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
Cast Credits
My Mom Jayne
Character: Self
MOVIE • 2025
Gutsy
Character: Self
TV • 2022
Winona Ryder: The Ghosts She Called
Character: Actress on the Stage (archive footage) (uncredited)
MOVIE • 2022
BLKBX: wht r u hding?
Character: Dr. Hart
MOVIE • 2021
Law & Order: Organized Crime
Character: Captain Olivia Benson
TV • 2021
How To with John Wilson
Character: Self
TV • 2020
The Drew Barrymore Show
Character: Self
TV • 2020
30 Rock: A One-Time Special
Character: Mariska Hargitay
MOVIE • 2020
The Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVU
Character: Self
MOVIE • 2020
I Am Evidence
Character: Self
MOVIE • 2017
Taylor Swift: The 1989 World Tour - Live
Character: Self
MOVIE • 2015
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Character: Self
TV • 2015
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Character: Self
TV • 2014
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Character: Self
TV • 2014
Chicago P.D.
Character: Olivia Benson
TV • 2014
Stuck
Character: Narrator
MOVIE • 2013
Chicago Fire
Character: Olivia Benson
TV • 2012
F--k
Character: Mariska
MOVIE • 2010
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Character: Self - Guest
TV • 2009
The Love Guru
Character: Mariska Hargitay (uncredited)
MOVIE • 2008
Crew
Crew Credits
Nuns vs. The Vatican
Role: Executive Producer
MOVIE • 2025
My Mom Jayne
Role: Director
MOVIE • 2025
My Mom Jayne
Role: Producer
MOVIE • 2025
BLKBX: wht r u hding?
Role: Executive Producer
MOVIE • 2021
The Planters
Role: Associate Producer
MOVIE • 2019
My Beautiful Stutter
Role: Executive Producer
MOVIE • 2019
Emanuel
Role: Co-Producer
MOVIE • 2019
I Am Evidence
Role: Producer
MOVIE • 2017
Santorini Blue
Role: Associate Producer
MOVIE • 2013
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Role: Director
TV • 1999
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Role: Producer
TV • 1999
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Role: Executive Producer
TV • 1999