Ice-T says NBC cut his screen time on “Law & Order: SVU” – “I will be sprinkled throughout this season”

Screengrab

Actor Ice-T screen time on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” has been reduced due to budget constraints and the return of Kelli Giddish to the show.

The 67-year-old rapper-turned-actor will appear in just a few scenes for the first time in 27 years.

Ice-T plays a police officer on the long-running NBC drama. He said his reduced screen time is a business decision and nothing personal or age-related.

TMZ caught up with Ice-T as he and wife Coco – who celebrated daughter Chanel’s 10th birthday at a New Jersey mall on Saturday.

Ice-T said actress Kelli Giddish returns in her role as Detective Amanda Rollins.

Cindy Ord/Getty Images

He said his reduced screen time means more quality time with the family, more side projects and more free time in the recording studio.

“It’s just basically business. They brought Kelli back and they couldn’t keep both of us, as far as budget wise,” Ice told TMZ. “They said, ‘Ice, we’ll have you come in and out this year.’ Everybody wanted Kelli back. We have new cops. I am not leaving the show. I am more concerned with going to Season 28… I understood. I said, ‘Are you getting rid of me?’ They said, ‘No way. We can’t imagine “Law and Order” without you.’ I’ve been on this show for 27 years. I am not going to say anything negative about this show. They have taken care of me for so long. I’m trying to get to Season 28. It’s given me more time to do other things. I’ve worked on music. Don’t worry about me. I am kind of glad the fans are upset. What if I was missing and nobody cared? I will be sprinkled throughout this season.”