So Much About Christopher Meloni

Sure, you might think of Christopher Meloni as the always angry Detective Eliot Stabler on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, but he's also had some indelible roles in The Runaway Bride, Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, Wet Hot American Summer and, of course, Oz. We were perusing the official Christopher Meloni website when we found this great speech that Oz (and Homicide) creator Tom Fontana gave for him at a Human Rights Equality Awards dinner:

When we were shooting OZ, there was a scene where the character he played, Keller, was in the Hole and had to take a piss. Chris got the script and came to my office: "I want to do this," he said, "I want to actually take a piss on camera." Normally, a scene like that would involve prop men and tubes and other special effects, but because Keller was naked, Chris' instincts were a hundred percent correct -- the scene would have more impact if he actually peed. Now, I don't know how an actor prepares for that, whether he uses Stanislavsky or Pellegrino - but the moment came, we're on the soundstage, the director calls action, the camera pans down and Chris starts peeing -- on cue. The shot is perfect. Except for one slight technical glitch. Okay. Take two - same deal, action, camera pans, Chris starts to pee on cue. The shot is even better. I'm happy. The director's delirious. Chris says, "Do we want to do it again? 'Cause I got another one in me."

There are two episodes of L&O: SVU on USA tonight - there is nothing better than sancitmonious Stabler... okay, Ice-T and Richard Belzer banter is right up there.

Check out this Fametracker "2 Stars, 1 Slot" face-off between Meloni and Elias Koteas.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in Arts & Entertainment on March 10, 2006 4:53 PM

Comments [rss]

Karen

I still like Sam Waterston, of all the L&O guys, the best. He's played villians-he was the only good thing about Heaven's Gate (beside the cinematography), playing possibly THE most evil person in any western, ever. And, so good at it, I'd be afraid to meet this guy on a crowded street at noon, if he had it in for me, let alone in a dark alley. He's done comedy-for the funniest love scene ever (as well as a great mosh pit), check out Serial Mom. And, who plays a self righteous-chip on both shoulders-grown man with an abusive dad problem that he's never going to deal with-love affair with Scotch-my life sucks-motorcycle riding (although, why can't it be a nice, American made Harley?)-womanizing-stuck working with Annie Parisse-The Clash loving attorney better than Sam Waterston?

AdamW

He's also done voice work for some audiobooks. I recommend "Takedown"... which was a book about the cop who infiltrated the mob and essentially single-handedly put an end to the mafia's running of the carting (garbage) industry in NYC. The book was good, but the audiobook with Meloni's voice took it to a new level. You can pick it up used on Amazon for about 10bucks. The book's author, Douglas Century, has a few other good nonfiction reads. I recommend them all.

Aurorasbored

He just got a backstory on SVU and one hell of crying jag scene. Pin all the Emmys you can on this man, and quick.

Brian Van Nieuwenhoven

Have to agree with the Munch-Tutuola dialogue. It gets comical sometimes, courtesy IMDB:

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[Fin starts to put eye drops in his eyes]

John Munch: Can I have some?

Fin Tutuola: No

John Munch: Please?

Fin Tutuola: No, that's how you get pinkeye.

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Of course, nothing beats the "That's my Jew!" comment from Tutuola. Without picking on any particular religion, that had me laughing loudly for a while in the middle of a pretty serious episode.

BTW, I'm completely addicted to SVU and I've now seen almost every episode. Is that wrong?

Margaret

Hey! I was just about to comment that that is the dude that humps the fridge!

I can't be the only one who remembers that, can I?

ltracey

I think you mean "Human Rights Campaign dinner."

Anonymous

he played the guy who picked them up when they were hitchhiking. really gross looking, lets them offer to sleep with his wife? Is insane?

My wife loves him in Wet Hot American Summer - "I'm gonna go hump the fridge."