30 celebrities you probably forgot played bad guys on 'Law and Order: SVU'

Taylor TobinSep 11, 2020, 23:49 IST

"Law and Order: SVU" has had a lot of special guests over the years.NBC

"Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" is the longest-running spin-off in the franchise, and over the past 22 seasons, the series has had plenty of guest stars.
Elizabeth Banks, Hayden Panettiere, Carol Burnett, and Sarah Paulson all played murderers on the crime drama.
Other celebrities who played criminals on the series include Henry Winkler, Robin Williams, and Hilary Duff.

With 21 successful seasons, so far, "Law and Order: SVU" stands apart as the franchise's longest-running spin-off — in fact, it's already surpassed the 20-season run of the original series.

Throughout its run, "SVU" has featured countless celebrity guest stars, and in some of the series' most memorable episodes, those actors played the villains.

Here are some of the celebrities you probably forgot played criminals on "SVU":

Kate Mara's character played a gymnast with a murderous secret.

Kate Mara guest-starred on "Law and Order: SVU." NBC

Elizabeth Banks played a murderer.

Elizabeth Banks on "Law and Order: SVU." NBC

Henry Winkler played a husband who was stealing money from his wife.

Henry Winkler on "Law and Order: SVU." NBC

David Harbour played a kidnapper.

David Harbour on "Law and Order: SVU." Hulu

Ian Somerhalder was a multifaceted criminal.

Ian Somerhalder on "Law and Order: SVU." NBC

Fred Savage played a serial rapist.

Fred Savage on "Law and Order: SVU." NBC

Jane Krakowski portrayed a jealous sister.

Jane Krakowski on "Law and Order: SVU." Hulu

Martin Short took on the role of a malicious psychic.

Martin Short guest-starred on "Law and Order: SVU." YouTube/twentythreesix

Hayden Panettiere's character murdered a doctor.

Hayden Panettiere has guest-starred on "Law and Order: SVU" more than once. NBC

Lynda Carter played a character who scammed people to get rich.

Lynda Carter on on "Law and Order: SVU." NBC

Michael K. Williams played a pimp.

Michael K. Williams on "Law and Order: SVU." Hulu

Bob Saget played an obsessive husband.

Bob Saget on "Law and Order: SVU." NBC

Ludacris took on a dark criminal role.

Ludacris on "Law and Order: SVU." NBC

Cynthia Nixon played a character who was suspected of child abuse.

Cynthia Nixon on "Law and Order: SVU." NBC

Elizabeth McGovern played a psychiatrist who's tried for homicide.

Elizabeth McGovern on "Law and Order: SVU." NBC

Jared Harris portrayed a serial killer.

Jared Harris on "Law and Order: SVU." Hulu

Mae Whitman played the mother figure of a street gang.

Mae Whitman on "Law and Order: SVU." NBC

Robin Williams played a deceptive audio engineer.

Robin Williams on "Law and Order: SVU." NBC

Luke Perry played an insidious criminal.

Luke Perry on "Law and Order: SVU." NBC

Sarah Hyland played an envious student in an elite prep school.

Sarah Hyland on her second "Law and Order: SVU" appearance. NBC

Carol Burnett played a former dancer with a dark streak.

Carol Burnett on "Law and Order: SVU." NBC

Hilary Duff played a young mother suspected of murdering her child.

Hilary Duff on "Law and Order: SVU." NBC

Sarah Paulson portrayed an heiress with a dark side.

Sarah Paulson on "Law and Order: SVU." NBC

John Stamos played a mysterious attorney.

John Stamos on "Law and Order: SVU." NBC

Lili Reinhart played a teen killer.

Lili Reinhart on "Law and Order: SVU." NBC

Betty Gilpin made an appearance as a promiscuous teacher.

Betty Gilpin on "Law and Order: SVU." Hulu

Pablo Schreiber had a multiple-episode villain arc.

Pablo Schreiber on "Law and Order: SVU." NBC

Patti LuPone took on the role of a cunning talent manager.

Patti LuPone on "Law and Order: SVU." NBC

Harry Hamlin played a corrupt officer.

Harry Hamlin on "Law and Order: SVU." NBC

Brad Garrett played a prison guard with a criminal streak.

Brad Garrett on "Law and Order: SVU." NBC

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