Vincent D'Onofrio, the star of NBC's "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," fainted while rehearsing a scene Wednesday (Nov. 10).
D'Onofrio, 45, was rehearsing a scene at the show's Queens studios that involved climbing when he passed out. The actor was taken to a hospital as a precaution and appears to be fine, a spokesperson for the NBC Universal TV Studio tells the AP.
The New York Post has its own version of the story, which, not surprisingly, is a little more juicy. The paper's source says some on the set initially thought D'Onofrio was faking his fainting spell and claims the actor, who plays the eccentric Detective Robert Goren, is the source of tension on the set, and has even provoked "fistfights."
NBC denies the pugilistic rumors, and "Law & Order" chief Dick Wolf defends his star.
"The stress of being the first among equals on a one-hour television drama is the most exhausting job in show business," Wolf tells the paper. "Hours are long and stress levels are high. Any actor who has been in Vincent's position knows how tough it is. It is unfortunate that Vincent's health has become the topic of gossip and speculation under these circumstances." |