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The role also earned her a Golden Globe Award in 2004, two previous Emmy Nominations, three SAG Award nominations and a Gracie Allen Award for American Women in Radio and Television.

"As a woman, it's gratifying to play such a multi-layered part. Olivia is not only a competent, street-smart cop, she's also an empathetic woman who can respond emotionally to victims of terrible crimes without compromising her professionalism," says Hargitay.

Hargitay is also known to NBC viewers for her recurring role on "E.R." as Dr. Greene's (Anthony Edwards) girlfriend, Cynthia Hooper, in the 1997-98 season of the top-rated show.

She also gained notice as a cast regular in the sitcom "Can't Hurry Love" with Nancy McKeon and Louis Mandylor. Additional television credits include guest roles on NBC's "Seinfeld," "Ellen" and "thirtysomething," and starring roles on "Falcon Crest" and "Prince Street." Hargitay was also seen in the telefilms "The Advocate's Devil" and "Night Sins," as well as the Lifetime movie "Plain Truth."

Her film credits include the thriller "Lake Placid," written by David E. Kelley and starring Bridget Fonda, the critically acclaimed "Leaving Las Vegas," David Lynch's "Hotel Room," Bob Fosse's "Star 80," and Michael Rymer's "Perfume."

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Hargitay is the youngest daughter of screen legend Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay. She divides her time between New York and Los Angeles. The UCLA graduate speaks Hungarian, French and Italian.

Hargitay is married to actor Peter Hermann, who starred most recently in Universal/Working Title's "United 93" and has a recurring role on "SVU" as attorney Trevor Langan. The couple recently gave birth to their first child, a son.

CHRISTOPHER MELONI
Det. Elliot Stabler


A native of Washington, D.C., Christopher Meloni returns to the cast of Wolf Films/NBC Universal Television's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" for his eighth season as Detective Elliot Stabler. Meloni is nominated for his first Emmy Award this season as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

Meloni is recognized as one of the most versatile actors today, taking on challenging and diverse roles in both television and film. He is well known for his portrayal of the duplicitous inmate Chris Keller on HBO's critically praised series Oz. He moved to the right side of the law however, on "Law & Order: SVU" playing Detective Elliot Stabler.

"Stabler and I are alike in that we're focused on our job and couldn't see doing anything else with our lives," says Meloni about his character. "He's a rock solid guy, with a great capacity for compassion, the ironic, and the absurd. He can relish the small triumphs when they come and doesn't allow the horrors of his job to infect him."

His additional work in television includes guest appearances on "NYPD Blue," and "Homicide: Life on the Street" and "Scrubs." He also starred in the series "Leaving L.A." and in several miniseries, including "In a Child's Name" and "Mario Puzo's The Last Don."

Meloni received much critical praise for his theatrical work last summer at the prestigious Gate Theater in Dublin for his starring role in Arthur Miller's "A View From the Bridge" in which he played Eddie Carbone. The Irish Times called him "?the real thing, tremendously forceful presence with all the confidence fame brings and none of the self-indulgence."

On the big screen, Meloni was seen in the New Line comedy "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle" with an ensemble that includes Anthony Anderson, Jamie Kennedy and Ryan Reynolds. He also appeared in the independent film "Wet Hot American Summer," which screened at the Sundance Film Festival. Starring opposite Janeane Garafolo and David Hyde Pierce, Meloni was singled out for his performance as a temperamental chef working at a summer camp. His other film credits include "Runaway Bride," in which he starred opposite Julia Roberts as her sports-enthusiast fianc%u9B20as well as in "Twelve Monkeys," "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," "Junior" and "Bound." He got his first big break as the lead in NBC's comedy "The Fanelli Boys."