Mariska Hargitay
Acting • Born 1964-01-23
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.
Filmography
75 credits
Leaving Las Vegas
Movie • 1995
Hooker At Bar
BLKBX: wht r u hding?
Movie • 2021
Dr. Hart
Lake Placid
Movie • 1999
Myra Okubo
The Perfect Weapon
Movie • 1991
Jennifer
Blind Side
Movie • 1993
Melanie
Perfume
Movie • 2001
Darcy
Ghoulies
Movie • 1985
Donna
Mr. Universe
Movie • 1988
Jocks
Movie • 1986
Nicole
The Gambler: Playing for Keeps
Movie • 1994
Etta Place
Plain Truth
Movie • 2004
Ellie Harrison
Hard Time Romance
Movie • 1991
Anita
Welcome to 18
Movie • 1986
Joey
Stuck
Movie • 2013
Narrator
Night Sins
Movie • 1997
Paige Price
Winona Ryder: The Ghosts She Called
Movie • 2022
Actress on the Stage (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Advocate's Devil
Movie • 1997
Rendi
The Love Guru
Movie • 2008
Mariska Hargitay (uncredited)
Finish Line
Movie • 1989
Lisa Karsh
Taylor Swift: The 1989 World Tour - Live
Movie • 2015
Self - Special Guest
Bank Robber
Movie • 1993
Marisa Benoit
I Am Evidence
Movie • 2017
Self
Strawberry Road
Movie • 1991
Jill Banner
F--k
Movie • 2010
Mariska
30 Rock: A One-Time Special
Movie • 2020
Mariska Hargitay
The Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVU
Movie • 2020
Self
Come the Morning
Movie • 1993
Church Woman
My Mom Jayne
Movie • 2025
Self
Falcon Crest
TV • 1981
Carly Fixx
Sesame Street
TV • 1969
Seinfeld
TV • 1989
Melissa (Elaine)
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
TV • 2003
Self
thirtysomething
TV • 1987
Tequila and Bonetti
TV • 1992
Angela Garcia
The Single Guy
TV • 1995
Kate Conklin
Today
TV • 1952
Self
The View
TV • 1997
Self
Law & Order: Organized Crime
TV • 2021
Captain Olivia Benson
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
TV • 1992
Self
The Merv Griffin Show
TV • 1962
Self
Freddy's Nightmares
TV • 1988
Marsha
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
TV • 1993
Self - Guest
Wiseguy
TV • 1987
ER
TV • 1994
Cynthia Hooper
Cracker
TV • 1997
Can't Hurry Love
TV • 1995
Didi Edelstein
Prince Street
TV • 1997
Nina Echeverria
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
TV • 1999
Olivia Benson
Law & Order
TV • 1990
Olivia Benson
Baywatch
TV • 1989
Lisa Peters
Chicago Fire
TV • 2012
Olivia Benson
Grapevine
TV • 1992
Katie
The Drew Barrymore Show
TV • 2020
Self
Chicago P.D.
TV • 2014
Olivia Benson
Hotel Room
TV • 1993
Tina
How To with John Wilson
TV • 2020
Self
Law & Order: Trial by Jury
TV • 2005
Olivia Benson
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
TV • 2014
Self
E! True Hollywood Story
TV • 1996
Self
Pacific Blue
TV • 1996
The Emmy Awards
TV • 1949
Self - Nominee
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
TV • 2009
Self - Guest
Downtown
TV • 1986
Jesse Smith
Saturday Night Live
TV • 1975
Self - Cameo (uncredited)
Ellen
TV • 1994
Dara
All-American Girl
TV • 1994
Jane
Gutsy
TV • 2022
Self
JoJo's Circus
TV • 2003
Queen Regina (voice)
The Emmy Awards
TV • 1949
Self
The Kelly Clarkson Show
TV • 2019
Self
Late Night with Seth Meyers
TV • 2014
Self - Guest
Booker
TV • 1989
Michelle Larkin
Late Show with David Letterman
TV • 1993
Self - Guest
The Daily Show
TV • 1996
Self - Guest
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
TV • 2015
Self - Guest