They track down the bad guys and investigate heinous crimes on-screen, and they have been for nearly 26 years, but behind the scenes, the stars of Law & Order: SVU get to experience their own happy love stories away from all of the horror they endure on camera. Get to know the real-life couples of SVU and see which of the stars are married!
Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann’s on-set romance
Strong female lead Mariska Hargitay, who portrays Olivia Benson, has the sweetest love story of all — and it began on the Law & Order set. Hargitay met now-husband Peter Hermann in 2002 on set. There were sparks between the couple soon after their meeting and they went to Church on their first date.
“We went to church together, and it was like getting hit with a lightning bolt,” Hargitay said. “I just started sobbing. Peter thought I was crying because I was so moved by the service. No, it was because I was just overwhelmed, realizing he was the one.”
By 2004, Hargitay and Hermann had tied the knot, welcoming their son August two years later in 2006. In April 2011, the couple adopted their daughter Amaya, and a few months later they adopted their son Andrew.
Christopher Meloni and Sherman Williams’ lasting love
Christopher Meloni, who portrays Elliot Stabler, met his current wife, Sherman Williams, in 1989, while both were working on the set of an HBO series. While the now-couple didn’t begin to date right away, Meloni and Williams continued to run into each other at industry parties in L.A.
In 1995, the pair exchanged vows in a beach wedding. Meloni and Williams welcomed two children together, daughter Sophia in 2001 and son Dante in 2004.
Ice-T and Coco Austin’s dynamic partnership
Ice-T, who portrays Detective Odafin ‘Fin’ Tutuola, has been with his wife, Coco Austin, since 2001. The two met on the set of a music video and soon began a long-distance relationship. They quickly married on January 1, 2002 and have been together ever since.
Ice-T and Coco premiered their reality show, Ice Loves Coco, in 2011. A few years later, the couple welcomed their first child, daughter Chanel, in 2015. Ice-T also has two children from previous relationships, Letesha Marrow and Tracy Marrow Jr.
Other love stories from the ‘SVU’ Cast
Dann Florek and Karen Florek
Dann Florek, who portrayed Captain Donald Cragen from 1999 to 2021, has been married to his wife, artist Karen, since 1983.
Richard Belzer’s three wives
Gail Susan Ross
SVU star Richard Belzer, who portrayed John Munch, was married to Gail Susan Ross from 1966 to 1972. Not much else is known about this relationship.
Dalia Danoch
Following his first marriage, Belzer tied the knot with Dalia Danoch, whom he had a short marriage with from 1976 until 1978.
Harlee McBride
Belzer’s third and final wife, Harlee McBride, is a retired actress. Belzer and McBride walked down the aisle in 1985, and they were together until Belzer’s passing in 2023. Although the couple never had children together, McBride has two of her own from a previous marriage, Jessica and Shannon.
Kelli Giddish’s marriages
Lawrence Faulborn
Kelli Giddish, who portrays Detective Amanda Rollins on SVU, was married to Lawrence Faulborn from 2015 until 2018. The couple welcomed two children together — Ludo and Charlie — before divorcing in 2018.
Beau Richards
Following her first marriage, Giddish found love again with husband Beau Richards, whom she tied the knot with in 2021. The couple welcomed their first child together, son Oldie, in 2023.
BD Wong and Richert Schnorr
BD Wong, who is known for portraying SVU’s George Huang from 2001 to 2015, has been married to husband Richert Schnorr since 2018. The couple first met in 2010 through an online dating site’s singles mixer. Although they don’t have any children together, Wong does have a son named Jackson with ex-partner Richie Jackson.
Tamara Tunie’s husbands
Greg Bouquett
SVU’s Tamara Tunie, who portrayed Melinda Warner, was previously married to Greg Bouquett from 1988 until 1991. The couple didn’t have any children together.
Gregory Generet
Tunie tied the knot with her second husband, jazz musician Gregory Generet, in 1995. The couple frequently supported each other’s creative endeavors throughout their 20-year marriage. Tunie and Generet separated in 2015. The couple did not have any children.
Peter Scanavino and Lisha Bai
Peter Scanavino, the man best known as SVU’s Sonny Carisi and on-screen love interest to Giddish’s Amanda Rollins, has his own real-life love story. Scanavino has been married to wife Lisha Bai since 2011.
In an anniversary post Scanavino shared in 2021, he wrote, “Married ten years today. Meeting Lisha is the best thing that ever happened to me. Happy anniversary!! @LishaHBai.”
The couple has welcomed three children together but is very private about their family life. Scanavino has only shared the name of one of his children, son Leo, who was born in 2016.
