Mariska Hargitay

Mariska Hargitay - Actresses, Facts and Family

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Mariska Hargitay Biography Stories 

Mariska Hargitay's Personal Details

Mariska Hargitay is a famous American actress

InformationDetail
BirthdayJanuary 23, 1964
NationalityAmerican
FamousPhilanthropists, University Of California, Los Angeles, Film & Theater Personalities, Actresses
SpousesPeter Hermann
SiblingsJayne Marie Mansfield, Miklos Hargitay Jr., Tina Hargitay, Tony Cimber, Zoltan Hargitay
Known asMariska Magdolna Hargitay
ChildrensAmaya Josephine Hermann, Andrew Nicolas Haritay Hermann, August Miklos Friedrich Hermann
Universities
  • University Of California, Los Angeles
  • University of California at Los Angeles (dropout)
Notable Alumnis
  • University Of California
  • Los Angeles
Founder / Co-Founder
  • Joyful Heart Foundation
Birth PlaceLos Angeles
Height172
GenderFemale
FatherMickey Hargitay
MotherJayne Mansfield
Net Worth$50 million as of May 4,2017
Sun SignAquarius
Born inLos Angeles
Famous asActress

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Mariska Hargitay's photo

Who is Mariska Hargitay?

Mariska Hargitay is a renowned American actress, who is best-known for her role as the sex crimes detective, ‘Olivia Benson’ in the NBC hit series, ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’. She has earned several important nominations and also won a number of awards for her portrayal of the character; a character that managed to gather a cult following. With acting in her blood, Hargitay’s success in films came early in life when she debuted in the film ‘Ghoulies’. After giving a memorable performance in this film, she appeared in a recurring role in the top-rated show, ‘ER’, before being cast as ‘Olivia Benson’. A strong, competitive actress, Hargitay was also insistent on working hard for whatever roles she chose to do in her life and stressed on doing her own stunt-work for films. Unlike her mother, who had established herself as a ‘sex-symbol’ and a former ‘Playboy Playmate’ in the United States, Hargitay opted for a slightly different approach on her course of becoming a star. She refused to follow her mother’s footsteps and was confident that the acting classes she took would land her extraordinary roles in her career; and so it did. Acting aside, she is also the founder of the ‘Joyful Heart Foundation’, which provides aid and support to sexually abused women and children.

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Childhood & Early Life

Mariska Magdolna Hargitay was born to former-actress, Jayne Mansfield and former Mr. Universe, Mickey Hargitay, who is of Hungarian descent. She has two older brothers and three other half-siblings.

Her parents had divorced in 1963 but their divorce was later proclaimed invalid. Four years later, Hargitay’s mother, Jayne Mansfield was killed in an automobile accident along with her boyfriend, Sam Brody.

After the death of their mother, Hargitay and her siblings were raised by her father and his third wife, Ellen Siano.

She studied at Marymount High School, where she was active in theatre, cheerleading and was a part of the student government. From very early on, she was interested in acting and decided to attend the UCLA theatre program after she graduated from high school in 1982.

In 1982, she decided to follow her father’s footsteps in modeling and she was crowned Miss Beverly Hills USA. By the time she attended UCLA School of Theatre Film and Television, she already had a personal agent who got her several small roles.

She left college before completing her degree, so that she could commence her acting career. In 1984, she appeared in the music video by Ronnie Milsap, ‘She Loves My Car’. A year later, she appeared in the horror-comedy flick, ‘Ghoulies’.

Career

In 1986, she was cast in the popular crime-drama television series, ‘Downtown’, followed by a small appearance in an episode of ‘In the Heat of the Night’ two years later.

She was seen in an episode of ‘Freddy’s Nightmare’, where she played the role of Marsha Wildmon, in 1988. The same year, she was cast in the American primetime soap opera, ‘Falcon Crest’. The next year, she appeared in the film, ‘Finish Line’.

From 1989 to 1991 she was seen in a number of television series doing small roles including ‘Baywatch’, ‘Wiseguy’, ‘Thirtysomething’, ‘Booker’ and ‘Gabriel’s Fire’.

She played the role of police officer, ‘Angela Garcia’ in the 1992 series, ‘Tequila and Bonetti’. She also appeared in an episode of the hit American series, ‘Seinfeld’.

1995 proved to be an extremely busy year for the actress as she appeared in ‘Can’t Hurry Love’ and in an episode of ‘All American Girl’ as ‘Jane’. She also had a brief role in the Nicolas Cage film, ‘Leaving Las Vegas’ the same year.

From 1996 to 1997, she starred in a number of television series and television films including, ‘The Single Guy’, ‘Prince Street’, ‘Cracker’ and the television films ‘Night Sins’ and ‘The Advocate’s Devil’.

