
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.

Law & Order
TV • 1990

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
TV • 1999

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
TV • 2009

The Daily Show
TV • 1996

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
TV • 2014

Late Night with Seth Meyers
TV • 2014

Baywatch
TV • 1989

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
TV • 2015

Saturday Night Live
TV • 1975

Seinfeld
TV • 1989

The Kelly Clarkson Show
TV • 2019

Chicago Fire
TV • 2012

Chicago P.D.
TV • 2014

Sesame Street
TV • 1969

ER
TV • 1994

The View
TV • 1997

Late Show with David Letterman
TV • 1993

Ellen
TV • 1994