Mariska Hargitay: Actress, Director, Producer, Philanthropist
Mariska Hargitay is well known for her role as Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, which has garnered her numerous awards and nominations.
Peter Hermann and she met while filming Season 3 of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and have since adopted two children together.
Mariska Hargitay’s Biography
Mariska Hargitay, best known for her iconic performance as Olivia Benson on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit for thirteen seasons and its subsequent spin-off Law and Order: Criminal Intent (and its subsequent reboots), won two Emmy and Golden Globe Awards respectively in 2006. Additionally, she appeared in several other shows such as the CBS comedy Can’t Hurry Love and the NBC drama ER as well.
She also serves as producer and director. Additionally, she has appeared in films such as Ghoulies and Downtown; both produced or directed by herself. Jayne Mansfield was a well-known sex icon during the 1950s and 60s, giving birth to Mickey Hargitay (former bodybuilder) as her mother was an actress herself and an icon herself during that period.
Since this role aired, the 59-year-old actress has received many honors – eight Emmy nominations and two wins; People’s Choice Awards and Gracie Allen Awards are just a few accolades she’s garnered as a result of portraying Benson.
Lee is also the founder of the Joyful Heart Foundation, which provides support to individuals. Additionally, she participates in many charitable organizations including Lee National Denim Day, Autism Speaks, and Norma F. Pfriem Breast Cancer Center.
Mariska Hermann and Peter Hermann have been happily married since 2004 and share three children: August, Andrew, and Amaya – who were all recently seen out and about in New York City.
Mariska may keep her personal life out of the public eye, but it’s clear she loves being a mother. Recently she shared an adorable family photo on Instagram that her followers adored; many thanked her for being such an outstanding mother.
Mariska Hargitay’s Net Worth
Mariska Hargitay has amassed an immense fortune during her acting career. As one of television’s highest-paid actresses, her income comes mainly from acting roles she’s taken part in along with production company deals and endorsement agreements.
Hargitay has made a name for herself as an unconventional yet compassionate police detective on NBC’s Law and Order: SVU for 24 seasons as both main cast member and executive producer, earning her numerous awards and nominations as part of her performance on screen.
Mariska Magdolna Hargitay was born in Santa Monica, California to Jayne Mansfield – an iconic actress of the 1950s and 1960s – and Mickey Hargitay – former Mr. Universe. Of Hungarian descent, she attended Catholic secondary school Marymount High School where she took part in cheerleading, student government, and theater program participation, as well as graduating in 1982 before enrolling at UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television but leaving without graduating to pursue acting careers in Groundlings Improv Group before landing guest-starring roles on shows like Falcon Crest, Tequila & Bonetti Seinfeld ER among many others.
Even with her busy schedule, she has managed to lead a healthy lifestyle and maintain an attractive physique. She regularly works out and consumes a balanced diet. Additionally, she has long supported animal rights – in 2017 alone she donated $10,000 to the Humane Society of Los Angeles! In addition, her other philanthropic work includes serving on the board of directors for the Women’s Fund of Southern California as well as supporting ACLU.
Mariska Hargitay’s Marriage
Mariska Hargitay first met actor Peter Hermann while filming Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in 2002, where he guest-starred as defense attorney Trevor Langan who often collaborated with Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay). They continued appearing together until 2004 when the couple tied the knot – now celebrating more than 16 years of marriage!
Hargitay and Hermann share two children; son August was born in 2006 while Amaya was adopted in 2011. In a recent appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, the actress revealed how she knew they would remain together forever.
“There was just this sense of destiny,” she stated. “And he became my Clark Gable Superman guy, and I just knew.” Hermann has since appeared on Younger as Charles Brooks as well as in numerous movies – most recently as Jack Boyle on CBS show Blue Bloods.
Even with all their success on and off screen, the couple remains extremely close and affectionate towards one another. They regularly post adorable Instagram moments together that leave fans delighted, often receiving compliments in response.
One recent photo showed Mariska and Scott looking their best for an evening at New York City’s 2023 Whitney Gala and Studio Party. Mariska donned an eye-catching bronze-colored dress featuring painted embellishments on its full-length skirt; this look was completed with red-tinted sunglasses and softly waves-styled shoulder-length hair.
She and Hermann were all smiles as they posed for photos with family and friends, sharing an adorable video of their kisses on the lips that was so romantic! No doubt the couple will continue to amaze their fans with their love and chemistry for many years to come!
Mariska Hargitay’s Children
Mariska Hargitay has long been recognized as an accomplished actress, passionate activist, and dedicated mother. Married for almost 20 years to actor Peter Hermann.
She has always been very forthcoming about her love and appreciation for the support from her family, even going so far as speaking out about its importance in an interview with People magazine.
Hargitay and Peter Hermann have been happily married since 2004. They welcomed their first child, son August, in 2006 before adopting two more children five years later to add to their family.
Hargitay prefers not to share many photos of her family online, yet has occasionally been seen out with them. In 2021, Hargitay and her son attended the US Open dressed as Wizard of Oz characters; and two years later donned costumes depicting ancient Greek gods and goddesses for another US Open appearance.
The Foundation’s purpose is to offer hope and healing for victims. They offer various programs and services – counseling, crisis intervention, re-entry support, and advocacy in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester – to fulfill this mission.
The organization has been widely acknowledged for its dedication and commitment to protecting children. They are registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations funded entirely by private contributions, with operations managed by a board consisting of parents and other concerned citizens – they oversee operations and finances as well as setting policy direction and development of the organization.
