Many future stars appeared in the Dick Wolf TV universe over the years.
She played a 14-year-old girl named Maggie Conner, who is being investigated for the murder of her mother.
Then a relatively unknown actress, Goodwin played a young woman named Erica.

Sarah Paulson, Timothée Chalamet, and Kerry Washington on ‘Law & Order’.Credit:NBC (3)
Sarah Hyland
Sarah Hylandwas just 13 when she appeared onLaw & Order.
The futureModern Familyactress played Kristine McLean in a 2004 episode.
The late star played Steven Hanauer, a man facing trial in a rape case.

Sarah Paulson on ‘Law & Order’.NBC
Kerry Washington
BeforeScandal,Django Unchained, or evenRay, there wasLaw & Order.
She played Jaime, a graduate student.
Julianna Margulies
Three-time Emmy-winnerJulianna Marguliesnabbed the second onscreen credit of her career thanks toLaw & Order.

Ginnifer Goodwin on ‘Law & Order’.NBC
After appearing inOut for Justice, she popped up in a 1993 episode as Navy Lieutenant Ruth Mendoza.
Josh Radnor
Early in his career,Josh RadnorjoinedLaw & Orderfor one 2002 episode.
The futureHow I Met Your Motherstar played a man named Robert Kitson.

Laverne Cox on ‘Law & Order’.NBC
He followed this up with a role as Sgt.
Two years later, he played a man named Donnie onLaw & Order.
The actor and Grammy-nominated singer rolled in on the show in 2000, playing Danny Driscoll.

Sarah Hyland on ‘Law & Order’.NBC
Allison Janney
Years before she made it to the White House asThe West Wing’s C.J.
She played Nora in a 1992 installment and Ann Madsen in 1994.
The actress was featured in one 1994 episode as Martha Bowen.

Timothée Chalamet (left) on ‘Law & Order’.NBC
Emmy Rossum
ShamelessEmmy Rossum’s first credited acting gig was in a 1997 episode ofLaw & Order.
The young actress played Alison Martin, a girl in a bad situation with her family.
Amanda Peet
Dirty JohnactressAmanda Peetpicked up an early role in one 1995 episode ofLaw & Order.

Idris Elba on ‘Law & Order’.NBC
She played Leslie Harlan, a woman in the midst of a mysterious case.
He played Justin Capshaw, a young man who was kidnapped as a boy.
She returned in 2000 as Laura Kendrick.

Connie Nielsen and Elle Fanning on ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’.Will Hart/NBC
He appeared in a 2000 episode as Paul Donatelli and returned to the show in 2003 as Herman Capshaw.
She reprised the role for additional turns in 1994, 1997, and 1998.
Felicity Huffman
Early in her career,Desperate HousewivesstarFelicity Huffmanappeared onLaw & Order.

Philip Seymour Hoffman on ‘Law & Order’.NBC
For his chilling performance, Williams earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.

Kerry Washington on ‘Law & Order’.NBC

Leighton Meester on ‘Law & Order’.NBC

Jennifer Garner (right) on ‘Law & Order’.NBC

Julianna Margulies on ‘Law & Order’.NBC

Claire Danes on ‘Law & Order’.NBC

Josh Radnor on ‘Law & Order’.NBC

Colman Domingo on on ‘Law & Order’.NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Jesse McCartney on ‘Law & Order’.NBC

Kate Walsh on ‘Law & Order’.NBC

Allison Janney on ‘Law & Order’.NBC

Zoe Saldaña and Selenis Leyva on ‘Law & Order’.NBC

Laura Linney on ‘Law & Order’.NBC

Tony Hale on ‘Law & Order’.NBC

Chris Messina on ‘Law & Order’.NBC

Emmy Rossum on ‘Law & Order’.NBC

Amanda Peet on ‘Law & Order’.NBC

Carolyn McCormick and Sebastian Stan on ‘Law & Order’.NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Courtney B. Vance on ‘Law & Order’.NBC

Ellen Pompeo on ‘Law & Order’.NBC

Peter Facinelli (right) on ‘Law & Order’.NBC

Vera Farmiga on ‘Law & Order’.NBC

Chandra Wilson on ‘Law & Order’.NBC

Ty Burrell on ‘Law & Order’.NBC

Edie Falco and Jerry Orbach on ‘Law & Order’.NBC

Felicity Huffman on ‘Law & Order’.NBC

Isaiah Washington on ‘Law & Order’.NBC

Robin Williams on ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’.Virginia Sherwood/NBC