Ice-T Calls Kelli Giddish's Law & Order: SVU Departure a 'Sad Thing'

Fans aren't the only ones upset about Kelli Giddish leaving Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. 

Giddish's costar and friend Ice-T told People that calls "from higher up" resulted in Giddish's departure from the show, and that the decision "came from the top of the mountain". Even so, he was blindsided by the news. "When I heard about it, I called to check on my pulse, like, 'What's going on?'" he recalled. "But this is the business we're in, and they shuffle the deck occasionally."

"It's a sad thing," said the 64-year-old. "Me and Kelli were friends - dog friends and all that. We became close. Kelli's been here 10 years."

Ice-T also revealed that Giddish's final episode has not been filmed yet, and that he wouldn't believe she was really gone until it was all done. "I'm not even sure she's gone until they shoot that episode," he said. "...You never know."

Giddish announced last month that she would be leaving the show after 12 seasons, prompting uproar from fans. The official reason for her departure is not known.

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Jade Budowski is a freelance writer with a knack for ruining punchlines and harboring dad-aged celebrity crushes. She was previously a reporter/producer at Decider and is a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow her on Twitter: @jadebudowski.