La Salle Eying ER Exit

July 26, 2001 -- The original cast of ER may dwindle again: Eriq La Salle, who plays short-tempered doctor Peter Benton, may follow Anthony Edwards in leaving the highly rated medical drama.

Executive producer John Wells tells TV Guide that La Salle's directorial career — which includes the upcoming indie flick Crazy as Hell — may win out over his longtime TV acting gig.

"He wants to continue directing, and acting in a series and directing at the same time is tough," Wells says. "Those two ambitions don't go together, and that's been the difficulty in the negotiations." However, he says, "I think we'll work something out. I'm very anxious for it."

Edwards is beyond negotiation, however. "He has been very definite with me over the last year that he's ready to move on and do something else," says Wells. "I wish he would change his mind, but I don't anticipate it."

Edwards' departure is being offset by the return of ER first-seasoner Sherry Stringfield.