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, and philanthropist best known for her role as Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit since 1999. This role has made her one of the highest-paid actresses on television and earned her numerous awards, including two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. In 2013, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Beyond acting, Hargitay is recognized for her philanthropic endeavors and activism.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1984: Ronnie Milsap's Music Video

In 1984, Mariska Hargitay appeared in Ronnie Milsap's music video for "She Loves My Car", the first country music video to appear on MTV.

1986: Role on Downtown

In 1986, Mariska Hargitay stated that she never thought about doing television until a role on the one-hour adventure drama series Downtown was offered.

1988: Falcon Crest Role

In 1988, Mariska Hargitay had a recurring role as Carly Fixx in the soap opera Falcon Crest.

1988: Early Acting Credits

In 1988, Mariska Hargitay's early acting credits included roles in the series Falcon Crest and In the Heat of the Night.

Loading Video...

1991: Strawberry Road

In 1991, Mariska Hargitay played Jill Banner in Strawberry Road.

1992: Tequila and Bonetti

In 1992, Mariska Hargitay appeared in Tequila and Bonetti.

1995: Can't Hurry Love and Leaving Las Vegas

In 1995, Mariska Hargitay appeared in the film Leaving Las Vegas and in the tv-show Can't Hurry Love.

Loading Video...

1995: Leaving Las Vegas Role

In 1995, Mariska Hargitay played a minor role in the film Leaving Las Vegas.

1995: Can't Hurry Love

In 1995, Mariska Hargitay portrayed Didi Edelstein in the sitcom Can't Hurry Love.

Loading Video...

1996: Can't Hurry Love

In 1996, Mariska Hargitay appeared in Can't Hurry Love.

Loading Video...

1997: ER

In 1997, Mariska Hargitay appeared in ER.

Loading Video...

1997: Prince Street and ER Roles

In 1997, Mariska Hargitay played detective Nina Echeverria on Prince Street and had a recurring role as Cynthia Hooper on ER.

Loading Video...

1998: ER

In 1998, Mariska Hargitay appeared in ER.

Loading Video...

1999: Portrayal of Olivia Benson

In 1999, Mariska Hargitay began her portrayal of Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, a role for which she trained as a rape crisis advocate.

Loading Video...

1999: Joins Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

In 1999, Mariska Hargitay began playing Olivia Benson on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, marking the start of the longest-running character in the longest-running American primetime drama.

Loading Video...

2004: Joyful Heart Foundation Founded

In 2004, Mariska Hargitay founded the Joyful Heart Foundation, an organization providing support to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking.

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: The More You Know Public Service Announcements

Mariska Hargitay appeared in the 17th season of NBC's The More You Know public service announcements in 2006.

May 2009: Contract Expiration

In May 2009, Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni's contracts expired, and they attempted to receive a percentage of the show's profits, leading to rumored threats of replacement but ultimately renewed contracts.

November 2009: Joyful Heart Foundation Initiatives

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 to the cause amidst a budget crisis.

November 2010: Therapeutic Programs

As of November 2010, the Joyful Heart Foundation has sent over 5,000 women and children on therapeutic programs in New York, Los Angeles, and Hawaii, which combine yoga, meditation, massage, journaling, and swimming with dolphins.

April 2011: Joyful Heart Foundation Raised $20 Million

As of April 2011, Mariska Hargitay's Joyful Heart Foundation had raised $20 million and helped approximately 5,000 survivors.

September 27, 2011: Donation to UCLA School of Theater Film and Television

On September 27, 2011, Mariska Hargitay donated $100,000 to the UCLA School of Theater Film and Television for scholarships.

August 2012: Earnings per Episode

As of August 2012, Mariska Hargitay was earning approximately $400,000–$500,000 per episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Loading Video...

2012: Campaigning for the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization

In 2012, Mariska Hargitay campaigned for the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

2013: Highest-Paid Television Actress

In 2013, Mariska Hargitay was ranked by Forbes as the second highest-paid television actress.

2013: Highest Paid Actresses on Television

Since 2013, Mariska Hargitay became one of the highest-paid actresses on television.

2014: Highest-Paid Television Actress

In 2014, Mariska Hargitay was ranked by Forbes as the second highest-paid television actress.

2017: Co-produced I Am Evidence

In 2017, Mariska Hargitay co-produced the HBO documentary I Am Evidence.

2018: Production of I Am Evidence

In 2018, Mariska Hargitay produced the HBO documentary I Am Evidence, which focused on the issue of untested rape kits. She won her second Emmy for the film.

2024: Highest-Paid Actor on TV

In 2024, Forbes named Mariska Hargitay as the highest-paid actor on television by a wide-margin, earning an estimated $750,000 per episode, the 11th highest-paid actor overall and the 2nd highest-paid actress after Nicole Kidman.

2024: Essay on Ending Stigma Surrounding Sexual Assault

In an essay in 2024, Mariska Hargitay called for an end to the stigma surrounding sexual assault, advocating for survivors to be celebrated rather than shamed.

2025: Highest-Paid Actor on TV

In 2025, Forbes named Mariska Hargitay as the 11th highest-paid actor of 2024, 2nd highest-paid actress after Nicole Kidman, and the highest-paid actor on television.