Eriq La Salle
An actor who brought intense humanity to the groundbreaking role of Dr. Peter Benton, reshaping television's portrayal of Black professionals.
Born 1962 (age 64)·American actor, director, and writer·Birthday: July 23·Baby Boomers
Biography
Eriq La Salle carved a permanent place in television history not just by playing a brilliant surgeon, but by embodying a complex, driven, and often uncompromising character on ER. His portrayal of Dr. Peter Benton was a revelation in the 1990s, a Black doctor whose authority and skill were never in question, yet whose personal struggles with fatherhood and pride made him deeply human. The role earned him critical praise and a loyal audience. Beyond acting, La Salle directed numerous episodes of ER and other series, proving his sharp eye behind the camera. He has also authored crime novels, showcasing a narrative skill that extends beyond the screen, and continues to work as a producer and director, maintaining a steady, respected presence in the industry.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Eriq was born in 1962, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Eriq Was Born
The biggest hits of 1962
#1 Movie
Lawrence of Arabia
Best Picture
Lawrence of Arabia
#1 TV Show
Beverly Hillbillies
Eriq's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1962Born
Cuban Missile Crisis brings the world to the brink
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,800Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Stranger on the Shore" — Acker BilkBest Picture: Lawrence of Arabia
1967Started school
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1975Became a teenager
Fall of Saigon ends the Vietnam War
Gas: $0.57/galHome: $27,600Min wage: $2.10/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & TennilleBest Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1978Could drive
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1980Could vote
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1983Turned 21
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1992Turned 30
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2002Turned 40
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2012Turned 50
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 60
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 64 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Received three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role on ER.
- Won three NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for his performance as Dr. Peter Benton.
- Directed over 30 episodes of television, including multiple episodes of ER and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
- Published a series of crime thriller novels beginning with 'Laws of Depravity'.
Did You Know?
He changed the spelling of his first name from 'Eric' to 'Eriq' early in his career to stand out.
He is a graduate of the prestigious Juilliard School's drama division.
Before ER, he played a memorable villain, Detective Shepard, in the film 'Coming to America.'
He returned to the role of Dr. Benton for several episodes of the NBC drama 'Chicago Med.'
“I never saw Benton as a Black character or a white character; I saw him as a human being.”
