---
name: "Christopher Meloni"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/christopher-meloni"
fi1m_id: "christopher-meloni"
imdb_id: "nm0005221"
tmdb_id: 22227
wikidata_id: "Q380095"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "2 April 1961"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 8
average_fi1m_score: 71
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 8
updated: "2026-10-05T12:46:10.439228+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Christopher Meloni

## Identity

Christopher Meloni

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/christopher-meloni
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** christopher-meloni
- **IMDb ID:** nm0005221
- **TMDB ID:** 22227
- **Wikidata ID:** Q380095
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Meloni, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q380095, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005221/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/22227

Actor. Born 2 April 1961 in Washington, D.C., USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 2 April 1961, Washington, D.C., USA
- **Active:** 1995–present
- **Also known as:** Chris Meloni, کریستوفر ملونی, Christopher Peter Meloni
- **Frequently works with:** [Charles Roven](https://film.one/person/charles-roven.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 71, as actor, over 8 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 75 (4), 2000s 71 (1), 2010s 69 (2), 2020s 56 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 71 to 67 across 8 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 4, Adventure 2, Crime 2, Drama 2, Science Fiction 2, Thriller 2
- **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,368m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Meloni, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q380095, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005221/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/22227

## Streaming the US now

- **The Criterion Channel:** [*Bound*](https://film.one/film/bound.md) (80)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle*](https://film.one/film/harold-and-kumar-go-to-white-castle.md) (71)
- **HBO Max:** [*Man of Steel*](https://film.one/film/man-of-steel.md) (60)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Christopher Meloni

> Christopher Meloni is persuasive as a man whose strength may become everybody else’s problem. We value the sympathy he can bring to menace, though the tough-guy parts can make his less solemn gifts easy to overlook.

Christopher Meloni makes a tough man look capable of losing control. The physical presence is considerable, but the volatility is what gives those parts some life. In the Wachowskis’ *Bound* (1996), his Johnnie Marzzone brings sympathy as well as menace to a nimble crime thriller. We cared who outwitted whom because Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly made the danger matter. Meloni is useful company here, though it is the women who give the familiar plotting its urgency, and the film occasionally fusses too much over its presentation.

Terry Gilliam’s *Twelve Monkeys* (1995) places him in another supporting role, as Lt. Halperin. It is a film we recommend despite its overextended script and restless images, with Bruce Willis giving the complications emotional weight. Both films are worth seeing, but we recommend them for their leads before their supporting players. These appearances helped Meloni gain notice before television gave him the larger parts that defined his reputation.

Those parts arrived close together: Chris Keller in *Oz* from 1998 and Elliot Stabler in *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* from 1999. Keller is a manipulative inmate; Stabler is a dedicated but volatile detective. The appeal of the casting is easy to see: Meloni can play someone forceful without making him emotionally secure. Alongside *SVU* co-star Mariska Hargitay, he sustained that difficult detective across seasons. His return as Stabler in *Law & Order: Organized Crime* in 2021 also makes the risk of being asked for the same thing again easy to recognise.

We would like the comic work to count for more in how he is cast. His shifts into broad and offbeat comedy matter because they offer an alternative to another imposing man with a temper. There is nothing wrong with playing such men; we would be sorry if they became all that was asked of him. Start with *Bound*, accept the occasional visual fuss, and leave the commitment to several seasons for another evening.

## Biography

Christopher Meloni is an American actor. He was born on 2 April 1961 in Washington, D.C., and studied at the University of Colorado Boulder before training at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York.

Meloni is known for his role as NYPD Detective Elliot Stabler in the television series *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999–2011, 2021–present) and its spin-off *Organized Crime*, for which he received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. He also played Chris Keller in the HBO series *Oz* (1998–2003). His film credits include *Twelve Monkeys* (1995), in which he appeared as Lt. Halperin, *Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas* (1998), *Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle* (2004) and *Man of Steel* (2013).

