Mariska Hargitay
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.
Photos
Movies (37)
The Gymnasts of Fisherman Colony
2026 · Executive Producer
Nuns vs. The Vatican
2025 · Executive Producer
Jayne Mansfield, Mi Mamá
2025 · Self, Director, Producer
The Alabama Solution
2025 · Thanks
Winona Ryder: The Ghosts She Called
2022 · Actress on the Stage (archive footage) (uncredited)
BLKBX: wht r u hding?
2021 · Dr. Hart, Executive Producer
30 Rock: A One-Time Special
2020 · Mariska Hargitay
The Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVU
2020 · Self
The Planters
2019 · Associate Producer
My Beautiful Stutter
2019 · Executive Producer
Emanuel
2019 · Co-Producer
Yo Soy la Evidencia
2017 · Self, Producer
Taylor Swift: The 1989 World Tour - Live
2015 · Self - Special Guest
Jayne Mansfield: The Tragedy of a Blonde
2015 · Self (archive footage)
Santorini Blue
2013 · Associate Producer
Stuck
2013 · Narrator
F--k
2010 · Mariska
El Gurú del Amor
2008 · Mariska Hargitay (uncredited)
Plain Truth
2004 · Ellie Harrison
Perfume
2001 · Darcy
Lake Placid
1999 · Myra Okubo
The Advocate's Devil
1997 · Rendi
Night Sins
1997 · Paige Price
Leaving Las Vegas
1995 · Hooker At Bar
Gambler: Playing for Keeps
1994 · Etta Place
Bank Robber
1993 · Marisa Benoit
Come the Morning
1993 · Church Woman
Blind Side
1993 · Melanie
Hard Time Romance
1991 · Anita
Strawberry Road
1991 · Jill Banner
The Perfect Weapon
1991 · Jennifer
Finish Line
1989 · Lisa Karsh
Mr. Universe
1988 · Self
Jocks
1986 · Nicole
Welcome to 18
1986 · Joey
Ghoulies
1984 · Donna
Animal Mother
· Executive Producer
TV shows (50)
Variety & CNN Actors on Actors
2025 · Self
Good Hang with Amy Poehler
2025 · Self - Guest
Blind Channel: After Dark Side
2024 · Melanie
Valientes
2022 · Self
La ley y el orden: crimen organizado
2021 · Olivia Benson
How To with John Wilson
2020 · Self
The Drew Barrymore Show
2020 · Self
The Kelly Clarkson Show
2019 · Self
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
2015 · Self - Guest
Late Night with Seth Meyers
2014 · Self - Guest
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
2014 · Self
Policías de Chicago
2014 · Olivia Benson
Chicago Fire
2012 · Olivia Benson
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
2009 · Self - Guest
Law & Order: Trial by Jury
2005 · Olivia Benson
JoJo's Circus
2003 · Queen Regina (voice)
Ellen DeGeneres Show
2003 · Self
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
2003 · Self - Guest
La Ley y el Orden: Unidad de Víctimas Especiales
1999 · Olivia Benson, Director, Producer, Executive Producer
Cracker
1997
The View
1997 · Self
Prince Street
1997 · Det. Nina Echeverria
Night Sins
1997 · Paige Price
E! True Hollywood Story
1996 · Self
The Daily Show
1996 · Self - Guest
The Single Guy
1995 · Kate Conklin
Can't Hurry Love
1995 · Didi Edelstein
ER
1994 · Cynthia Hooper
All-American Girl
1994 · Jane
Ellen
1994 · Dara
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
1993 · Self - Guest
Late Show with David Letterman
1993 · Self - Guest
Hotel Room
1993 · Tina
Grapevine
1992 · Katie
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1992 · Self
Tequila and Bonetti
1992 · Angela Garcia
Law & Order
1990 · Olivia Benson
Booker
1989 · Michelle Larkin
Seinfeld
1989 · Melissa (Elaine)
Baywatch
1989 · Lisa Peters
Freddy's Nightmares
1988 · Marsha
thirtysomething
1987
Wiseguy
1987
Downtown
1986 · Jesse Smith
Falcon Crest
1981 · Carly Fixx
Saturday Night Live
1975 · Self - Cameo (uncredited)
Sesame Street
1969
The Merv Griffin Show
1962 · Self
Today
1952 · Self
The Emmy Awards
1949 · Self - Nominee, Self, Self - Host, Executive Producer