Broadway Proposal
Peter Hermann Surprises Mariska Hargitay with On-Stage Proposal During Her Final Broadway Performance
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Peter Hermann crashed his wife's final Broadway show — and got down on one knee. The actor made a surprise appearance during Mariska Hargitay's last performance of "Every Brilliant Thing" on July 5, improvising a marriage proposal during a scene in the one-person show, according to NBC Philadelphia.
The moment was especially meaningful given the show's theme. "Every Brilliant Thing" follows a narrator who lists everyday joys in life. Hermann's impromptu proposal turned Hargitay's curtain call into something far more personal — a second "yes" from a couple already married for more than 20 years, NBC Los Angeles reported.
How a Guest Role Turned Into a 20-Year Marriage
Hargitay and Hermann's love story started on set. Hermann first appeared as a guest star on "Law & Order: SVU," the long-running crime drama where Hargitay plays Detective Olivia Benson. The two fell for each other and married in 2004. They now have three children together, according to NBC Miami.
That backstory made Hermann's Broadway cameo land even harder. The audience knew they were watching a real couple — not just a scene. His decision to improvise a proposal mid-performance turned a theatrical moment into a genuine surprise, NBC Washington noted.
What Makes "Every Brilliant Thing" the Perfect Stage for This Moment
"Every Brilliant Thing" is not a typical Broadway show. It is immersive, meaning the performer interacts directly with the audience. The story follows a narrator who builds a list of everything worth living for — small, everyday things that make life good, NBC San Diego reported.
That format gave Hermann an opening. Because the show blurs the line between actor and audience, his appearance did not feel out of place — at least not at first. A proposal, however, is hard to script. Hargitay's real-life reaction gave the final performance a genuinely unscripted ending, according to NBC Connecticut.
Tracee Ellis Ross Steps In as Hargitay's Broadway Run Ends
Hargitay's run in the show has now wrapped. Starting July 7, Tracee Ellis Ross takes over the one-woman performance. Ross will carry the show through its closing night on August 9, NBC DFW reported.
The handoff keeps "Every Brilliant Thing" in the hands of a high-profile star. Hargitay's stint drew attention partly because of her fame from "SVU," which has aired for over 25 seasons. Ross brings her own fan base from "Black-ish" and decades in film and television, according to NBC Los Angeles.
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