Christopher Meloni’s 2 Kids: All About Sophia and Dante

A few years after Christopher Meloni debuted his iconic role as Elliot Stabler on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, he also took on another important job: father to his two children, Sophia and Dante Melona.

The Man of Steel the actor married artist Sherman Williams in 1995 and first appeared on Law and order: SVU four years later. As the series grew in popularity, Christopher and Williams began to expand their family. The couple had their first child, daughter Sophia, in 2001, and their son Dante in 2004.

The actor, who was nominated for a Primetime Emmy in 2006, has opened up about his family life in interviews and on social media, including how much raising his children has meant to him amid his successful career.

“I always knew I wanted kids, and so did my wife,” he told PEOPLE in October 2022. “My mother always told me, ‘I’ve learned so much from you kids,’ and I didn’t realize it. Now I understand.”

Christopher Meloni with his wife Sherman Williams and his children, Sophia and Dante Meloni. Christopher Meloni’s Instagram

Christopher also talked about the differences between Sophia and Dante, including their natural wisdom and lively personalities.

“One is more of an old soul. I never used that term until they came out of the womb and I looked into their eyes. I thought, ‘God, look at you. You’re here to teach me,'” the actor said. “Just like the other one, who is a young soul. He is constantly developing and is the complete fulfillment of my life.”

Here’s everything you need to know about Christopher Meloni’s children, Sophia and Dante Meloni.

Sophia Eva Pietra Meloni, 22

Christopher Meloni and his daughter Sophia Eva Pietra Meloni attend the 78th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at The Rainbow Room and aired on February 28, 2021 in New York, New York. Cindy Ord/NBCUniversal/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

Christopher and Williams welcomed their first child, Sophia Eva Pietra Meloni, on March 23, 2001.

When Sophia turned 18 in 2019, Christopher shared a photo of her as a baby on Instagram and wrote: “What’s weird is I know I took this picture yesterday and now I’m celebrating your 18th B-day. Your birth me introduced to Emotions of love, your life gives me life… so I thank you for that. Keep doing and looking for the adventures that life brings.”

The following year, while attending Wesleyan University, Sophia also spent time filming her father’s show, Law and order: organized crime. Christopher documented the touching moment with their selfie. “Get down to business with my girl #BestDayEver,” he wrote on Instagram.

Who is Christopher Meloni’s wife? All about Sherman Williams

Sophia has another connection to Christopher’s screen work: Mariska Hargitay is her godmother, and they seem to be quite close.

On Hargitay’s birthday in 2023, Sophia posted an old video of herself with the actress on Instagram and wrote in the caption, “waving my wand to summon all things sparkly, shiny, beautiful and glorious for my fairy godmother today.”

Away from the TV cameras, Sophia has also joined her father at major Hollywood events, including the 2021 Golden Globe Awards. “My #plusone for the @goldenglobes is getting ready,” Christopher captioned a video of Sophia getting her makeup done.

Christopher Meloni and his daughter Sophia Meloni.

Chris Meloni’s Instagram

In another sweet moment on social media, he shared that Sophia gave him a gift for Father’s Day 2021 that reflected her and her brother’s childhood in a funny way. The giveaway was a framed post from X (formerly Twitter) answering a question about “best celebrity sightings.”

The post read: “I saw Chris Meloni, one of the hottest tough guys on television, lose control of two young kids at lunch in Columbus Circle circa 2007.” Sophia attached a photo of herself and Dante as toddlers and wrote, “Little kids?”

Now grown up, Sophia enjoys partying with her dad in New York. In 2023, Christopher posted on Instagram about a night out with Sophia and her friends. “So…I needed some quality time with bro steak and martinis #boynightout,” the actor joked in the caption below photos of himself and the four-member cast.

Dante Amadeo Meloni, 20

Christopher Meloni and his son Dante Meloni. Christopher Meloni’s Instagram

Christopher and Williams welcomed Dante Amadeo Meloni on January 2, 2004.

Over the years, Happy! star celebrates their son every year on his birthday. “17 years. Love too big, time too fast #myboy,” Christopher captioned the throwback photos on Instagram in 2021.

When he’s not playing basketball, Dante accompanies his family to red carpet events, like movie premieres for Kidnapped and Godzilla.

Chris Meloni and his son Dante Meloni at the gym.

Chris Meloni’s Instagram

Although they were raised out of the limelight, Christopher always encouraged his children to follow their passions. “I want them to do athletics or the arts because those are places where they can express themselves,” he said USA Today in 2014.

He also shared his philosophy on being a hands-on dad. “I think my kids would call me a little crazy,” Christopher told the newspaper. “I’m very physical, very affectionate. I’m also very disciplined and focused on education. That’s one thing that’s been instilled in me, one place in life where there’s no compromise.”

In 2024, Christopher posted a tribute on Instagram for Dante’s 20th birthday, sharing a throwback shot of himself as a young dad and Dante as a baby.

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Source: HIS Education