Cleo Finch
Encyclopedia
Dr. Cleo Finch was a fictional doctor in the television series ER
, from Seasons 6 through 8 (1999–2001). She was portrayed by actress Michael Michele
.
Dr. Finch took over most of the pediatric storylines left void by the departures of George Clooney
and Maria Bello
(pediatric doctors Doug Ross
and Anna Del Amico
, respectively) and was portrayed as a competent doctor. In the Season Six Episode “How the Finch Stole Christmas," she separated a young alcoholic patient from his alcoholic mother, who fed his addiction, during Christmastime. She later misdiagnosed a bratty young patient, resulting in the patient's death. When no surgeons were available to perform a laparotomy
on a dying patient in the aftermath of a stabbing in the ER, Dr. Finch performed an emergency thoracotomy
in the OR to stabilize the patient until a surgeon could be found. She was at first reprimanded by Dr. Peter Benton, her boyfriend at the time, but he later apologized, blaming the stress of performing surgery on his friend, Dr. John Carter
, a victim of the stabbing. She seemed vaguely annoyed that Dr. Carter was welcomed back to County after he went to rehab for his prescription medication addiction between Seasons 6 and 7, but the characters had few interactions in Seasons 7 and 8 and those they had were cordial.
. She got along well with Peter’s deaf son Reese, impressing Peter with her knowledge of ASL
. Cleo often clashed with Reese’s mother Carla, who saw Cleo as interfering in her family’s decisions. While under Cleo’s care, Reese accidentally injured his hand on a piano, leading Carla to claim she was untrustworthy and irresponsible.
Cleo’s relationship with Peter was also put under strain when Peter felt that Cleo’s multi-racial background prevented her from understanding the medical and cultural needs of the African-American community.
Despite their problems, Cleo and Peter stayed together, allowing Cleo to help Peter through a difficult child-custody battle with Carla. Cleo even took the stand to testify that she hoped to play an important role in both Peter and Reese’s lives.
Michael Michele reprised her role as Dr. Finch in the Season 8 episode "On the Beach," at Mark Greene
’s funeral, along with Doctor Benton.
During the 15th and final season of ER, at the end of the episode "The Book of Abby", long-serving nurse Haleh Adams shows the departing Abby Lockhart
a closet wall where all the past doctors and employees have put their locker name tags. Amongst them, the tag "Finch" can be seen.
Later appearances by Dr. Benton in Season 15 suggested that Cleo and Peter married and raised Reese together.
ER (TV series)
ER is an American medical drama television series created by novelist Michael Crichton that aired on NBC from September 19, 1994 to April 2, 2009. It was produced by Constant c Productions and Amblin Entertainment, in association with Warner Bros. Television...
, from Seasons 6 through 8 (1999–2001). She was portrayed by actress Michael Michele
Michael Michele
Michael Michele is an American film and television actress. She played Dr. Cleo Finch on the medical drama ER and Det. Rene Sheppard on the police procedural Homicide: Life on the Street...
.
Life at County
Dr. Finch was first introduced at the start of Season 6 as a skilled new pediatric fellow at County. She was portrayed as a hard working, no-nonsense doctor who often jogged to work.Dr. Finch took over most of the pediatric storylines left void by the departures of George Clooney
George Clooney
George Timothy Clooney is an American actor, film director, producer, and screenwriter. For his work as an actor, he has received two Golden Globe Awards and an Academy Award...
and Maria Bello
Maria Bello
Maria Elena Bello is an American actress and singer known for her appearances in the movies Coyote Ugly, The Jane Austen Book Club, Permanent Midnight, Thank You for Smoking, A History of Violence, Payback, and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. For television she is known for her role as Dr...
(pediatric doctors Doug Ross
Doug Ross
Dr. Douglas "Doug" Ross is a fictional character from the television series ER, portrayed by George Clooney. George Clooney's removal from the main cast opening credits was in the 16th episode of season 5.-Plot details:...
and Anna Del Amico
Anna Del Amico
Dr. Anna Del Amico is a fictional medical doctor from the television series ER. She was portrayed by Maria Bello.- Life and Time at County :Del Amico first appeared in the show in 1997, guest starring in the last 3 episodes of the third season...
