Mariska Hargitay

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

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Law & Order

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

Late Night with Seth Meyers

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

The Daily Show

Chicago Fire

All Movies (29)

• My Mom Jayne2025 · as Self
• Winona Ryder: The Ghosts She Called2022 · as Actress on the Stage (archive footage) (uncredited)
• BLKBX: wht r u hding?2021 · as Dr. Hart
• 30 Rock: A One-Time Special2020 · as Mariska Hargitay
• The Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVU2020 · as Self
• I Am Evidence2017 · as Self
• Taylor Swift: The 1989 World Tour - Live2015 · as Self - Special Guest
• Jayne Mansfield: The Tragedy of a Blonde2015 · as Self (archive footage)
• Stuck2013 · as Narrator
• F--k2010 · as Mariska
• The Love Guru2008 · as Mariska Hargitay (uncredited)
• Plain Truth2004 · as Ellie Harrison
• Perfume2001 · as Darcy
• Lake Placid1999 · as Myra Okubo
• The Advocate's Devil1997 · as Rendi
• Night Sins1997 · as Paige Price
• Leaving Las Vegas1995 · as Hooker At Bar
• The Gambler: Playing for Keeps1994 · as Etta Place
• Bank Robber1993 · as Marisa Benoit
• Come the Morning1993 · as Church Woman
• Blind Side1993 · as Melanie
• Hard Time Romance1991 · as Anita
• Strawberry Road1991 · as Jill Banner
• The Perfect Weapon1991 · as Jennifer
• Finish Line1989 · as Lisa Karsh
• Mr. Universe1988 · as Self
• Jocks1986 · as Nicole
• Welcome to 181986 · as Joey
• Ghoulies1985 · as Donna

All TV Shows (47)

• Variety & CNN Actors on Actors2025 · as Self
• Gutsy2022 · as Self
• Law & Order: Organized Crime2021 · as Captain Olivia Benson
• How To with John Wilson2020 · as Self
• The Drew Barrymore Show2020 · as Self
• The Kelly Clarkson Show2019 · as Self
• The Late Show with Stephen Colbert2015 · as Self - Guest
• Late Night with Seth Meyers2014 · as Self - Guest
• The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon2014 · as Self
• Chicago P.D.2014 · as Olivia Benson
• Chicago Fire2012 · as Olivia Benson
• Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen2009 · as Self - Guest
• Law & Order: Trial by Jury2005 · as Olivia Benson
• JoJo's Circus2003 · as Queen Regina (voice)
• The Ellen DeGeneres Show2003 · as Self
• Law & Order: Special Victims Unit1999 · as Olivia Benson
• Cracker1997
• The View1997 · as Self
• Prince Street1997 · as Nina Echeverria
• E! True Hollywood Story1996 · as Self
• The Daily Show1996 · as Self - Guest
• The Single Guy1995 · as Kate Conklin
• Can't Hurry Love1995 · as Didi Edelstein
• ER1994 · as Cynthia Hooper
• All-American Girl1994 · as Jane
• Ellen1994 · as Dara
• Late Night with Conan O'Brien1993 · as Self - Guest
• Late Show with David Letterman1993 · as Self - Guest
• Hotel Room1993 · as Tina
• Grapevine1992 · as Katie
• The Tonight Show with Jay Leno1992 · as Self
• Tequila and Bonetti1992 · as Angela Garcia
• Law & Order1990 · as Olivia Benson
• Booker1989 · as Michelle Larkin
• Seinfeld1989 · as Melissa (Elaine)
• Baywatch1989 · as Lisa Peters
• Freddy's Nightmares1988 · as Marsha
• thirtysomething1987
• Wiseguy1987
• Downtown1986 · as Jesse Smith
• Falcon Crest1981 · as Carly Fixx
• Saturday Night Live1975 · as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
• Sesame Street1969
• The Merv Griffin Show1962 · as Self
• Today1952 · as Self
• The Emmy Awards1949 · as Self - Nominee
• The Emmy Awards1949 · as Self