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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Actress

Mariska Hargitay

Mariska Hargitay is an American actress, producer, director, and philanthropist best known for playing Olivia Benson on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit since 1999.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Mariska Hargitay is an American actress best known for playing Olivia Benson on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit since 1999. She has won a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for her work.

What it is

Mariska Hargitay is an actress, producer, director, and philanthropist. She was born on January 23, 1964, in Santa Monica, California, to actress Jayne Mansfield and bodybuilder-turned-actor Mickey Hargitay. Her most famous role is Detective (later Captain) Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, a character she has played since 1999.

Why it matters

Hargitay's portrayal of Olivia Benson has made the character one of the longest-running in American primetime drama. Her performance has earned major television awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. She is also known to Canadian audiences through long-running broadcast television.

Key details

Hargitay is married to actor Peter Hermann, and the couple has three children. She stands 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) tall. Beyond acting, she has worked as a producer and director on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

In short

  • Best known as Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU since 1999.
  • Won a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.
  • Married to actor Peter Hermann, with three children.
  • Born January 23, 1964, in Santa Monica, California.
Canadian angle

She is well known to Canadian audiences through long-running broadcast television, especially Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Quick questions

How old is Mariska Hargitay?
She was born on January 23, 1964, which makes her 62 years old as of 2026.
Who is Mariska Hargitay married to?
She is married to actor Peter Hermann.
What is Mariska Hargitay's role on Law & Order: SVU?
She plays Olivia Benson, a police detective who later becomes captain, on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariska_Hargitay
    Supports: Birth date, occupation, and long-running role as Olivia Benson; children count.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mariska-Hargitay
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, nationality, and role as Olivia Benson.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002127/
    Supports: Height, spouse Peter Hermann, and three children.
  4. National Today — https://nationaltoday.com/birthday/mariska-hargitay/
    Supports: Public net worth estimate of US$100 million and basic biographical details.