She had a recurring role as ‘Cynthia Hooper’ on the popular, primetime series, ‘ER’, where she was seen in a total of 13 episodes from 1997 to 1998. The next year, she starred in a comedy television anthology, ‘Love, American Style’.

Hargitay got one of her biggest career breakthroughs when she was cast as one of the lead characters of the NBC crime drama series, ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’, in 1999. The same year, she also appeared in one of her career flop films, ‘Lake Placid’.

In 2001, she played the role of ‘Darcy’ in ‘Perfume’, a story about the fashion industry in New York.

In 2004, she was seen in the television film, ‘Plain Truth’, where she portrayed the role of ‘Ellie Harrison’. The next year, she was seen in an episode of another spin-off of ‘Law & Order’ titled, ‘Law & Order: Trial by Jury’.

From 2006 to 2008, she was cast in the movies ‘Tales from Earthsea’ and made a cameo appearance in ‘The Love Guru’, respectively. Two years later, she played herself on ‘Kathy Griffin: My life on the D-List’.

In 2011, she was once again seen in an episode of ‘Barefoot Contessa’ as herself. She is currently playing the role of ‘Detective Olivia Benson’ for the series, ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’.

Major Works

She was cast as ‘Detective Olivia Benson’ in ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’, in 1999. This is largely considered her major work as she was given the role of a lead character, who investigated ‘sexually based offences’ along with other detectives. The show had over millions of viewers and was considered one of the most popular crime-based shows, ‘loosely’ based on real-life incidents.

Awards & Achievements

She won a Gracie Allen Award for ‘Individual Achievement for Best Female Lead- Drama- Series’ for ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’, in 2004.

In 2005, she won a Golden Globe Award for ‘Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series- Drama’ for ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’.

In 2006, she won an Emmy Award for ‘Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series’ for her role as ‘Detective Olivia Benson’.

She was presented a Prism Award for ‘Performance in a Drama Series Episode’ for ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’, in 2007.

In 2012, she won a Muse Award for ‘New York Women in Film & Television’ for ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’.

In 2013, she was awarded with 2511th star of Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 2014, she won the Grace Allen award for ‘Outstanding Female Actor in a Leading Role in a Drama’.

Personal Life & Legacy

She married actor Peter Hermann on August 28, 2004, with whom she has a biological child and two adopted children.

In 2008, she suffered from a partly collapsed lung after she fell while doing a stunt on set. She underwent surgery for the same and returned to work soon afterwards.

She founded the ‘Joyful Heart Foundation’, that provides aid to sexually abused women and those who suffered from child abuse. She is also an honorary board member of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

She donated around $100,000 to the UCLA School of Theater Film and Television for scholarship. She also made a donation of $35,800 to the ‘Obama Victory Fund’.

Trivia

This American actress, who is best known for her role as ‘Detective Olivia Benson’, speaks French, English, Hungarian, Spanish and Italian.

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Mariska Hargitay's awards

YearNameAward

Golden Globe Awards

2005Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - DramaLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999)

Primetime Emmy Awards

2006Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama SeriesLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999)

