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

as Olivia Benson

Chicago P.D.

as Olivia Benson

Chicago Fire

as Olivia Benson

Seinfeld

as Melissa (Elaine)

Leaving Las Vegas

as Hooker At Bar

Lake Placid

as Myra Okubo

ER

as Cynthia Hooper

The Love Guru

as Mariska Hargitay (uncredited)

Law & Order

as Olivia Benson

Baywatch

as Lisa Peters