Mariska Hargitay

Mariska Hargitay is an actress, producer and philanthropist best known for playing Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, one of the longest-running roles in television history. Hargitay is the daughter of actress Jayne Mansfield and bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay. After Mansfield died in a car accident when Mariska was 3 years old, she was raised primarily by her father in Los Angeles. She attended Marymount High School and later enrolled at UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television. She left before completing her degree to pursue an acting career, though she was later honored by the school with its Distinguished Alumni Award.

Hargitay began her career with guest appearances on television and roles in series including Falcon Crest, Can’t Hurry Love and ER. Her breakthrough came in 1999 when she was cast as Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. The role made her a household name and earned her widespread acclaim. For her portrayal of Benson, Hargitay won a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for Outstanding Lead Actress and Best Actress, respectively. Some of her other appearances include Bank Robber (1993), Lake Placid (1999) and Perfume (2001).

In addition to Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Hargitay is known for producing the documentary I Am Evidence (2017) and founding the Joyful Heart Foundation, which supports survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse. She has also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and numerous honors for her advocacy work.

Hargitay met actor Peter Hermann on the set of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in 2002. The couple wed in 2004 and share three children: August (born in 2006), Amaya (born in 2011) and Andrew (born in 2011).