Biography
Mariska Hargitay is an American actress. She was born on 23 January 1964 in Santa Monica, California.
She is best known for playing Olivia Benson in the television series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999–). Earlier credits include the role of Melissa in Seinfeld (1989) and Cynthia Hooper in ER (1994). Hargitay trained at the UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television and has appeared in films such as Leaving Las Vegas (1995).
She founded the Joyful Heart Foundation, which supports survivors of sexual assault. Hargitay is married to actor Peter Hermann.
