Christopher Meloni Shares His Thanksgiving Traditions — and What He’s ‘in Charge of’ in the Kitchen (Exclusive)

Christopher Meloni leads the charge on Thanksgiving.

The Law and order: organized crime the star has two very important jobs on the big day: quarterback of the family team and fryer.

Meloni, 62, and his entire family begin the holiday celebration with a desolate and dirty tradition.

“We play soccer and everyone plays,” he told PEOPLE at this year’s Global Lyme Alliance Gala. “My daughter is a killer. It’s very sweet, and we just blend in, all riff raff. All the Thanksgiving riff.”

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Meloni and his wife of 28 years, Sherman Williams, have two children: Sophia, 22, and Dante, 19.

In years past, the Meloni clan even celebrated Turkey Day with dad’s longtime child Law and order Costar and friend Mariska Hargitay and her family.

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As for Melona’s role in the kitchen?

“Well, I deep fry the turkey. I’m in charge of that. Look, everyone knows better,” he says with a laugh.

In other words? Meloni won’t be busy rummaging through the cupboards for sugar — and, she jokes, “you won’t keep me in charge of the sweet potatoes.”

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Michael Schwartz

When he’s not busy putting on social shows or preparing the main course, Meloni is out raising Lyme awareness with the Global Lyme Alliance after going public with his family’s personal experience with the disease.

“It feels good to be out there trying to do what I can to bring attention to Lyme disease,” he says. “Sailing it is a nightmare. Having each other to lean on [as family], I mean, that’s already in place. You know, we love each other, but it’s hard because it can change people and change the dynamic.”

Michael Ostuni/Patrick McMullan via Getty

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Speaking with PEOPLE in August, Meloni credited his wife with helping their family finally get an accurate diagnosis after two years of searching for answers.

“She left nothing unturned and was a driving force in getting answers. She was relentless – he raved. “She is the hero of all this.”

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Source: HIS Education