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Hoda Kotb recalls guest starring on 'Law & Order: SVU' — but she didn't get the role she wanted

The TODAY co-anchor shared the role that producers said no to when she appeared on the NBC hit in 2014.
/ Source: TODAY

It's no surprise to learn that Hoda Kotb appeared on two episodes of "Law & Order: SVU" back in 2014.

However, it would make Capt. Olivia Benson raise an eyebrow to find out about the request Hoda had for her character on the hit NBC show.

"I wanted to play someone who died," she told Jenna Bush Hager on the fourth hour of TODAY on July 11.

Unfortunately, Hoda didn't get to play a victim in the show about New York City's Special Victims Unit.

"They said no," she said.

Hoda Kotb on Law and Order
Hoda's character in her 2014 appearance on two episodes of "Law & Order: SVU" was very much alive despite her wishes.TODAY

She essentially played a version of herself as a television anchor reporting on a starlet who gets into a car accident after bolting from rehab. The set was even designed to look like the TODAY studio.

Hoda didn't remember all the details of her role, but did recall enjoying it.

"I think I played a journalist who was interviewing somebody who might have been guilty of something," she said. "I think that’s what I did. But anyway, it was really fun."

While Hoda has been a regular television presence on NBC for 26 years, she also quietly has an extensive list of acting credits on her IMDB page.

She has appeared in 15 movies and TV shows dating back to 2009.

"I was in 'Sharknado' twice!" she said in reference to a pair of sequels to the hit SyFy series of campy films. "I love 'Sharknado'!"

She most recently appeared on an episode of Larry David's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" earlier this year alongside TODAY co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. She also popped up in the 2022 Jennifer Lopez movie "Marry Me."

Hoda's look back at her onscreen appearances was prompted by the news that Jenna will make her acting debut with a role in the upcoming Hallmark Channel Christmas movie "Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story."

The film begins production this month in Kansas City, Missouri, at the Kansas City Chiefs' home venue at Arrowhead Stadium. The movie stars Tyler Hynes, Hunter King and Ed Begley Jr. and tells the story of a woman from a family of Chiefs fans who falls in love with the director of fan engagement for the team.

The holiday film is being made while the real-life Chiefs love story between All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce and global superstar Taylor Swift has brought a whole new level of fame to Kelce and increased spotlight to the reigning Super Bowl champs.

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