By 2008,Robin Williamswas already a beloved icon. Known for his unmatched comedic genius and family-friendly roles inMrs. DoubtfireandAladdin, he also proved himself a dramatic heavyweight, winning an Oscar forGood Will Hunting. Though he got his start in television withMork & Mindy, Williams found most of his success on the big screen. But in a rare return to TV, he took on a much darker role for the milestone 200th episode ofLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit. His chilling performance remainsone of the most unforgettable guest appearances in the show’s history. Years later, the star of the seriesMariska Hargitaystill gets emotional when recounting what it was like to work alongside him, a testament to the impact Robin Williams left both on screen and off.
Robin Williams Earned an Emmy Nomination for His Dark Role in ‘Law & Order: SVU’
InSeason 9, Episode 17, “Authority,”Robin Williams plays Merritt Rook, a man who poses as a police officer to manipulate others into committing crimes. When audiences first meet Rook, he carries that signature Williams charm. He’s charismatic, even funny at times. Representing himself in court, he easily wins over the jury. Even after he’s found innocent of manipulating a fast food manager to assault his employee,Rook is just getting started.
The deeper the episode goes, the more dangerous Rook becomes. He puts Detective Benson in harm’s way and manipulates Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) much like he did his victims, turning his tactics on the very people trying to stop him. It’s a showcase of Williams’ dramatic range as his performance is both terrifying and heartbreaking. As more truth is revealed about his motives, it’s hard not to empathize with him.The role earned him his sixth Emmy nominationand is widely regarded asone of the best guest appearancesin the show’s history.
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The episode cleverly subverts expectations by casting one of theworld’s most beloved comediansas a chilling manipulator, and Williams absolutely delivers. He disappears into the role, reminding viewers just how powerful his dramatic talent could be. His turn as Merritt Rookleft a lasting impressionnot just on audiences,but on the cast and crew who witnessed his brilliance firsthand.
Robin Williams Left a Lasting Impression on ‘Law & Order: SVU’s Mariska Hargitay
WhileWilliams is best known for his comedic genius, his performance onSVUrevealed a darker, more dramatic side, but it was behind the scenes that had a profound effect on theSVUcast and crew. According to episodeco-writerNeal Baer, it was the lateRichard Belzerwho helped bring his longtime friend to the show. In a 2024interview withVanity Faircelebrating 25 years ofSVU,Mariska Hargitay lit up when asked about working with Williams.
“Everything was electric with him,” she recalled, describing how he brought endless generosity and “pure joy,” instantly lighting up the room. She remembered how he bonded with everyone, including her young son, whomhe entertained with funny voicesand gentle warmth.Hargitay became visibly emotional as she recalled those days, saying “He made all of us feel so special.”Fighting through tears, she added, “I’m pinching myself that I get to live in the same time with somebody so magnetic, and so magic, and so generous.”
That magic translated to the screen inso many of Robin Williams’ roles, andSVUwas no exception. Even while playing a dark and dangerous man, he still brought joy to those around him andleft a lasting impacton everyone he worked with. Years later, the episode remains one ofSVU’s most powerful, not just for its well-written story, but for the emotional legacy left behind by one of the greatest actors of our time.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
This series follows the Special Victims Unit, a specially trained squad of detectives in the New York City Police Department that investigate sexually related crimes.
