Former ‘Law & Order: SVU’ Star Kelli Giddish Welcomed Baby No. 3 By Revealing His Highly Unusual Name

Sep 19, 2023 by apost team

In the world of television crime dramas, few shows have made as lasting an impact as "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” This long-running series, now spanning over two decades, has tackled sensitive and challenging subject matter with finesse and empathy, largely thanks to its talented ensemble cast. Among the many actors who have graced the SVU stage is Kelli Giddish. Her portrayal of Detective Amanda Rollins has not only endeared her to viewers but also solidified her status as a formidable presence in the entertainment industry.

Born on April 13, 1980, in Cumming, Georgia, Giddish attended the University of Evansville in Indiana, where she honed her acting skills and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Performance. This education provided her with a strong foundation in acting, and her determination to succeed in the competitive world of entertainment only grew stronger.

Giddish's journey to stardom did not start off too badly. She began her acting career in New York City, where she took on various roles in theater productions and commercials. Within a year, she was already starring in a Broadway play with Farah Fawcett. Her talent quickly caught the attention of casting directors, leading to her first television appearances in shows like "All My Children" and "Damages." 

Giddish's career reached a significant milestone in 2011 when she became a series regular on "Law & Order: SVU." The role not only marked a turning point in her career but also introduced her to a global audience. 

Outside of her career, Giddish has been married once to Lawrence Faulborn, with whom she had two children before they divorced in 2018. In November 2021, she married her current partner Beau Richards. Read on to find out more about Giddish and the latest bundle of joy she has welcomed into her life! 

When Giddish first secured the role as Detective Amanda Rollins on “Law & Order: SVU,” the show had already made its mark as one of crime procedural television’s most well-loved staples. However, Giddish was not at all afraid of joining the established cast in its 13th season. She told TV Guide:

“I couldn't feel better about it. ... There's no intimidation. What attracted me was the prospect of re-invigorating a franchise that's been so well-known and so well-liked, and then to be the shaker and mover.”

She added she felt grateful for the opportunity to work with the likes of renowned talents such as Mariska Hargitay and Ice-T. However, Giddish’s arrival coincided with the exit of Christopher Meloni, who starred in the show from its first season up to its 12th.

“With this show, I'm becoming a part of a team that's established and that's certainly a great feeling. I would be envious of me if I was anybody else. Just in terms of absorbing what these people have to give and having been on the show for 12 years — it's a really cool thing,” she said.

Actor Danny Pino, who played Detective Nick Amaro on “SVU” also joined the cast in the same season as Giddish, and both their arrivals were hailed by Ice-T, who said while the cast “had to regroup, like a football team,” they “did well.” He added:

“Danny came in, strong. Kelli came in, strong. And we shut down the doubters.”

Giddish would go on to play the role until the show’s 24th season in episode nine, in which her character resigned from the unit and accepted an offer to become a college professor. 

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In her final appearances in “Law & Order: SVU,” her character in the show fell pregnant, which left many fans to believe that Giddish herself may be too. They had good reason to believe so, as Giddish’s last two real-life pregnancies had also been written into the show.

The speculation was put to rest when Giddish took to Instagram to reveal she and her husband Beau had welcomed their first child together in June 2023. 

“My husband and I welcomed Oldie Richards on June 20th and we are so in love and so very grateful. Oldie- you’ve brought immeasurable JOY to me and your daddy and your two brothers (and your grandparents and aunts and uncles!). You wake up smiling and the light you bring to each moment is truly incredible,” she wrote in the caption. 

The sweet message was shared alongside a stunning black-and-white photo of the little family, with dad Beau and mom Giddish on either side of the newborn with a fascinating and unconventional name. While the unusual name is not a historically popular one, it’s far from the strangest that has popped up in 2023, with Elon Musk’s third child with Grimes named Techno Mechanicus and jailed entrepreneur Elizabeth Holmes naming her child Invicta.

The name choice also had no negative bearing on the many folks heaping their congratulations on Giddish in the comments. 

“What a little cutie! Congratulations 😍 I love that all three pregnancies were written into SVU too - A very sweet way to immortalize those special moments in your life 😍” one user remarked while another said, “oldie is the cutest name ever!!!”

What are your thoughts on the unique name Kelli Giddish decided on? What’s the most interesting name for a baby you’ve ever heard? Let us know and be sure to pass this on to all the “Law & Order: SVU” fans you know!