The immense success of Law & Order: SVU and the ensuing iconic standing of Detective Elliot Stabler have ensured that Christopher Meloni has cemented himself as one of the most recognizable figures of the small screen. However, the actor’s filmography expands far beyond the hit crime series, with Meloni appearing in everything from cult comedy classics to major cinematic blockbusters.

A defining characteristic of Meloni’s career has been his eagerness to take on challenging roles, bringing great humanity to complicated characters, be it with his dramatic punch or his natural knack for comedic timing. There is hardly a genre Meloni has yet to excel in, with his best films and television shows presenting a clear image of his versatility and impact.

10 'Man of Steel' (2013)

Appeared as Colonel Nathan Hardy

The initial launching pad for the DCEU, Man of Steel saw Henry Cavill star as Superman, with the film intent on bringing the Son of Krypton into the new age of superhero cinema following the success of The Dark Knight Trilogy and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Buoyed by some flawless casting and high-octane action set pieces, it followed Kal-El, living under the alias of Clark Kent, through his upbringing on Earth and the ultimate decision he must make when other surviving Kryptonians attack the planet.

Meloni had a supporting role as Colonel Nathan Hardy, an American Air Force officer who aids Superman in his battle against General Zod (Michael Shannon). His character’s sacrificial heroics in Man of Steel ended up being what saved the world from annihilation.

9 'The Diary of a Teenage Girl' (2015)

Appeared as Pascal MacCorkill

A jarring combination of adolescent angst, confronting sexuality, and deftly balanced dramedy, The Diary of a Teenage Girl was certainly a striking film. Set in 1976 in San Francisco, it follows Minnie (Bel Powley), a 15-year-old girl with aspirations of becoming a cartoonist who decides she wants to lose her virginity. After sleeping with her mother's new boyfriend, Monroe (Alexander Skarsgård), she experiences a sexual awakening and embarks on a sex-fueled odyssey of self-discovery.

The film isn't shy about depicting a lot of Minnie's journey on-screen, which naturally gives it some confronting moments, but The Diary of a Teenage Girl was celebrated for its bold and refreshing earnestness and its exploration of themes that were more insightful than offensive. Christopher Meloni had a supporting role as Pascal, Minnie's stepfather who lives in New York City.

Rent on Apple TV

8 'Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle' (2004)

Appeared as Randy aka Freakshow

As far as stoner comedies go, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle is nothing short of a genre-defining masterpiece. The 2004 comedy follows Harold (John Cho) and Kumar (Kal Penn), two uninspired roommates who find themselves craving a White Castle burger after smoking marijuana together. However, when they learn their local takeaway store no longer operates, they find themselves embarking on a tumultuous journey to get to the next-nearest outlet.

Throughout their voyage, they come across many unforgettable characters who both help and hinder them on their way. One of the most memorable and peculiar was Meloni's Randy, otherwise known as Freakshow, a tow-truck driver with oozing boils who comes to the duo's rescue and proposes a foursome with his surprisingly beautiful wife. The brief performance showcased what Meloni could do in a comedic role, and led to the actor returning in the classic stoner movie's sequel as a different character.

7 'Underground' (2016 - 2017)

Appeared as August Pullman

A historical drama that functioned well as a gripping adventure thriller series, Underground was underappreciated while on the air. Set in the 1850s, it follows a group of slaves as they set off on a harrowing and daring journey with hopes of escaping Georgia and reaching the Northern states via the underground railroad. However, the groups' dreams of a better life were often jeopardized by the violent figures they came across.

Among its many compelling characters was Christopher Meloni’s August Pullman, a two-faced slave catcher who, while seeming like a good-natured ally at first, actually made a living by selling escapees back to the plantations. The show ran for two seasons, garnering praise from critics and audiences, but was axed after a controversial change in ownership of the production company.

Watch on Hulu

6 'Bound' (1996)

Appeared as Johnnie Marzzone

The feature film debut of the Wachowskis, 1996's neo-noir crime thriller Bound presented Meloni with a chance to excel in a supporting role of great significance, effectively serving as his major career breakthrough. Celebrated for being an LGBTQIA+ film, it follows Violet (Jennifer Tilly), the lover of a violent mafioso, who enters into a love affair with Corky (Gina Gershon), a lesbian ex-cop. Together, the two women hatch a scheme to steal $2 million from the mob and frame the theft on Violet's volatile boyfriend.

