SVU's Olivia Benson Was Named After Dick Wolf's Family Member

Naming Detectives Benson and Stabler after his kids was the sort of fatherly gesture that only a TV titan like Dick Wolf could pull off. For the famed producer, also known for his "One Chicago" franchise, family is central to the entire Wolf Entertainment enterprise.

"Our whole group really approaches everything with a very loyal, family mentality," Anastasia Puglisi told Variety. In seven years, she worked her way up from assistant to senior vice president and supervising producer for Wolf's empire. "Most everyone here has been part of the company for a long time, and newer people coming in recognize that right away. We treat everyone with respect. There is truly collaboration across the board."

Elliot Wolf's connection to the "Law & Order" franchise extends beyond the honor of acting as a character's namesake. He joined Wolf Entertainment as the head of digital in 2018 and has since worked to expand the company's social media presence and create an online community for fans of his father's work. He also co-created the half-hour series "On Call."

For the elder Wolf, family and business are inextricably linked. "I've got five kids," he said in the same piece for Variety. "The thing that I have most strenuously tried to push into their skulls is what I live by — don't ever, ever, ever give up. And 'Law & Order' is the perfect example."