We all know and love the intrinsically linked Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler from the Law & Order universe, played by none other than Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni. There’s actually been a much more important partnership in Mariska’s life for a very long time now, though, and that’s her 17-year marriage to fellow actor Peter Hermann.
During Mariska's appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, Drew couldn’t help but ask the veteran actor about meeting her husband when he appeared in a guest star role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit nearly two decades ago.
Mariska giggled thinking about their first encounter and told Drew that she took one look at Peter and thought to herself, “Who’s that Clark Gable Superman guy that I need to marry today?”
Drew quickly agreed that Peter is usually the most handsome man in any room and casts a “larger than life” presence. When Drew asked Mariska about her first time speaking to him, she immediately looked mortified.
“On the first day, I was so nervous. He was very handsome and it was distracting,” Mariska explained. She also revealed that one of the first things she ever said to her now-husband was so completely “embarrassing” that even her costar Chris Meloni motioned for her to stop.
She couldn’t help but gush that after their somewhat humiliating meet-cute, things rapidly changed for the pair.
“He’s so funny and so different from anyone I’ve ever met. And we had such a … beautiful courtship,” Mariska noted. She explained that even after their 19 years together, they still find themselves learning about one another each and every day.
To hear more about their love journey throughout years in show business, check out the video.
