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.
TV Shows(45)
Gutsy
Self
2022
Law & Order: Organized Crime
Captain Olivia Benson
2021
How To with John Wilson
Self
2020
The Drew Barrymore Show
Self
2020
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Self
2019
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Self - Guest
2015
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Self - Guest
2014
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Self
2014
Chicago P.D.
Olivia Benson
2014
Chicago Fire
Olivia Benson
2012
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Self - Guest
2009
Law & Order: Trial by Jury
Olivia Benson
2005
JoJo's Circus
Queen Regina (voice)
2003
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Self
2003
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Olivia Benson
1999
Cracker
1997
The View
Self
1997
Prince Street
Nina Echeverria
1997
E! True Hollywood Story
Self
1996
The Daily Show
Self - Guest
1996
The Single Guy
Kate Conklin
1995
Can't Hurry Love
Didi Edelstein
1995
ER
Cynthia Hooper
1994
All-American Girl
Jane
1994
Ellen
Dara
1994
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Self - Guest
1993
Late Show with David Letterman
Self - Guest
1993
Hotel Room
Tina
1993
Grapevine
Katie
1992
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Self
1992
Tequila and Bonetti
Angela Garcia
1992
Law & Order
Olivia Benson
1990
Booker
Michelle Larkin
1989
Seinfeld
Melissa (Elaine)
1989
Baywatch
Lisa Peters
1989
Freddy's Nightmares
Marsha
1988
thirtysomething
1987
Wiseguy
1987
Downtown
Jesse Smith
1986
Falcon Crest
Carly Fixx
1981
Saturday Night Live
Self - Cameo (uncredited)
1975
Sesame Street
1969
The Merv Griffin Show
Self
1962
Today
Self
1952
The Emmy Awards
Self - Nominee
1949
Movies(29)
My Mom Jayne
Self
2025
Winona Ryder: The Ghosts She Called
Actress on the Stage (archive footage) (uncredited)
2022
BLKBX: wht r u hding?
Dr. Hart
2021
30 Rock: A One-Time Special
Mariska Hargitay
2020
The Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVU
Self
2020
I Am Evidence
Self
2017
Taylor Swift: The 1989 World Tour - Live
Self - Special Guest
2015
Jayne Mansfield: The Tragedy of a Blonde
(archive footage)
2015
Stuck
Narrator
2013
F--k
Mariska
2010
The Love Guru
Mariska Hargitay (uncredited)
2008
Plain Truth
Ellie Harrison
2004
Perfume
Darcy
2001
Lake Placid
Myra Okubo
1999
The Advocate's Devil
Rendi
1997
Night Sins
Paige Price
1997
Leaving Las Vegas
Hooker At Bar
1995
The Gambler: Playing for Keeps
Etta Place
1994
Bank Robber
Marisa Benoit
1993
Come the Morning
Church Woman
1993
Blind Side
Melanie
1993
Hard Time Romance
Anita
1991
Strawberry Road
Jill Banner
1991
The Perfect Weapon
Jennifer
1991
Finish Line
Lisa Karsh
1989
Mr. Universe
1988
Jocks
Nicole
1986
Welcome to 18
Joey
1986
Ghoulies
Donna
1985