Mariska Hargitay

Mariska Hargitay is an American actress, director, and philanthropist, best known for her portrayal of Captain Olivia Benson on the long-running television series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU). Born on January 23, 1964, in Santa Monica, California, Hargitay is the daughter of actress Jayne Mansfield and actor Mickey Hargitay. She began her acting career in the mid-1980s, appearing in various television series and films. Her breakthrough role as Olivia Benson, a dedicated and empathetic detective, earned her critical acclaim and numerous awards, including an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award .TrendzJoint+5+5Người Nổi Tiếng+5

Beyond her acting career, Hargitay is a passionate advocate for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. In 2004, she founded the Joyful Heart Foundation, an organization dedicated to healing, education, and advocacy for survivors. Through her foundation, Hargitay has worked to change the way society responds to these issues, including efforts to address the backlog of untested rape kits . Her advocacy work has been featured in the HBO documentary I Am Evidence, which she co-produced and which won a News and Documentary Emmy Award .Người Nổi Tiếng+1Fresher Post+1Người Nổi Tiếng+2Glamour+2Vanity Fair+2Vanity FairBiography Wallah+3+3Vanity Fair+3

Hargitay's personal experiences have also influenced her perspective and advocacy. In a 2025 interview, she revealed that her biological father is entertainer Nelson Sardelli, not Mickey Hargitay as she had previously believed. She discovered this truth in her 30s and recently reconciled with Sardelli, sharing a heartfelt Father's Day together . This revelation and her journey of self-discovery have further informed her work and commitment to supporting others in their healing processes.Vanity FairBiography Wallah+3+3+3+1+1