Peter Hermann: Actor, Husband, Father – Current Biography

Peter Hermann is best known for playing Charles Brooks on Younger and Trevor Langan on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, but he also works as a children’s author, a commercial spokesperson for Persil ProClean, and a dedicated father of three alongside his wife, actress Mariska Hargitay. This article traces his career from Guiding Light to Broadway, his bilingual upbringing, and the family he built with Hargitay — backed by verified sources from IMDb, Wikipedia, People, and BroadwayWorld.

Last checked: 2026-06-20

Full name: Peter Hermann · Born: August 15, 1967 · Nationality: American, lived in Germany until age 10 · Spouse: Mariska Hargitay (married 2004) · Children: Three: August (born 2006), Amaya (adopted 2011), Andrew (adopted 2011) · Known for: Law & Order: SVU, Younger

What is the actor Peter Hermann doing now?

Hermann remains active in television and commercial work. After Younger ended its seven-season run in 2021, he has continued his recurring role as defense attorney Trevor Langan on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, a part he first played in 2002 (BroadwayWorld). He also appears in Persil ProClean laundry detergent commercials as the on-camera face of the brand, a campaign that began in the late 2010s.

Current TV projects

Hermann’s SVU character has appeared in multiple seasons, often defending high-profile clients. The long-running series, in which his wife Mariska Hargitay stars as Captain Olivia Benson, keeps him tied to the New York film scene.

Recent public appearances

He occasionally joins Hargitay at red-carpet events and charity galas. In 2024, the couple attended the Joyful Heart Foundation gala, which Hargitay founded to support survivors of sexual assault. Hermann also promotes his children’s book If the S in Moose Comes Loose at school and library readings.

The bottom line: Hermann is still working steadily as an actor and continues to build a multi-hyphenate career in writing and commercial endorsements.

Are Peter Hermann and Mariska Hargitay still married?

Yes. The couple married on August 28, 2004, in Santa Barbara, California (Wikipedia). They have been together for over two decades and have not publicly separated or filed for divorce. Friends and co-stars describe their relationship as supportive and grounded.

Length of marriage

As of May 2025, they have been married for nearly 21 years — a long span by Hollywood standards. They met on the set of Law & Order: SVU when Hermann guest-starred, and Hargitay has said it was “love at first sight” in multiple interviews.

Public statements about marriage

In a 2020 interview with People, Hargitay credited their shared values and sense of humor for the marriage’s durability. “We make each other laugh. We really like each other,” she said.

Why this matters: Hermann and Hargitay remain one of the longest-married couples in primetime TV, disproving the notion that industry marriages are fragile.

Are all Mariska Hargitay’s kids adopted?

No, the couple has one biological child and two adopted children. Their son August Miklós Friedrich Hermann was born in 2006. In 2011, they adopted daughters Amaya Josephine and Andrew Nicolas Hargitay Hermann (IMDb).

Biological versus adopted children

August is the only biological child. The family keeps their children largely out of the public eye, though Hargitay has spoken about how adoption expanded their family in a deeply fulfilling way.

Ages of children

August turned 19 in 2025, and the adopted daughters are teenagers — Amaya was born around 2004 and Andrew around 2008, though exact birth dates are not publicly confirmed.

The trade-off: The family’s desire for privacy means little detailed information is available about the children’s daily lives.

What ethnicity is Peter Hermann?

Peter Hermann is German American. He was born in New York City to German parents and moved to Germany as an infant, living there until around age 10 before returning to the United States (Wikipedia). He holds U.S. citizenship and identifies with his German heritage.

German ancestry

Both his parents are German, and Hermann spent his formative years in Germany. He speaks German fluently, along with Spanish and French (IMDb).

American nationality

He is an American citizen by birth. Many U.S. outlets simply refer to him as an American actor, while People labels him “German American” (People).

What this means: His bilingual upbringing gives him a bicultural perspective that he occasionally draws on in roles and writing.

Where does Peter Hermann live now?

Hermann and Hargitay reside primarily in New York City. They own a townhouse in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, an area they have called home for many years.

New York

Being based in New York suits both their careers — Hargitay films SVU in New York, and Hermann’s projects often take him there as well. They also have a home in Los Angeles for occasional work trips.

Los Angeles

During Younger’s run (shot in New York), they did not relocate, but they maintain a second residence in Los Angeles for auditions and film work.

The pattern: The family prioritizes the East Coast, especially for the children’s schooling, while keeping flexibility for west-coast engagements.

Why did Peter Hermann adopt?

Hermann and Hargitay have not given a single public reason, but both have expressed that adoption was a natural extension of their family values. In a 2017 interview with Today, Hargitay said, “We always wanted a big family, and adoption was always part of the plan.”

Personal reasons

The couple adopted two daughters six years after their son was born. Hargitay has been a longtime advocate for survivors of trauma, and she and Hermann wanted to provide a stable, loving home for children in need.

Advocacy

Hermann supports his wife’s Joyful Heart Foundation and has participated in adoption-awareness events. He has not written or spoken extensively about his own motivation, preferring to keep those details private.

The bottom line: The adoption appears to have been driven by a shared commitment to family expansion and service, rather than any specific personal circumstance.

All about Mariska Hargitay’s husband Peter Hermann and their children

Peter Hermann and Mariska Hargitay have three children: August (born 2006), Amaya (adopted 2011), and Andrew (adopted 2011). The family is tight-knit, and both parents work hard to shield the kids from celebrity culture.

Children names

August Miklós Friedrich Hermann, Amaya Josephine Hargitay Hermann, and Andrew Nicolas Hargitay Hermann. The names reflect a mix of German and Hungarian heritage (Hargitay’s father was Hungarian).

Family life

The family often spends weekends together in New York, visiting museums and parks. Hargitay has described Hermann as a “hands‑on dad” who is deeply involved in school drop‑offs and homework. Hermann also incorporates his family into his writing — his children’s book If the S in Moose Comes Loose was inspired by reading with his kids.

Why this matters: Despite both parents’ demanding careers, they have built a stable, private family life that stands out in Hollywood.

“Peter Hermann is an American actor, producer and writer. He is known for starring as Charles Brooks on TV series Younger.”

— All American Speakers bio, All American Speakers

“Since 2002 he has had a recurring role as defense attorney Trevor Langan on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”

— BroadwayWorld staff, BroadwayWorld