On June 29, 1967, Hargitay and her two brothers were involved in a car accident that killed her mother, Jayne Mansfield, and her mother's boyfriend, Sam Brody, yet left the three children miraculously unharmed
Was crowned Miss Beverly Hills in 1982
Founder and president of Joyful Heart Foundation, which helps rape and sexual-assault victims, as a result of her work on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Enjoys traveling and says Rome is her favorite city
Suffered a collapsed lung while doing her own stunts on the set of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and underwent surgery to repair it in January 2009
Awards
2021People's Choice Awards-Favorite Cable TV Actress:nominated
2011Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series:nominated
2010Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series:nominated
2010Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series:nominated
2009Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series:nominated
2009Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series:nominated
2009Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama:nominated
2008Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series:nominated
2008Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series:nominated
2007Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series:nominated
2006Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series:winner
2006Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series:nominated
2005Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series:nominated
2005Golden Globe-Actress in a Television Series:winner
2005Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama:winner
2005Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series:nominated
2004Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series:nominated
2003Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series:nominated