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
My Mom Jayne
Self
2025
Gutsy
Self · (1 episode)
2022
Winona Ryder: The Ghosts She Called
Actress on the Stage (archive footage) (uncredited)
2022
BLKBX: wht r u hding?
Dr. Hart
2021
Law & Order: Organized Crime
Captain Olivia Benson · (14 episodes)
2021
How To with John Wilson
Self · (1 episode)
2020
The Drew Barrymore Show
Self · (1 episode)
2020
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
2015
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Self · (1 episode)
2015
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Self · (2 episodes)
2014
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Self · (1 episode)
2014
Chicago P.D.
Olivia Benson · (3 episodes)
2014
Stuck
Narrator
2013
Chicago Fire
Olivia Benson · (1 episode)
2012
F--k
Mariska
2010
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
2009
The Love Guru
Mariska Hargitay (uncredited)
2008
Law & Order: Trial by Jury
Olivia Benson · (1 episode)
2005
Plain Truth
Ellie Harrison
2004
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Self · (1 episode)
2003
Perfume
Darcy
2001
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Olivia Benson · (573 episodes)
1999
Lake Placid
Myra Okubo
1999
The Advocate's Devil
Rendi
1997
Night Sins
Paige Price
1997
Cracker
(1 episode)
1997
The View
Self · (2 episodes)
1997
The View
(1 episode)
1997
Prince Street
Nina Echeverria · (6 episodes)
1997
E! True Hollywood Story
Self · (2 episodes)
1996
Pacific Blue
(1 episode)
1996
Leaving Las Vegas
Hooker At Bar
1995
The Single Guy
Kate Conklin · (3 episodes)
1995
Can't Hurry Love
Didi Edelstein · (19 episodes)
1995
The Gambler: Playing for Keeps
Etta Place
1994
ER
Cynthia Hooper · (13 episodes)
1994
All-American Girl
Jane · (1 episode)
1994
Ellen
Dara · (1 episode)
1994
Bank Robber
Marisa Benoit
1993
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Self - Guest · (2 episodes)
1993
Come the Morning
Church Woman
1993
Blind Side
Melanie
1993
Hotel Room
Tina · (3 episodes)
1993
Grapevine
Katie · (1 episode)
1992
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Self · (2 episodes)
1992
Tequila and Bonetti
Angela Garcia · (12 episodes)
1992
Hard Time Romance
Anita
1991
Strawberry Road
Jill Banner
1991
The Perfect Weapon
Jennifer
1991
Law & Order
Olivia Benson · (6 episodes)
1990
Seinfeld
Melissa (Elaine) · (2 episodes)
1989
Baywatch
Lisa Peters · (1 episode)
1989
Finish Line
Lisa Karsh
1989
Freddy's Nightmares
(1 episode)
1988
Mr. Universe
1988
thirtysomething
(1 episode)
1987
Wiseguy
(1 episode)
1987
Jocks
Nicole
1986
Downtown
Jesse Smith · (13 episodes)
1986
Welcome to 18
Joey
1986
Ghoulies
Donna
1985
Falcon Crest
Carly Fixx · (15 episodes)
1981
Saturday Night Live
Self - Cameo (uncredited) · (1 episode)
1975
Sesame Street
(1 episode)
1969
The Merv Griffin Show
Self · (1 episode)
1962
Today
Self · (2 episodes)
1952
The Emmy Awards
Self - Nominee · (1 episode)
1949