Answer:
Chris Noth's character, Det. Mike Logan, appeared in 111 episodes in the original cast of 'Law and Order' and one episode of 'Homicide, Life on the Street' between 1990-1995. He originally left the series to try other types of roles.
He did several dozen TV roles, made for TV movies, and big screen movies. Some of those were his the role as Mike Logan for the two hour, made for TV movie 'Exiled' in 1998; 41 appearances as Mr. Big on 'Sex in the City' (1998-2004); and the big screen 'Sex in the City' movies in 2008 and 2010.
He again played Det. Mike Logan in 36 episodes of 'Law and Order CI' from 2005-2008. Followed by 36 episodes as Peter Florrick in 'The Good Wife' from 2009-2011. He is scheduled to appear as J.P. Morgan in 5 episodes of Titanic: Blood and Steel, a mini-series for ITV which is currently filming and set to air in 2012 for the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the ship.
Chris Noth did what he set out to do. He's done a wide diversity of roles, more sustaining roles than most actors, and worked in a variety of venues. In my opinion, he has done them all extremely well.