Mariska Hargitay
Mariska Magdolna 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.
Acting
- 2025Variety & CNN Actors on ActorsSelf1 ep.
- 2025Good Hang with Amy PoehlerSelf - Guest1 ep.
- 2022GutsySelf1 ep.
- 2021Law & Order: Organized CrimeOlivia Benson14 ep.
- 2020How To with John WilsonSelf1 ep.
- 2020The Drew Barrymore ShowSelf2 ep.
- 2014Late Night with Seth MeyersSelf - Guest7 ep.
- 2014Chicago P.D.Olivia Benson3 ep.
- 2005Law & Order: Trial by JuryOlivia Benson1 ep.
- 2003JoJo's CircusQueen Regina (voice)1 ep.
- 1999Law & Order: Special Victims UnitOlivia Benson602 ep.
- 1997Cracker1 ep.
- 1997Prince StreetDet. Nina Echeverria6 ep.
- 1997Night SinsPaige Price2 ep.
- 1996E! True Hollywood StorySelf2 ep.
- 1995The Single GuyKate Conklin3 ep.
- 1995Can't Hurry LoveDidi Edelstein19 ep.
- 1994ERCynthia Hooper13 ep.
- 1994All-American GirlJane1 ep.
- 1993Late Show with David LettermanSelf - Guest2 ep.
- 1993Hotel RoomTina3 ep.
- 1992GrapevineKatie1 ep.
- 1992Tequila and BonettiAngela Garcia12 ep.
- 1990Law & OrderOlivia Benson7 ep.
- 1989BookerMichelle Larkin1 ep.
- 1989SeinfeldMelissa (Elaine)2 ep.
- 1988Freddy's NightmaresMarsha1 ep.
- 1987thirtysomething1 ep.
- 1987Wiseguy1 ep.
- 1986DowntownJesse Smith13 ep.
- 1981Falcon CrestCarly Fixx15 ep.
- 1969Sesame Street1 ep.
- 1952TodaySelf2 ep.
- 1949The Emmy AwardsSelf - Nominee3 ep.
Behind the camera
- 1999Law & Order: Special Victims UnitDirector, Executive Producer, Producer602 ep.
Guest appearances
- 2008The Emmy AwardsSelf, Self - Host, Self - Nominee3 ep.
- 2026Jimmy Kimmel Live!Self - Guest1 ep.
- 2026Variety & CNN Actors on ActorsSelf1 ep.
- 2000Law & OrderOlivia Benson7 ep.
- 2025Good Hang with Amy PoehlerSelf - Guest1 ep.
- 2025The Kelly Clarkson ShowSelf1 ep.
- 2015Late Night with Seth MeyersSelf - Guest7 ep.
- 2019The Late Show with Stephen ColbertSelf - Guest2 ep.
- 2021Law & Order: Organized CrimeOlivia Benson14 ep.
- 2022The Drew Barrymore ShowSelf2 ep.
- 2024The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonSelf1 ep.
- 2023How To with John WilsonSelf1 ep.
- 2022GutsySelf1 ep.
- 2019Saturday Night LiveSelf - Cameo (uncredited)1 ep.
- 2018The Daily ShowSelf - Guest1 ep.
- 2014Chicago P.D.Olivia Benson3 ep.
- 2015Watch What Happens Live with Andy CohenSelf - Guest1 ep.
- 2015Chicago FireOlivia Benson1 ep.
- 2002Late Show with David LettermanSelf - Guest2 ep.
- 2003The ViewSelf3 ep.
- 2007The Ellen DeGeneres ShowSelf2 ep.
- 2006TodaySelf2 ep.
- 2007Sesame Street1 ep.
- 1999The Tonight Show with Jay LenoSelf2 ep.
- 2006JoJo's CircusQueen Regina (voice)1 ep.
- 2004E! True Hollywood StorySelf2 ep.
- 2005Law & Order: Trial by JuryOlivia Benson1 ep.
- 2001Late Night with Conan O'BrienSelf - Guest3 ep.
- 1997ERCynthia Hooper13 ep.
- 1997Cracker1 ep.
- 1996The Single GuyKate Conklin3 ep.
- 1996EllenDara1 ep.
- 1995All-American GirlJane1 ep.
- 1993SeinfeldMelissa (Elaine)2 ep.
- 1992GrapevineKatie1 ep.
- 1990BookerMichelle Larkin1 ep.
- 1990thirtysomething1 ep.
- 1990Wiseguy1 ep.
- 1989BaywatchLisa Peters1 ep.
- 1988Falcon CrestCarly Fixx15 ep.
- 1988Freddy's NightmaresMarsha1 ep.
- 1966The Merv Griffin ShowSelf1 ep.
Also known as: Марішка Маґдолна Гарґітей · Mariska Magdolna Hargitay