Mariska Hargitay
Born: 1964-01-23 in Los Angeles, California, USA
Known For: Acting
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
2025
- My Mom Jayne as Self
- Nuns vs. The Vatican ... (Executive Producer)
2022
- Gutsy as Self
- Winona Ryder: The Ghosts She Called as Actress on the Stage (archive footage) (uncredited)
2021
- Law & Order: Organized Crime as Captain Olivia Benson
- BLKBX: wht r u hding? as Dr. Hart
2020
- The Drew Barrymore Show as Self
- 30 Rock: A One-Time Special as Mariska Hargitay
- How To with John Wilson as Self
- The Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVU as Self
2019
- The Kelly Clarkson Show as Self
- Emanuel ... (Co-Producer)
- The Planters ... (Associate Producer)
- My Beautiful Stutter ... (Executive Producer)
2017
- I Am Evidence as Self
2015
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as Self
- Taylor Swift: The 1989 World Tour - Live as Self - Special Guest
2014
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon as Self
- Chicago P.D. as Olivia Benson
- Late Night with Seth Meyers as Self
2013
- Santorini Blue ... (Associate Producer)
- Stuck as Narrator
2012
- Chicago Fire as Olivia Benson
2010
- F--k as Mariska
2009
- Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen as Self - Guest
2008
- The Love Guru as Mariska Hargitay (uncredited)
2005
- Law & Order: Trial by Jury as Olivia Benson
2004
- Plain Truth as Ellie Harrison
2003
- The Ellen DeGeneres Show as Self
- JoJo's Circus as Queen Regina (voice)
2001
- Perfume as Darcy
1999
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Olivia Benson
- Lake Placid as Myra Okubo
1997
- The View as Self
- Night Sins as Paige Price
- Cracker
- The Advocate's Devil as Rendi
- Prince Street as Nina Echeverria
1996
- Pacific Blue
- E! True Hollywood Story as Self
1995
- Leaving Las Vegas as Hooker At Bar
- The Single Guy as Kate Conklin
- Can't Hurry Love as Didi Edelstein
1994
- ER as Cynthia Hooper
- Ellen as Dara
- The Gambler: Playing for Keeps as Etta Place
- All-American Girl as Jane
1993
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien as Self - Guest
- Blind Side as Melanie
- Come the Morning as Church Woman
- Hotel Room as Tina
- Bank Robber as Marisa Benoit
1992
- The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as Self
- Grapevine as Katie
- Tequila and Bonetti as Angela Garcia
1991
- The Perfect Weapon as Jennifer
- Hard Time Romance as Anita
- Strawberry Road as Jill Banner
1990
- Law & Order as Olivia Benson
1989
- Seinfeld as Melissa (Elaine)
- Baywatch as Lisa Peters
- Finish Line as Lisa Karsh
1988
- Freddy's Nightmares as Marsha
- Mr. Universe
1987
1986
- Jocks as Nicole
- Downtown as Jesse Smith
- Welcome to 18 as Joey
1985
- Ghoulies as Donna
1981
- Falcon Crest as Carly Fixx
1975
- Saturday Night Live as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
1969
1962
- The Merv Griffin Show as Self
1952
- Today as Self
1949
- The Emmy Awards as Self - Nominee