![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/dQTXg59BAmEH6iUHQ3XUjg7drtd.jpg)
Mariska Hargitay
11 FOLLOWERS • 41 CREDITS • JAN 23, 1964 • 60
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.
Known For
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/sHGuKFjIBisPk8cvtCZTDVktYfs.jpg)
Saturday Night Live
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/d735cGL2G07Tb0ysLHStu8c0uo8.jpg)
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/2yaeYNplMuLGNjBigMFsek7UZmq.jpg)
Chicago Fire
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/xAFMZ3wFIEXTISryRZD94AAvWng.jpg)
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/zuXXivVEjOkMswJvNFFRmJW0bTZ.jpg)
E! True Hollywood Story
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/g6MrJxNaHYGYU7Sxo72e5B8gKOV.jpg)
Late Night with Seth Meyers
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/m9zTQr4TYS98UFSiA1k0mMfECPe.jpg)
Law & Order
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/rAxd8H0zGH61RWMPVZiR9zT4Nqk.jpg)
ER
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/pF9rFdF6Gd4dNJ0Rh4mFsaFTi3m.jpg)
The Merv Griffin Show
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/i3iwNb1rlAxtttkGf4jEJzHgSSm.jpg)
Law & Order: Organized Crime
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/34t8WxHn1OcIVpcTxmjYmjX9tE4.jpg)
Baywatch
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/mZObarMPF76PGVmwywQ7Ks4UFpR.jpg)
Chicago P.D.
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/guW6wHjF0eVOfsS7NEfq2ZWSLDm.jpg)
The Emmy Awards
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/kSk299r1Ug0XqVfOSN9V9JuJwGQ.jpg)
All-American Girl
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/9nVHqaRDRqLCMpA2DQW0XSQnu5j.jpg)
Law & Order: Trial by Jury
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/pDKRxvfp5vB3FrHZ0g3oHvnHQKG.jpg)
Wiseguy
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/xlWdasY9oYg3OO5VTNqlPFftgya.jpg)
Today
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/14k9BfZ2p4rQBMeJ5crKTfUZVwD.jpg)
Sesame Street
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/e58YsJuOvSNuUIRYBoKpPLygQ42.jpg)
The Single Guy
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/5GpqVNA3Q66xfPyuKqhpwIKXeOt.jpg)
Grapevine
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/jpHziYpJniprEFDFwMbOHabgnow.jpg)
How To with John Wilson
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/aCw8ONfyz3AhngVQa1E2Ss4KSUQ.jpg)
Seinfeld
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/sp8AV64ftAZCT9uWfgbCb3olGDW.jpg)
The Love Guru
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/gQ9jfW7t1wI7ELyerWwM8uThNe.jpg)
Taylor Swift: The 1989 World Tour - Live
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/rj22cnX7s2HY3BXPSD8Hg2U1f1E.jpg)
30 Rock: A One-Time Special
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/wIfP6uLXD9Ptu68SyRx8WuSNNSK.jpg)
Leaving Las Vegas
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/y0VnJt4eRPMjA1hpJ8f1EFoVaSf.jpg)
Tales from Earthsea
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/pEszakCP8j9E9S0UPLfEa3Cad3O.jpg)
Lake Placid
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/ty0dDqahlhLFXsn6rOybLWFA4HA.jpg)
Hotel Room
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/6yS6Z2LO3J8TbXtVAjqoE3T0axi.jpg)
Night Sins
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/cCXDdDDgNxvtQVzBw9TfTz1QYjm.jpg)
The Perfect Weapon
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/gJZ1rhLLFpatuAeylJoUI82DKC7.jpg)
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/u1ekQHc1RByAA2CyNxz8a7Qslmb.jpg)
Tequila and Bonetti
![](https://images.rivr.app/posters/1000/5732.jpg)
Prince Street
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/527qr2udUKPs6AFma3sz3fCxSJa.jpg)
Can't Hurry Love
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/onmSVwYsPMYtO8OjLdjS8FfRNKb.jpg)
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/vnBGSetPiElPscSvj8X3oM4A8oL.jpg)
I Am Evidence
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/lthKMJ0QZhFQAZCDjpK3I2lcTbW.jpg)
The Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVU
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/28hY9PoDQkHJxJQItEgv032hQBp.jpg)
Downtown
Production Credits
Originals for Peacock TV
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