Gay christopher meloni

By 1999, he had secured one of his most iconic roles as Detective Elliot Stabler on NBC’s “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.” His portrayal of Stabler garnered acclaim, leading to his return in the 2021 spin-off “Law and Order: Organized Crime” alongside co-star Danielle Truitt.

The Role That Sparked Curiosity

While Meloni’s role as Stabler is widely celebrated, it was his portrayal of the sociopathic murderer Chris Keller in HBO’s gripping jailhouse drama “Oz” that left an indelible mark.

He was intense and mercurial, but also fun."

Hargitay admitted she was "devastated" when Meloni left the show, but he said the two made sure they "stayed connected."

Meloni told Entertainment Tonight in 2020, "We just pick it up right where we left off and we've said it's like we don't have this relationship with anyone else… It's unique, it's full of laughter, she's full of love.

"We just kind of fall seamlessly into that place every time we see each other."

Now, 25 years after they first met and despite both being happily married to other people – Hargitay is married to lawyer-turned-actor Peter Hermann, whom she met on the show – they make no secret of the fact they are PFLs (Partners For Life), and regularly use the hashtag on their social media posts with each other.

Earlier this year, Hargitay reflected on their 25-year friendship during an interview with People.

"We met and the rest is history.

[He's] somebody who's changed my life so much, somebody I love," she said.

They are so close, Hargitay is godmother to Meloni's daughter, who served as flower girl when Hargitay married her husband.

Real-life wife

Meloni, now 63, is married to production designer turned artist and art director Sherman Williams.

The pair first met in the 1980s on the set of a TV show they were both working on.

Meloni recalled in a 2006 interview with YourTango that he tried flirting with the woman with the short blonde hair who rode a Harley-Davidson motorcycle to work but found out she had a boyfriend.

He ran into the "cool, funny, sexy" woman twice more, in LA and New York, but it was years later before they finally got together.

They dated for six months before they moved in together and married four years.

it was a really delicate dance for me."

Other projects

Meloni continued to star in SUV until 2011 when he left after his contract negotiations broke down.

The following year he appeared in five episodes of TV series True Blood and took on a host of other TV and film roles.

READ MORE:The tragic family history of Law & Order's Mariska Hargitay

In 2021, he was cast in another Law and Order spinoff, Organised Crime, before returning to SUV in 2020 for a cross-over episode which dealt with the death of his character's wife.

He has since become a series' regular again, while also juggling his role in Organised Crime, and new storylines have centred on the will-they-won't they relationship of his and Olivia Benson's character.

'Partners for life'

In real life, Meloni and Hargitay share a special relationship, which confused fans over the years who wrongly believed the two were together in real life.

Hargitay told TV Insider in 2018, "From the second we met, bells went off.

He was New York, this dark horse, but funny, light. It's iconic. I just knew he was the guy from reading the script.

Their mediaeval-themed wedding was held on a beach in Malibu on July 1, 1995.

They eventually settled in New York City, and have two children, Sophia, and son, Dante.

He told YourTango the long, hard days on set were worth it to provide for his family. While he has never addressed the rumors himself, he has stated that he supports the LGBTQ community. 

The actor is private about his personal life, but it seems that he prefers to keep his family out of the public eye. 

Meloni is currently married to photographer Sherman Williams, and the couple has two children together.

Christopher Meloni and Wife Sherman Williams

The couple exchanged vows in June of 1995.

I'm so grateful that those magical stars collided.

"It was just like that from the minute one. Keller, an unapologetically bisexual character, not only took lives but also stole hearts, captivating audiences with his intense and complex relationship with fellow inmate Tobias Beecher, played by Lee Tergesen.

Keller’s relationship with Beecher, filled with violence, betrayal, and passionate love, resonated deeply with many viewers.

One fan’s tweet about their sexual awakening due to Meloni’s role prompted a warm response from the actor, showcasing his appreciation for the profound effect his work had on people.

In a 2014 interview with Advocate, Meloni shared that numerous gay fans wrote to him about the challenges of hiding their sexual orientation. Since his debut in the mid-1980s, Meloni has evolved from doing commercials and working odd jobs to becoming a Hollywood star known for his compelling performances.

The Rise of a Star

Meloni began his career with minor and recurring roles in television and film during the late ’80s.

He has been married to Sherman Williams for over 27 years, and the couple shares two children, Sophia and Dante. He made his money by acting and directing in theater, TV, and film.

So, there you are. His influence on the LGBTQ community and his commitment to advocacy demonstrate that his legacy extends far beyond the screen, touching lives and inspiring change.

As fans eagerly await his next project, Meloni remains a beloved figure in Hollywood, celebrated for his talent, compassion, and unwavering support for equality and representation.