The Law & Order: SVU Episode You Forgot Starred John Stamos
Actor John Stamos has been a household name ever since he joined the cast of "Full House" as the cool-but-caring Uncle Jesse, starring in the entirety of the ABC show, from its 1987 premiere to its final episode in 1995.
Per Insider, Stamos reprised his popular role in Netflix's 2016 reboot of the classic sitcom, called "Fuller House," which was canceled after five seasons, despite fan interest.
Beyond "Full House" and its recent reboot, Stamos has made appearances on more modern TV series like "You," "Scream Queens," and "Glee," proving that he's quite the multifaceted performer. In fact, did you know that he got his start in the soaps? His first major TV role was playing Blackie Parrish on "General Hospital."
Despite his versatility, fans might be surprised to learn that Stamos once appeared as a conniving villain in a 2011 episode of the crime series "Law & Order: SVU."
Tons of celebrities play villains on SVU
Since its premiere in 1999, "Law & Order: SVU" has skyrocketed to major popularity, making the NBC procedural series the longest-running primetime drama (via NBC). Tons of celebrities have stepped into various roles as guest stars on the show, and many end up portraying villains — often shocking audiences who are used to seeing them in more wholesome roles.
Examples include "Hunger Games" star Elizabeth Banks, who plays a murderous porn star in Season 3; Henry Winkler of "Happy Days," who portrays a husband who steals from his wife in Season 3; and Ian Somerhalder of "The Vampire Diaries," who plays a serial killer and rapist in Season 4 (via Insider).
Likewise, on May 4, 2011, John Stamos appeared as a criminal on "SVU." Fans who know and love him as Uncle Jesse on "Full House" and "Fuller House" were surprised by the actor's sinister performance.
John Stamos played a convincing criminal
John Stamos stars as the criminal on "Law & Order: SVU" Season 12, Episode 22, which was called "Bang," per IMDb. The site describes the plot as "an abandoned baby case [that] leads SVU to a 'reproductive abuser' who has over 20 children."
He portrays Ken Turner, a handsome, charming, and wealthy venture capitalist claiming to want to help the SVU squad. As the episode unfolds, his sinister secrets came to light. It turns out that Ken had been tampering with condoms in order to impregnate women without their consent.
Stamos, who is used to playing more wholesome roles, said that acting on "SVU" was scary (via TV Line). In fact, he turned down the role when it was first offered to him. "I said, 'I can't do this.... It makes no sense for someone like me,'" he recalls.
While the beloved actor did an amazing job with the role of a hardened criminal, fans are likely looking forward to seeing him in more positive parts in the future.