He is married to production designer Doris Sherman Williams.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (8)

- *IF* (2024), Fi1m 56, as Cosmo (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/if.md)
- *Man of Steel* (2013), Fi1m 60, as Colonel Nathan Hardy — [page](https://film.one/film/man-of-steel.md)
- *Rick and Morty* (2013), Fi1m 78, as Jesus Christ (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/rick-and-morty.md)
- *Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle* (2004), Fi1m 71, as Freakshow — [page](https://film.one/film/harold-and-kumar-go-to-white-castle.md)
- *Runaway Bride* (1999), Fi1m 58, as Coach Bob — [page](https://film.one/film/runaway-bride.md)
- *Oz* (1997), Fi1m 80, as Chris Keller — [page](https://film.one/tv/oz.md)
- *Bound* (1996), Fi1m 80, as Johnnie Marzzone — [page](https://film.one/film/bound.md)
- *Twelve Monkeys* (1995), Fi1m 82, as Lt. Halperin — [page](https://film.one/film/twelve-monkeys.md)

## Complete filmography (89)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Little Brother* (2026), as Josh Landy
- *IF* (2024), as Cosmo (voice) — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/if.md)
- *Captain Fall* (2023), series, as Agent Steel (voice)
- *Cinema Toast* (2021), series, Actor
- *Law & Order: Organized Crime* (2021), series, as Det. Elliot Stabler · Executive Producer, Writer
- *Solar Opposites* (2020), series, as Lonesun (voice)
- *Maxxx* (2020), series, as Don Wild
- *Harley Quinn* (2019), series, as Jim Gordon / Jeffrey the Parrot (voice), Jim Gordon (voice), Jim Gordon / Mr. Veronica Cale / Jeffey the Parrot (voice), Commissioner Gordon (voice), Commissioner Gordon / Guard (voice), Commissioner Gordon / Two-Face Goon / Bouncer (voice)
- *Bless the Harts* (2019), series, as Detective Voccola (voice)
- *The Twilight Zone* (2019), series, Actor
- *POSE* (2018), series, as Dick Ford — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/pose.md)
- *HAPPY!* (2017), series, as Nick Sax · Director
- *Almost Friends* (2017), as Howard
- *At Home with Amy Sedaris* (2017), series, as Ranger Russell
- *Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later* (2017), series, as Gene Jenkinson / Jonas Jurgenson
- *Snatched* (2017), as Roger Simmons
- *The Handmaid's Tale* (2017), series, as George Winslow — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-handmaids-tale.md)
- *Marauders* (2016), as Montgomery
- *I Am Wrath* (2016), as Dennis
- *Underground* (2016), series, as August Pullman · Director
- *The Diary of a Teenage Girl* (2015), as Pascal MacCorkill
- *Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp* (2015), series, as Gene
- *Beef* (2014), as Lou
- *White Bird in a Blizzard* (2014), as Brock Connor
- *Sin City: A Dame to Kill For* (2014), as Mort
- *They Came Together* (2014), as Roland
- *Small Time* (2014), as Al Klein
- *Surviving Jack* (2014), series, as Dr. Jack Dunlevy
- *Rick and Morty* (2013), series, as Jesus Christ (voice) — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/rick-and-morty.md)
- *Man of Steel* (2013), as Colonel Nathan Hardy — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/man-of-steel.md)
- *42* (2013), as Leo Durocher
- *Awful Nice* (2013), as Jon Charbineau
- *Veep* (2012), series, as Ray Whelans — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/veep.md)
- *Dirty Movie* (2011), The Producer, Director
- *F--k* (2010), as Christopher
- *Brief Interviews with Hideous Men* (2009), as R / Subject #3
- *Carriers* (2009), as Frank Holloway
- *Green Lantern: First Flight* (2009), as Hal Jordan (voice)
- *Michael & Michael Have Issues* (2009), series, Actor
- *Nights in Rodanthe* (2008), as Jack
- *Gym Teacher: The Movie* (2008), as Dave Stewie
- *True Blood* (2008), series, as Roman Zimojic — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/true-blood.md)
- *Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay* (2008), as Grand Wizard
- *Wonder Showzen* (2005), series, as Cooties Spokesman
- *Law & Order: Trial by Jury* (2005), series, as Elliot Stabler
- *American Dad!* (2005), series, as Additional Voices (voice), (voice)
- *Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle* (2004), as Freakshow — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/harold-and-kumar-go-to-white-castle.md)
- *Murder in Greenwich* (2002), as Mark Fuhrman
- *Scrubs* (2001), series, as Dr. Norris
- *Wet Hot American Summer* (2001), as Gene
- *Starwater* (2001), Actor
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Elliot Stabler
