Mariska Hargitay
American actress, producer, director, and activist celebrated for her iconic portrayal of Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU.
Mariska Hargitay - Personal Information
- Name: Mariska Hargitay
- Date of Birth: January 23, 1964
- Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, USA
- Gender: Female
- Job Title: Actor
- Crew Jobs: Executive Producer, Producer, Associate Producer, Director, Co-Producer
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.
Selected Filmography
A look at ten of Mariska Hargitay's most notable recent screen appearances across film and television.
- My Mom Jayne (2025) as Self
- Gutsy (TV - 2022) as Self
- Winona Ryder: The Ghosts She Called (2022) as Actress on the Stage (archive footage) (uncredited)
- BLKBX: wht r u hding? (2021) as Dr. Hart
- Law & Order: Organized Crime (TV - 2021) as Captain Olivia Benson
- How To with John Wilson (TV - 2020) as Self
- The Drew Barrymore Show (TV - 2020) as Self
- 30 Rock: A One-Time Special (2020) as Mariska Hargitay
- The Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVU (2020) as Self
- The Kelly Clarkson Show (TV - 2019) as Self
External Links
Explore authoritative profiles and resources for Mariska Hargitay across leading entertainment databases.