40 Celebrities You Didn’t Know Were On ‘Law & Order: SVU’

Dun dun

Law & Order SVU returns tonight for season 18. Some might say the show has been on the air way too long, but tell that to every American who finds themselves on their couch on a Saturday afternoon caught up in a marathon black hole. But even dedicated watchers must admit, the series has had a very long, dare we say it, drawn-out run. Let’s be real, after Stabler left, nothing was really the same.

It’s the sixth longest running television show (The Simpsons is number one, with 28 seasons and counting), and has graced our screens with brutally enticing storylines since 1999. Olivia Benson is probably the most recognized character on the drama but there have been a number of actors, actresses, singers, athletes, etc. who have fleetingly starred alongside her over the past 17 years. Some you probably remember (Robin Williams’ performance isn’t easily forgotten) and some you probably don’t (like a baby Abigail Breslin or Questlove playing a corpse).

To help refresh your memory, we’ve rounded up 40 stars that have made an appearance. It might seem like a lot but, believe it or not, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Don’t tell the other Law & Orders but SVU has always been our favorite, and this list is just one of many reasons why. (Another includes the often fucked-up plot twists. But that's a whole other post.)  

Abigail Breslin, 2004

Amanda Seyfried, 2004

Bob Saget, 2006

Bradley Cooper, 2005

Brittany Snow, 2006

Carol Burnett, 2009

Chloë Sevigny, 2012

Connor Paolo, 2006

Cynthia Nixon, 2007

Dave Navarro, 2013

Debra Messing, 2011

Elizabeth Banks, 2001

Elle Fanning, 2006

Frank Langella, 2003

Fred Savage, 2003

Gary Cole, 2004

Hayden Panettiere, 2001

Hillary Duff, 2009

Ian Somerhalder, 2003

James Van Der Beek, 2012

Jennifer Love Hewitt, 2010

Jill Scott, 2010

John Stamos, 2011

Kate Mara, 2001

Lea Thompson, 2004

Ludacris, 2006 and 2007

Marlee Matin, 2004

Martin Short, 2005

Melissa Joan Hart, 2007

Milo Ventimiglia, 2003

Mischa Barton, 2010

Questlove, 2014

Robin Williams, 2008

Rooney Mara, 2006

Rosie Perez, 2009

Sarah Hyland, 2009

Sarah Paulson, 2010

Serena Williams, 2004

Ty Burrell, 2002

Zoe Saldana, 2004