Biography
Mariska was born in 1964 in Santa Monica, California. The daughter of the late actress
Jayne Mansfield, and former
Mr. Universe
Mickey Hargitay, it seemed inevitable that Mariska would follow in her parents footsteps with a career in the entertainment
industry. She was very active in the theater program of her secondary school,
Marmount High School, and graduated from
the
UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television in 1987 with a major in theatre.
Throughout the 1980's, Mariska appeared in several films such as
Ghoulies,
Welcome to 18 and
Jocks; and
made appearances in several teleivison series such as
Freddy's Nightmares and
Baywatch, as well as starring as a regular
cast member on the series
Falcon Crest. It was during the 1990's however, that her career really began to take off.
During the 1990's, Mariska appeared as lead characters in television series' such as
Tequila and Bonetti and
Prince Street, as well as having several guest appearances on shows such as
Seinfeld and
Ellen. She also appeared in
several films including
Blind Side,
Leaving Las Vegas,
The Advocate's Devil and
Lake Placid. From 1997-98, she
had a recurring guest spot on
ER for 13 episodes as
Cynthia Hooper, the love interest of one of the show's leads.
Mariska's big break came in 1999 when she landed the role of
Detective Olivia Benson in the NBC drama television
series
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit; about a team of detective's who investigate sexually based crimes and offences. Now in its tenth season,
Mariska maintains her role as the ambitious and emotionally driven detective. The role has earned her an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Gracie Allen
Award from The Foundation of American Women in Radio and Television, along with four Emmy nominations, three SAG nominations, and two Golden Globe
nominations.
“As a woman, it’s gratifying to play such a multilayered part. Olivia is not only a competent, street-smart cop, she’s also an empathetic woman
who can respond emotionally to victims of terrible crimes without compromising her professionalism.”
Mariska is also known to NBC viewers for her recurring role on ER as Dr. Greene’s (Anthony Edwards) girlfriend Cynthia Hooper in the 1997-98 season of the top-rated show.
She also gained notice as a cast regular in the sitcom Can’t Hurry Love with Nancy McKeon and Louis Mandylor. Additional television credits include
guest roles on NBC’s Seinfeld, Ellen and thirtysomething, and starring roles on Falcon Crest and Prince Street. Hargitay was also seen in the telefilms
The Advocate’s Devil and Night Sins, as well as the Lifetime movie Plain Truth.
Her film credits include the thriller Lake Placid written by David E. Kelley and starring Bridget Fonda, the critically acclaimed Leaving
Las Vegas, David Lynch’s Hotel Room, Bob Fosse’s Star 80, abd Michael Rymer’s Perfume.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Hargitay is the youngest daughter of screen legend Jayne Mansfield and former Mr. Universe Mickey Hargitay.
She divides her time between New York and Los Angeles. A UCLA graduate, she speaks Hungarian, French and Italian.
Mariska is married to actor Peter Hermann, who starred in the Universal/Working Title’s United 93, and who has a recurring role on SVU as
attorney Trevor Langan. They have one son together, August Miklos Friedrich Hermann.
- Adapted from information at Mariska.com
Law & Order: SVU
