Mariska Hargitay is an acclaimed American actress and producer, known for her work in television. Born to famous parents - bodybuilder/actor Mickey Hargitay and actress Jayne Mansfield - she has earned numerous awards for her performances, including an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and two People's Choice Awards.
May 1963: Divorce of Parents
Mariska Hargitay's parents, Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay, divorced in May 1963. However, this divorce was later deemed invalid.
January 1964: Birth and Brief Reconciliation
Mariska Hargitay was born in January 1964, shortly after her parents briefly reconciled. However, they separated again soon after.
January 23, 1964: Birth of Mariska Hargitay
Mariska Magdolna Hargitay was born on January 23, 1964. She is the daughter of bodybuilder and actor Mickey Hargitay and actress Jayne Mansfield.
August 1964: Legalization of Divorce and Remarriage
In August 1964, Jayne Mansfield successfully petitioned to validate her earlier Mexican divorce. Shortly afterward, she married director Matt Cimber.
1966: Mansfield and Cimber File for Divorce
By the summer of 1966, Jayne Mansfield and Matt Cimber had filed for divorce.
June 29, 1967: Tragic Car Accident
On June 29, 1967, three-year-old Mariska Hargitay was involved in a car accident that tragically took the life of her mother, Jayne Mansfield. Mariska sustained a zigzag scar on her head but survived.
1982: High School Activities and College Enrollment
During her time at Marymount High School, Mariska Hargitay actively participated in various activities, including cheerleading, student government, athletics, and the theater program. After graduating in 1982, she enrolled at UCLA.
1982: Early Acting Career and Miss Beverly Hills USA
In 1982, Mariska Hargitay began her acting journey while at Marymount High School and later enrolled at UCLA's School of Theater, Film, and Television. The same year, she was crowned Miss Beverly Hills USA.
1984: Music Video Appearance and Early Film Role
Mariska Hargitay appeared in Ronnie Milsap's music video for "She Loves My Car" in 1984. This marked the first country music video to be featured on MTV. A year later, she landed a small role in the horror film "Ghoulies."
1986: Challenges in Early Acting Career
In 1986, Mariska Hargitay revealed that she hadn't considered a career in television until being offered a role in the adventure drama "Downtown." She faced difficulties establishing herself in Hollywood, often being compared to her mother.
1988: Recurring Role in "Falcon Crest"
Mariska Hargitay landed a recurring role as Carly Fixx in the soap opera "Falcon Crest" in 1988.
1992: Television Roles and "Seinfeld" Audition
Mariska Hargitay portrayed police officer Angela Garcia in the 1992 series "Tequila and Bonetti." She also appeared in the fourth season finale of "Seinfeld," where she auditioned for the role of Elaine Benes.
1995: Minor Role in "Leaving Las Vegas" and "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie"
In 1995, Mariska Hargitay had a small role in the film "Leaving Las Vegas." She was also briefly cast as Dulcea in "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie," although her scenes were ultimately removed from the final cut.
1995: Breakthrough Role in "Leaving Las Vegas"
Mariska Hargitay had a minor role in the 1995 drama film "Leaving Las Vegas."
1997: Roles in "Prince Street" and "ER"
In 1997, Mariska Hargitay took on the role of detective Nina Echeverria in the drama series "Prince Street." She also had a recurring role as Cynthia Hooper in the fourth season of "ER."
1999: Hargitay Lands Role in "Law & Order: SVU"
In 1999, Mariska Hargitay was chosen for the role of Detective Olivia Benson in the NBC police procedural drama series "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit".
1999: Cast as Olivia Benson in "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"
Mariska Hargitay's breakthrough role came in 1999 when she was chosen to play Detective Olivia Benson in NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."
August 28, 2004: Marriage to Peter Hermann
On August 28, 2004, Mariska Hargitay married actor Peter Hermann in Santa Barbara, California. They met on the set of "Law & Order: SVU," where Hermann played a recurring role.
2004: Hargitay Founds the Joyful Heart Foundation
In 2004, Mariska Hargitay established the Joyful Heart Foundation to support survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other forms of abuse.
2005: Voice Acting in "True Crime: New York City"
Mariska Hargitay lent her voice to the 2005 video game "True Crime: New York City."
June 28, 2006: Birth of Son, August
Mariska Hargitay gave birth to her son, August, on June 28, 2006. The birth was via an emergency caesarean section.
September 2006: Passing of Mickey Hargitay
Mickey Hargitay, Mariska's father, died in September 2006 at the age of 80 in Los Angeles, California, due to complications from multiple myeloma.
