Peter Hermann is an American actor, writer and producer best known for playing Charles Brooks on Younger, Trevor Langan on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Jack Boyle on Blue Bloods. Born in New York City on August 15, 1967, Peter Hermann is also widely known as the longtime husband of SVU star Mariska Hargitay. The couple met through the very television series that would later become an important part of both their professional and personal lives.
Peter’s story, however, is much bigger than simply being married to a famous actress.
He spent part of his childhood in Germany, worked as a teacher before acting, speaks several languages, built a long television career and became a father of three.
So who is Peter Hermann away from the red carpet? How did he meet Mariska Hargitay? And what is he doing today?
Here is his story.
Quick Bio
Full name: Karl Peter Frederic Albert Hermann
Known as: Peter Hermann
Date of birth: August 15, 1967
Age in 2026: 59
Birthplace: New York City, New York
Nationality: American
Profession: Actor, producer and writer
Famous for: Younger, Law & Order: SVU and Blue Bloods
Wife: Mariska Hargitay
Married: August 28, 2004
Children: August, Amaya and Andrew
Height: Around 6 feet 5 inches
Languages: English, German, Spanish and French
IMDb lists Hermann’s birth name as Karl Peter Frederic Albert Hermann and says he was born in New York City before spending much of his early childhood in Germany.
Who Is Peter Hermann?
Peter Hermann is an actor who has appeared across American television and movies for decades.
Some viewers know him best as the polished publishing executive Charles Brooks from Younger.
Others immediately recognize him as defense attorney Trevor Langan from Law & Order: SVU.
Fans of Blue Bloods may remember him as Jack Boyle, the former husband of Erin Reagan.
Those three characters are quite different.
That is part of what makes Peter’s career interesting.
He has moved between romantic drama, crime television, comedy and film without becoming tied completely to one role.
But his real-life love story has attracted almost as much attention as his acting.
Peter Hermann Was Born in New York
Peter Hermann was born on August 15, 1967, in New York City.
But his childhood did not remain in America for long.
His parents were German, and the family moved to Germany when Peter was still very young.
He spent his early childhood there and primarily spoke German.
IMDb says he lived in Germany until he was about 10 years old.
Imagine moving to another country at that age.
Suddenly, school sounds different.
Television sounds different.
Even ordinary conversations require adjustment.
Peter eventually learned English and became comfortable enough with the language that most viewers would never guess he once spoke German first.
Peter Hermann Speaks Several Languages
Peter’s international childhood helped him develop strong language skills.
IMDb says he speaks English, German, Spanish and French.
That is four languages.
His German background remained part of his family life even after he built his career in the United States.
Peter has said that he still speaks German with his parents.
Language may seem like a small detail in a celebrity biography, but it tells us something interesting about him.
He did not grow up entirely inside the American entertainment world.
His childhood crossed two cultures.
He Was a Teacher Before Becoming an Actor
Peter Hermann’s career path did not begin with Hollywood auditions.
Before acting became his profession, he worked in education.
IMDb notes that Hermann taught English as a second language and special education through Teach For America. He later worked as a fact-checker at Vanity Fair.
That is a very different beginning from many actors.
He was not a child star.
He did not spend his teenage years moving from one television set to another.
Instead, he experienced more ordinary working environments before entering entertainment.
That background may also help explain why he often appears comfortable speaking about subjects beyond acting.
How Did Peter Hermann Start Acting?
Peter gradually moved into professional acting during the 1990s.
Like many working actors, he did not begin with a huge starring role.
He built his career through television appearances.
His credits eventually included soap operas, network dramas, comedies and movies.
Over time, casting directors kept bringing him back for roles that required intelligence, confidence and a strong screen presence.
At around 6 feet 5 inches tall, Peter is also physically difficult to miss.
But his career was never based only on appearance.
He proved he could handle comedy, romance and serious drama.
Peter Hermann on Law & Order: SVU
One of the most important roles in Peter Hermann’s entire life came through Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
He appeared as attorney Trevor Langan.
Trevor is a defense lawyer who occasionally comes into conflict with the detectives and prosecutors on the show.
