logo
Getty Images
Getty Images

Christopher Meloni's Life after Playing Detective Elliot Stabler on 'Law & Order: SVU'

Kareena Koirala
Feb 09, 2020
02:00 P.M.

Fans of "Law & Order: SVU" loved seeing Detective Elliot Stabler on screen. The character was portrayed by actor Christopher Meloni for a decade until 2011.

Advertisement

Christopher Meloni spent 12 seasons on the hit crime drama "Law & Order: SVU" before making an exit in 2011. He played the role of Elliot Stabler, the partner to Mariska Hargitay's Olivia Benson.

Although he was one of the defining characters of the show, his shocking exit left the fans wondering why. As reported by "Hollywood Reporter," the actor's deal with the show was nearly done.

Christopher Meloni attends the "Roma" New York screening at DGA Theater on November 27, 2018. | Source: Getty Images

Christopher Meloni attends the "Roma" New York screening at DGA Theater on November 27, 2018. | Source: Getty Images

HIS TIME IN THE SHOW

He had been a part of the show since its inception in 1999. In an interview with Andy Cohen in "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen," the actor shared that he doesn't regret his decision to leave the show.

Advertisement

Meloni was replaced by Detective Nick Amaro, a role played by actor Danny Pino. He also explained that he knew it was time to move on from "Law & Order: SVU" after the contract negotiations failed.

Christopher Meloni visits 'The IMDb Show' on March 26, 2019 in Studio City, California. | Source: Getty Images

Christopher Meloni visits 'The IMDb Show' on March 26, 2019 in Studio City, California. | Source: Getty Images

Nonetheless, he loved his time on the set of the show and also built lasting friendships with other cast members including Hargitay. He and the actress have tons of fond memories from the show and continue to be good friends.

LIFE AFTER THE EXIT

After exiting the show, Meloni decided to take his career to the next level as the writer, producer, director, and star of the 2011 film "Dirty Movie." Diane Neal, his former co-star, also starred in the same movie.

Advertisement

Meloni's other TV credits after "Law & Order: SVU" include "True Blood," "Surviving Jack," "Veep," "Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp," "Drunk History," "Underground," "Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later," and "Happy!"

Advertisement

More recently, Meloni has starred in Hulu's hit series "The Handmaid's Tale." His role as Commander George Winslow is perhaps the most menacing of all the roles he has played to this day.

Advertisement

NEW HORIZONS

The actor deeply studied the seminal novel by Margaret Atwood to get an insight into how his character should operate in the series. In an interview with "Vanity Fair," he shared that his character has an insatiable hunger for power and monetary things.

During the same interview, he also opened up about how he felt after his show "Happy!" got canceled after two seasons. “I really loved that ride. I still love it,” he said.

Advertisement

He also shared that rejection is one of the bittersweet things about being in the entertainment industry. The sweet part of rejection, according to Meloni, is that it makes a person a little tougher.

According to Meloni, the best thing one can do after being rejected is to get on with their life. "You move on... Nothing is ever the end of the world—you just keep moving," he said.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

This Girl Lost Her Mom at 3 Then Became a Famous Actress with a ‘Perfect’ Family

November 30, 2023

Mariska Hargitay Shows Rarely-Seen Son at 17 & Fans Are Divided over Whether He's a Copy of Mom or Dad

January 08, 2024

Mariska Hargitay Shares How a Nun Played a Role in Her Journey to Becoming an Actress – Details

January 24, 2024

Mariska Hargitay Is Mom Jayne Mansfield’s Copy as She Rocks Red Lipstick & Fitting White Dress

February 07, 2024

Mariska Hargitay Showed Off Her Three Rarely-Seen Children, One of Whom Has Grown Taller than Her

November 04, 2023

Law & Order' Star Chris Meloni, 62, Appears in Pic with a Gray Beard & 'Black Eye,' Leaving Fans Stunned

December 12, 2023

'Looking like Your Parents': Mariska Hargitay Shows Rarely-Seen Big Brother Who Shares Same Name as Famous Dad

December 22, 2023

'The Sopranos’ Actress Suzanne Shepherd Passes Away at 89 — She Was Suffering from a Chronic Disease

November 20, 2023

‘Law & Order’ Chris Noth Raises 2 Biracial Sons with a Wife He Did Not Marry for 10 Years

February 02, 2024

Brad Pitt, 60, Steps Out with Short Spiky Hair in a Sleek Black Outfit, Igniting Fan Reactions

February 08, 2024

Macaulay and Kieran Culkin's Mother Is Struggling with Health Issues – Her Husband Speaks Out

January 18, 2024

Part of Angelina Jolie's Face 'Suddenly' Dropped 6 Months Before Divorcing Brad Pitt: Pics from That Time

December 06, 2023

Robert Joseph Gilliam Was Lisa Robin Kelly's 19 Year Older Husband - Facts about Him

November 08, 2023

'CSI: Miami' Actor Evan Ellingson Accidentally Died in His Bedroom Leaving His Dad 'Heartbroken' — Details

November 29, 2023