Biography
Mariska Hargitay (born January 23, 1964) is an American actress, producer, director and activist, best known for her role as New York City sex crimes Detective Olivia Benson on on the NBC television drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, a role that has earned her multiple awards and nominations, including an Emmy and Golden Globe.
The daughter of actress Jayne Mansfield and actor/bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay, Hargitay is a former beauty queen who made her film debut in the 1985 horror-comedy film Ghoulies, and her major television debut in the 1986 adventure drama series, Downtown. She appeared in numerous roles in film and television shows throughout the late 1980s and 1990s before being cast as Olivia Benson, a role that led to her founding the Joyful Heart Foundation, which provides support to women who have been sexually abused.
TV credits
Rated 5.5 out of 10
Variety & CNN Actors on Actors
2025
Rated 0.0 out of 10
Good Hang with Amy Poehler
2025
Rated 3.5 out of 10
Gutsy
2022
Rated 7.9 out of 10
Law & Order: Organized Crime
2021
Rated 8.1 out of 10
How To with John Wilson
2020
Rated 5.8 out of 10
The Drew Barrymore Show
2020
Rated 6.3 out of 10
The Kelly Clarkson Show
2019
Rated 6.1 out of 10
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
2015
Rated 5.1 out of 10
Late Night with Seth Meyers
2014
Rated 5.8 out of 10
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
2014
Rated 8.4 out of 10
Chicago P.D.
2014
Rated 8.4 out of 10
Chicago Fire
2012
Rated 5.0 out of 10
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
2009
Rated 8.1 out of 10
Law & Order: Trial by Jury
2005
Rated 6.9 out of 10
JoJo's Circus
2003
Rated 5.6 out of 10
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
2003
Rated 8.0 out of 10
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999
Rated 7.2 out of 10
Cracker
1997
Rated 4.3 out of 10
The View
1997
Rated 8.7 out of 10
Prince Street
1997
Rated 8.1 out of 10
E! True Hollywood Story
1996
Rated 6.4 out of 10
The Daily Show
1996
Rated 5.8 out of 10
The Single Guy
1995
Rated 6.5 out of 10
Can't Hurry Love
1995