Peter Hermann is a name familiar to fans of the long-running NBC crime drama series, ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.’ The actor, best known for his role as the defense attorney Trevor Langan, has carved himself a path in the industry. But there’s more to Hermann than what we see on screen. Here are five facts you may not know about Hermann, his marriage, and his perspective on life.
Hermann Worked As A Teacher And Fact-Checker
Before he made his mark in the acting world, Hermann took on different roles in the field of education and media. Post-graduation, he spent two years as a teacher in the Bronx, contributing his skills to the Teach For America Program. Here, he taught English as a Second Language (ESL) and Special Education. After his teaching stint, Hermann moved into the media industry, working as a fact-checker at Vanity Fair.
Hermann Is Guided By A Poetic Mantra
Hermann finds inspiration and direction from a Robert Frost poem named ‘Snow,’ adopting these lines as his personal mantra:
“Our very life depends on everything’s. Recurring till we answer from within. The thousandth time may prove the charm.”
This guiding principle reflects his belief in persistence and introspection.
He And Mariska Found Love On Set
Hermann met his future wife, Mariska Hargitay, on the set of ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,’ where she has portrayed Olivia Benson since the show’s inception. Their connection deepened when Hermann invited Hargitay to church for their first date, the moment when Hargitay realized Hermann was the one for her:
“I just about passed out when I saw him there. I thought, ‘That’s my husband.'”
In a 2019 interview with People, she also recalled sobbing during their first date after realizing they were meant for each other.
Hermann Wants Hugh Jackman To Portray Him
When asked who he would like to play him in a hypothetical superhero musical about his life, Hermann named Hugh Jackman:
“I’d cast Hugh Jackman to play me in a superhero musical about my life. He can sing and dance his way through anything — and he’s got claws if he needs them.”
For his singing and dancing prowess, as well as his notable ‘claws’ in his portrayal of ‘Wolverine,’ Hermann thinks Jackman would fit his vision.
The Actor Has A Big Family Of Three Children
Hermann and Hargitay share three children: August Miklos Hermann, Amaya Josephine Hermann, and Andrew Nicholas Hermann. Their first child, August, was born on June 28, 2006. The couple later expanded their family through adoption, welcoming Amaya from Africa and Andrew a few months later. Recalling Amaya’s birth, Mariska told Good Housekeeping in 2012:
“I basically pulled Amaya out. Peter and I held her, and then the birth mother and I hugged for a long time. That was profound. That was one of the most meaningful moments I’ve ever had in my life.”
The adoption process wasn’t always smooth, as the couple faced an instance when a mother changed her mind about giving her baby up for adoption at the last minute.