'Law & Order: SVU' Actor Ned Eisenberg Dead at 65 After Cancer Battle: 'He Will Be Missed'

Actor Ned Eisenberg, who had a recurring role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Roger Kressler, died on Sunday at 65

By
Dory Jackson
dory jackson headshot
Dory Jackson
Dory Jackson is an Associate Editor for PEOPLE's digital TV team. While at the brand, she's had the opportunity to interview a long list of celebrities, from Kate Hudson to Pierce Brosnan to Billy Porter. She has also helped recap popular TV shows like 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,' 'Sister Wives' and 'Vanderpump Rules.' The New York-based Maryland native graduated from Randolph-Macon College in May 2016 with a focus on Communication Studies and Journalism. She came to PEOPLE in March 2021 after working at a number of major news companies, including Newsweek and Us Weekly. 
People Editorial Guidelines
Published on February 28, 2022 06:18PM EST
Ned Eisenberg
Photo: John Lamparski/WireImage

Actor Ned Eisenberg has died at 65.

Eisenberg died on Sunday at his home in New York, his agents at Nicolosi & Co. confirmed to PEOPLE on Monday. TMZ was the first to report the news of Eisenberg's death.

The actor had been battling two forms of cancer ahead of his death: cholangiocarcinoma and ocular melanoma. In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Eisenberg's wife, Patricia, said he "bravely fought" his two cancer diagnoses.

"As Ned would say, he was attacked by two very rare assassins — cholangiocarcinoma and ocular melanoma," she said. "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."

In addition to his wife, Patricia, Eisenberg is survived by the couple's son, Lino.

His friend and former manager, Craig Dorfman, tells PEOPLE that Eisenberg "was one of the kindest and most talented actors with whom I ever worked," adding, "He will be missed."

Celebrities Who Died in 2022

Eisenberg, who was born in the Bronx, began his theater career with a role in Neil Simon's Brighton Beach Memoirs. He went on to earn a part in a Broadway production of The Green Bird as well as of other stage roles.

Eisenberg had a recurring role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Roger Kressler, making appearances on the series between 1999 - 2019. Some of his earlier cameos on the hit series were credited as Klein Rothberg and Jerry Kleinert, but he has also played other characters on separate shows within the franchise.

LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT
Will Hart/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Eisenberg had a starring role on The Fanelli Boys as Anthony Fanelli. Some of his more recent guest-star spots and recurring TV roles were on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Mare of Easttown, Little Voice, The Good Wife, Person of Interest, 30 Rock and White Collar.

On the big screen, Eisenberg plated Sally Mendoza in the Oscar-winning film Million Dollar Baby and Joe Rosenthal in Flags of Our Fathers. Some of his other film appearances included Limitless, Last Man Standing, Won't Back Down, Asher and The Exterminator.