Mariska Hargitay
#3,311 Most Popular
About
Actress known for her Emmy and Golden Globe-winning role as Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU. She also starred in the films Leaving Las Vegas and Lake Placid.
Before Fame
In 1982, while attending UCLA, she was crowned Miss Beverly Hills USA and came in fourth place in the Miss California USA pageant.
Trivia
She made her television debut in 1986's Downtown as Jesse Smith, and two years later played herself in Mr. Universe.
Family Life
Her mother died when she was three, so her father, a former Mr. Universe, took care of her and her siblings. She married Peter Hermann in 2004; the couple had children named Amaya, Andrew, and August together.
Associated With
Her mother is the late actress Jayne Mansfield, who became known as the Working Man's Monroe.