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These 21 Throwback Photos of Christopher Meloni Are So Good, They Should Be Illegal

These 21 Throwback Photos of Christopher Meloni Are So Good, They Should Be Illegal

You have the right to remain gorgeous

By Andrea Wurzburger

April 02, 2020 01:57 PM

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Credit: Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank

Freeze! Christopher Meloni, known for playing Detective Elliot Stabler on Law & Order: SVU, is returning to the show for its fall season premiere.

The actor is also set to reprise his iconic role as the NYPD detective in a new NBC spinoff series, which means there's a lot to celebrate.

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Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Grab your ticket and buckle up because it's about to be a wild ride.

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Credit: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Meloni looked a little different in 1990. Check him out on the right with long hair, a graphic tee and ... is that an earring we see?!

Continued on next slide.

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Credit: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Yep, definitely an earring. The perfect accessory for Meloni's denim shirt.

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Credit: Ron Galella Collection via Getty

This bolo tie and over-sized blazer? Your man could never pull it off!

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Credit: Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank

In 1999, Meloni began what would be a 12-year stint on Law & Order: SVU as Detective Elliot Stabler. He starred alongside Mariska Hargitay, who played his partner Olivia Benson.

Continued on next slide.

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Credit: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Meloni eventually buzzed his luscious locks of the early '90s off for a police force-friendly cut.

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Credit: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

And somehow managed to make us all consider committing a small, harmless crime.

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Credit: Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank

Not that we are thinking about committing any crimes, but if we committed a crime, we wouldn't mind running into Stabler at the precinct.

Continued on next slide.

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Credit: Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank

His blue eyes are particularly arresting.

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Credit: NBCU Photo Bank

We wouldn't mind working late nights at the precinct if it meant Stabler was our partner.

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Credit: Eric Liebowitz/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

We love a man in uniform.

Continued on next slide.

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Credit: Eric Liebowitz/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty

Who are we kidding? We also love a man in plain clothes.

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Credit: Craig Blankenhorn/NBCU Photo Bank

*Googles: How to Become an NYPD Detective.*

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Credit: Theo Wargo/WireImage

He's not afraid to take fashion risks!

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Credit: Scott Gries/ImageDirect

Really digging this red pinstripe number Meloni wore in 2001.

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Credit: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

And this low-cut black shirt.

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Credit: KMazur/WireImage

Somehow he managed to pull off this short-brimmed hat. Did Meloni single-handedly just convince us that someone can pull off a fedora?

Continued on next slide.

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This beanie really makes him look very broody and emotional.

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Credit: Peter Kramer/Getty

Excuse me, who gave Meloni permission to have the jawline of a comic book superhero?

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Credit: Craig Blankenhorn/NBCU

Thank you for your service, sir.

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These 21 Throwback Photos of Christopher Meloni Are So Good, They Should Be Illegal

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