Angie Harmon left "Law & Order" in 2001 to focus on her film career, according to Variety's sources. "Law & Order" creator and executive producer Dick Wolf obliged her request and let her leave the NBC series early. "As I've said numerous times in the past, if an actor wants to leave the series for personal reasons, and gives ample notice so that it doesn't affect production, I have never stood in anyone's way," Wolf said in a statement provided to Variety at the time.

Wolf made his point clear — he was open to letting people go if they wanted to get a move on in their career. The decision's not been a bad one, after all. Many seasons later, the "Law & Order" franchise has managed to grow and thrive despite its many cast changes, as it's always held together by a strong storyline and a reputation for delivering to the audience's expectations.

Harmon became a part of "Law & Order" in 1998, after Carey Lowell's departure. And it sounds like leaving the show was a welcome change that brought her even more opportunities; post-"Law & Order," Harmon went on to act in "The Deal," "End Game," and more films. Her most-known role these days, though, is another TV show: TNT's "Rizzoli & Isles," where she played detective Jane Rizzoli.

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