- *Runaway Bride* (1999), as Coach Bob — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/runaway-bride.md)
- *Family Guy* (1999), series, as George Townshend (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md)
- *Shift* (1999), as Louis
- *Carlo's Wake* (1999), as Bennetto Torello
- *Brown's Requiem* (1998), as Sgt. Cavanaugh (uncredited)
- *The Souler Opposite* (1998), as Barry Singer
- *Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas* (1998), as Clerk at Flamingo Hotel
- *Target Earth* (1998), as Det. Samuel 'Sam' Adams
- *Every 9 Seconds* (1997), as Richard Sutherland
- *Brooklyn South* (1997), series, as Joe
- *Oz* (1997), series, as Chris Keller — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/oz.md)
- *The Last Don* (1997), series, as Boz Skannet
- *Leaving L.A.* (1997), series, as Reed Sims
- *Bound* (1996), as Johnnie Marzzone — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/bound.md)
- *Twelve Monkeys* (1995), as Lt. Halperin — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/twelve-monkeys.md)
- *MADtv* (1995), series, as Various
- *Misery Loves Company* (1995), series, as Mitch
- *Hope and Gloria* (1995), series, as Billy
- *A Dangerous Affair* (1995), as Tommy Moretti
- *Junior* (1994), as Mr. Lanzarotta
- *Clean Slate* (1994), as Bodyguard #2
- *NYPD Blue* (1993), series, as Jimmy Liery — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/nypd-blue.md)
- *The Boys* (1993), series, as Doug Kirkfield
- *Without a Kiss Goodbye* (1993), as Ray Samuels
- *Homicide: Life on the Street* (1993), series, as Dennis Knoll — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/tv/homicide-life-on-the-street.md)
- *Something to Live for: The Alison Gertz Story* (1992), as David
- *In a Child's Name* (1991), series, as Jerry Cimarelli
- *Dinosaurs* (1991), series, as Spike (voice)
- *When Will I Be Loved?* (1990), as Ron Weston
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Elliot Stabler — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *The Fanelli Boys* (1990), series, as Frankie Fanelli
- *The Equalizer* (1985), series, as Team Leader
- *1st & Ten* (1984), series, as Vito Del Greco / Johnny Gunn
- *Sesame Street* (1969), series, Actor
- *Toad*, Actor
- *The Land*, series, as Danny Roarke
- *Chop Cheese*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Christopher Meloni](https://film.one/media/person/86124/gallery-5034d0a50d62.jpg) Christopher Meloni — Colleen Sturtevant, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e9/Chris_Meloni.jpg/1280px-Chris_Meloni.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Chris Meloni & Alexander Skarsgard speaking at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if use](https://film.one/media/person/86124/gallery-20146a53d7a3.jpg) Chris Meloni & Alexander Skarsgard speaking at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if use — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/83/Chris_Meloni_%26_Alexander_Skarsgard_%287605744564%29.jpg/1280px-Chris_Meloni_%26_Alexander_Skarsgard_%287605744564%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Chris Meloni speaking at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.](https://film.one/media/person/86124/gallery-de951d6de5b7.jpg) Chris Meloni speaking at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/Chris_Meloni_%287605714624%29.jpg/1280px-Chris_Meloni_%287605714624%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Chris Meloni speaking at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.](https://film.one/media/person/86124/gallery-b2f62958591b.jpg) Chris Meloni speaking at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Chris_Meloni_%287605716238%29.jpg/1280px-Chris_Meloni_%287605716238%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Christopher Meloni](https://film.one/media/person/86124/gallery-0636da7aadef.jpg) Christopher Meloni — Image via TMDB
- ![Christopher Meloni](https://film.one/media/person/86124/gallery-f83754a1a49f.jpg) Christopher Meloni — Image via TMDB
- ![Christopher Meloni](https://film.one/media/person/86124/gallery-16a87c5422bc.jpg) Christopher Meloni — Image via TMDB
- ![Chris Meloni speaking at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.](https://film.one/media/person/86124/gallery-676d27a0e591.jpg) Chris Meloni speaking at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Chris_Meloni_%287605736124%29.jpg/1280px-Chris_Meloni_%287605736124%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/christopher-meloni