How Christopher Meloni's Grown-up Kids Look Now – One Has His Dad's Striking Eyes

The "Law & Order: SVU" star's children have blossomed into young adults, with one notably inheriting one of his father's most recognizable features.

Christopher Meloni, best known for his intense portrayal of Detective Elliot Stabler in "Law & Order: SVU," has shown the world a softer side through his role as a dedicated father. His children, Sophia and Dante, now in their early 20s, have grown up out of the spotlight but occasionally appear in their father's social media posts, giving fans glimpses into their lives.

The actor and his wife, production designer Doris Sherman Williams, chose a complicated path to parenthood, welcoming both children via surrogate, and have created a family life that balances discipline with affection.

Becoming Softer In Fatherhood

Christopher's approach to fatherhood starkly contrasts with his tough-guy persona on screen. Known for his intense roles, particularly in the popular crime procedural, the actor transforms into a nurturing, thoughtful parent behind the scenes.

This duality became evident during a 2014 interview, where he quickly revealed his gentler side when the topic turned to his children.

"I think my kids would call me a little crazy," Christopher said. "I'm very physical, very affectionate. I'm also very disciplined and focused on education. That's one thing that was instilled in me, one place in life where there's no compromise."

Unlike the characters he portrays on screen, who often rely on authority and intimidation, Christopher's parenting style focuses on collaboration and empowerment. He believes in giving his children agency in decision-making, helping them develop critical thinking skills, and feel engaged in family processes.

This approach stems directly from his childhood experiences, where he felt he lacked power in many situations. His father, a stern doctor, raised him with a no-nonsense approach to discipline and education. When young Christopher would try to negotiate or reason, his dad would shut down the conversation and tell him to do as told.

This authoritarian style left a lasting impression on the actor. While he can recognize that his father's intentions were good, the approach didn't align with his learning style or personality.

"My father would say, 'You can blah blah blah all you want, but this is the assignment. Do the assignment,'" Christopher recalled. This experience led him to adopt a more collaborative approach with his children.

Additionally, the actor acknowledged having several learning issues during childhood that made traditional educational approaches difficult. Rather than forcing his children into the same mold that caused him frustration, he sought to understand their needs and academic styles.

This personalized approach extended to extracurricular activities as well. He encouraged his children to pursue arts and athletics as avenues for self-expression. Christopher shared a specific example of this parenting philosophy when his daughter needed to choose a sport after learning dance wasn't available at her school.

Rather than deciding for her, as his character Jack from "Surviving Jack" might have done, the actor and Sherman guided their daughter through the decision-making process.

They set the parameters she needed to choose some physical activity but allowed her to select ballet by herself. However, while they found a nice harmony while raising the kids, the road to actually becoming parents proved much more difficult.

Fertility Issues

Christopher and his wife had to choose an alternative path to have their children. "We couldn't have kids the normal way. We both knew from day one that these were the steps we were going to take," he shared in a 2005 interview. Therefore, the couple turned to surrogacy, a process that came with its challenges.

"We went online to surrogacy agencies. We interviewed lots of people — and I have to say, with all due respect, some of them were freaks. I was very leery of the process the whole way through," he admitted.

Later, fate intervened when a friend connected them with a potential surrogate through a workplace acquaintance. Upon meeting her, the couple felt an immediate connection and knew they had found someone trustworthy and responsible.

Even then, the process wasn't smooth. Multiple attempts at conception failed, testing everyone's patience and determination. Through these challenges, their surrogate remained committed to helping them realize their dream of parenthood.

Finally, they got their wish, and Christopher was present for the births of both children in 2001 and 2004, describing the experiences as "the most amazing" of his life.

The profound impact of witnessing his children enter the world fundamentally changed his perspective, teaching him that acting, while important, wasn't the most significant aspect of his life.

Years later, in 2022, he reflected, "My mother always used to say to me, 'I've learned so much from you kids,' and I didn't get it. Now I get it."

The actor's commitment to creating meaningful family experiences extended to planning special vacations and traditions. Unlike his childhood, where family trips consisted mainly of visiting grandparents or attending his father's medical conferences, Christopher prioritized creating memorable experiences for his children.

Their lakeside vacation home in Connecticut became a sanctuary for family bonding, water skiing, and entertaining friends. With both children grown and moved out, Christopher and Sherman have entered a new chapter of parenthood.

The transition to an empty nest was challenging, with Christopher revealing that there was an "emptiness" in their home after they dropped off their youngest at college in 2023.

Despite the difficulties of this transition, Christopher's journey through fatherhood shows the profound growth and learning that comes with raising children.

Furthermore, the values he has instilled in his children — education, physical activity, critical thinking, and creativity — provide a foundation as they forge their own paths in the world. So, let's learn a little more about them and see what they look like now!

Sophia Meloni

Born on March 23, 2001, Sophia, 24, has already dipped her toes into the entertainment industry. She has a credit as an actress in "Dirty Movie" (2011), suggesting she might follow in her father's footsteps at some point.

Christopher often shares touching tributes to his daughter on social media. For her 18th birthday in 2019, he posted a baby photo with a heartfelt caption.

He wrote, "So what's weird is, I know I took this picture yesterday and now I'm celebrating ur 18th B Day. Ur birth introduced me to the emotion of love, ur life gives me life... so I thank u for that. Keep doing you, and seeking out the adventures that life holds. Now get out there and learn, have fun, and fix this mess. #Flea #intrepidtraveler [sic]."

Last year marked another milestone when Sophia graduated from university. Christopher proudly shared photos of the family celebration, which included his longtime "Law & Order: SVU" co-star Mariska Hargitay.

Of course, "Law & Order" fans have always been quick to comment on Sophia's photos when they appear on her father's Instagram. In a post where Christopher and his daughter attended a party together, one admirer wrote, "Your daughter is absolutely beautiful." Another added, "She is beautiful." And one fan posted, "She looks like you."

Dante Meloni

Sophia's younger brother, Dante, turned 21 in January 2025 and shares a striking resemblance to his father. The name "Dante" was chosen specifically because, as the actor explained, "We wanted something Italian and cultured sounding."

To mark his son's milestone birthday, Christopher posted a photo on Instagram, writing, "21 years old. @dante_melonii Still got attitude." Just like with Sophia, the actor's social media had many more glimpses into his bond with Dante.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, father and son enjoyed playing basketball. The actor humorously shared their competitive spirit on Instagram, writing, "Quarantine Update: This kid keeps kicking my [expletive] in B Ball and I want it to stop. Be safe. Foul if necessary. Cheat when you can."

The pair are also dedicated to fitness beyond basketball, as Christopher has posted about their Sunday morning workouts together. This shared interest likely strengthens their bond while maintaining the physical discipline the actor values.

Similarly to his sister, Dante has caught the attention of fans online because of his striking resemblance to his father, particularly in the eyes.

On a photo carousel featuring Dante as a child in one image and as a young adult in another, Christopher's followers quickly pointed out the similarity. One follower wrote, "Wow.... He has your eyes…" Another added, "The eyes are the same," and someone else posted, "Twins ❤️🙌❤️."

As Sophia and Dante navigate their 20s, they carry not just their father's beautiful looks but also the values of discipline, physical activity, and likely the same sense of humor that the actor has displayed throughout his career and parenting journey.

And while the empty nest may echo with "tumbleweeds" for Christopher and Sherman, their strong foundation ensures their children face the world with confidence, attitude, and perhaps a bit of their father's intensity in their gaze.