“As the writer, I have complete control of where I would like my story to go.”
While he might be best remembered for playing a trauma surgeon on American TV, Eriq La Salle has amassed an impressive list of credits to his name. In addition to breaking into television directing and producing, his most recent creative pursuit has been authoring a series of thriller novels: Laws of Depravity, Laws of Wrath, and the latest installment Laws of Annihilation, which hits shelves everywhere today.
But long before he started professionally penning books, La Salle was classically trained as an actor at Juilliard’s Drama Division in New York City, followed by a stint at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. His love for acting developed in high school, when he auditioned for a part in Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. “Of course that continued through my time at Juilliard and NYU,” he told me. “Thanks to my mother, a deep respect for the craft and that is where I draw my inspiration to this day.”
La Salle thought he received his big break when he was cast to appear alongside Eddie Murphy in Coming to America, but his true breakthrough would be when he was cast on Dr. Peter Benton on the NBC medical drama ER. “I remember just being in love with the idea, details, and adventure of being an actor,” he recalled of that time in his career. “At the time I was too green to know where it would lead. It wasn’t always so great, as you know from what young actors share today. But what I do remember is the friendships that were being created with my co-stars.”
When I asked him if there was a feeling amongst the cast and crew that ER would become a beloved, long-running phenomenon, he was adamant that no one ever knows if something is going to be a big hit, especially during that era of network television. “But the vibe was great regardless because we were a tight knit cast,” he said. “As witnessed today, many of the cast members have reached a level of greatness that no one could have predicted at that time. I am happy to have had the opportunity to work alongside such a level of talent.”
La Salle spent eight years as Dr. Benton on the medical drama, and it was only once he started getting his hands dirty as an actor did he start learning things that could never be taught in school. “It’s not always about talent; sometimes it’s just about hustle, about showing up,” he told me.
“But then there is also nepotism and things beyond your control. You do the best with what you have and you let your talent, tenacity, and passion drive the rest. Also, not everyone is going to appreciate, enjoy, or like your performance or content, but stay true to yourself and remember the rest are just opinions.” This is something that has remained particularly true as he’s ventured into writing books. “I know they are not going to be for everyone. But those who love books that are action-packed with short chapters, and even — dare I say — a little love story included, will enjoy my writing.”
After leaving the main cast of ER in 2002, La Salle would spend the next few years of his career as director and producer of television, something he’d gotten a taste of during his time as a contract actor on network TV. “I actually began directing in 1996 for HBO on a movie called Rebound,” he clarified. As such, producing and directing was always an aspect he’d wanted to have in his acting career.
“I wouldn’t say the focus shifted [after I left ER],” La Salle explained. “But when I think back, after I was fired from a big movie for a part opposite a major female star, because producers ultimately felt that I looked too young to play her love interest, that was one of the things that inspired me to diversify my career goals. The same is true today. I started writing my book series 10 years ago. I didn’t know, as I interview with you today, that Laws of Annihilation would be promoted and possibly released during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. I have always wanted to be a writer. Acting just took center stage for awhile. It’s nice to know that it is never too late to follow your dreams.”
He loves the creative control that directors and producers have that actors don’t always get the best. “Directing and producing empowers me. Trying to find solutions for the myriad of obstacles is always challenging but ultimately rewarding. It’s almost akin to writing my novels — I get to direct the who, what, when, where, and how of my characters. As the writer, I have complete control of where I would like my story to go.”
A particular milestone in La Salle’s directing career was when he returned to ER in its final season to direct an episode. “Directing friends and former colleagues holds special gifts and benefits,” he told me. “That is still true today as an executive producer and director in the Dick Wolf/Universal Entertainment camp. When I am called to produce and direct an episode of the Law & Order or Chicago franchises, it feels like going home. I have been friends with many of the actors and actresses for years. They appreciate and trust a familiar face, but also understand the level of commitment I bring to everything I do. There is a mutual respect, which ultimately makes for good storytelling and great television.”
But he’s always considered himself a storyteller at heart, whether he’s telling a story as an actor, director, or producer. So it only seems logical that the next step was publishing. “Writing books is a natural extension and expression of that honored craft,” La Salle said. “I mentioned earlier that I began writing books only 10 years ago, but the stories were always there. I had to find the right form of media to share them with all of you. Also, owning my IP is very important to me. I also talked about control earlier. Well, I have a vision for the stories included in my thrillers that goes beyond the page. I would like to see them on the big screen or major streaming outlet one day.”
As far as his current series of books, La Salle wants readers to know that they will not stop at a trilogy. He describes the films Se7en and The Silence of the Lambs as great tonal influencers of his book series. “The series focuses on two of New York’s best homicide detectives who team up with a female FBI agent to investigate New York cities highest profile serial killings. The series was accurately described by Publisher’s Weekly as a combination of thriller and spiritual quest. While the three main characters are found in all three novels, each book can be read as a standalone. And, once you’ve read all three the reader will notice that each protagonist has his or her own book and storyline, even though all three are prominent in each book.”
La Salle assured me that he has more on the go across each form of media. “Before the strike, we were in the middle of shooting Dick Wolf’s first streaming series called On Call, which will be out in 2024 on Amazon Prime Video. I directed the pilot, am executive producing, and also acting in. I’m excited to get back to that when the strike is over. In addition to continuing this thriller series I am also writing a family drama loosely based on my mother, as well as toying with the possibility of writing an erotic thriller.” With so many balls in the air, it’s a wonder the actor/author/director isn’t overwhelmed. But La Salle clearly knows a thing or two about time management by now.
This interview has been slightly edited for length and clarity. Follow Eriq La Salle on Twitter and Instagram, and buy his latest novel Laws of Annihilation wherever books are sold.
Jeffrey Reads 