Dun Dun! 2025 SAG Awards Take a Walk Down Memory Lane by Highlighting Stars Who've Appeared inLaw & OrderFranchise

Mar. 15, 2025

‘Law & Order’ alums Tony Hale (left), Zoe Saldaña and Timothée Chalamet.Photo:Emma McIntyre/Getty; Amy Sussman/Getty; Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty

Emma McIntyre/Getty; Amy Sussman/Getty; Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty

The New York City crime scene has seen a lot of famous actors pass through — on theLaw & Orderuniverse.

At the2025 SAG Awardson Sunday, Feb. 23,Law & Order: Special Victims UnitstarMariska Hargitaypaid tribute to the many stars who appeared in the crime franchise in the beginning of their careers.

“In theLaw & Orderuniverse, the dedicated actors who bring these stories to life are members of an elite squad known as the guest stars,” Hargitay, 61, said in a pre-taped video, imitating the iconic lines recited at the beginning of every episode. “These are their stories.”

Mariska Hargitay with Ryan Buggle on ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ season 19.Christopher Saunders/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

Christopher Saunders/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

The segment proceed to show stars such as Bradley Cooper, Viola Davis, David Harbour andKeke Palmerappearing in the series before they hit their big break.

“So many amazing actors were guest stars early in their careers in theLaw & Orderuniverse: Kerry Washington, Sebastian Stan, Leighton Meester, Adam Driver, Sam Rockwell, Elizabeth Banks,Zoe Saldaña, Pedro Pascal,Tony Hale, Abigail Breslin, Sabrina Carpenter,” continued Hargitay, who has playedSVU’s Olivia Benson since 1999.

Zoe Saldaña on ‘Law & Order’.Netflix

Netflix

Liza Colón-Zayasreflected on her experience as a guest star onLaw & Order. “I played five different characters in six episodes,” theBearactress, 52, said. “I discovered two bodies. It was so satisfying. It was a very big deal to be onLaw & Orderand it’s a right of passage”

Hale, 54, said he didn’t think “I’m an authority” onLaw & Order“because I only did one episode” — before being reminded he appeared in two episodes of the procedural.

Tony Hale on ‘Law & Order’.Netflix

“How did I get my role onLaw & Order? I don’t know, I give really good trauma face?” Hale joked. “To this day,Law & Orderis the only show my parents have understood. ‘Hey Mom, Dad, I got an Emmy, I got SAG award!’ ‘Oh that’s so great son! When are you going to be onLaw & Orderagain?’”

“I came up with a game,” Palmer said. “You know what? What if we told everyone to take a drink if they’ve ever been an episode ofLaw & Order?”

Keke Palmer and Colman Domingo the 31st annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles on Feb. 23, 2025.Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

“Then this whole room would be lit!” Domingo, 55, responded.

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SeePEOPLE’s full coverage of the 31st annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, airing on Netflix.

source: people.com