Christopher Meloni portrayed Johnnie Marzzone, the hot-headed son of the mob boss that Violet's boyfriend, Corky (Joe Pantoliano) worked for, with Johnnie and Corky having a fierce hatred for one another. The Wachowskis' Bound was a resounding success for its aspirational and innovative filmmakers, one that proved to be a pivotal step forward for the directors who would make The Matrix just three years later.

5 'Happy!' (2017 - 2019)

Appeared as Nick Sax

Based on the graphic novel series of the same name, Happy! flaunted a delightfully twisted brand of comedy like a sledgehammer amid an ultra-violent world of crime, sex, and murder. Meloni starred as Nick Sax, an alcoholic ex-cop moonlighting as a hitman who is told of his estranged daughter’s abduction by an imaginary unicorn, leading the unlikely duo to team up to save the girl.

Its off-kilter premise allowed the series to fully embrace a chaotic and eye-popping tone, one that was executed with a great deal of the blackest humor imaginable and a penchant for intense stylized gore. It may not be to everyone’s taste, but Happy! is a true gem of sick hilarity that enabled Meloni to operate at his comedic best across its two seasons.

Watch on Netflix

4 '42' (2013)

Appeared as Leo Durocher

A rousing sporting biopic that used its iconic subject to explore racial issues in American history, 42 was considered an inspirational success by critics and audiences alike. It starred Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson, documenting his career as the first Black man to play in the MLB, and delving into the backlash that followed, both publicly and within the club.

While the movie’s primary focus is on the relationship that develops between Robinson and legendary baseball manager Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford), Meloni plays an important part as Leo Durocher, the manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers. His best moment in the film comes when he assertively rebuffs the white players who rally to announce their refusal to play alongside Robinson on account of his race.

Watch on Amazon Prime

3 '12 Monkeys' (1995)

Appeared as Lt. Halperin

There is a peculiar irony to a film career as vast and daring as Christopher Meloni’s boasting a top-rated IMDb credit that he hardly appears in. However, his minor part as Lieutenant Halperin in Terry Gilliam's famous '90s sci-fi film is a joy to revisit considering the meteoric rise his career would undergo in the following years.

Set in an apocalyptic world on the brink of extinction, 12 Monkeys follows an inmate who is sent back in time to uncover the origin of the disease that wiped out humanity. The film’s gritty atmosphere and grounded sense of reality made it stand out in the genre, while its cast, including Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, and Brad Pitt, ensured it would become a hit.

2 'Oz' (1997 - 2003)

Appeared as Chris Keller

Meloni’s vast range of characters spans from the noble and heroic to the chaotic and vibrant, and even to the downright disturbing. However, none of his characters have been as haunting as Chris Keller in the grueling yet brilliant HBO series Oz, which was an ultra-violent and confronting depiction of life in a high-security prison.

A bisexual serial killer who targeted gay men, Keller was an emotionally manipulative psychopath who was recruited by the leader of the prison's Aryan gang to torment his rival, Tobias Beecher (Lee Tergesen). However, he finds himself falling in love with Beecher, leading to a turbulent and unsettling relationship. Meloni entered the series in its second season and was a regular recurring character throughout the rest of its run, over which time he became a confronting stand-out among Oz's main characters.

Watch on Max

1 'Law & Order: SVU' (1999 - )

Appeared as Detective Elliot Stabler

With its unique premise among police procedural crime drama and a record-breaking run for primetime, live-action television, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has become a defining landmark for the medium. The first of Law & Order’s many spin-offs, SVU focuses on the New York City Police Department’s Special Victims Unit, a squad of specially trained detectives who investigate crimes of a sexual nature.

Alongside the relentless and committed Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay), Meloni's Detective Elliot Stabler is one of the most instantly recognizable characters in television history. Having been one of the show's lead stars from season one, Meloni exited the series at the end of its 12th season, but he has since returned to feature in a recurring role in recent years.

Watch on Peacock

NEXT: The Best Episodes of 'Law & Order: SVU', Ranked According to IMDb