Christopher Meloni

Christopher Meloni (also credited as Chris Meloni) is an American screen actor born April 2, 1961, in Washington, D.C. Known for intense, grounded performances, he became a staple of U.S. television through his long-running work in crime and character-driven drama.

Meloni is most closely associated with NYPD Detective Elliot Stabler on NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, a role he played for years before returning as a series regular in the 2021 spinoff Law & Order: Organized Crime. His portrayal earned major recognition, including an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

Beyond the Law & Order universe, he built a diverse TV résumé: recurring as Jimmy Liery on NYPD Blue, starring as inmate Chris Keller on HBO’s Oz, joining True Blood as the vampire Roman, and appearing on The Handmaid’s Tale as Commander Winslow. He also starred in and executive-produced Syfy’s darkly comic action series Happy!.

On film, Meloni has moved comfortably between cult favorites and studio projects, with credits including Twelve Monkeys, Wet Hot American Summer, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Runaway Bride, and Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.