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. She holds the distinction of playing the longest-running character in American primetime drama history. Acknowledged as one of the highest-paid actresses on television since 2013, she has received numerous accolades, including two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. In 2013, Hargitay was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Beyond her acting career, she is recognized for her significant philanthropic work and activism.
7 hours ago : Mariska Hargitay Reveals Family Secret, Honors Late Mother Jayne Mansfield on Mother's Day
Mariska Hargitay disclosed a family secret in a new documentary. She also posted a heartfelt Mother's Day tribute to her late mother, Jayne Mansfield, receiving support from friends while sharing a bittersweet update about her.
1984: Appearance in Music Video
In 1984, Mariska Hargitay appeared in Ronnie Milsap's music video for "She Loves My Car."
1986: Role on Downtown
In 1986, Mariska Hargitay was offered a role on the adventure drama series Downtown, marking her entry into television.
1988: Falcon Crest Recurring Role
In 1988, Mariska Hargitay had a recurring role as Carly Fixx in the soap opera Falcon Crest.
1991: Strawberry Road Role
In 1991, Mariska Hargitay played Jill Banner in the Japanese-American co-production Strawberry Road.
1995: Can't Hurry Love and Leaving Las Vegas roles
In 1995, Mariska Hargitay appeared in Can't Hurry Love and the drama film Leaving Las Vegas.
1995: Leaving Las Vegas Role
In 1995, Mariska Hargitay had a minor role in the film Leaving Las Vegas.
1995: Can't Hurry Love Role
In 1995, Mariska Hargitay portrayed Didi Edelstein in the sitcom Can't Hurry Love.
1996: Can't Hurry Love Role
In 1996, Mariska Hargitay appeared in Can't Hurry Love.
1997: Prince Street and ER Roles
In 1997, Mariska Hargitay played detective Nina Echeverria on the drama series Prince Street and had a recurring role in ER.
1999: Cast in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
In 1999, Mariska Hargitay was cast as Olivia Benson on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. This role would become the longest-running character in the longest-running American primetime drama.
1999: Casting for Law & Order: SVU
In the spring of 1999, Mariska Hargitay was cast as Detective Olivia Benson in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit alongside Christopher Meloni as Detective Elliot Stabler.
1999: Portrayal of Olivia Benson
Since 1999, Mariska Hargitay has portrayed Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
2004: Joyful Heart Foundation Established
In 2004, Mariska Hargitay founded the Joyful Heart Foundation to support survivors of various forms of abuse and trafficking.
2005: Voice in Video Game
In 2005, Mariska Hargitay's voice was featured in the video game True Crime: New York City.
2006: Public Service Announcements
In 2006, Mariska Hargitay appeared in NBC's The More You Know public service announcements.
May 2009: Contract Expiration
In May 2009, Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni's contracts expired, leading to negotiations for new contracts.
November 2009: Support 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 to the cause.
November 2010: Joyful Heart Foundation Programs
In November 2010, the Joyful Heart Foundation had sent over 5,000 women and children on therapeutic programs in New York, Los Angeles, and Hawaii. These programs combine yoga, meditation, massage, journaling, and swimming with dolphins.
April 2011: Joyful Heart Foundation's Impact and Collaborations
As of April 2011, the Joyful Heart Foundation had raised $20 million and helped approximately 5,000 survivors. The Foundation's work was highlighted in episodes of Special Victims Unit with Hargitay's character wearing a necklace representing the Foundation in the show's 13th season. The Foundation also collaborated with brands like Me&Ro, Michael Stars, and AZIAM's Wife Lover Tanks to create supporting products.
September 27, 2011: Donation to UCLA School of Theater Film and Television
On September 27, 2011, Mariska Hargitay donated $100,000 to her alma mater, the UCLA School of Theater Film and Television, to fund 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.
2012: Campaign for VAWA Reauthorization
In 2012, Mariska Hargitay campaigned for the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
2013: Hollywood Walk of Fame and Highest Paid Actresses
In 2013, Mariska Hargitay received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and became among the highest-paid actresses on television.
2013: Forbes Ranking
In 2013, Mariska Hargitay was ranked by Forbes as the second highest-paid television actress.
2014: Forbes Ranking
In 2014, Mariska Hargitay was ranked by Forbes as the second highest-paid television actress.
2017: Co-Production of I Am Evidence
In 2017, Mariska Hargitay co-produced the HBO documentary I Am Evidence.
2018: Release of I Am Evidence
In 2018, Mariska Hargitay produced the documentary I Am Evidence, released by HBO, focusing on untested rape kits.
2024: Forbes Ranking
In 2024, Forbes named Mariska Hargitay as the 11th highest-paid actor of 2024, 2nd highest-paid actress.
2024: Highest-Paid Television Actor
In 2024, Mariska Hargitay became the highest-paid television actor, 11th highest-paid actor overall, and 2nd highest-paid actress.
2024: Essay on Sexual Assault Stigma
In 2024, Mariska Hargitay wrote an essay calling for an end to the stigma surrounding sexual assault, advocating for survivors to be celebrated similarly to cancer survivors.
2025: Forbes Ranking
In 2025, Forbes named Hargitay as the 11th highest-paid actor of 2024.
2025: Directing and Producing My Mom Jayne
In 2025, Mariska Hargitay directed and produced My Mom Jayne, a documentary focusing on her mother, Jayne Mansfield, for HBO.
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