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.
Mariska Hargitay's Audition for "Law & Order: SVU"
VideoKnown For
TV
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Self - Guest
2009
TV
Sesame Street
1969
TV
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Self
2014
TV
Law & Order
Olivia Benson
1990
TV
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Olivia Benson
1999
TV
The Daily Show
Self - Guest
1996
TV
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Self - Guest
2015
TV
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Self - Guest
2014
TV
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Self
2019
TV
The View
Self
1997
TV
Chicago Fire
Olivia Benson
2012
TV
Late Show with David Letterman
Self - Guest
1993
TV
Saturday Night Live
Self - Cameo (uncredited)
1975
TV
Chicago P.D.
Olivia Benson
2014
TV
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Self - Guest
2003
TV
Seinfeld
Melissa (Elaine)
1989
TV
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Self - Guest
1993
TV
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Self
1992
TV
The Merv Griffin Show
Self
1962
TV
ER
Cynthia Hooper
1994
Filmography
2025TVVariety & CNN Actors on Actorsas Self2025FilmMy Mom Jayneas Self2025TVGood Hang with Amy Poehleras Self - Guest2022TVGutsyas Self2022FilmWinona Ryder: The Ghosts She Calledas Actress on the Stage (archive footage) (uncredited)2021FilmBLKBX: wht r u hding?as Dr. Hart2021TVLaw & Order: Organized Crimeas Olivia Benson2020TVHow To with John Wilsonas Self2020TVThe Drew Barrymore Showas Self2020Film30 Rock: A One-Time Specialas Mariska Hargitay2020FilmThe Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVUas Self2019TVThe Kelly Clarkson Showas Self2017FilmI Am Evidenceas Self2015FilmTaylor Swift: The 1989 World Tour - Liveas Self - Special Guest2015TVThe Late Show with Stephen Colbertas Self - Guest2015FilmJayne Mansfield: The Tragedy of a Blondeas Self (archive footage)2014TVLate Night with Seth Meyersas Self - Guest2014TVThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallonas Self2014TVChicago P.D.as Olivia Benson2013FilmStuckas Narrator2012TVChicago Fireas Olivia Benson2010FilmF--kas Mariska2009TVWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohenas Self - Guest2008FilmThe Love Guruas Mariska Hargitay (uncredited)2005TVLaw & Order: Trial by Juryas Olivia Benson2004FilmPlain Truthas Ellie Harrison2003TVJoJo's Circusas Queen Regina (voice)2003TVThe Ellen DeGeneres Showas Self2003TVJimmy Kimmel Live!as Self - Guest2001FilmPerfumeas Darcy1999TVLaw & Order: Special Victims Unitas Olivia Benson1999FilmLake Placidas Myra Okubo1997FilmThe Advocate's Devilas Rendi1997FilmNight Sinsas Paige Price1997TVCracker1997TVThe Viewas Self1997TVPrince Streetas Det. Nina Echeverria1997TVNight Sinsas Paige Price1996TVE! True Hollywood Storyas Self1996TVThe Daily Showas Self - Guest1995FilmLeaving Las Vegasas Hooker At Bar1995TVThe Single Guyas Kate Conklin1995TVCan't Hurry Loveas Didi Edelstein1994FilmThe Gambler: Playing for Keepsas Etta Place1994TVERas Cynthia Hooper1994TVAll-American Girlas Jane1994TVEllenas Dara1993FilmBank Robberas Marisa Benoit1993TVLate Night with Conan O'Brienas Self - Guest1993TVLate Show with David Lettermanas Self - Guest1993FilmCome the Morningas Church Woman1993FilmBlind Sideas Melanie1993TVHotel Roomas Tina1992TVGrapevineas Katie1992TVThe Tonight Show with Jay Lenoas Self1992TVTequila and Bonettias Angela Garcia1991FilmHard Time Romanceas Anita1991FilmStrawberry Roadas Jill Banner1991FilmThe Perfect Weaponas Jennifer1990TVLaw & Orderas Olivia Benson1989TVBookeras Michelle Larkin1989TVSeinfeldas Melissa (Elaine)1989TVBaywatchas Lisa Peters1989FilmFinish Lineas Lisa Karsh1988TVFreddy's Nightmaresas Marsha1988FilmMr. Universeas Self1987TVthirtysomething1987TVWiseguy1986FilmJocksas Nicole1986TVDowntownas Jesse Smith1986FilmWelcome to 18as Joey1984FilmGhouliesas Donna1981TVFalcon Crestas Carly Fixx1975TVSaturday Night Liveas Self - Cameo (uncredited)1969TVSesame Street1962TVThe Merv Griffin Showas Self1952TVTodayas Self1949TVThe Emmy Awardsas Self - Nominee