Mariska Hargitay Thanks Alec Baldwin for 'Brave Performance' on 'SVU'

The actor played a tabloid reporter on the show last night.

ByABC News
March 20, 2014, 2:25 PM
Alec Baldwin is pictured on location for "Still Alice" on March 3, 2014 in New York City.
Alec Baldwin is pictured on location for "Still Alice" on March 3, 2014 in New York City.
Alessio Botticelli/Getty Images

March 20, 2014 — -- In February, Alec Baldwin claimed he was leaving public life behind. A month later, he's in an episode of "Law & Order: SVU."

In a heavily-promoted return to TV, Baldwin played the very people he despises last night -- a high-profile tabloid reporter.

All the drama of Baldwin's rants and public life aside, the episode also marked Mariska Hargitay's directorial debut.

Read: Alec Baldwin Done With Spotlight - and Here's Who He Blames

"Thanks to @ABFalecbaldwin for one of the most brave & real performances we've ever seen on #SVU. You hit it out of the park. #BallsOfJupiter," the "SVU" star tweeted last night.

Baldwin took on the role of Jimmy Mac, a tabloid journalist that nearly ruins the life of a rape victim with his front page stories.

Baldwin then thanked Hargitay on Twitter for the kind words. He even praised her directing chops.

Related: Alec Baldwin's Most Memorable Rants, Altercations

"Tonight I appear on @nbcsvu in an episode directed by the the talented and hard working and funny.....[Hargitay]," he wrote.