History of Mariska Hargitay in Timeline
Mariska Hargitay is an acclaimed American actress, producer, and philanthropist. She's widely recognized for her role as Olivia Benson on NBC's long-running drama, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Her portrayal of Benson has earned her numerous awards and nominations, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in television. Beyond acting, Hargitay is actively involved in philanthropic endeavors, particularly those focused on supporting survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, mirroring themes often explored in her iconic role.
14 hours ago : Mariska Hargitay Marks Milestone, Reveals Family Secrets at 'My Mom Jayne' Premiere
Mariska Hargitay celebrates an emotional milestone. She's set to reveal family secrets and new relatives at the premiere of 'My Mom Jayne'. The documentary explores her mother, Jayne Mansfield's life.
January 1964: Reconciliation and Separation
In January 1964, after Jayne Mansfield realized she was pregnant with Mariska, she and Mickey Hargitay reconciled, only to separate again soon after.
January 23, 1964: Mariska Hargitay's Birth
On January 23, 1964, Mariska Magdolna Hargitay was born. She is an American actress, producer, and philanthropist, best known for her role as Olivia Benson on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
1982: Miss Beverly Hills USA
In 1982, Mariska Hargitay graduated from Marymount High School and was crowned Miss Beverly Hills USA. Following this, she enrolled at UCLA and secured an agent, landing several small roles.
1984: Music Video Appearance
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: Hargitay's TV Role
In 1986, Mariska Hargitay said she never thought about doing television until a role on the adventure drama series Downtown was offered.
1988: Recurring Role in Falcon Crest
In 1988, Mariska Hargitay had a recurring role as Carly Fixx in the soap opera Falcon Crest.
1991: Role in Strawberry Road
In 1991, Mariska Hargitay played Jill Banner in the Japanese-American co-production Strawberry Road.
1992: Starring in Tequila and Bonetti
In 1992, Mariska Hargitay portrayed police officer Angela Garcia in the series Tequila and Bonetti.
1995: Appearance in Can't Hurry Love
From 1995 to 1996, Mariska Hargitay appeared in Can't Hurry Love.
1995: Film Role in Leaving Las Vegas
In 1995, Mariska Hargitay had a minor role in the film Leaving Las Vegas.
1996: Role in Can't Hurry Love
From 1995 to 1996, Mariska Hargitay appeared in Can't Hurry Love.
1997: Appearance in ER
From 1997 to 1998, Mariska Hargitay had a role in ER.
1997: Roles in Prince Street and ER
In 1997, Mariska Hargitay played detective Nina Echeverria on the drama series Prince Street, and had a recurring role as Cynthia Hooper in ER.
1999: Casting for Law & Order: SVU
In the spring of 1999, casting for the lead characters of NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit took place, leading to Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni being chosen for their perfect chemistry.
1999: Portrayal of Olivia Benson
Since 1999, Mariska Hargitay has portrayed Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
1999: Starring in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Since 1999, Mariska Hargitay has portrayed Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
August 28, 2004: Marriage to Peter Hermann
On August 28, 2004, in Santa Barbara, California, Hargitay married Peter Hermann, an actor she met on the set of Law & Order: SVU.
2004: Establishment of the Joyful Heart Foundation
In 2004, Mariska Hargitay founded the Joyful Heart Foundation, an organization providing support to survivors of various forms of abuse and trafficking.
2005: Voice Acting in True Crime: New York City
In 2005, Mariska Hargitay's voice was featured in the video game True Crime: New York City.
June 28, 2006: Birth of son by emergency caesarean section
On June 28, 2006, Hargitay gave birth to her son by an emergency caesarean section.
2006: Maternity Leave from SVU
During the last months of her pregnancy in 2006, Mariska Hargitay took maternity leave from SVU, and was temporarily replaced by Connie Nielsen.
2006: Public Service Announcements
In 2006, Mariska Hargitay appeared in the 17th season of NBC's The More You Know public service announcements.
January 2007: Got Milk? Advertisement
In January 2007, Mariska Hargitay and her older son appeared in a Got Milk? advertisement.
December 2008: Collapsed Lung Injury
In late December 2008, Mariska Hargitay suffered a partially collapsed lung after taking a fall during a stunt on the set of SVU.
