Real-Life Loves
Mariska Hargitay, Peter Scanavino & More ‘SVU’ Stars and Their Real-Life Loves
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is currently in its 26th season, and fans of the police procedural are still obsessed with the disturbing cases the Manhattan department has to handle and solve. So much so, that even the most gory and unsettling stories aren’t enough to keep them away.
After 25 years on the air, it’s normal to become a little attached to the characters and even the actors. Mariska Hargitay is, after all, synonymous with her character Olivia Benson, and we wouldn’t want it any other way.
So, the question persists: With tons of heavy subject matter to deal with at work, who do the actors turn to in their private lives to relieve them of the stress? Well, Swooon is here to answer that. Scroll down below to read about all the SVU cast members’ love lives.
Mariska Hargitay & Peter Hermann
Let’s be honest, when you think of SVU, your mind immediately goes to Detective-turned-Captain Olivia Benson.
The only original character of the cast that has been there since its 1999 inception, it’s no surprise that Hargitay found her husband on the show.
She met her love on the set of Season 3 when Peter Hermann played defense attorney Trevor Langan. The two immediately connected, and Hargitay knew he was the one from their first date.
Inviting her to join him at a church service, Hargitay admitted on TODAY, “I just started sobbing.” She continued, “Peter thought I was crying because I was so moved by the service. No, it was because I was just overwhelmed, realizing he was the one.”
Turns out, she was right. They tied the knot just two years after they started dating. Hargitay and Hermann celebrated their 20-year anniversary in 2024. The couple have three children together: August Miklos Friedrich, Amaya Josephine, and Andrew Nicolas. Both Amaya and Andrew were adopted in 2011.
Ice-T & Coco Austin
Ice-T and Coco Austin have been proud to boast about their romantic connection since the beginning of their courtship. They tied the knot in 2001 just a few months after they started to date. Now, the couple is celebrating their 23rd wedding anniversary this month.
In 2011, the happily wedded item had a reality TV series, Ice Loves Coco, that showcased their playful, loving, and at times, unconventional lives. It ran for three seasons.
In 2015, they welcomed their daughter, Chanel Nicole Marrow. Ice-T also has two children from previous relationships: Letesha Marrow and Tracy Marrow Jr.
Peter Scanavino & Lisha Bai
Peter Scanavino and his wife, Lisha Bai, occasionally showcase a glimpse of their happy relationship in public. In July 2021, Scanavino took to X to celebrate a decade of marriage. He lovingly said, “Meeting Lisha is the best thing that ever happened to me. Happy anniversary!!”
The actor and mixed media artist got married in 2011. Uplifting each other’s artistic pursuits, the couple both channel their passions differently. Scanavino is known for his work on SVU as Detective-turned-ADA Sonny Carisi, while Bai’s work has appeared in exhibitions in New York, London, and San Fransisco. The two share three kids together.
Kevin Kane & Francis Boucille
Kevin Kane and his wife, Francis Benhamou, met each other while doing what they love: acting. The two started dating after Kane and Benhamou both worked on the movie I’m Not Me in 2011. Still always uplifting his wife, whom he married in 2017, Kane showcases Benhamou’s accomplishments on his social media platforms. The two share one daughter together.
Kelli Giddish & Beau Richards
No, Detective Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish) isn’t actually married to Carisi in real life. Instead, she made things official with partner Beau Richards in 2021. She was previously married to business man Lawrence Faulborn. Giddish has two kids with Faulborn: Ludo and Charlie. She also has another son with Richards, Oldie.
Juliana Aidén Martinez
Juliana Aidén Martinez just made her debut as a series regular on SVU, and fans have already welcomed her into the family. The junior detective hasn’t revealed all the secrets of her private life yet, and the same can be said about the actress who plays Kate Silva.
There’s no public information out there about whether she’s in a relationship or not. She could also just be single.
Octavio Pisano
Not much is known about Octavio Pisano‘s personal life. Never trying to give too much away, the Mexican actor hasn’t revealed his relationship status.
However, he did open up about a potential romantic connection for his SVU character, Joe Velasco. Earlier this year he spoke to Us Weekly and said, “There’s a lot more conflicts, some relationships.” When further probed about a love interest, he teased, “I would say romantic. I would say platonic.”
