faq
Elliot Stabler

When asked why he took the role of Elliot Stabler, Christopher replied, "They gave me the part and paid me the money and I think we've made it better than it was even conceived" (Aug 1 2004). But when asked he would "stick with it" if Law and Order: SVU ran as long as 11 years, Chris said, "Ooohh, wow. Uh…don't think so" (Oct 29 2001). He guessed, on September 29, 2003, that he might continue to play Stabler for another "three years," but when asked recently if his character might be leaving the show soon, Chris responded, "Why? What have you heard?" (Feb 2 2005) Christopher also says that playing Elliot Stabler is harder than playing Chris Keller (Dec 14 2000).

Although Chris came up with the idea to make Elliot a former member of the United States Marine Corps, the show's writers have never revealed how long he served or where he was stationed (May 18 2001).

Christopher was disappointed in the cutback on family scenes on SVU after the first season (Mar 7 2000). Although he says Stabler family scenes are "good" and that he would like see more of them "in tiny dollops," Chris acknowledges that such scenes are "difficult to place in the Law and Order structure" (Apr 17 2000; Feb 2 2005). One memorable scene featuring a family member was cut from the show: "We actually shot a scene where my wife gave me head in the shower - I'm not kidding. It never saw the light of day, but it was fun to shoot" (Nov 14 2003). The audience will probably never see a similar scene between Stabler and Olivia Benson. Chris says, "It'll never happen in a million years - I think we'd lose the audience on that one" (Nov 14 2003). Chris calls the "personal tragedy" that Elliot is going through "a fun ride" for him as an actor (Jan 20 2005). At first, Chris said the reason Elliot was so grouchy was because "my undies are too tight" (Nov 4 2004). Since then, the show has revealed that Stabler's wife has left him. Chris commented that the break-up "seemed like a natural progression…I guess" (Jan 24 2005). When asked if he thinks he has "chemistry" with Isabel Gillies, who plays Stabler's wife, Chris replied, "Maybe we have the chemistry of a couple married 18 years that have serious problems to work out and can't quite figure out how to do it?" (Apr 5 2005)

Christopher has been asked several times to discuss the difference between himself and Stabler. When a fan asked if he is as "rock solid" as Stabler, Chris replied, "Yes, at times and in some circumstances or under certain conditions. Other times, I'm a miserable, devious little cur…or, what we call 'just human.' Thank you" (Nov 14 2000). In addition to saying that he could not handle doing Stabler's job (Dec 25 2002; Jan 20 2005), Chris has given the following responses:
  • "He's a bit more conservative and inflexible than I, although I'd have no problem expanding the death penalty in many of these types of cases. You could not pay me enough to deal with what these people have to deal with" (Sept 29 2003).
  • "I'm not a fan of injustice in any form. Also, the idea of the stronger taking advantage of the weak really pisses me off…Aside from that, we're a little different" (Feb 5 2004).
  • "Elliot's chest is bigger and I'm a little more liberal. Other than that, we're the same person" (Sept 8 2004).
  • "I rarely have any reason to get as angry as Elliot, but I can. Compare, contrast…that's a whole term paper. He's a little more square and conservative than I. He's a little more tormented than me" (Jan 20 2005).
Christopher also says that he's aware of and has read "very little" of the fan fiction written about the characters he plays, and has no discomfort with any of it (Mar 2 2000). One piece of trivia: The wedding band Elliot wears is not a prop; it's Christopher's real-life wedding ring (Mar 26 2000).

Last updated: March 04/06