Mariska Hargitay
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 titles)
5.5ShowVariety & CNN Actors on Actors
Self · 2025
8.0MovieMy Mom Jayne
Self · 2025
3.5ShowGutsy
Self · 2022
7.7MovieWinona Ryder: The Ghosts She Called
Actress on the Stage (archive footage) (uncredited) · 2022
MovieBLKBX: wht r u hding?
Dr. Hart · 2021
7.9ShowLaw & Order: Organized Crime
Captain Olivia Benson · 2021
8.1ShowHow To with John Wilson
Self · 2020
5.8ShowThe Drew Barrymore Show
Self · 2020
6.3Movie30 Rock: A One-Time Special
Mariska Hargitay · 2020
9.7MovieThe Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVU
Self · 2020
6.3ShowThe Kelly Clarkson Show
Self · 2019
6.4MovieI Am Evidence
Self · 2017
8.5MovieTaylor Swift: The 1989 World Tour - Live
Self - Special Guest · 2015
6.1ShowThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Self - Guest · 2015
6.4MovieJayne Mansfield: The Tragedy of a Blonde
Self (archive footage) · 2015
5.1ShowLate Night with Seth Meyers
Self - Guest · 2014
5.8ShowThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Self · 2014
8.4ShowChicago P.D.
Olivia Benson · 2014
5.4MovieStuck
Narrator · 2013
8.4ShowChicago Fire
Olivia Benson · 2012
5.8MovieF--k
Mariska · 2010
5.0ShowWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Self - Guest · 2009
4.1MovieThe Love Guru
Mariska Hargitay (uncredited) · 2008
8.1ShowLaw & Order: Trial by Jury
Olivia Benson · 2005
6.1MoviePlain Truth
Ellie Harrison · 2004
6.9ShowJoJo's Circus
Queen Regina (voice) · 2003
5.5ShowThe Ellen DeGeneres Show
Self · 2003
4.8MoviePerfume
Darcy · 2001
8.0ShowLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit
Olivia Benson · 1999
5.9MovieLake Placid
Myra Okubo · 1999