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Mariska Hargitay Biography

Birth Name:Mariska Magdolna Hargitay

Birth Place:Los Angeles, California, United States

Profession Actress, Producer, Director, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Co-founded the Joyful Heart Foundation, which aims to help victims of abuse
Known for supporting a variety of charity groups, including Keep A Child Alive, Safe Horizon, Project A․L․S․ and Champions for Children
Served on the Honorary Committee for the Worldwide Orphans Foundation's Benefit Gala in 2009
Honored at the Elly Awards in 2017
Served as ambassador in 2007 for the Lee National Denim Day, which benefitted the Women's Cancer Programs of the Entertainment Industry Foundation
Born to actress Jayne Mansfield and former Mr․ Universe Mickey Hargitay
Got married to actor Peter Hermann in 2004
Studied theatre at the University of California, Los Angeles
Studied improvisation under comic Kathy Griffin at the Groundlings Theatre
Best known for portraying the character Olivia Benson on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit․"
Trained as a rape crisis counselor in preparation for her role on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit․"

Awards

2000Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Series, Drama: nominated
2000TV Guide Award-Favorite Actress in a New Series: nominated
2000Q Award-Best Actress in a Quality Drama Series: nominated
2004Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2004Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Lead Actress: nominated
2004Gracie-Individual Achievement for Best Female Lead - Drama - Series: winner
2004OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2004Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2004Prism Award-Performance in a TV Drama Series Episode: nominated
2005Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama: winner
2005Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2005WIN Award-Actress in Drama Series: nominated
2006Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2006Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Lead Actress: nominated
2006Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: winner
2007Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2007OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2007Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2007Prism Award-Performance in a Drama Series Episode: winner
2007TV Land Award-Favorite Lady Gumshoe: nominated
2008OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2009Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2009Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
2009Gracie-Outstanding Female Lead - Drama Series: winner
2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2010Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2011Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2011People's Choice Award-Favorite TV Crime Fighter: nominated
2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2012TV Guide Award-Favorite Actress: nominated
2014Gracie-Outstanding Female Lead - Drama Series: winner
2014Prism Award-Female Performance in a Drama Series Multi-Episode Storyline: nominated
2014TV Guide Award-Favorite Actress: nominated
2017Gracie-Outstanding Female Actor in a Leading Role in a Drama: winner
2018People's Choice Award-Favorite Drama TV Star: winner
2019Emmy-Outstanding Investigative Documentary: nominated
2019Emmy-Best Documentary: winner
2020People's Choice Award-Favorite Drama TV Star: nominated
2020People's Choice Award-Favorite Female TV Star: nominated
2021HCA Award-Best Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Drama: nominated
2021People's Choice Award-The Female TV Star of 2021: nominated
2021People's Choice Award-The Drama TV Star of 2021: nominated
2022People's Choice Award-The Female TV Star of 2022: nominated
2022People's Choice Award-The Drama TV Star of 2022: winner
2024Astra TV Award-Best Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Drama Series: winner
2024Astra TV Award-Best Directing in a Broadcast Network or Cable Drama Series: winner
2024People's Choice Award-The Female TV Star of the Year: nominated
2024People's Choice Award-The Drama TV Star of the Year: nominated
2025Golden Eye-: nominated
2025Golden Camera-: nominated
2026EDA Award-Best Documentary: nominated
2026Cinema Eye Honors Award-Outstanding Achievement in Broadcast Film: nominated