Acting · Los Angeles, California, USA · Born January 23, 1964
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.
TVVariety & CNN Actors on Actors
2025
as Self
MovieMy Mom Jayne
2025
as Self
TVGood Hang with Amy Poehler
2025
TVGutsy
2022
as Self
MovieWinona Ryder: The Ghosts She Called
2022
as Actress on the Stage (archive footage) (uncredited)
MovieBLKBX: wht r u hding?
2021
as Dr. Hart
TVLaw & Order: Organized Crime
2021
as Captain Olivia Benson
TVHow To with John Wilson
2020
as Self
TVThe Drew Barrymore Show
2020
as Self
Movie30 Rock: A One-Time Special
2020
as Mariska Hargitay
MovieThe Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVU
2020
as Self
TVThe Kelly Clarkson Show
2019
as Self
MovieI Am Evidence
2017
as Self
MovieTaylor Swift: The 1989 World Tour - Live
2015
as Self - Special Guest
TVThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert
2015
as Self - Guest
MovieJayne Mansfield: The Tragedy of a Blonde
2015
as Self (archive footage)
TVLate Night with Seth Meyers
2014
as Self - Guest
TVThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
2014
as Self
TVChicago P.D.
2014
as Olivia Benson
MovieStuck
2013
as Narrator
TVChicago Fire
2012
as Olivia Benson
MovieF--k
2010
as Mariska
TVWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
2009
as Self - Guest
MovieThe Love Guru
2008
as Mariska Hargitay (uncredited)
TVLaw & Order: Trial by Jury
2005
as Olivia Benson
MoviePlain Truth
2004
as Ellie Harrison
TVJoJo's Circus
2003
as Queen Regina (voice)
TVThe Ellen DeGeneres Show
2003
as Self
MoviePerfume
2001
as Darcy
TVLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999
as Olivia Benson
MovieLake Placid
1999
as Myra Okubo
MovieThe Advocate's Devil
1997
as Rendi
MovieNight Sins
1997
as Paige Price
TVCracker
1997
TVThe View
1997
as Self
Prince Street
1997
as Nina Echeverria
TVE! True Hollywood Story
1996
as Self
TVThe Daily Show
1996
as Self - Guest
MovieLeaving Las Vegas
1995
as Hooker At Bar
TVThe Single Guy
1995
as Kate Conklin
TVCan't Hurry Love
1995
as Didi Edelstein
MovieThe Gambler: Playing for Keeps
1994
as Etta Place
TVER
1994
as Cynthia Hooper
TVAll-American Girl
1994
as Jane
TVEllen
1994
as Dara
MovieBank Robber
1993
as Marisa Benoit
TVLate Night with Conan O'Brien
1993
as Self - Guest
TVLate Show with David Letterman
1993
as Self - Guest
MovieCome the Morning
1993
as Church Woman
MovieBlind Side
1993
as Melanie
TVHotel Room
1993
as Tina
TVGrapevine
1992
as Katie
TVThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1992
as Self
TVTequila and Bonetti
1992
as Angela Garcia
Hard Time Romance
1991
as Anita
MovieStrawberry Road
1991
as Jill Banner
MovieThe Perfect Weapon
1991
as Jennifer
TVLaw & Order
1990
as Olivia Benson
TVBooker
1989
as Michelle Larkin
TVSeinfeld
1989
as Melissa (Elaine)
TVBaywatch
1989
as Lisa Peters
MovieFinish Line
1989
as Lisa Karsh
TVFreddy's Nightmares
1988
as Marsha
MovieMr. Universe
1988
as Self
TVthirtysomething
1987
TVWiseguy
1987
MovieJocks
1986
as Nicole
TVDowntown
1986
as Jesse Smith
MovieWelcome to 18
1986
as Joey
MovieGhoulies
1985
as Donna
TVFalcon Crest
1981
as Carly Fixx
TVSaturday Night Live
1975
as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
TVSesame Street
1969
TVThe Merv Griffin Show
1962
as Self
TVToday
1952
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TVThe Emmy Awards
1949
as Self - Nominee
