first acting credit was in an episode of Law & Order as Belinca in 1999.

Zoe Saldana in Law and Order

18. Lili Reinhart's first notable guest starring role was on an episode of Law & Order: SVU in 2011, where she played Courtney Lane.

Closeup of Lili Reinhart

19. In 2010, Adam Driver appeared in a TV movie at the same time he guest starred as Robby Vickery in an episode of Law & Order.

Adam Driver on Law and order

20. Allison Janney's first notable guest starring role was on an episode of Law & Order in 1992, where she played a character named Nora.

Closeup of Allison Janney

21. Claire Danes's very first acting credit is for playing Tracy Brandt in the Season 3 premiere of Law & Order in 1992.

Closeup of Claire Danes

22. In his first onscreen acting appearance ever, Lee Pace appeared on an episode of Law & Order: SVU in 2002 as Benjamin Tucker.

Closeup of Lee Pace

23. And finally, after having a small role in a movie, Julianna Margulies's first notable role was as Lt. Ruth Mendoza in Law & Order in 1993.

Julianna Margulies in Law and Order

There are obviously a ton more actors who got their start on a Law & Order universe series; which other ones do you love? Tell us in the comments below!

Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU are streaming on Peacock.