Career Timeline of Mariska Hargitay: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Mariska Hargitay made an impact.
Mariska Hargitay is a highly acclaimed American actress, producer, director, and philanthropist, best known for her role as Olivia Benson on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit since 1999. This role is the longest-running character in American primetime drama history. She has received numerous accolades for her performance, including an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. Hargitay received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013, solidifying her place as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
1984: Appearance in Ronnie Milsap's music video
In 1984, Mariska Hargitay appeared in Ronnie Milsap's music video for "She Loves My Car," which was the first country music video to appear on MTV.
1986: Offered a role in Downtown
In 1986, Mariska Hargitay was offered a role on the adventure drama series Downtown, marking a turning point in her approach to television acting.
1988: Recurring Role in Falcon Crest
In 1988, Mariska Hargitay had a recurring role as Carly Fixx in the soap opera Falcon Crest, marking one of her early television roles.
1991: Role in Strawberry Road
In 1991, Mariska Hargitay played Jill Banner in the Japanese-American co-production Strawberry Road.
1992: Appearance in Tequila and Bonetti
In 1992, Mariska Hargitay appeared in Tequila and Bonetti, expanding her roles in television series.
1995: Role in Can't Hurry Love
In 1995, Mariska Hargitay portrayed Didi Edelstein in the sitcom Can't Hurry Love.
1996: Can't Hurry Love continues
In 1996, Mariska Hargitay continued to star in Can't Hurry Love, further establishing her presence in the sitcom genre.
1997: Role in ER
In 1997, Mariska Hargitay appeared in ER, gaining experience in a medical drama series.
1997: Roles in Prince Street and ER
In 1997, Mariska Hargitay played detective Nina Echeverria on Prince Street and had a recurring role as Cynthia Hooper in ER.
1998: ER continues
In 1998, Mariska Hargitay continued her role in ER, contributing to her diverse acting portfolio.
1999: Stars in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
In 1999, Mariska Hargitay began starring as Olivia Benson on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. This role has become the longest-running character in American primetime drama history.
1999: Portrayal of Olivia Benson begins
Since 1999, Mariska Hargitay has portrayed Olivia Benson in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, a role for which she trained as a rape crisis advocate.
2004: Founded Joyful Heart Foundation
In 2004, Mariska Hargitay founded the Joyful Heart Foundation to support survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking.
2004: Certified Rape Counselor
In 2004, it was reported that Mariska Hargitay is a certified rape counselor.
2005: Voice in True Crime: New York City
In 2005, Mariska Hargitay's voice was featured in the video game True Crime: New York City.
2006: Maternity Leave from SVU
During her pregnancy in 2006, Mariska Hargitay took maternity leave from SVU, with Connie Nielsen temporarily replacing her as Stabler's partner, Dani Beck.
2006: Appeared in The More You Know public service announcement
Mariska Hargitay appeared in the 17th season of NBC's The More You Know public service announcements in 2006, to create awareness about issues.
May 2009: Contract Expiration and Negotiations
In May 2009, Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni's contracts expired after the tenth season of SVU, leading to negotiations for a new contract where they sought a percentage of the show's profits.
November 2009: Wellness kits for domestic violence shelters
In November 2009, Mariska Hargitay and the Joyful Heart Foundation built healing and wellness kits for women in Los Angeles County's domestic violence shelters and donated money due to budget crisis.
November 2010: Therapeutic programs for women and children
As of November 2010, the Joyful Heart Foundation had sent over 5,000 women and children on therapeutic programs in New York, Los Angeles, and Hawaii.
April 2011: Joyful Heart Foundation raised $20 million
According to Mariska Hargitay, as of April 2011, the Joyful Heart Foundation had raised $20 million.
September 27, 2011: Donation to UCLA
On September 27, 2011, Mariska Hargitay donated $100,000 to the UCLA School of Theater Film and Television for scholarships.
August 2012: Earning per episode of SVU
As of August 2012, Mariska Hargitay was earning approximately $400,000–$500,000 per episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
2012: Campaign for VAWA Reauthorization
In 2012, Mariska Hargitay campaigned for the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
2014: Ranked as the second-highest-paid television actress
In 2014, Mariska Hargitay was ranked by Forbes as the second-highest-paid television actress, only after Sofía Vergara of Modern Family.
2017: Co-produced I Am Evidence
In 2017, Mariska Hargitay co-produced the HBO documentary I Am Evidence, which later won a News and Documentary Emmy.
2018: Release of I Am Evidence
In 2018, the documentary I Am Evidence, produced by Mariska Hargitay, was released by HBO. The film discusses untested rape kits in the United States.
2024: Forbes names Mariska Hargitay one of the highest-paid actors
In 2024, Forbes named Mariska Hargitay as one of the highest-paid actors.
2024: Essay in People Magazine
In 2024, Mariska Hargitay wrote an essay for People magazine, advocating for an end to the stigma surrounding sexual assault survivors, calling for the same respect and celebration given to cancer survivors.
June 2025: Release of My Mom Jayne
In June 2025, Mariska Hargitay's directorial debut, My Mom Jayne, was released in the United States under her production company Mighty Entertainment. The documentary delves into the life and death of her mother, Jayne Mansfield.
2025: Named one of the highest-paid actors by Forbes
In 2025, Forbes named Mariska Hargitay as the 11th highest-paid actor of 2024, the 2nd highest-paid actress after Nicole Kidman, and the highest-paid actor on television, earning an estimated $750,000 per episode from SVU.
2025: Launched Mighty Entertainment and directed My Mom Jayne
In 2025, Mariska Hargitay launched the production company Mighty Entertainment and directed the documentary My Mom Jayne.
2025: Inclusion on TIME100 Philanthropy List
In 2025, Mariska Hargitay was included on the inaugural TIME100 Philanthropy list for her philanthropic work.
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