2006: Hargitay's Maternity Leave From "Law & Order: SVU"
While pregnant in 2006, Mariska Hargitay went on maternity leave from "Law & Order: SVU". Her character was briefly replaced by Connie Nielsen.
2006: Hargitay Participates in "The More You Know"
Mariska Hargitay appeared in NBC's "The More You Know" public service announcements in 2006 and again in 2009.
2006: Death of Mickey Hargitay
Mariska Hargitay's father, Mickey Hargitay, passed away in 2006 at the age of 80.
January 2007: Got Milk? Advertisement
Mariska Hargitay and her eldest son, August, appeared in a "Got Milk?" advertisement in January 2007.
December 2008: Hargitay Suffers On-Set Injury
In December 2008, Mariska Hargitay experienced a partially collapsed lung from a fall while filming "Law & Order: SVU". She underwent surgery in January.
March 3, 2009: Hargitay Hospitalized
On March 3, 2009, Mariska Hargitay was hospitalized due to chest pains stemming from a previous on-set injury.
May 2009: Hargitay and Meloni Negotiate Contracts
When their contracts expired in May 2009, Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni negotiated for higher pay and a percentage of "Law & Order: SVU" profits. Ultimately, their contracts were renewed.
November 2009: Hargitay Provides Healing Kits for Domestic Violence Survivors
In November 2009, Mariska Hargitay and the Joyful Heart Foundation created and distributed healing and wellness kits to around 600 women in Los Angeles County's domestic violence shelters.
November 2010: Joyful Heart Foundation Impacts Thousands
By November 2010, the Joyful Heart Foundation, founded by Mariska Hargitay, had provided therapeutic programs to over 5,000 women and children.
2010: Interview with Good Housekeeping
In 2010, Mariska Hargitay revealed in an interview with Good Housekeeping that she identifies as a Christian.
April 2011: Adoption of Daughter, Amaya
In April 2011, Mariska Hargitay and her husband, Peter Hermann, adopted a baby girl named Amaya. They were present at her birth.
April 2011: Joyful Heart Foundation Raises Millions
By April 2011, the Joyful Heart Foundation had reportedly raised $20 million and assisted approximately 5,000 survivors.
September 27, 2011: Hargitay Supports UCLA with Generous Donation
On September 27, 2011, Mariska Hargitay donated $100,000 to her alma mater, the UCLA School of Theater Film and Television, for scholarship purposes.
October 2011: Adoption of Son, Andrew
Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann adopted their son, Andrew, in October 2011. Andrew was born earlier that year.
2011: Hargitay Honored by UCLA
In 2011, Mariska Hargitay was honored with UCLA's TFT Distinguished Alumni Award and recognized at the school's June commencement ceremony.
August 2012: Hargitay's Salary Reaches New Heights
By August 2012, Mariska Hargitay was earning an estimated $400,000–$500,000 per episode for "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit".
2012: Hargitay Supports Violence Against Women Act
In 2012, Mariska Hargitay actively campaigned for the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
2013: Hargitay Among Highest-Paid Actresses
By 2013, Mariska Hargitay was recognized as one of the highest-paid television actresses globally.
2013: Hargitay Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Mariska Hargitay was honored with the 2,511th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013. Her star is beside her mother's.
2014: Hargitay Ranked Among Highest-Paid Actresses
Forbes ranked Mariska Hargitay as the second highest-paid television actress in both 2013 and 2014.
2015: Hargitay Wins MTV Video Music Award
At the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards, Mariska Hargitay, Taylor Swift, and the cast of Swift's "Bad Blood" music video won "Video of the Year".
2018: Hargitay's Documentary Highlights Untested Rape Kits
Mariska Hargitay produced the documentary "I Am Evidence," released in 2018, shedding light on the issue of untested rape kits. The film earned her an Emmy Award.
2019: "Law & Order: SVU" Becomes Longest-Running Drama
In 2019, "Law & Order: SVU" earned the title of the longest-running drama in American prime-time television history. Mariska Hargitay's portrayal of Olivia Benson also became the longest-running character in a U.S. prime-time drama.
July 2021: Hargitay's Injury
In July 2021, Mariska Hargitay broke her ankle in a fall, leading to minor script adjustments for "Law & Order: SVU".
2022: Hargitay Narrates Disney's Candlelight Processional
Mariska Hargitay served as a guest narrator for Disney's Candlelight Processional from December 19–20, 2022.
2024: Hargitay Reveals Past Trauma, Advocates for Survivors
In a 2024 personal essay, Mariska Hargitay disclosed her own experience as a survivor, calling for an end to the stigma surrounding sexual assault.