Mariska Hargitay biography timelines

  • // 23rd Jan 1964
    Mariska Magdolna Hargitay was born to former-actress, Jayne Mansfield and former Mr. Universe, Mickey Hargitay, who is of Hungarian descent. She has two older brothers and three other half-siblings.
  • // 1982
    In 1982, she decided to follow her father’s footsteps in modeling and she was crowned Miss Beverly Hills USA. By the time she attended UCLA School of Theatre Film and Television, she already had a personal agent who got her several small roles.
  • // 1984
    She left college before completing her degree, so that she could commence her acting career. In 1984, she appeared in the music video by Ronnie Milsap, ‘She Loves My Car’. A year later, she appeared in the horror-comedy flick, ‘Ghoulies’.
  • // 1986
    In 1986, she was cast in the popular crime-drama television series, ‘Downtown’, followed by a small appearance in an episode of ‘In the Heat of the Night’ two years later.
  • // 1988
    She was seen in an episode of ‘Freddy’s Nightmare’, where she played the role of Marsha Wildmon, in 1988. The same year, she was cast in the American primetime soap opera, ‘Falcon Crest’. The next year, she appeared in the film, ‘Finish Line’.
  • // 1989 To 1991
    From 1989 to 1991 she was seen in a number of television series doing small roles including ‘Baywatch’, ‘Wiseguy’, ‘Thirtysomething’, ‘Booker’ and ‘Gabriel’s Fire’.
  • // 1992
    She played the role of police officer, ‘Angela Garcia’ in the 1992 series, ‘Tequila and Bonetti’. She also appeared in an episode of the hit American series, ‘Seinfeld’.
  • // 1995
    1995 proved to be an extremely busy year for the actress as she appeared in ‘Can’t Hurry Love’ and in an episode of ‘All American Girl’ as ‘Jane’. She also had a brief role in the Nicolas Cage film, ‘Leaving Las Vegas’ the same year.
  • // 1996 To 1997
    From 1996 to 1997, she starred in a number of television series and television films including, ‘The Single Guy’, ‘Prince Street’, ‘Cracker’ and the television films ‘Night Sins’ and ‘The Advocate’s Devil’.
  • // 1997 To 1998
    She had a recurring role as ‘Cynthia Hooper’ on the popular, primetime series, ‘ER’, where she was seen in a total of 13 episodes from 1997 to 1998. The next year, she starred in a comedy television anthology, ‘Love, American Style’.
  • // 1999
    Hargitay got one of her biggest career breakthroughs when she was cast as one of the lead characters of the NBC crime drama series, ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’, in 1999. The same year, she also appeared in one of her career flop films, ‘Lake Placid’.
  • // 2001
    In 2001, she played the role of ‘Darcy’ in ‘Perfume’, a story about the fashion industry in New York.
  • // 2004
    In 2004, she was seen in the television film, ‘Plain Truth’, where she portrayed the role of ‘Ellie Harrison’. The next year, she was seen in an episode of another spin-off of ‘Law & Order’ titled, ‘Law & Order: Trial by Jury’.
  • // 2004
    She won a Gracie Allen Award for ‘Individual Achievement for Best Female Lead- Drama- Series’ for ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’, in 2004.
  • // 2004
    She married actor Peter Hermann on August 28, 2004, with whom she has a biological child and two adopted children.
  • // 2005
    In 2005, she won a Golden Globe Award for ‘Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series- Drama’ for ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’.
  • // 2006 To 2008
    From 2006 to 2008, she was cast in the movies ‘Tales from Earthsea’ and made a cameo appearance in ‘The Love Guru’, respectively. Two years later, she played herself on ‘Kathy Griffin: My life on the D-List’.
  • // 2006
    In 2006, she won an Emmy Award for ‘Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series’ for her role as ‘Detective Olivia Benson’.
  • // 2007
    She was presented a Prism Award for ‘Performance in a Drama Series Episode’ for ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’, in 2007.
  • // 2011
    In 2011, she was once again seen in an episode of ‘Barefoot Contessa’ as herself. She is currently playing the role of ‘Detective Olivia Benson’ for the series, ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’.
  • // 2012
    In 2012, she won a Muse Award for ‘New York Women in Film & Television’ for ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’.
  • // 2013
    In 2013, she was awarded with 2511th star of Hollywood Walk of Fame.
  • // 2014
    In 2014, she won the Grace Allen award for ‘Outstanding Female Actor in a Leading Role in a Drama’.

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Mariska Hargitay's FAQ

  • What is Mariska Hargitay birthday?

    Mariska Hargitay was born at 1964-01-23

  • Where is Mariska Hargitay's birth place?

    Mariska Hargitay was born in Los Angeles

  • What is Mariska Hargitay nationalities?

    Mariska Hargitay's nationalities is American

  • Who is Mariska Hargitay spouses?

    Mariska Hargitay's spouses is Peter Hermann

  • Who is Mariska Hargitay siblings?

    Mariska Hargitay's siblings is Jayne Marie Mansfield, Miklos Hargitay Jr., Tina Hargitay, Tony Cimber, Zoltan Hargitay

  • Who is Mariska Hargitay childrens?

    Mariska Hargitay's childrens is Amaya Josephine Hermann, Andrew Nicolas Haritay Hermann, August Miklos Friedrich Hermann

  • What was Mariska Hargitay universities?

    Mariska Hargitay studied at University Of California, Los Angeles, University of California at Los Angeles (dropout)

  • What was Mariska Hargitay notable alumnis?

    Mariska Hargitay's notable alumnis is University Of California, Los Angeles

  • Which company or organization was founded by Mariska Hargitay?

    Mariska Hargitay was the founder/co-founder of Joyful Heart Foundation

  • How tall is Mariska Hargitay?

    Mariska Hargitay's height is 172

  • Who is Mariska Hargitay's father?

    Mariska Hargitay's father is Mickey Hargitay

  • Who is Mariska Hargitay's mother?

    Mariska Hargitay's mother is Jayne Mansfield

  • What is Mariska Hargitay's sun sign?

    Mariska Hargitay is Aquarius

  • How famous is Mariska Hargitay?

    Mariska Hargitay is famouse as Actress