, respectively) and was portrayed as a competent doctor. In the Season Six Episode “How the Finch Stole Christmas," she separated a young alcoholic patient from his alcoholic mother, who fed his addiction, during Christmastime. She later misdiagnosed a bratty young patient, resulting in the patient's death. When no surgeons were available to perform a laparotomy
Laparotomy
A laparotomy is a surgical procedure involving a large incision through the abdominal wall to gain access into the abdominal cavity. It is also known as coeliotomy.- Terminology :...
on a dying patient in the aftermath of a stabbing in the ER, Dr. Finch performed an emergency thoracotomy
Thoracotomy
Thoracotomy is an incision into the pleural space of the chest. It is performed by a surgeon, and, rarely, by emergency physicians, to gain access to the thoracic organs, most commonly the heart, the lungs, the esophagus or thoracic aorta, or for access to the anterior spine such as is necessary...
in the OR to stabilize the patient until a surgeon could be found. She was at first reprimanded by Dr. Peter Benton, her boyfriend at the time, but he later apologized, blaming the stress of performing surgery on his friend, Dr. John Carter
John Carter (ER)
Dr. John Truman Carter III, portrayed by Noah Wyle, is a fictional character from the television series ER. The character, called simply "Carter" by most other characters, was introduced in the pilot episode and appeared for eleven consecutive seasons. Wyle decided to leave the show as a regular...
, a victim of the stabbing. She seemed vaguely annoyed that Dr. Carter was welcomed back to County after he went to rehab for his prescription medication addiction between Seasons 6 and 7, but the characters had few interactions in Seasons 7 and 8 and those they had were cordial.
Relationships
During the course of Season 6, Cleo started a relationship with Dr. Peter BentonPeter Benton
Dr. Peter Benton is a fictional character on the television series ER for its first eight seasons. He was played by Eriq La Salle. Benton was often portrayed as arrogant, irritable, or even hostile, but he is nevertheless an exceptionally talented surgeon who is passionate about medicine...
. She got along well with Peter’s deaf son Reese, impressing Peter with her knowledge of ASL
American Sign Language
American Sign Language, or ASL, for a time also called Ameslan, is the dominant sign language of Deaf Americans, including deaf communities in the United States, in the English-speaking parts of Canada, and in some regions of Mexico...
. Cleo often clashed with Reese’s mother Carla, who saw Cleo as interfering in her family’s decisions. While under Cleo’s care, Reese accidentally injured his hand on a piano, leading Carla to claim she was untrustworthy and irresponsible.
Cleo’s relationship with Peter was also put under strain when Peter felt that Cleo’s multi-racial background prevented her from understanding the medical and cultural needs of the African-American community.
Despite their problems, Cleo and Peter stayed together, allowing Cleo to help Peter through a difficult child-custody battle with Carla. Cleo even took the stand to testify that she hoped to play an important role in both Peter and Reese’s lives.
Season 8 and Beyond
In Season 8, Cleo left County for a job at a private hospital just outside of Chicago. Later in the season, after winning his custody battle over Reese, Peter too departed the ER to work at the same hospital as Cleo. Their final appearance was the episode “I’ll be Home for Christmas,” in which they are shown helping Reese decorate a Christmas Tree.Michael Michele reprised her role as Dr. Finch in the Season 8 episode "On the Beach," at Mark Greene
Mark Greene
Dr. Mark Greene was a fictional medical doctor from the television series ER, portrayed by the actor Anthony Edwards. For most of his time on the series, Greene's role was that of a mediator and occasional authority figure, and he was considered the main character of the series for the first eight...
’s funeral, along with Doctor Benton.
During the 15th and final season of ER, at the end of the episode "The Book of Abby", long-serving nurse Haleh Adams shows the departing Abby Lockhart
Abby Lockhart
Dr. Abby Lockhart is a fictional medical doctor on the television series ER. She is portrayed by Maura Tierney...
a closet wall where all the past doctors and employees have put their locker name tags. Amongst them, the tag "Finch" can be seen.
Later appearances by Dr. Benton in Season 15 suggested that Cleo and Peter married and raised Reese together.