Mariska Hargitay
Acting
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
Acting75
tvGutsy
2022
Self
movieWinona Ryder: The Ghosts She Called
2022
Actress on the Stage (archive footage) (uncredited)
movieBLKBX: wht r u hding?
2021
Dr. Hart
tvLaw & Order: Organized Crime
2021
Captain Olivia Benson
movie30 Rock: A One-Time Special
2020
Mariska Hargitay
movieTaylor Swift: The 1989 World Tour - Live
2015
Self - Special Guest
tvThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert
2015
Self - Guest
movieJayne Mansfield: The Tragedy of a Blonde
2015
Self (archive footage)
tvLate Night with Seth Meyers
2014
Self - Guest
tvChicago P.D.
2014
Olivia Benson
movieStuck
2013
Narrator
tvChicago Fire
2012
Olivia Benson
movieF--k
2010
Mariska
tvWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
2009
Self - Guest
movieThe Love Guru
2008
Mariska Hargitay (uncredited)
tvLaw & Order: Trial by Jury
2005
Olivia Benson
moviePlain Truth
2004
Ellie Harrison
tvJoJo's Circus
2003
Queen Regina (voice)
moviePerfume
2001
Darcy
tvLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999
Olivia Benson
movieLake Placid
1999
Myra Okubo
movieNight Sins
1997
Paige Price
tvThe View
1997
Self
Prince Street
1997
Nina Echeverria
tvThe Daily Show
1996
Self - Guest
movieLeaving Las Vegas
1995
Hooker At Bar
tvThe Single Guy
1995
Kate Conklin
tvCan't Hurry Love
1995
Didi Edelstein
movieThe Gambler: Playing for Keeps
1994
Etta Place
tvER
1994
Cynthia Hooper
tvEllen
1994
Dara
movieBank Robber
1993
Marisa Benoit
tvLate Night with Conan O'Brien
1993
Self - Guest
tvLate Show with David Letterman
1993
Self - Guest
movieCome the Morning
1993
Church Woman
movieBlind Side
1993
Melanie
tvHotel Room
1993
Tina
tvGrapevine
1992
Katie
tvTequila and Bonetti
1992
Angela Garcia
movieStrawberry Road
1991
Jill Banner
movieThe Perfect Weapon
1991
Jennifer
tvLaw & Order
1990
Olivia Benson
tvBooker
1989
Michelle Larkin
tvSeinfeld
1989
Melissa (Elaine)
tvBaywatch
1989
Lisa Peters
movieFinish Line
1989
Lisa Karsh
movieJocks
1986
Nicole
tvDowntown
1986
Jesse Smith
movieGhoulies
1985
Donna
tvFalcon Crest
1981
Carly Fixx
tvSaturday Night Live
1975
Self - Cameo (uncredited)
tvToday
1952
Self
tvThe Emmy Awards
1949
Self - Nominee / Self
Production10
movieThe Gymnasts of Fisherman Colony
2026
Executive Producer
movieNuns vs. The Vatican
2025
Executive Producer
movieMy Mom Jayne
2025
Producer
movieBLKBX: wht r u hding?
2021
Executive Producer
movieThe Planters
2019
Associate Producer
movieMy Beautiful Stutter
2019
Executive Producer
movieEmanuel
2019
Co-Producer
movieI Am Evidence
2017
Producer
movieSantorini Blue
2013
Associate Producer
tvLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999
Producer, Executive Producer
Directing2
movieMy Mom Jayne
2025
Director
