Gay christopher meloni

Home / gay topics / Gay christopher meloni

He then attended the University of Colorado-Boulder, where he first took acting classes.

After graduating, he moved to New York to study acting while reportedly working as a construction worker, bouncer, bartender and personal trainer.

Among his first roles were a 1988 episode of the TV series The Equalizer and the 1990 film, When Will I Be Loved? 

READ MORE:Difficult phone call Pamela Anderson had to make after eloping with rocker Tommy Lee

He appeared in 19 episodes of The Fanelli Boys, then voiced the role of Spike in the sitcom Dinosaurs. A plethora of movie and TV roles followed, including 1995 film 12 Monkeys, starring Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt, before he appeared in the TV series Oz.

Big break

But it was his next role that made him a star.

In 1999, six actors and actresses were shortlisted for starring roles in a Law and Order spinoff when Meloni and Mariska Hargitay were chosen to screen test together.

Hargitay later recalled she got chatting to Meloni moments before and hoped they would be matched up.

"I was like, 'If they match me with him, this is my role,'' she said, adding she knew he was right for the part due to his "energy, confidence, power" and "the way he looked."

They were still chatting when they walked into the room.

"[Chris] was telling me a story as we walked into the network executive screen test, and he finished his story," she said.

"He was the guy.

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. They’re not just following what I do; they have their own tastes.”

Chris Meloni is best known for the role of Detective Elliot Stabler on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999-2011). 

He then went on to star as Colonel Ethan Truman on the science fiction series Hunters (2015-2016).

His other notable roles include playing Chris Keller on the HBO series Oz (1997-2003), Henry Goodwin on the drama series Heart of Dixie (2011), and Roman Zimojic on the comedy series Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later (2017).

Currently, Chris Meloni has a net worth of $30 million.

Meloni’s character provided these fans with a sense of strength and representation they had longed for.

Christopher Meloni’s Personal Life and Advocacy

Contrary to the speculation about his sexuality, Christopher Meloni is not gay. 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. He made his money by acting and directing in theater, TV, and film.

So, there you are. Meloni’s convincing performance led to speculation about his real-life sexuality. Meloni is committed to raising an LGBT-inclusive family, openly discussing the spectrum of sexuality with his children without causing confusion.

I love my children beyond all reason. 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 later acknowledged how his portrayal inspired many viewers’ sexual awakenings, emphasizing his awareness of the role’s significant impact.

The Awakening of a Generation

Fans have expressed their admiration for Meloni’s performance, crediting it with helping them understand their own sexuality. It was pretty heartbreaking."

While he did not say who was affected, he paid tribute to his "tenacious wife" during a 2023 event for the Global Lyme Alliance (GLA).

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel.

They're my joy, even when they're wild with kid energy."

To mark Williams' 64th birthday this year, Meloni shared several posts on Instagram, including one "to celebrate the grandeur, beauty, and intelligence that is @sherman.meloni."

Lyme disease

After years of supporting the LGBTQ community, Meloni turned his attention to Lyme disease after family members were struck down with the tick-borne illness.

He told People in 2023, "My family was affected by this disease in a very dramatic way.

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. I'm so grateful that those magical stars collided.

"It was just like that from the minute one.

These anecdotes reflect Meloni’s approachable and open nature regarding his interactions with fans from all walks of life.

A Lasting Legacy

Christopher Meloni’s career is a testament to his versatility and impact as an actor. It's iconic. 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.

Supernatural co-stars announce secret engagement

View Gallery

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

"We met and the rest is history.

He recounted personal meetings with older gay men who felt empowered by Keller’s fearless portrayal of a gay character, despite the character’s use of sexuality as a weapon. 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.

No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.

Everyone was excited at the announcement that Chris Meloni would be starring in Law & Order: Organized Crime.

The actor who also starred in The Handmaid’s Tale, 12 Monkeys, True Blood, and Oz retook his Eliot Stabler role.

This followed the character’s retirement from Law & Order Special Victims Unit.

The announcement that Meloni would be taking the lead in the spinoff made many fans curious about his personal life.

His Oz days also had fans wondering whether Meloni is gay.

Below we have compiled all you need to know about Meloni and whether he is gay!

The Gayism Rumors

Rumors of Chris Meloni being gay have been around for years. 

The actor has never addressed the dishes himself, but some things could hint at his sexuality.

For starters, Meloni is very private about his personal life. 

He has rarely spoken about his family. 

Even in interviews, he rarely makes mention of his family or personal relationships. 

However, he has openly admitted that he supports the LGBTQ community.

The Oz Episode

In 2000, Oz aired an episode called “Son of the Harpy.”

The episode was directed by Meloni and starred him as well. 

In the episode, Chris Keller has a gay love affair with another inmate played by actor Bobby Cannavale.

While some believe that this was Meloni’s way of coming out, the actor has never confirmed or denied these rumors.

In fact, when asked about his sexuality in an interview with The Advocate, Meloni simply replied, “No comment.”

However, Meloni was pretty obscene in Oz, and this spurred controversy. 

Some criticized him, while some said he gave them the pride to come out.

Is Christopher Meloni Gay?

Chris Meloni is not gay.

It was just off and running."

Meloni was cast as Detective Elliot Stabler opposite and Hargitay as Detective Olivia Benson in Law and Order: Special Victim's Unit.

'No way': Law & Order star reveals truth behind exit

View Gallery

The same year he started filming SVU, Meloni won a co-starring role in the film Runaway Bride starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere.

There was much hype surrounding the film's release, because Julia Roberts was then the rom-com queen and was starring opposite her Pretty Woman co-star Gere.

Meloni was cast as Bob Kelly, Roberts' character Maggie's fiance and perpetually positive high school football coach.

gay christopher meloni

His advocacy extends beyond his professional work, highlighting his genuine commitment to inclusivity.

Encounters at the Gym

In a light-hearted interview on “Conan,” Meloni humorously recounted incidents where gay men expressed their attraction to him in gym showers, often staring and lathering themselves excessively.