HBO Paid Millions to Block James Gandolfini from The Office
HBO reportedly paid James Gandolfini $3 million to keep him from replacing Steve Carell on The Office, as revealed by co-stars Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa.
Mariska Hargitay revealed that Kate Moss wanted to guest star on Law & Order: SVU but preferred a non-speaking role as a dead body.

In a surprising revelation, Mariska Hargitay, star of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, disclosed that supermodel Kate Moss expressed interest in appearing on the hit series but only wanted to perform a rather unconventional role. During an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Hargitay explained that Moss sought not a speaking role but instead wished to be cast as a dead body.
Hargitay shared that the production team was thrilled at the prospect of having one of fashion's most iconic figures join the show. She enthusiastically approached the producers with a suggestion for Moss to play a madam, which they quickly crafted. However, in a twist that deviates from typical guest appearances, Moss declined the offer for any lines, stating her preference to simply "be a dead body."
"I was like, 'I'm sorry — biggest supermodel in the world. What? Yes!'" Hargitay recounted. This candid admission highlights the unique nature of star cameos on the long-running NBC series, where the allure of playing a corpse seems appealing to some high-profile talents.
Hargitay noted that Moss is not alone in her desire, as she mentioned, "These are superstars... I'm always so flattered. It's a thing that people want to play dead bodies on the show." Over its 27 seasons, SVU has welcomed numerous celebrity guest appearances, often featuring names such as Whoopi Goldberg and Snoop Dogg, among others.
Interestingly, this phenomenon of celebrities opting to take on corpse roles has been observed before. Notably, Questlove of The Roots expressed his long-standing dream to play a dead body, which he eventually fulfilled in a 2014 episode titled "Criminal Stories."
This incident resonates with audiences who appreciate the quirky dynamics of celebrity culture within the entertainment landscape. While many would assume that high-profile actors aspire for significant roles packed with dialogue, Moss' preference underlines a different type of allure that this crime procedural holds for stars. It may provoke curiosity among fans regarding the motivations behind these unique casting choices and the ongoing enthusiasm surrounding guest appearances.
Mariska Hargitay’s revelation about Kate Moss' unusual request has generated interest not only in the casting dynamics of Law & Order: SVU but also highlights a fun fact about celebrity culture that intersects with the procedural drama format. It illustrates how the iconic nature of being featured on the show can sometimes transcend traditional role expectations.
For avid fans of Law & Order: SVU, this insight offers a fresh perspective on the show's guest appearances, reaffirming its longstanding appeal even among some of the most recognizable names in fashion and media.
As the show continues to captivate audiences with its compelling narratives, it remains an intriguing destination for A-list talent, even in roles that don’t involve dialogue.
For more updates on Law & Order: SVU, check out our rankings of the best guest stars here. Also, don’t forget to read about Rory Kinnear's role in Penny Dreadful here.
Entertainment news
EpisodeBreakdown may use automated tools to assist research, drafting, and formatting. Published pages are governed by our editorial and corrections policies, and source links are shown when they are available in the article record.
Discovery source: TVLine. The source identifies where the topic was discovered; EpisodeBreakdown is responsible for the commentary published on this page.
Reader response
Reactions and poll results are based on real reader responses. No account is required.