The part became recurring rather than simply disappearing after one episode.
But something much bigger happened behind the scenes.
Peter met Mariska Hargitay.
She had already become the face of SVU through her role as Olivia Benson.
A television guest appearance was about to change both of their lives.
How Did Peter Hermann Meet Mariska Hargitay?
Peter and Mariska met while working on Law & Order: SVU.
Their relationship began in the early 2000s after Peter appeared on the series.
According to recent reporting, the couple met on the set in 2001 and later married in 2004.
Their first interactions were professional.
But the relationship quickly became something more.
Mariska has spoken over the years about feeling a strong connection with Peter.
They began dating and eventually became engaged.
Then came the wedding.
Peter Hermann and Mariska Hargitay’s Wedding
Peter Hermann and Mariska Hargitay married on August 28, 2004.
The marriage has now lasted more than two decades.
In August 2026, they celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary.
That is impressive anywhere.
In Hollywood, where relationships often become constant headline material, it stands out even more.
Peter and Mariska certainly attend public events together.
But they have not built their entire marriage around publicity.
They seem comfortable being seen together without making every private moment part of entertainment news.
Why Does Their Marriage Work?
There is no single magic answer to a long marriage.
But Peter and Mariska have offered small clues over the years.
One of the biggest appears to be laughter.
In a previous interview with People, Peter spoke warmly about the amount of laughter Mariska brought into his life. The couple have repeatedly described humor as an important part of their relationship.
That sounds simple.
But simple things often matter most.
Long relationships go through stress, work problems, parenting challenges and unexpected changes.
Being able to laugh together can make those hard periods easier.
Do Peter Hermann and Mariska Hargitay Have Children?
Yes.
Peter and Mariska are parents to three children.
Their eldest son, August Miklós Friedrich Hermann, was born in 2006.
The couple later expanded their family through adoption.
They adopted daughter Amaya Josephine in 2011.
They then adopted son Andrew Nicolas later the same year.
Recent People coverage confirms that Peter and Mariska share August, Amaya and Andrew.
Their path to becoming a family of five is an important part of their story.
Peter Hermann as a Father
Peter keeps much of his children’s everyday life private.
That is understandable.
Children of famous parents often receive attention they never personally asked for.
Peter and Mariska have occasionally appeared publicly with their family, but they have also tried to give their children room to grow outside constant celebrity coverage.
In 2023, the family made a rare public appearance together at a benefit for the Stuttering Association for the Young.
And in 2025, the family attended events surrounding Mariska’s documentary My Mom Jayne at Cannes.
These appearances gave fans a glimpse of the family without turning the children into full-time public figures.
Peter Hermann in Younger
For many viewers, Peter Hermann’s defining acting role is Charles Brooks in Younger.
The television comedy-drama starred Sutton Foster as Liza Miller, a woman who pretends to be younger to restart her career in publishing.
Peter played Charles, the head of the publishing company.
His character eventually became an important romantic interest for Liza.
Charles is smart, successful and controlled.
But his relationship with Liza gradually reveals a more emotional side.
Peter’s performance helped make the romantic storyline one of the show’s biggest talking points.
Why Charles Brooks Became So Popular
Charles was not written as a loud or wild character.
He was calm.
Professional.
Thoughtful.
That made his chemistry with Liza interesting.
The characters seemed to come from different worlds, yet their connection continued growing.
Fans eventually became divided between different romantic possibilities for Liza.
Some strongly supported Charles.
Others preferred Josh.
That debate became part of the fun surrounding Younger.
When viewers begin arguing passionately about which fictional relationship should win, you know they have become emotionally invested.
Peter played an important part in making that happen.
Peter Hermann on Blue Bloods
Peter also became familiar to viewers of Blue Bloods.
He played Jack Boyle.
Jack is the ex-husband of Erin Reagan, played by Bridget Moynahan.
Their relationship is complicated.
They have history together.
They share a daughter.
And even after their marriage ends, there is still emotional tension between them.
Jack occasionally returns throughout the series.
Peter’s recurring appearances gave the show a way to explore Erin’s life outside her work as a prosecutor.
