Mariska Hargitay

Mariska Hargitay born January 23 1964  is an American actress producer director and activist best known for her role as New York City sex crimes Detective Olivia Benson on on the NBC television drama Law Order Special Victims Unit a role that has earned her multiple awards and nominations including an Emmy and Golden Globe The daughter of actress Jayne Mansfield and actorbodybuilder Mickey Hargitay Hargitay is a former beauty queen who made her film debut in the 1985 horrorcomedy film Ghoulies and her major television debut in the 1986 adventure drama series Downtown She appeared in numerous roles in film and television shows throughout the late 1980s and 1990s before being cast as Olivia Benson a role that led to her founding the Joyful Heart Foundation which provides support to women who have been sexually abused