Human Rights Campaign Equality Award New York, February 11, 2006
	Introduction - Tom Fontana What can I say about Chris Meloni? Well-- and there is no higher praise -- the man literally stuck out his dick for me. When we were shooting OZ, there was a scene where the character he played, Keller, was in the Hole and had to take a piss. Chris got the script and came to my office: "I want to do this," he said, "I want to actually take a piss on camera." Normally, a scene like that would involve prop men and tubes and other special effects, but because Keller was naked, Chris' instincts were a hundred percent correct -- the scene would have more impact if he actually peed. Now, 1 don't know how an actor prepares for that, whether he uses Stanislavsky or Pellegrino - but the moment came, we're on the soundstage, the director calls action, the camera pans down and Chris starts peeing -- on cue. The shot is perfect. Except for one slight technical glitch. Okay. Take two - same deal, action, camera pans, Chris starts to pee on cue. The shot is even better. I'm happy. The director's delirious. Chris says, "Do we want to do it again? 'Cause I got another one in me." Jack Nicholson can't hold a candle to Missus Meloni's little boy. By the way, when the episode aired, a critic in Texas condemned the scene as vile and disgusting and an offense against God. The relentless graphic violence on OZ didn't bother him, peeing did. Or maybe the critic was jealous that Chris had the balls -- and the bladder -- to do it. Anyway, I could wax poetic all night about Chris' sizable urinary gifts. Instead, let me say that as an actor, he is passionate, daring and courageous. In the five years we made OZ, he never once flinched at doing anything I asked for in the scripts. That includes kissing Lee Tergesen and -- having kissed Lee Tergesen myself -- I can tell you, Chris should've gotten hazard pay. The man is such a dedicated artist, he didn't care if his character was likable or sympathetic. He never worried that his fans would confuse the real Chris with the guy in prison. His fearlessness inspired me to explore the depths of Keller's soul and to take bigger risks with Keller's libido. More importantly, Chris' fearlessness pushed me to write the Keller-Beecher storyline, as honestly and fully as I was able. He and Lee wanted to tell the truth. Fuck the consequences. That fearlessness, which is the mark of a great actor, exists in all of Chris Meloni's works, whether performing in an Arthur Miller play in Ireland or on Law & Order: SVU. As we say in the crime game, here's some of the evidence. [ Video excerpts from SVU and from OZ ] Sure, he's talented, handsome. But he's more than a pretty face. He is a wonderful father to Dante and Sophia, a loving husband to Sherman. He's a true gentleman and an American in the best sense, because his only prejudice is against those who are prejudiced. And he's very funny. I am proud to call him my friend and join you in honoring him for his "outstanding contribution as an activist and a friend to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community." It is my supreme pleasure to present Christopher Meloni with The Human Rights Campaign Equality Award. Photos - Courtesy of B. Proud Photography
Return to Events