Mariska Hargitay
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.
Acting
TV
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
as Olivia Benson
1999
TV
Chicago P.D.
as Olivia Benson
2014
TV
Chicago Fire
as Olivia Benson
2012
TV
Seinfeld
as Melissa (Elaine)
1989
Movie
Leaving Las Vegas
as Hooker At Bar
1995
Movie
Lake Placid
as Myra Okubo
1999
TV
ER
as Cynthia Hooper
1994
Movie
The Love Guru
as Mariska Hargitay (uncredited)
2008
TV
Law & Order
as Olivia Benson
1990
TV
The Daily Show
as Self - Guest
1996
TV
Baywatch
as Lisa Peters
1989
TV
Saturday Night Live
as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
1975
TV
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
as Self
2014
TV
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
as Self - Guest
2015
TV
Law & Order: Organized Crime
as Captain Olivia Benson
2021
Movie
Ghoulies
as Donna
1985
TV
Sesame Street
1969
TV
Freddy's Nightmares
as Marsha
1988
TV
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
as Self
2003
TV
Late Show with David Letterman
as Self - Guest
1993
Movie
Taylor Swift: The 1989 World Tour - Live
as Self - Special Guest
2015
TV
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
as Self - Guest
1993
TV
How To with John Wilson
as Self
2020
Movie
The Perfect Weapon
as Jennifer
1991
Crew
TV
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Director
1999
Movie
The Alabama Solution
Thanks
2025
Movie
My Mom Jayne
Director
2025
Movie
I Am Evidence
Producer
2017
Movie
Emanuel
Co-Producer
2019
Movie
The Planters
Associate Producer
2019
Movie
Santorini Blue
Associate Producer
2013
Movie
My Beautiful Stutter
Executive Producer
2019
Movie
Nuns vs. The Vatican
Executive Producer
2025
Movie
BLKBX: wht r u hding?
Executive Producer
2021
Movie
The Gymnasts of Fisherman Colony
Executive Producer
2026