Mariska Hargitay

Mariska Hargitay is an American actress best known for her role as Detective Olivia Benson on the TV series *Law & Order: SVU*. Born in 1964, she comes from a family with a Hollywood background, including her mother, actress Jayne Mansfield. Hargitay has received critical acclaim for her portrayal of a compassionate and determined detective tackling complex social issues. Beyond acting, she is involved in advocacy for victims of sexual assault, founding the organization Joyful Heart Foundation. Her work has earned her multiple awards and recognition for both her on-screen performance and her philanthropy.