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.
Filmography (75)
My Mom Jayne
2025
Variety & CNN Actors on Actors
2025
Winona Ryder: The Ghosts She Called
2022
Gutsy
2022
BLKBX: wht r u hding?
2021
Law & Order: Organized Crime
2021
30 Rock: A One-Time Special
2020
The Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVU
2020
The Drew Barrymore Show
2020
How To with John Wilson
2020
The Kelly Clarkson Show
2019
I Am Evidence
2017
Taylor Swift: The 1989 World Tour - Live
2015
Jayne Mansfield: The Tragedy of a Blonde
2015
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
2015
Chicago P.D.
2014
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
2014
Late Night with Seth Meyers
2014
Stuck
2013
Chicago Fire
2012
F--k
2010
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
2009
The Love Guru
2008
Law & Order: Trial by Jury
2005
Plain Truth
2004
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
2003
JoJo's Circus
2003
Perfume
2001
Lake Placid
1999
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999
Night Sins
1997
The Advocate's Devil
1997
The View
1997
Cracker
1997
Prince Street
1997
E! True Hollywood Story
1996
The Daily Show
1996
Leaving Las Vegas
1995
The Single Guy
1995
Can't Hurry Love
1995
The Gambler: Playing for Keeps
1994
ER
1994
Ellen
1994
All-American Girl
1994
Blind Side
1993
Bank Robber
1993
Come the Morning
1993
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
1993
Hotel Room
1993
Late Show with David Letterman
1993
Tequila and Bonetti
1992
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1992
Grapevine
1992
The Perfect Weapon
1991
Hard Time Romance
1991
Strawberry Road
1991
Law & Order
1990
Finish Line
1989
Seinfeld
1989
Baywatch
1989
Booker
1989
Mr. Universe
1988
Freddy's Nightmares
1988
thirtysomething
1987
Wiseguy
1987
Jocks
1986
Welcome to 18
1986
Downtown
1986
Ghoulies
1985
Falcon Crest
1981
Saturday Night Live
1975
Sesame Street
1969
The Merv Griffin Show
1962
Today
1952
The Emmy Awards
1949
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