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