Steven Hill, the actor who portrayed quick-thinking District Attorney Adam Schiff on “Law & Order,” died on Tuesday at age 94.
He starred on the show from 1990 to 2000, and was eventually replaced as the D.A. by Sam Waterson’ character Jack McCoy.
But as great as McCoy was, he never truly replaced Schiff and his highly quotable one-liners.
Often times blurted out while eating food at NYC diners and restaurants, Hill ‘s stoic but humorous portrayal of Schiff made the show that much better.
Here are some of Schiff’s best quips.
“For all you know, you don’t know anything. Between Internal Affairs and you, the Red Sox couldn’t have done a better job of botching it up.”
Hill’s role on “Law & Order” ended in 2000, four years before the Boston Red Sox reversed their curse.
Therefore, they were still targets of good fun when it came to losing and collapsing in pop culture.
“I LOVE cases where a homicidal gun dealer is our best witness.”
Sarcasm was Schiff’s second language.
“I know how to scramble eggs, doesn’t mean I made breakfast.”
Schiff rarely did make breakfast on his own, as so many of his memorable line came between chews.
“When I’m in the dumps I have a scotch and put on Louis Armstrong.”
Schiff proving how relatable he was. Barring maybe the choice of drink and soundtrack. We’ve all been there.
“Last time an Albany jury convicted a cop, I had a full head of black hair.”
Lines like this still ring true on any cop and law drama.
“He confessed to a murder to avoid being prosecuted for a murder. I’m putting this one in my memoirs.”
The law can be quirky sometimes.
“You climbed Everest in your shorts on a cold day.”
People try and climb Mount Everest every day, but you get the point.
“This defense! Like my grandmother’s nightgown, it covers everything.”
There’s much non-needed imagery given here by Schiff, but it is quite the analogy.
“Never ask a jury to think.”
You can’t have too much faith in people to always get the decision right.
“Dismissed? What have you been sprinkling on your breakfast cereal?”
Schiff often blurted out great lines like this when he didn’t get his way.
