Photo:Michael Ostuni/Patrick McMullan via GettyChristopher Meloniis leading the charge onThanksgiving.TheLaw & Order: Organized Crimestar has two very important jobs on the big day: quarterback of the family team and deep fryer.Meloni, 62, and his entire family start off the holiday celebrations with a down-and-dirty tradition.“We play football, and everybody plays,” he told PEOPLE at this year’s Global Lyme Alliance Gala. “My daughter’s a killer. It’s very sweet, and we just cobble together, all the riff raff. All the Thanksgiving riff raff.”Meloni and hiswife of 28 years, Sherman Williams, share two children: Sophia, 22, and Dante, 19.In years past, the Meloni clan has even celebrated turkey day with dad’s longtimeLaw & Ordercostar and friendMariska Hargitayand her family.As for Meloni’s role in the kitchen?“Well, I deep-fry the turkey. That’s what I’m in charge of. Look, everyone knows better,” he says with a laugh.In other words? Meloni won’t be busy searching the cupboards for sugar — and, he quips, “you’re not going to keep me in charge of the sweet potatoes.“Michael SchwartzWhen he’s not busy calling plays in a huddle or preparing a main course, Meloni is out raising awareness for Lyme disease with theGlobal Lyme Allianceafterpublicly revealing his family’spersonal experience with the disease.“It feels good to be out and trying to do whatever I can to help bring attention to Lyme disease,” he says. “Navigating it is a nightmare. Having each other to lean on [as family], I mean that’s already in place. You know, we love one another, but it’s hard because it can change people and it changes dynamics.”Michael Ostuni/Patrick McMullan via GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Speaking to PEOPLE in August, Meloni credited his wife for helping their family ultimately get the correct diagnosis after searching for answers for two years.“She left no stone unturned and she was the driving force at getting answers. She was relentless,” he raved. “She’s the hero of all of this.”
Photo:Michael Ostuni/Patrick McMullan via Getty

Michael Ostuni/Patrick McMullan via Getty
Christopher Meloniis leading the charge onThanksgiving.TheLaw & Order: Organized Crimestar has two very important jobs on the big day: quarterback of the family team and deep fryer.Meloni, 62, and his entire family start off the holiday celebrations with a down-and-dirty tradition.“We play football, and everybody plays,” he told PEOPLE at this year’s Global Lyme Alliance Gala. “My daughter’s a killer. It’s very sweet, and we just cobble together, all the riff raff. All the Thanksgiving riff raff.”Meloni and hiswife of 28 years, Sherman Williams, share two children: Sophia, 22, and Dante, 19.In years past, the Meloni clan has even celebrated turkey day with dad’s longtimeLaw & Ordercostar and friendMariska Hargitayand her family.As for Meloni’s role in the kitchen?“Well, I deep-fry the turkey. That’s what I’m in charge of. Look, everyone knows better,” he says with a laugh.In other words? Meloni won’t be busy searching the cupboards for sugar — and, he quips, “you’re not going to keep me in charge of the sweet potatoes.“Michael SchwartzWhen he’s not busy calling plays in a huddle or preparing a main course, Meloni is out raising awareness for Lyme disease with theGlobal Lyme Allianceafterpublicly revealing his family’spersonal experience with the disease.“It feels good to be out and trying to do whatever I can to help bring attention to Lyme disease,” he says. “Navigating it is a nightmare. Having each other to lean on [as family], I mean that’s already in place. You know, we love one another, but it’s hard because it can change people and it changes dynamics.”Michael Ostuni/Patrick McMullan via GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Speaking to PEOPLE in August, Meloni credited his wife for helping their family ultimately get the correct diagnosis after searching for answers for two years.“She left no stone unturned and she was the driving force at getting answers. She was relentless,” he raved. “She’s the hero of all of this.”
Christopher Meloniis leading the charge onThanksgiving.
TheLaw & Order: Organized Crimestar has two very important jobs on the big day: quarterback of the family team and deep fryer.
Meloni, 62, and his entire family start off the holiday celebrations with a down-and-dirty tradition.
“We play football, and everybody plays,” he told PEOPLE at this year’s Global Lyme Alliance Gala. “My daughter’s a killer. It’s very sweet, and we just cobble together, all the riff raff. All the Thanksgiving riff raff.”
Meloni and hiswife of 28 years, Sherman Williams, share two children: Sophia, 22, and Dante, 19.
In years past, the Meloni clan has even celebrated turkey day with dad’s longtimeLaw & Ordercostar and friendMariska Hargitayand her family.
As for Meloni’s role in the kitchen?
“Well, I deep-fry the turkey. That’s what I’m in charge of. Look, everyone knows better,” he says with a laugh.
In other words? Meloni won’t be busy searching the cupboards for sugar — and, he quips, “you’re not going to keep me in charge of the sweet potatoes.”
Michael Schwartz

When he’s not busy calling plays in a huddle or preparing a main course, Meloni is out raising awareness for Lyme disease with theGlobal Lyme Allianceafterpublicly revealing his family’spersonal experience with the disease.
“It feels good to be out and trying to do whatever I can to help bring attention to Lyme disease,” he says. “Navigating it is a nightmare. Having each other to lean on [as family], I mean that’s already in place. You know, we love one another, but it’s hard because it can change people and it changes dynamics.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Speaking to PEOPLE in August, Meloni credited his wife for helping their family ultimately get the correct diagnosis after searching for answers for two years.
“She left no stone unturned and she was the driving force at getting answers. She was relentless,” he raved. “She’s the hero of all of this.”
source: people.com