Christopher Meloni

Law & Order: SVU saw Elliott Stabler, played by actor Christopher Meloni written off with a grisly demise. At the time, Meloni was earning $400,000 per episode, though a series of failed contract negotiations ultimately concluded with his character’s early death.

Meloni was seeking a higher salary near the start of the twelfth season, though the network believed his pay was more than adequate. Luckily, even with his abrupt ending, Stabler is set to return to the show with a comeback in the works. SVU fans will rest easy knowing the beloved detective won’t be gone for long.