Mariska Hargitay
Biography
Mariska Magdolna 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
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
2009
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
2014
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
2015
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999
Late Night with Seth Meyers
2014
Law & Order
1990
The Daily Show
1996
The Kelly Clarkson Show
2019
Late Show with David Letterman
1993
Saturday Night Live
1975
The View
1997
Sesame Street
1969
Filmography
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
as Self - Guest · 2009
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
as Self · 2014
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
as Self - Guest · 2015
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
as Olivia Benson · 1999
Late Night with Seth Meyers
as Self - Guest · 2014
Law & Order
as Olivia Benson · 1990
The Daily Show
as Self - Guest · 1996
The Kelly Clarkson Show
as Self · 2019
Late Show with David Letterman
as Self - Guest · 1993
Saturday Night Live
as Self - Cameo (uncredited) · 1975
The View
as Self · 1997
Sesame Street
· 1969
Chicago P.D.
as Olivia Benson · 2014
Chicago Fire
as Olivia Benson · 2012
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
as Self - Guest · 2003
Seinfeld
as Melissa (Elaine) · 1989
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
as Self - Guest · 1993
The Merv Griffin Show
as Self · 1962
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
as Self · 1992
ER
as Cynthia Hooper · 1994
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
as Self · 2003
Falcon Crest
as Carly Fixx · 1981
Baywatch
as Lisa Peters · 1989
The Drew Barrymore Show
as Self · 2020
Law & Order: Organized Crime
as Olivia Benson · 2021
Ellen
as Dara · 1994
Wiseguy
· 1987
thirtysomething
· 1987
Today
as Self · 1952
The Single Guy
as Kate Conklin · 1995
Freddy's Nightmares
as Marsha · 1988
Law & Order: Trial by Jury
as Olivia Benson · 2005
Booker
as Michelle Larkin · 1989
Good Hang with Amy Poehler
as Self - Guest · 2025
JoJo's Circus
as Queen Regina (voice) · 2003
Can't Hurry Love
as Didi Edelstein · 1995
Cracker
· 1997
Lake Placid
as Myra Okubo · 1999
Variety & CNN Actors on Actors
as Self · 2025
All-American Girl
as Jane · 1994
Leaving Las Vegas
as Hooker At Bar · 1995
How To with John Wilson
as Self · 2020
Gutsy
as Self · 2022
The Emmy Awards
as Self - Nominee · 1949
The Emmy Awards
as Self · 1949
The Emmy Awards
as Self - Host · 1949
The Love Guru
as Mariska Hargitay (uncredited) · 2008
My Mom Jayne
as Self · 2025
E! True Hollywood Story
as Self · 1996
Prince Street
as Det. Nina Echeverria · 1997
Downtown
as Jesse Smith · 1986
The Perfect Weapon
as Jennifer · 1991
Hotel Room
as Tina · 1993
Grapevine
as Katie · 1992
Night Sins
as Paige Price · 1997
Tequila and Bonetti
as Angela Garcia · 1992
Taylor Swift: The 1989 World Tour - Live
as Self - Special Guest · 2015
Winona Ryder: The Ghosts She Called
as Actress on the Stage (archive footage) (uncredited) · 2022
Ghoulies
as Donna · 1984
The Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVU
as Self · 2020
Perfume
as Darcy · 2001
Blind Side
as Melanie · 1993
30 Rock: A One-Time Special
as Mariska Hargitay · 2020
Bank Robber
as Marisa Benoit · 1993
Night Sins
as Paige Price · 1997
The Gambler: Playing for Keeps
as Etta Place · 1994
Jayne Mansfield: The Tragedy of a Blonde
as Self (archive footage) · 2015
The Advocate's Devil
as Rendi · 1997
Mr. Universe
as Self · 1988
F--k
as Mariska · 2010
Welcome to 18
as Joey · 1986
Jocks
as Nicole · 1986
BLKBX: wht r u hding?
as Dr. Hart · 2021
I Am Evidence
as Self · 2017
Come the Morning
as Church Woman · 1993
Strawberry Road
as Jill Banner · 1991
Stuck
as Narrator · 2013
Plain Truth
as Ellie Harrison · 2004
Finish Line
as Lisa Karsh · 1989
Hard Time Romance
as Anita · 1991