Elliot Stabler From 'Law & Order' Has A Breathtaking Daughter Off The Screen

Feb 18, 2022 by apost team

Christopher Meloni is an American actor who is best known for playing the role of Detective Elliot Stabler on the crime drama "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit." Meloni reprised the role in a spin-off called "Law and Order: Organized Crime." The star has also made a name for himself on the network HBO. First, he portrayed inmate Chris Keller on "Oz," and then he was a recurring character on season five of "True Blood." 

Not just known for acting on TV, Meloni has been in the films "Man of Steel," "Wet Hot American Summer," "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle," and "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." The actor worked as a construction worker, bouncer, and personal trainer before working as an entertainer full-time. He got his start working in commercials and had minor film roles until he landed a recurring part on "NYPD Blue."

In 1995, Meloni married Doris Sherman Williams, who is a production designer. They had their first child, a daughter named Sophia Eva Pietra Meloni, in March 2001. Meloni's co-star, Mariska Hargitay, is the girl's godmother. The couple's son, Dante Amadeo Meloni, was born in January 2004. Now that his children are almost grown up, Meloni and his wife Doris are getting used to the idea of having an empty nest.

Meloni is passionate about acting but makes his family a priority. In 2015, he bought the house that was famously used in the production of "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet." Read on to learn more about how he came into the entertainment industry and how important being a father is to Meloni.

Meloni's father was a doctor, and his mother was a homemaker, but they still supported his dream of becoming an actor. Meloni shared:

"My parents were surprisingly cool. They always encouraged me to make my own decisions. As I got through my teen years it was 'What college do you want to go to? Your decision.' 'What do you want to major in? Your decision.' 'I want to be an actor. Your decision.' When I graduated college, I denied that acting was a viable career. I called a friend on a lark and asked him what he was doing with his life. He told me he was going to New York to study acting. I said, 'Me too.' Where are you going to study? 'The Neighborhood Playhouse.' I said, 'Great. What's the number?' Once I committed, that was it."

When asked how he balances being a father with such a busy career, Meloni replied:

"Ahh. Keep breathing and appreciate. It's very Zen and I often fail at it, but I do believe that the tenets are there for a purpose and are right and true. Just keep breathing. Appreciate the moment. Be in the moment."

The star makes time to be there for his kids and doesn't take it for granted. "I'm the assistant coach of my son's football and basketball teams. I also go to my daughter's swim meets and her acting gigs. It's taken me a while to be calm and take in the moments I have with my children, but I'm very clear about how important it is," Meloni said.

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The actor and his wife encourage their children to find hobbies and interests that keep them motivated. "My daughter found out that dance wasn't being offered at her school this semester, so she wasn't going to have a sport," Meloni explained to USA Today. "We said, 'You have to do something.' She decided on ballet, and we guided her on how to do that."

Meloni makes time for fun, but he very much agrees with his father on the importance of education. "I think my kids would call me a little crazy," he said. "I'm very physical, very affectionate. I'm also very disciplined and focused on education. That's one thing that was instilled in me, one place in life where there's no compromise."

Meloni added, "I want them to engage in athletics or the arts because those are places they get to express themselves. My daughter is challenged by the piano. I've tried to make it like this: 'We've committed to the piano, but if you don't want to practice we'll pull the plug.' She said, 'I'll give it another shot.' I try to encourage that and say, 'Please trust me. Wondrous things will happen on this journey of pain.'"

Now that he is a dad, Meloni wants to build his children up as much as possible. He said, "What works for me is empowering my kids. I remember not having any power when I was growing up. Power helps kids mature, and it requires critical thinking on their part. They feel engaged in a decision, which makes them feel engaged in the family process."

What do you think of Meloni's views on parenting? Do you agree with him? Let us know, and be sure to pass this along to your friends and family.