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How did Ned Eisenberg die? 'Law & Order' star and TV veteran dies at 65

Best known for playing defense lawyer Roger Kressler on 'Law & Oder: Special Victims Unit', Eisenberg's career spanned decades and genres

Veteran actor Ned Eisenberg, who is perhaps best known for playing James Granick in 'Law & Order' and Roger Kressler 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' died on February 27 at his home in New York. The actor's passing was confirmed by his wife Patricia and representative Jeremy Leiner. The news brings down the curtains on one of the most prolific careers in TV, with Eisenberg's credits dating back to 1980.

On January 17, Breck Denny, the comedian best known for 'Ratched' tragically died just months before he was to be married. On January 31, 'The Walking Dead' star Moses Moseley also died at the young age of 31. But perhaps the biggest death of the year so far is that of legendary comedian Bob Saget, whose demise is shrouded in mystery and subject to numerous conspiracy theories. 

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But if Saget's death was unexpected, it appears Eisenberg's was not. Speaking to the press, Patricia confirmed that the veteran actor had secretly been battling two deadly diseases for the last two years and ultimately succumbed to them in February 2022. "Over the course of two years, he bravely fought the cancers in private while continuing to work in show business to ensure that his medical coverage paid for himself and his family," she told TMZ.

How did Ned Eisenberg die?

Patricia dubbed Eisenberg's death as a result of "two very rare assassins", naming two cancers for taking his life. Reportedly, the actor was battling cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) and ocular melanoma (eye cancer), both of which are extremely rare diseases. Ocular melanoma reportedly occurs in about 5 per million adults, and cholangiocarcinoma has been reported in 1 per 100,000 people per year in the USA. 

Tragically, both of these very rare diseases struck Eisenberg at the same time, despite which he managed to appear in several high-profile TV shows like 'The Blacklist', 'Mare of Easttown', and 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'. A New York native, Eisenberg reportedly died in his home. Born in the Bronx in 1957, Eisenberg graduated from the High School of Performing Arts. He then began his multi-decade-long career on TV, film, and the stage with the 1980 movie 'The Exterminator'. 

Eisenberg has appeared in several notable films as well, including the Oscar-award winning 'Million Dollar Baby', 'Flags of Our Fathers', 'Limitless', and 'Won't Back Down.' However, he is perhaps best remembered for his time on the silver screen, where he appeared in shows like 'Person of Interest', 'Made in Jersey', '30 Rock', and 'NYPD Blue'. His biggest credits to date though are without a doubt his recurring roles of Garnick and Kressler, which he played for nearly two decades. 

'Law & Order' fans have now taken to social media to mourn the beloved actor, with tweets like, "Rest in Peace Ned Eisenberg,you will always be remembered and by the fans of SVU," and "Aww, our dear sweet friend #NedEisenberg has passed on. Loved him so. He was crucial in forming #NakedAngels a super talented actor and writer. He will be deeply missed. RIP brother..." A third tweeted, "So very sad to hear this news. #NedEisenberg A lovely man, extraordinary actor and the kindest human. Love and prayers to his family. You will be so very missed."