Christopher Meloni Shares His Thanksgiving Traditions — and What He's 'in Charge of' in the Kitchen (Exclusive)
The 'Law & Order: Organized Crime' star says he's the one who tackles a high-risk/high-reward holiday task because "everyone knows better" in his family than to try it themselves
Michael Ostuni/Patrick McMullan via Getty
Christopher Meloni is leading the charge on Thanksgiving.
The Law & Order: Organized Crime star 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.”
Related: Christopher Meloni Reveals the Secret to His Marriage to Wife Sherman: 'It's Her Patience'
Meloni and his wife 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 longtime Law & Order costar and friend Mariska Hargitay and 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."
Related: Bobby Flay Pairs His Thanksgiving Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Date-Lime Butter — Get the Recipe
When he's not busy calling plays in a huddle or preparing a main course, Meloni is out raising awareness for Lyme disease with the Global Lyme Alliance after publicly revealing his family’s personal 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 Getty
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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.”
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