Meloni attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, where he first became interested in acting. After graduation, he took a construction job in his hometown until a high school acquaintance inspired him to move to New York to study acting. It was there that Meloni apprenticed at the Neighborhood Playhouse, and got his first big break as the lead in the NBC comedy “The Fanelli Boys.”

After a series of memorable tough-guy roles, including the duplicitous inmate Chris Keller (which Meloni continues to portray on “Oz,”) and guest appearances on “NYPD Blue,” and “Homicide: Life on the Street,” Meloni made the move to the right side of the law in portraying 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. “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 affect him.”

Additionally, Meloni starred in the television series “Leaving L.A.” and in several miniseries, including “In a Child’s Name” and “Mario Puzo’s ‘The Last Don.’” His film credits include “Runaway Bride,” in which he starred opposite Julia Roberts as her sports-enthusiast fiancé, as well as “Twelve Monkeys,” “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” “Junior” and “Bound.”

Meloni starred in the film comedy spoof “Wet Hot American Summer.” Starring opposite Janeane Garafolo and David Hyde Pierce, Meloni portrays a temperamental chef working at a summer camp.

An avid traveler, Meloni has explored from Turkey to Bali and is searching for points in between to visit. He also enjoys weightlifting, playing basketball, football, and chess and is a martial-arts enthusiast.

Meloni divides his time between New York and Los Angeles with his wife and their daughter. His birthday is April 2.