Mariska Hargitay
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.
Known For
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999
Law & Order
1990
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
2009
The Daily Show
1996
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
2014
Late Night with Seth Meyers
2014
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
2015
Chicago Fire
2012
Seinfeld
1989
The Kelly Clarkson Show
2019
Chicago P.D.
2014
The View
1997
Saturday Night Live
1975
ER
1994
Late Show with David Letterman
1993