Stephen A. Smith in 'Law and Order,' explained: The story behind ESPN analyst's cameo on iconic crime drama

Have you ever been watching a show and been surprised by a random actor, celebrity, or athlete making a cameo appearance? Well, 'Law and  Order' fans need to prepare themselves to see ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith pop on their TV screens tonight. 

Smith is known for his fiery debates as part of ESPN's flagship 'First Take' show, but he has also developed his own spin-off show on X. Smith is great at generating clips and discourse, but that doesn't necessarily suggest he would fit into the world of 'Law and Order.' 

Generally speaking, 'Law and Order' episodes present a situation that usually involves someone dying or at least some horrible crime happening. Celebrity cameos tend to happen later in the episode. 

Here's more on Smith's appearance in 'Law and Order.'

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Stephen A. Smith 'Law and Order' scenes

Smith is a big enough person that he could've played himself in the show. He likely would have been a side character who was interviewing an athlete or appearing on a New York TV show.

Smith isn't playing himself, he is staying in the world of sports. He is portraying a sports agent who is said to specialize in "tough love." Without revealing spoilers, Smith will be directly involved in the plot line and police investigation throughout the episode. 

Smith said that it was fun portraying an agent because he has worked with them throughout his career.

“That was fun for me. I knew I would know how to do that because I’ve been dealing with agents my entire career. So I know how they talk, I know how they act, I know how they feel. I know the nuances that come with their profession to some degree because I’ve experienced it. And so I just tried to bring that to the scene and tried to make it as real and as authentic as it possibly can be. And they say I was successful, so we’re going to go with that.”

Why is Stephen A. Smith on 'Law and Order'

Smith has been an avid fan of the show, claiming to have watched every single episode from Season 3 to Season 21. The sports analyst said,  "I really enjoy the show. I’ve been watching it for years, and when I was approached by a writer, who[m] I ran across here in Los Angeles, about making an appearance on the show, it’s something that I jumped at." 

Who is Stephen A. Smith's character in 'Law and Order?'

Smith portrays a sports agent who handles clients with "tough love." From the promo clip, we gather that his character is highly successful but not well-liked. While Smith enjoyed playing the agent since he has worked with so many, he said that he really wished that he could've played a lawyer instead. 

Stephen A. Smith acting career

This will not be Smith's first time on the small screen. He had a recurring role on the soap opera 'General Hospital.' Smith first appeared in the show in 2007 as a news reporter, but nine years later he started showing up more regularly. To date, the sports analyst has made over 40 appearances on the soap opera. 

Stephen A. Smith pulled up strapped on General Hospital and saved the day 😂 https://t.co/HfdqgBs5kE

On the big screen, Smith has made four appearances. In 2007, he appeared in Chris Rock's film "I Think I Love My Wife." In the 2016 holiday movie "Almost Christmas," Smith appears as himself. In 2021, he appeared in the animated sports comedy "Rumble," and in 2023, he appeared as himself in the sports drama "Creed III."

As for television, Smith's cameos have extended beyond "General Hospital." In 2018, he made a one-episode cameo in the Marvel show "Luke Cage" as himself. And in 2022, he appeared as himself in both the ABC sitcom "Black-ish" and the miniseries "The Best Man: The Final Chapters."