Christopher Meloni is an American actor known for his roles as Detective Elliot Stabler in the "Law & Order" franchise (for which he received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination), Chris Keller in "Oz," and his starring role in "Happy!" His portrayal of law enforcement officers, particularly Detective Stabler, has earned him significant recognition.
1926: Birth of Cecile Chagnon
Cecile Chagnon, Christopher Meloni's mother, was born in 1926.
1927: Charles Robert Meloni is Born
Charles Robert Meloni, Christopher Meloni's father, was born in 1927.
April 2, 1961: Christopher Meloni is Born
Christopher Peter Meloni was born on April 2, 1961. He would become a well-known American actor.
1978: Meloni Plays on Undefeated High School Football Team
In 1978, Christopher Meloni played on his high school's undefeated football team as quarterback.
1983: Meloni Graduates from University of Colorado-Boulder
Christopher Meloni graduated from the University of Colorado-Boulder in 1983, earning a Bachelor of Arts in history.
July 1, 1995: Meloni Marries Doris Sherman Williams
Christopher Meloni married production designer Doris Sherman Williams on July 1, 1995.
1995: Meloni Appears in 12 Monkeys
Christopher Meloni had a role in the film 12 Monkeys, which was released in 1995.
1996: Meloni's Breakout Role in Bound
Christopher Meloni's first noticeable role was in the 1996 thriller Bound, where he played the hotheaded son of a Mafia don. This marked a turning point in his acting career.
1997: Meloni's Role in NYPD Blue
From 1996 to 1997, Christopher Meloni had a recurring role as criminal Jimmy Liery in the police drama series NYPD Blue, appearing in eight episodes.
1998: Meloni Joins the Cast of Oz
Christopher Meloni joined the cast of the HBO prison drama Oz in 1998, playing the character of Chris Keller.
1999: Meloni Lands Role on Law & Order: SVU
In 1999, Christopher Meloni was cast as Elliot Stabler in the NBC legal drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, a role that would become one of his most recognized.
1999: Meloni Appears in Runaway Bride
Christopher Meloni had a role in the 1999 romantic comedy Runaway Bride, playing the fiancé of Julia Roberts' character.
March 2001: Meloni's Daughter is Born
Christopher Meloni and his wife Doris welcomed their daughter in March 2001. The child was born via surrogacy.
2001: Meloni in Wet Hot American Summer
Christopher Meloni appeared in the comedy film Wet Hot American Summer, released in 2001.
2003: Guest Appearance on Scrubs
Christopher Meloni made a guest appearance in a 2003 episode of the medical comedy series Scrubs, playing the puppet-loving pediatrician Dr. Norris.
2003: Oz Comes to an End
The HBO series Oz, in which Meloni played Chris Keller, was canceled in 2003.
January 2004: Meloni's Son is Born
Christopher Meloni and his wife Doris welcomed their son in January 2004. The child was born via surrogacy.
2004: Meloni in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle
Christopher Meloni appeared as 'Freakshow' in the 2004 comedy film Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle.
2004: Meloni in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle
Christopher Meloni appeared as 'Freakshow' in the 2004 comedy film Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle.
2004: Meloni Competes on Celebrity Poker Showdown
Christopher Meloni participated in the fourth series of the celebrity poker tournament show Celebrity Poker Showdown in 2004, playing for the charity Feed the Children.
2005: Meloni on Wonder Showzen
Christopher Meloni appeared in an episode of the MTV2 adult puppet show Wonder Showzen in 2005, participating in a series of parody public service announcements.
November 10, 2006: Meloni Wins on Celebrity Jeopardy!
Christopher Meloni appeared as a contestant on the game show Celebrity Jeopardy! on November 10, 2006, and emerged victorious, defeating fellow Law & Order stars Sam Waterston and Kathryn Erbe.
2006: Emmy Nomination for Meloni
Christopher Meloni's performance as Elliot Stabler earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 2006, marking a high point in his career.
2006: Meloni Named One of People Magazine's Sexiest Men Alive
Christopher Meloni's attractiveness was publicly acknowledged in 2006 when he was included in People magazine's annual "Sexiest Men Alive" issue.
2006: Meloni Receives Human Rights Campaign's Equality Award
Christopher Meloni's advocacy for LGBT rights was recognized in 2006 when he received the Human Rights Campaign's Equality Award, alongside actor Jake Gyllenhaal and director Ang Lee.
