Mariska Hargitay

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.

Mariska Hargitay is known for work in acting across film and television. New Release currently presents 13 verified screen credits connected to this profile.

Selected work includes My Mom Jayne (2025), Gutsy (2022), Winona Ryder: The Ghosts She Called (2022), How To with John Wilson (2020), The Drew Barrymore Show (2020), The Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVU (2020), Jayne Mansfield: The Tragedy of a Blonde (2015), JoJo's Circus (2003). The recorded credits span 1984 to 2025, including 8 movies and 5 TV shows.

The filmography below lists available titles, release years and known roles. This profile is updated as additional verified information becomes available.