Christopher Meloni is a renowned American actor widely recognized for his compelling role as Detective Elliot Stabler on the popular television series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and its spin-off, Law & Order: Organized Crime. With a career spanning over 30 years, Meloni has established himself as a versatile performer in both television and film.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Christopher Peter Meloni |
| Date of Birth | April 2, 1961 |
| Place of Birth | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupations | Actor |
| Partner | Sherman Williams (married since 1995) |
| Children | 2 (Sophia and Dante) |
| Net Worth | Approximately $35 million |
Early Life and Education
Born on April 2, 1961, in Washington, D.C., Christopher Peter Meloni is the youngest child of three. His mother, Cecile, was a homemaker of French Canadian descent, and his father, Charles Robert Meloni, was an endocrinologist with Italian roots.
Meloni attended St. Stephen’s School in Alexandria, Virginia, where he played as a quarterback on the football team.
He went on to study at the University of Colorado Boulder, initially taking acting classes as electives, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history in 1983.
After college, Meloni moved to New York City to further hone his craft, studying acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre and the Center for the Media Arts.
Career
Before establishing himself as an actor, Meloni worked various jobs including construction, bartending, and personal training. Early television roles included guest appearances on ABC Afterschool Specials and The Fanelli Boys.
His career breakthrough came with the role of Chris Keller on HBO’s Oz (1998–2003), which showcased his acting range.
Meloni gained widespread fame for his portrayal of Detective Elliot Stabler on Law & Order: SVU (1999–2011, 2021–present), a role that earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination. He reprised this character in the spin-off series Law & Order: Organized Crime (2021–present).
In addition to television, Meloni has appeared in several films, including 12 Monkeys (1995), Runaway Bride (1999), Wet Hot American Summer (2001), Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004), 42 (2013), and Man of Steel (2013). He also starred in the Syfy series Happy! (2017–2019), highlighting his ability to balance drama and comedy.
Personal Life
Christopher Meloni has been married to production designer Sherman Williams since 1995. The couple met in 1989 and have two children together, Sophia and Dante.
Meloni often credits his wife for their strong and enduring relationship, and they maintain a close and supportive family life.
Net Worth
As of 2025, Christopher Meloni’s net worth is estimated to be around $35 million. His earnings primarily come from his television roles, especially Law & Order: SVU, where he earned up to $400,000 per episode in later seasons.
Additional income sources include film projects, endorsements, guest appearances, and streaming residuals.
Filmography
Films:
- Bound (1996)
- Runaway Bride (1999)
- Man of Steel (2013)
- 42 (2013)
- Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
- White Bird in a Blizzard (2014)
- Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (2014)
- Marauders (2016)
- Almost Friends (2016)
- Snatched (2017)
TV Shows:
- Oz (1998–2003) as Chris Keller
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999–2023) as Detective Elliot Stabler
- Law & Order: Organized Crime (2021–2024) as Detective Elliot Stabler
- 1st & Ten (1989–1990)
- The Fanelli Boys (1990–1991)
- In a Child’s Name (1991)
- Dinosaurs (1991–1993, voice)
- NYPD Blue (1996–1997)
- Brooklyn South (1997)
- The Last Don (1997)
- Homicide: Life on the Street (1998)
- Scrubs (2003)
- True Blood (2012) as Roman Zimojic
- Surviving Jack (2014)
- Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp (2015)
- Underground (2016–2017)
- Happy! (2017–2019) as Nick Sax
- The Handmaid’s Tale (2019)
- Harley Quinn (2019–2023, voice)
Awards and Nominations
- Primetime Emmy Award Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Law & Order: SVU.
- 2025 Canopy Award at the North Fork TV Festival, recognizing his significant contributions to television in New York.
Christopher Meloni’s career is marked by critical acclaim and popular success, with a reputation for delivering powerful and nuanced performances.