2006: Meloni's Second Place Finish on Celebrity Poker Showdown
Christopher Meloni competed in the eighth series of Celebrity Poker Showdown in 2006, finishing in second place. He played for the charity Feed the Children.
2007: Meloni Inducted into High School Athletic Hall of Fame
Christopher Meloni was inducted into his high school's athletic Hall of Fame in 2007 as a member of the undefeated 1978 football team, for which he was quarterback.
July 2009: Meloni Voices Green Lantern
In July 2009, Christopher Meloni lent his voice to the animated film Green Lantern: First Flight, playing the titular character, Hal Jordan/Green Lantern.
December 17, 2009: Meloni Competes in Celebrity Jeopardy! Invitational
Christopher Meloni participated in the Million Dollar Celebrity Invitational on Celebrity Jeopardy!, which aired on December 17, 2009. Despite not winning, he still earned a $25,000 donation to his chosen charity, Smile Train.
2009: Meloni Voices Green Lantern
In July 2009, Christopher Meloni lent his voice to the animated film Green Lantern: First Flight, playing the titular character, Hal Jordan/Green Lantern.
May 2011: Meloni Announces Departure from SVU
In May 2011, Christopher Meloni publicly announced that he would not be returning for the 13th season of Law & Order: SVU after failing to reach an agreement on a new contract.
2011: Meloni Supports Marriage Equality in New York
Christopher Meloni continued his support for LGBT rights in 2011 by appearing in a video for the Human Rights Campaign's "New Yorkers for Marriage Equality" campaign.
2011: Meloni Exits Law & Order: SVU
Christopher Meloni's time on Law & Order: SVU came to an end in 2011 when he left the show due to contract disagreements.
2012: Meloni Joins True Blood
Christopher Meloni joined the cast of the HBO fantasy drama series True Blood in 2012, playing the role of Roman, a 500-year-old vampire, during the show's fifth season.
2012: Charles Robert Meloni Passes Away
Christopher Meloni's father, Charles Robert Meloni, passed away in 2012.
2013: Meloni in Man of Steel and 42
Christopher Meloni had a busy year in 2013, appearing in two major films: Man of Steel, where he played Colonel Hardy, and 42, portraying Brooklyn Dodgers manager Leo Durocher.
2013: Meloni in Man of Steel and 42
Christopher Meloni had a busy year in 2013, appearing in two major films: Man of Steel, where he played Colonel Hardy, and 42, portraying Brooklyn Dodgers manager Leo Durocher.
2014: Meloni Purchases "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" House
Christopher Meloni purchased the house used in the television show "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" in 2014.
2014: Meloni Stars in They Came Together
Christopher Meloni starred in the comedy film They Came Together, which was released in 2014.
2016: Meloni Films Marauders
Christopher Meloni worked on the heist film Marauders in 2016.
2016: Cecile Meloni Passes Away
Christopher Meloni's mother, Cecile Meloni, passed away in 2016.
2017: Meloni's Happy! Premieres
Christopher Meloni took on the role of executive producer and star in the Syfy series Happy!, which premiered in 2017.
2017: Meloni's Happy! Premieres
Christopher Meloni took on the role of executive producer and star in the Syfy series Happy!, which premiered in 2017.
2018: Meloni Guest Stars in Pose
In 2018, Christopher Meloni made a guest appearance in the FX drama series Pose, acting opposite Dominique Jackson in two episodes.
June 4, 2019: Happy! is Canceled
Despite Meloni's involvement, the Syfy series Happy! was canceled on June 4, 2019, after two seasons.
2019: Meloni in The Handmaid's Tale
Christopher Meloni appeared in the third season of the dystopian drama series The Handmaid's Tale in 2019, portraying the character Commander Winslow.
2019: Happy! is Canceled
Despite Meloni's involvement, the Syfy series Happy! was canceled on June 4, 2019, after two seasons.
March 2020: Meloni to Reprise Role in Law & Order Spin-Off
In a surprising announcement in March 2020, Christopher Meloni revealed that he would be returning to the Law & Order franchise, reprising his role as Elliot Stabler in a new spin-off series.
2021: Meloni Returns to the Law & Order Franchise
After nearly a decade away, Christopher Meloni returned to the Law & Order franchise in 2021, reprising his role as Elliot Stabler in the spin-off series Law & Order: Organized Crime.
2021: Meloni's Relation to Nancy Pelosi Revealed on "Finding Your Roots"
In 2021, an episode of PBS' "Finding Your Roots" revealed that Christopher Meloni is a distant relative of Nancy Pelosi.