Mariska Hargitay Biography
Mariska Hargitay is an American actress, director, and philanthropist, best known for her portrayal of Captain Olivia Benson on the long-running television series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU). Born on January 23, 1964, in Santa Monica, California, she is the daughter of actress Jayne Mansfield and bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay. Tragically, her mother died in a car accident when Mariska was just three years old. She was raised by her father and his third wife, Ellen Siano, in Los Angeles .(Encyclopedia Britannica)
Career Highlights
Hargitay’s acting career began in the 1980s with roles in series like Falcon Crest and In the Heat of the Night. She gained further experience with appearances in Tequila and Bonetti, Can’t Hurry Love, and ER. In 1999, she was cast as Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU, a role she has portrayed for over two decades. Her performance has earned her multiple accolades, including two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. In 2013, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame .(Wikipedia)
Personal Life
In 2004, Hargitay married actor Peter Hermann, who also appeared on SVU. The couple has three children: a son, August, born in 2006, and adopted twins, Amaya and Andrew, in 2011 .
Recent Developments
In May 2025, Hargitay premiered her directorial debut, the documentary My Mom Jayne, at the Cannes Film Festival. The film explores the life of her late mother, Jayne Mansfield, and reveals a personal family secret: Hargitay’s biological father is not Mickey Hargitay, as she had believed, but Italian entertainer Nelson Sardelli. This revelation marks a significant moment in Hargitay’s journey of self-discovery and healing .
Advocacy and Philanthropy
Beyond her acting career, Hargitay is a dedicated advocate for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. In 2004, she founded the Joyful Heart Foundation, which provides support to survivors and works to raise awareness about untested rape kits. She is also a certified rape crisis counselor and has been involved in various initiatives to support domestic violence shelters .