Mariska Hargitay Headshot
Report a problem with this profile
[email protected]

Mariska Hargitay        

Emmy Award-winning Actress & Philanthropist; Known for "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit"

Mariska Hargitay is an actress and philanthropist. She is best known for portraying Olivia Benson in the NBC police drama Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. In 2019, it was announced that the show would be renewed for its 21st season, making it the longest running live-action primetime drama in history.

Hargitay's portrayal of Olivia Benson has earned her an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Gracie Allen Award from The Foundation of American Women in Radio and Television, just to name a few accolades. Hargitay is also known to NBC viewers for her recurring role on ER as Dr. Greene's girlfriend Cynthia Hooper in the 1997-98 season of the top-rated show. She gained notice as a cast regular in the sitcom Can't Hurry Love with Nancy McKeon and Louis Mandylor.

In 2004, Hargitay founded the Joyful Heart Foundation. The Foundation's mission is to transform society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, support survivors’ healing, and end this violence forever. Her dedication to providing assistance to sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse survivors speaks to her depth of character and generosity of spirit. Committed to ending violence and abuse, and caring for those who have survived it, Hargitay Hargitay spends as much time off screen dealing with these crimes as she does while busting perps through her role as Olivia Benson.

Hargitay has been a part of multiple education and awareness campaigns linked to issues related to sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse. She has made public service announcements to end the rape kit backlog in the United States, pass critical legislation to bring healing and justice to survivors, prevent child abuse and neglect and engage men to end violence and abuse. She has also filmed PSAs with NBC's "The More You Know" campaigns and Got Milk and has lent her time and voice to other victim assistance organizations in hopes of raising awareness and much needed financial support for their programs. In 2017, Hargitay testified on behalf of rape survivors and victims of sexual assault and abuse in front of Congress.

News


'Law & Order: SVU' just made TV history — here's what Mariska Hargitay said
The NBC drama was just renewed for a 21st season, making it the longest-running live-action prime-time series in TV history.
‘Law & Order: SVU’ Renewed for Record 21st Season at NBC
“Law & Order: SVU” is set to become the longest-running primetime live-action series in TV history. NBC has announced it is renewing the show for a 21st season, meaning “SVU” will overtake the 20-season record it previously shared with the original “Law & Order” and the legendary CBS Western “Gunsmoke.” It now trails only “The Simpsons” in the longest-running shows of all time rankings.
Mariska Hargitay, Scooter Braun, and Edie Lutnick Received 2019 National Public Service Awards at Annual New York City Jefferson Awards, Presented by Multiplying Good
Multiplying Good, the nation's leading nonprofit focused on fueling personal growth and leadership through public service, honored individuals, organizations, and youth leaders at the forefront of social good at the annual Jefferson Awards on March 11, 2019, at 583 Park Avenue in New York City. For 47 years, the organization has recognized both prominent national changemakers and local unsung heroes for their achievements as a means to multiply their impact and inspire others to take action.
Inside Mariska Hargitay's Unique Journey: Surviving a Hollywood Tragedy, Speaking Up and Scoring the Best Gig on TV
It's hard to remember a time when Mariska Hargitay wasn't synonymous with Olivia Benson. Heck, it's getting increasingly hard to remember a time when Taylor Swift wasn't synonymous with Olivia Benson.
Why ‘Law & Order: SVU’ Matters
As the show kicks off its 20th season amid the maelstrom of the #MeToo movement, Rolling Stone examines its impact on the cultural conversation around sex crimes
Mariska Hargitay's Thoughts on Being a Badass Boss—On-Screen ...
Over the course of 17 years, we've seen Mariska Hargitay's Olivia Benson go through many changes on Law and Order: SVU—and we're not just talking about  ...
Show more news
Mariska Hargitay: Taylor Swift's 'Shake It Off' 'touched me deeply ...
One of the more delightful developments of 2015 has been the emergence of a friendship between pop princess Taylor Swift and TV queen Mariska Hargitay ...
Mariska Hargitay Breaking News, Photos, and Videos | Just Jared
Mariska Hargitay can't stop smiling at the ceremony honoring her with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday (November 8) in Hollywood.
Show less news

Related Speakers View all


More like Mariska