Peter Hermann in Movies
Peter has also appeared in several notable films.
IMDb lists him among the cast of United 93, Philomena, Edge of Darkness and Trouble with the Curve.
In United 93, he played passenger Jeremy Glick.
The movie tells the story of United Airlines Flight 93 during the September 11 attacks.
It was a serious and emotionally difficult project.
Peter later appeared in films alongside major stars including Clint Eastwood, Mel Gibson, Judi Dench and Steve Coogan.
His movie career may not receive as much attention as Younger or SVU, but it shows how broad his acting résumé really is.
Other TV Shows Peter Hermann Has Appeared In
Peter’s television credits stretch far beyond three famous roles.
They include appearances in:
Law & Order
Sex and the City
30 Rock
The Good Wife
White Collar
Fringe
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Elementary
Modern Love
And Just Like That…
TV Guide lists more than 40 acting credits across television and film.
That long list explains why Peter can look familiar even to viewers who cannot immediately remember his name.
He has been appearing on screens for years.
Peter Hermann Is Also an Author
Acting is not Peter’s only creative interest.
He is also a children’s book author.
He wrote If the S in Moose Comes Loose, a playful picture book built around letters and language.
That project makes even more sense when you remember Peter’s background.
He grew up speaking German.
He learned English.
He taught language.
And he has spent much of his life paying attention to words.
His interest in writing therefore feels connected to his wider story rather than being a random side project.
Peter Hermann’s Height
Peter Hermann is especially tall.
IMDb lists him at 6 feet 5 inches, or about 1.96 meters.
That height becomes especially noticeable when he appears beside other actors on screen or walks a red carpet with Mariska.
But his height has never become his only identifying feature.
Peter generally plays sophisticated professional characters rather than roles built around being physically intimidating.
How Old Is Peter Hermann?
Peter Hermann was born on August 15, 1967.
That makes him 59 years old in 2026.
His career now covers several decades.
What is especially interesting is how steady it has been.
He has not depended on one sudden burst of fame.
Instead, he has continued moving from project to project while maintaining recurring characters that viewers remember.
Peter Hermann and Mariska’s Age Difference
Peter was born in 1967.
Mariska Hargitay was born in 1964.
That means Mariska is roughly three and a half years older than Peter.
It is a small difference, but celebrity relationships often attract unnecessary attention to age.
For Peter and Mariska, it has clearly not been an important obstacle.
More than two decades of marriage tells a much stronger story than numbers on birth certificates.
Peter Hermann’s Net Worth
Peter Hermann’s exact net worth is not publicly confirmed.
Celebrity finance websites often publish estimates, but those figures should not be treated like official financial documents.
What we do know is that Peter has worked steadily as an actor for many years.
He had a major recurring role on Younger.
He appeared repeatedly on Blue Bloods and SVU.
He has film credits, producing work and publishing projects.
That clearly represents a successful career.
But an exact dollar amount would still be an estimate unless Peter personally released verified financial information.
Is Peter Hermann Still Married to Mariska Hargitay?
Yes.
As of September 2026, Peter Hermann and Mariska Hargitay remain married.
They celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary on August 28, 2026.
They also continue appearing together publicly.
Peter accompanied Mariska during major events connected with My Mom Jayne, her documentary about her mother, actress Jayne Mansfield.
Their relationship remains one of the entertainment industry’s longer-running marriages.
Peter Returned to Law & Order: SVU
Peter’s connection with SVU did not end after meeting his future wife.
He continued returning as Trevor Langan.
More recently, NBC confirmed that Hermann guest-starred again during Law & Order: SVU Season 27.
That creates a fun full-circle story.
He originally appeared on the show and met Mariska.
More than two decades later, they are still married, and Peter can still return to the series where their relationship began.
Very few actors have a television credit with that kind of personal meaning attached to it.
What Is Peter Hermann Doing in 2026?
Peter remains active in entertainment while maintaining a lower profile than his wife.
His recent connection with Law & Order: SVU has kept Trevor Langan alive within the series.
He also continues appearing publicly with Mariska at major entertainment and charity events.
