'Law & Order: SVU': The Best Guest Stars!

Since it debuted in 1999, Law & Order: SVU has been celebrated as one of TV's finest acted series. The crime drama is known for its outstanding main cast, but SVU has also had many memorable guest stars over the years. Frequently, these performers played criminals who were apprehended by the unit, but sometimes they assisted investigations too. In this gallery, we take a look at the very best SVU guest stars — a list that includes more than a few A-list names!RELATED: Law & Order: SVU - See the Season 1 Cast!

Rapper Ludacris showed off his dramatic acting ability when he played "Darius Parker" in SVU seasons 7 and 8. The stepson of "Fin Tutuola" (Ice-T), "Darius" came from a complicated family background. He eventually rose to the attention of the unit after confessing to a rape and murder. "Darius" remains one of SVU's most memorable and despised villains, as he went on to manipulate the detectives in court and expose some of their misdeeds.RELATED: SVU - 5 Interesting Facts About the Show

Comedian Jerry Lewis was almost unrecognizable when he appeared on SVU in season 4! The 80-year-old actor was convincing as a mentally ill homeless man who becomes involved in the investigation of a double murder. It's then revealed that his character, "Andrew Munch," is the uncle of "Det. John Munch" (Richard Belzer), as "Stabler" and "Beck" track him down. Sadly, Lewis, the iconic comedian, died in 2017.

Versatile English actor Jeremy Irons guest-starred as "Dr. Cap Jackson" in season 12 of SVU. The actor played the ambiguous role perfectly, as the detectives were unsure of his background as an alleged rapist (which turned out to be untrue). "Dr. Jackson," a psychiatrist, then proved helpful to the unit as a consultant and agreed to treat victims in an investigation. Irons is also known for voicing "Scar" in The Lion King and for films including Dead Ringers and Die Hard 2.

Full House icon John Stamos is also remembered for his turn as the reproductive abuser "Ken Turner" on SVU. Appearing in one season 12 episode, "Turner" was a disturbed attorney who poked holes in condoms to impregnate women. "Turner" wasn't prosecuted for fathering over 20 children, but he was later killed in his one-episode appearance. The dramatic role for Stamos was well-received.RELATED: Full House - The Cast Then & Now

Yes, even TV icon Carol Burnett made an appearance on SVU! She played "Birdie Sulloway," a serial killer who murdered men with her adopted son "Chet" (Matthew Lillard). The pair's guest spot in season 10 made for a twisted case that departed from viewer expectations in more ways than one.

The fate of "Sir Tobias Moore" still remains up in the air as SVU approaches season 22. English actor Ian McShane played the part in the latest season, as a powerful Harvey Weinstein-inspired criminal figure. Here's to hoping "Benson" can take him down!RELATED: SVU Season 22 - Here's Everything We Know So Far

Prior to "Sir Tobias Moore," the unit and "Benson" were also battling corrupt attorney "Rob Miller" in season 20. Fans named actor Titus Welliver's guest performance as the rapist and murderer as one of the most threatening of the series.

Martin Short is another comedy star who put his drama abilities on display with SVU. He portrayed "Sebastian Ballentine" in the season 6 episode "Pure." A fake psychic with a history of sexual assault, "Ballentine" had his predatory pattern and a previous identity uncovered by the unit.

Cynthia Nixon gave one of SVU's most compelling performances in the season 9 premiere, "Alternate." As "Janis Donovan," she introduced a case of dissociative identity disorder to the detectives after she brought a child abuse incident to their attention. Her episode wrapped up with a memorable twist too! The former Sex and the City actress received the Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress for her SVU role.RELATED: Sex & the City - Where Is "Miranda Hobbes" Today?