Law and Order stars Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni share sweet moment in rare red carpet appearance

Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni proved that some television partnerships truly stand the test of time as they reunited on the red carpet at the 76th Annual ACE Eddie Awards at UCLA’s Royce Hall in Los Angeles on Friday, February 27 2026.

The longtime Law & Order costars looked effortlessly in sync as they posed arm-in-arm for photographers, smiling broadly as flashes lit up the evening. 

At one point, Christopher leaned in to plant a tender kiss on Mariska’s cheek – a sweet gesture that reminded fans why their on-screen chemistry has endured for more than two decades.

Mariska, 62, exuded classic Hollywood glamour in an elegant evening ensemble, her brunette hair styled in soft waves and her look finished with understated jewellery. Christopher, 64, cut a dashing figure beside her in a sharp tailored suit, the pair radiating the ease and warmth of two people who share a deep, genuine bond.

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The actors first starred together in 1999 when Law & Order: Special Victims Unit premiered on NBC. As Detective Olivia Benson and Detective Elliot Stabler, they became one of television’s most beloved crime-fighting duos. Their partnership – built on loyalty, tension, humour and unspoken understanding – helped turn SVU into one of the longest-running primetime dramas in history.

When Christopher exited SVU in 2011, fans were devastated by the abrupt end to Benson and Stabler’s partnership. But the story didn’t end there. He returned to the franchise in 2021 with Law & Order: Organized Crime, reprising his role as Stabler and reigniting the dynamic that had captivated audiences for years. Since then, crossover episodes between SVU and Organized Crime have allowed the pair to share the screen once more, much to viewers’ delight.

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Off-screen, their friendship has remained just as strong. Mariska said their connection was instantaneous in an interview with People. “I walked in, saw him, and I went, ‘That guy. That’s the guy.’ It went deep, very fast. We both knew that it was something big.” She added, “I won’t say that I fully understood it, but I knew that meeting him was important and life-changing.”

Mariska has been married to actor Peter Hermann since 2004, and the couple share three children. She is also a passionate advocate for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, founding the Joyful Heart Foundation in 2004.

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Christopher, meanwhile, has been married to production designer Sherman Williams since 1995. The couple share two children, and he has balanced his SVU and Organized Crime work with roles in film, television comedies and voice acting projects.

At the ACE Eddie Awards, however, it was clear that no matter how many years pass or projects they take on, the Benson and Stabler bond remains as powerful as ever – on-screen and off.