Mariska Hargitay received many wishes for her 59th birthday, but none of them were as… unique as his birthday message from former “Law & Order: SVU” co-star Christopher Meloni. The longtime partners have a special friendship — one that has sustained shippers Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler for years — which shines through in Meloni’s wonderfully weird birthday video for her pal.
On January 23, Meloni posted a video to her Instagram that looks like something out of a found horror movie. In the clip, he holds his phone so close to his face that only his eyes and the top of his head are visible. “Marsha, are you there?” he whispers after a few seconds of silence. “Do you know what it is today? I know it. Happy…!” he says just as the camera cuts out.
The “Law & Order: Organized Crime” star captioned his birthday video masterpiece, “Celebrate it Marsha.” And no, he’s not typing Marsha by mistake. During a 2022 interview on “Late Night With Seth Meyers,” Hargitay revealed that Marsha is one of many nicknames Meloni has for her. “Oh, Marshmelon,” Hargitay said when asked to explain the cute hashtag she and her co-star often use on Instagram. “Chris sometimes calls me Marsha. One of many names.”
Although Hargitay has yet to comment on Meloni’s birthday post, she re-shared her video to her Instagram Story alongside much more conventional (but still adorable) posts from her other friends. Meanwhile, the Olivia Benson actor celebrated his birthday with an equally unusual post on his Instagram, illustrating why she and Meloni have such an enduring friendship in the process.
Hargitay’s birthday message for herself features a large cherub surrounded by books and a multitude of blue balloons. She captioned the photo, “#Mood #It’sGonnaBeAGreatDay #ThingsAreLookingUp #Open-heartOpenMind.”
It didn’t take long for her comments to fill with messages from her famous friends wishing her a happy birthday. ‘Law & Order: Organized Crime’ star Danielle Moné Truitt wrote, “Happy birthday girlfriend!!!” Meanwhile, Lindsay Lohan simply commented, “Happy Birthday 🎂🎊🎉!!!” And actress and singer Betty Buckley added, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR MARISKA!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOOO YOOOUU!!?”
Yet when it comes to crafting a truly unforgettable birthday message, no one can top Meloni’s efforts.