In 2025, Peter joined his wife and children in Cannes during the premiere of My Mom Jayne.
And by 2026, he and Mariska had reached 22 years of marriage.
His life today appears to balance acting, family and selective public appearances.
Is Peter Hermann More Than “Mariska Hargitay’s Husband”?
Absolutely.
Mariska may be more instantly recognizable because Olivia Benson is one of television’s longest-running characters.
But Peter built a substantial career of his own.
He starred for years in Younger.
He appeared repeatedly in Blue Bloods.
He has worked in major movies.
He wrote a children’s book.
He taught before acting.
And he speaks several languages.
Being married to Mariska is an important part of his life.
It is not his entire identity.
Interesting Facts About Peter Hermann
Peter’s full birth name is Karl Peter Frederic Albert Hermann.
He was born in New York but spent much of his first decade in Germany.
German was his first language.
He later became fluent in English and also speaks Spanish and French.
Before acting, he taught through Teach For America.
He also worked as a fact-checker at Vanity Fair.
He met Mariska Hargitay while working on Law & Order: SVU.
They married in 2004.
They have three children: August, Amaya and Andrew.
Peter is around 6 feet 5 inches tall.
He became a fan favorite as Charles Brooks in Younger.
And more than two decades after meeting Mariska on SVU, he continues to have ties to the same television series.
Final Thoughts
Peter Hermann has one of those careers that looks simple from the outside but becomes much more interesting when you look closely.
He was born in New York.
He grew up speaking German.
He became a teacher.
He worked in publishing.
Then acting opened another path.
Roles in Law & Order: SVU, Blue Bloods, Younger and numerous films followed.
But SVU gave him something more important than another television credit.
It introduced him to Mariska Hargitay.
More than two decades after their 2004 wedding, Peter and Mariska remain together and have built a family with three children.
That long marriage often brings Peter’s name into celebrity headlines.
Yet his own career deserves attention too.
He has acted, taught, written and produced while keeping much of his private life surprisingly grounded.
Perhaps that balance is why Peter Hermann remains interesting.
He is connected to one of television’s most famous actresses, yet he never seems interested in becoming famous simply for being famous.
He keeps working.
He keeps raising his family.
And every once in a while, he walks back onto the SVU set where one of the most important chapters of his life first began.
FAQs
Who is Peter Hermann?
Peter Hermann is an American actor, writer and producer best known for Younger, Law & Order: SVU and Blue Bloods.
How old is Peter Hermann?
Peter Hermann was born on August 15, 1967, making him 59 years old in 2026.
Who is Peter Hermann’s wife?
Peter Hermann is married to actress Mariska Hargitay, best known for playing Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU.
When did Peter Hermann marry Mariska Hargitay?
Peter and Mariska married on August 28, 2004. They celebrated their 22nd anniversary in August 2026.
How did Peter Hermann meet Mariska Hargitay?
They met while Peter was appearing on Law & Order: SVU, where Mariska stars as Olivia Benson.
Do Peter Hermann and Mariska Hargitay have children?
Yes. They have three children: August, Amaya and Andrew. Amaya and Andrew joined the family through adoption in 2011.
Who did Peter Hermann play in Younger?
Peter played Charles Brooks, a publishing executive who became one of Liza Miller’s major romantic interests.
Who does Peter Hermann play on Law & Order: SVU?
He plays defense attorney Trevor Langan.
Who did Peter Hermann play in Blue Bloods?
He played Jack Boyle, Erin Reagan’s former husband.
How tall is Peter Hermann?
IMDb lists Peter Hermann at approximately 6 feet 5 inches, or 1.96 meters.
Did Peter Hermann grow up in Germany?
Yes. Although born in New York City, he spent much of his childhood in Germany and returned to the United States when he was around 10.
What languages does Peter Hermann speak?
He speaks German and English and is also reported to speak Spanish and French.
What is Peter Hermann doing now?
As of 2026, Hermann remains active in entertainment and recently returned as Trevor Langan on Law & Order: SVU. He also continues appearing publicly with Mariska and their family.
For more celebrity biographies, famous couples and entertainment stories, visit Picanto Magazine.