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Christopher Peter Meloni (born on April 2, 1961) is an American Emmy-nominated actor best known for his near opposite roles as the protective and committed Detective Elliot Stabler on the NBC drama series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and as the sociopath bisexual serial killer Chris Keller on HBO's Oz.

Biography

Personal life

Meloni is the surname of the Italian family who adopted his paternal grandfather (who may not have been born of Italian heritage). He is of French Canadian ancestry on his mother's side. Originally from Washington D.C., he attended St. Stephen's School (now St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School) and the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he first studied acting, graduating with a degree in history in 1983.

After graduation, Meloni went to New York where he continued his studies with Sanford Meisner at the famed Neighborhood Playhouse. Meloni and his wife Doris Sherman Williams (a production designer) keep residences in New York and Los Angeles. They have two adopted children (via surrogate mother): daughter Sophia Eva Pietra (b. March 23, 2001), and son Dante Amadeo (b. January 2, 2004).

Career

Meloni worked as a construction worker prior to getting his acting break. He has also worked as a bouncer, bartender, and personal trainer.

Meloni worked his way up the acting ladder with short-lived TV series and bit parts in a number of films. His first noticeable role was as the hotheaded son of a Mafia Don in the 1996 lesbian thriller Bound. He also appeared as Julia Roberts' fiance in Runaway Bride. His first real moment of stardom came from his controversial role as bisexual sociopath Chris Keller in the HBO prison drama Oz. The role called for him to passionately kiss and touch other men, frequently submit to rear and full frontal nudity, and even urinate into a bucket. Meloni's raw magnetism and affable reaction towards the open sexuality of his character earned him press attention and legions of fans, particularly within the gay community. In 1999, he even jokingly kissed his onscreen partner Lee Tergesen at an awards dinner for GLAAD. L&O producer Dick Wolf, impressed by Meloni's acting abilities, signed him up for SVU in 1999, where he has remained ever since. From 1999 to 2003, he appeared on both shows simultaneously. He even returned to his comedic roots when he portrayed the character "Gene" in Wet Hot American Summer in 2001, and the character of "Freakshow" (albeit in heavy make-up) in the 2004 comedy Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle.

On July 6, 2006, Meloni was nominated for his first Emmy Award, in the category of Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, for his role as Elliot Stabler on Law & Order: SVU.

Trivia

• Meloni competed in the 8th series of Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown, finishing in 2nd place, behind Robin Tunney, and ahead of Macy Gray, Joy Behar, and Andy Dick. He played for Feed the Children.

• He also appeared on Celebrity Jeopardy on November 10, 2006, defeating fellow Law & Order stars Sam Waterston and Kathryn Erbe. Meloni split his $50,000 charity prize between the Big Apple Circus Clown Care Program and the Montefiore Advocacy Center.

• He was included in the 2006 edition of People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive.

• While on The View, Meloni claimed that the episode of Oz (TV series) where he is seen urinating nude received more mail from offended viewers than any other episode of the show.

• Has a tattoo on his arm (as seen in an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit)

Filmography

• Carriers (2007) (post-production) .... Frank
• Pretty Persuasion (2005) (scenes deleted) .... Russel
• Harold and Kumar go to White Castle (2004) .... Freakshow
• Murder in Greenwich (2002) (TV) .... Mark Fuhrman
• Scrubs (2002) (TV) .... Dr. Norris
• That Brief Moment (2002) .... Ken
• Wet Hot American Summer (2001) .... Gene
• Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) TV Series ..Det. Elliot Stabler
• Runaway Bride (1999) .... Coach Bob Kelly
• Carlo's Wake (1999) .... Bennetto Torello
• Shift (1999) (TV) .... Louis
• Oz (1997) TV Series .... Christopher 'Chris' Keller (1998-2003)
• The Souler Opposite (1998) .... Barry Singer
• Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) ... Sven, Clerk at Flamingo Hotel
• Target Earth (1998) (TV) .... Det. Samuel 'Sam' Adams
• Brown's Requiem (1998) (uncredited) .... Sgt. Cavanah
• Every 9 Seconds (1997) (TV) .... Richard Sutherland
• The Last Don (1997) (mini) TV Series .... Boz Skannet
• Leaving L.A. (1997) TV Series .... Reed Sims
• The Small Hours (1997) (as Chris Meloni) .... FL
• Bound (1996) .... Johnnie Marzzone
• Twelve Monkeys (1995) .... Lt. Halperin
• Misery Loves Company (1995) TV Series .... Mitch
• A Dangerous Affair (1995) (TV) .... Tommy Moretti
• Junior (1994) .... Mr. Lanzarotta
• Golden Gate (1994/II) (TV)
• Clean Slate (1994) .... Bodyguard #2
• The Boys (1993) TV Series .... Doug Kirkfield
• Without a Kiss Goodbye (1993) (TV) .... Ray Samuels
• Something to Live for: The Alison Gertz Story (1992) (TV) .... David
• Dinosaurs (1991) TV Series (voice) .... Spike (1991-1994)
• In a Child's Name (1991) (TV) .... Jerry Cimarelli
• When Will I Be Loved? (1990) (TV)
• The Fanelli Boys (1990) TV Series .... Frankie Fanelli
• 1st & Ten (1984) TV Series .... Vito Del Greco/Johnny Gunn (1989-1990)

External links

• Official website

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