Mariska Hargitay
Biography
Mariska Hargitay is an American actress. She is known for her role on the NBC television drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Hargitay 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 in her notable role. Hargitay is a former beauty queen. She is the daughter of actress Jayne Mansfield and actor Mickey Hargitay.
Career overview
Mariska Hargitay is an American actress who made her film debut in the 1985 horror-comedy film Ghoulies. She also made her major television debut in the 1986 adventure drama series Downtown. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, Hargitay appeared in numerous roles in film and television shows.
Hargitay's most notable role is as a New York City sex crimes detective in a television drama series. This role has been her most prominent and enduring part in her acting career. She has been associated with this series for a significant period of time.
Hargitay's acting career spans multiple decades, with her film and television appearances dating back to the 1980s. She has been involved in a variety of projects, including films and television shows, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
90 titles- The Gymnasts of Fisherman Colony (2026) Executive Producer
- Variety & CNN Actors on Actors (2025) as Self
- My Mom Jayne (2025) as Self
- My Mom Jayne (2025) Director
- My Mom Jayne (2025) Producer
- The Alabama Solution (2025) Thanks
- Nuns vs. The Vatican (2025) Executive Producer
- Gutsy (2022) as Self
- Winona Ryder: The Ghosts She Called (2022) as Actress on the Stage (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Law & Order: Organized Crime (2021) as Captain Olivia Benson
- BLKBX: wht r u hding? (2021) as Dr. Hart
- BLKBX: wht r u hding? (2021) Executive Producer
- The Drew Barrymore Show (2020) as Self
- How To with John Wilson (2020) as Self
- 30 Rock: A One-Time Special (2020) as Mariska Hargitay
- The Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVU (2020) as Self
- The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019) as Self
- The Planters (2019) Associate Producer
- Emanuel (2019) Co-Producer
- My Beautiful Stutter (2019) Executive Producer
- I Am Evidence (2017) as Self
- I Am Evidence (2017) Producer
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015) as Self - Guest
- Taylor Swift: The 1989 World Tour - Live (2015) as Self - Special Guest
- Jayne Mansfield: The Tragedy of a Blonde (2015) as Self (archive footage)
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) as Self
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self - Guest
- Chicago P.D. (2014) as Olivia Benson
- Santorini Blue (2013) Associate Producer
- Stuck (2013) as Narrator
- Chicago Fire (2012) as Olivia Benson
- F--k (2010) as Mariska
- Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (2009) as Self - Guest
- The Love Guru (2008) as Mariska Hargitay (uncredited)
- Law & Order: Trial by Jury (2005) as Olivia Benson
- Plain Truth (2004) as Ellie Harrison
- The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003) as Self
- JoJo's Circus (2003) as Queen Regina (voice)
- Perfume (2001) as Darcy
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Olivia Benson
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) Director
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) Producer
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) Executive Producer
- Lake Placid (1999) as Myra Okubo
- The View (1997) as Self
- Cracker (1997)
- Prince Street (1997) as Nina Echeverria
- Night Sins (1997) as Paige Price
- The Advocate's Devil (1997) as Rendi
- The Daily Show (1996) as Self - Guest
- E! True Hollywood Story (1996) as Self
- The Single Guy (1995) as Kate Conklin
- Leaving Las Vegas (1995) as Hooker At Bar
- Can't Hurry Love (1995) as Didi Edelstein
- ER (1994) as Cynthia Hooper
- Ellen (1994) as Dara
- All-American Girl (1994) as Jane
- The Gambler: Playing for Keeps (1994) as Etta Place
- Late Show with David Letterman (1993) as Self - Guest
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) as Self - Guest
- Hotel Room (1993) as Tina
- Bank Robber (1993) as Marisa Benoit
- Blind Side (1993) as Melanie
- Come the Morning (1993) as Church Woman
- The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992) as Self
- Tequila and Bonetti (1992) as Angela Garcia
- Grapevine (1992) as Katie
- The Perfect Weapon (1991) as Jennifer
- Hard Time Romance (1991) as Anita
- Strawberry Road (1991) as Jill Banner
- Law & Order (1990) as Olivia Benson
- Seinfeld (1989) as Melissa (Elaine)
- Baywatch (1989) as Lisa Peters
- Booker (1989) as Michelle Larkin
- Finish Line (1989) as Lisa Karsh
- Freddy's Nightmares (1988) as Marsha
- Mr. Universe (1988) as Self
- thirtysomething (1987)
- Wiseguy (1987)
- Downtown (1986) as Jesse Smith
- Jocks (1986) as Nicole
- Welcome to 18 (1986) as Joey
- Ghoulies (1985) as Donna
- Falcon Crest (1981) as Carly Fixx
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
- Sesame Street (1969)
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- Today (1952) as Self
- The Emmy Awards (1949) as Self - Nominee
- The Emmy Awards (1949) as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Mariska Hargitay best known for?
Mariska Hargitay is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Law & Order: Organized Crime (2021), The Drew Barrymore Show (2020), The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019), The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015).
When and where was Mariska Hargitay born?
Mariska Hargitay was born on January 23, 1964 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
How many credits does Mariska Hargitay have?
Mariska Hargitay has accumulated over 90 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1949 to 2026.
What is Mariska Hargitay's background in cinema and television?
Mariska Hargitay is an American actress. She is known for her role on the NBC television drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Hargitay 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 te...