Person

Mariska Hargitay

Acting · Born 1964-01-23 · Los Angeles, California, USA

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.

Known for

Filmography

2026The Gymnasts of Fisherman ColonyExecutive Producer
2025Variety & CNN Actors on ActorsSelf
2025Nuns vs. The VaticanExecutive Producer
2025My Mom JayneSelf
2025Good Hang with Amy Poehler
2025The Alabama SolutionThanks
2022GutsySelf
2022Winona Ryder: The Ghosts She CalledActress on the Stage (archive footage) (uncredited)
2021BLKBX: wht r u hding?Dr. Hart
2021Law & Order: Organized CrimeCaptain Olivia Benson
2020How To with John WilsonSelf
2020The Drew Barrymore ShowSelf
202030 Rock: A One-Time SpecialMariska Hargitay
2020The Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVUSelf
2019The PlantersAssociate Producer
2019The Kelly Clarkson ShowSelf
2019My Beautiful StutterExecutive Producer
2019EmanuelCo-Producer
2017I Am EvidenceSelf
2015Taylor Swift: The 1989 World Tour - LiveSelf - Special Guest
2015The Late Show with Stephen ColbertSelf - Guest
2015Jayne Mansfield: The Tragedy of a BlondeSelf (archive footage)
2014Late Night with Seth MeyersSelf - Guest
2014The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonSelf
2014Chicago P.D.Olivia Benson
2013Santorini BlueAssociate Producer
2013StuckNarrator
2012Chicago FireOlivia Benson
2010F--kMariska
2009Watch What Happens Live with Andy CohenSelf - Guest
2008The Love GuruMariska Hargitay (uncredited)
2005Law & Order: Trial by JuryOlivia Benson
2004Plain TruthEllie Harrison
2003JoJo's CircusQueen Regina (voice)
2003The Ellen DeGeneres ShowSelf
2001PerfumeDarcy
1999Law & Order: Special Victims UnitOlivia Benson
1999Lake PlacidMyra Okubo
1997The Advocate's DevilRendi
1997Night SinsPaige Price
1997Cracker
1997The ViewSelf
1997Prince StreetNina Echeverria
1996E! True Hollywood StorySelf
1996The Daily ShowSelf - Guest
1995Leaving Las VegasHooker At Bar
1995The Single GuyKate Conklin
1995Can't Hurry LoveDidi Edelstein
1994The Gambler: Playing for KeepsEtta Place
1994ERCynthia Hooper
1994All-American GirlJane
1994EllenDara
1993Bank RobberMarisa Benoit
1993Late Night with Conan O'BrienSelf - Guest
1993Late Show with David LettermanSelf - Guest
1993Come the MorningChurch Woman
1993Blind SideMelanie
1993Hotel RoomTina
1992GrapevineKatie
1992The Tonight Show with Jay LenoSelf
1992Tequila and BonettiAngela Garcia
1991Hard Time RomanceAnita
1991Strawberry RoadJill Banner
1991The Perfect WeaponJennifer
1990Law & OrderOlivia Benson
1989BookerMichelle Larkin
1989SeinfeldMelissa (Elaine)
1989BaywatchLisa Peters
1989Finish LineLisa Karsh
1988Freddy's NightmaresMarsha
1988Mr. UniverseSelf
1987thirtysomething
1987Wiseguy
1986JocksNicole
1986DowntownJesse Smith
1986Welcome to 18Joey
1985GhouliesDonna
1981Falcon CrestCarly Fixx
1975Saturday Night LiveSelf - Cameo (uncredited)
1969Sesame Street
1962The Merv Griffin ShowSelf
1952TodaySelf
1949The Emmy AwardsSelf - Nominee

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