March 3, 2009: Hospitalization for Chest Pains
On March 3, 2009, Mariska Hargitay was hospitalized after suffering from chest pains related to her injury and missed one episode on SVU's tenth season.
May 2009: Contract Expiration and Negotiations
In May 2009, after the show's tenth season, Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni's contracts expired, leading to negotiations for a new contract.
November 2009: Joyful Heart Foundation Initiatives
In November 2009, Mariska Hargitay and the Joyful Heart Foundation built healing and wellness kits for women who suffered domestic violence and donated money to domestic violence services.
November 2010: Therapeutic Programs by Joyful Heart Foundation
As of November 2010, the Joyful Heart Foundation has sent over 5,000 women and children on therapeutic programs combining yoga, meditation, massage, journaling, and swimming with dolphins.
2010: Identifies as Christian
In a 2010 interview with Good Housekeeping, Hargitay stated that she considers herself a Christian.
April 2011: Joyful Heart Foundation raised $20 million
As of April 2011, the Joyful Heart Foundation, according to Hargitay, had raised $20 million and helped approximately 5,000 survivors. Also in April 2011, references to the Foundation were worked into episodes of Special Victims Unit, via a necklace containing two pendants representing the Foundation that Hargitay's character began wearing in the show's 13th season.
April 2011: Adoption of baby girl
In April 2011, Hargitay and her husband adopted a baby girl and attended her birth.
September 27, 2011: Donation to UCLA School of Theater Film and Television
On September 27, 2011, Hargitay donated $100,000 to her alma mater, the UCLA School of Theater Film and Television, for scholarships.
October 2011: Adoption of son
In October 2011, Hargitay and her husband adopted a son who had been born in 2011.
2011: UCLA Distinguished Alumni Award
In 2011, Mariska Hargitay received UCLA's TFT Distinguished Alumni Award and was honored at the school's June commencement ceremony.
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 reauthorization of Violence Against Women Act
In 2012, Hargitay campaigned for the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
2013: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 2013, Mariska Hargitay received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2013: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
In 2013, Mariska Hargitay was awarded the 2,511th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, placed next to her mother's star.
2013: Ranked Second Highest-Paid TV Actress
In 2013, Mariska Hargitay was ranked by Forbes as the second highest-paid television actress.
2014: Continued High Earnings
In 2014, Mariska Hargitay continued to be ranked by Forbes as one of the highest-paid television actresses.
2015: MTV Video Music Award
At the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards, Mariska Hargitay won the "Video of the Year" Award, shared with Taylor Swift and all of the celebrities that appeared in the music video for Swift's song "Bad Blood".
2018: Release of I Am Evidence Documentary
In 2018, the documentary I Am Evidence, co-produced by Mariska Hargitay, was released by HBO, discussing untested rape kits in the United States.
July 2021: Ankle Injury
In July 2021, Mariska Hargitay suffered a broken ankle after falling in the rain, which was written into the season 23 premiere of SVU.
2022: Guest Narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional
In December 2022, Mariska Hargitay was a guest narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional on December 19 and 20.
2024: Public disclosure as rape survivor
In 2024, Hargitay publicly disclosed that she is a rape survivor.
2024: High-Paid Actor Ranking
In 2025, Forbes named Hargitay as the 11th highest-paid actor of 2024.
2024: Essay on Stigma Surrounding Sexual Assault
In a 2024 essay, Hargitay, as a rape survivor, wrote about ending the stigma surrounding sexual assault and advocating for the same response for sexual assault survivors as for cancer survivors.
2025: High Paid Actor Ranking
In 2025, Forbes named Hargitay as the 11th highest-paid actor of 2024, earning an estimated $750,000 per episode between acting, producing, and syndication profits from 26 seasons of SVU.
2025: Disclosure of biological father's identity
In 2025, Hargitay publicly disclosed the identity of her biological father, Nelson Sardelli. Hargitay learned the identity of her biological father as an adult and met Sardelli for the first time at the age of 30.
2025: Release of My Mom Jayne Documentary
In 2025, Mariska Hargitay released a documentary, My Mom Jayne, which she directed. The documentary delves into the life and death of her mother, Jayne Mansfield.
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