Mariska Hargitay is an american actress, director, and producer and founder of The Joyful Heart Foundation. Mariska is 61 years old and the star of Law & Order: SVU. She began her acting career in the 1980s, following some amazing parts she got in shows like ER in the 1990s. By 1999, Mariska was cast as Olivia Benson in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. The show is now on its 26th season today, with Mariska starring as the lead role of Olivia Benson now for over two decades. She married actor Peter Hermann in 2004 after meeting him on the set of SVU. Mariska also started The Joyful Heart Foundation in 2004. Mariska was born on January 23rd, 1964 to parents Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay. Unfortunately, her mom, Jayne, was killed in a car accident in 1967 while Mariska was 3; she and her two brothers were also in the car and survived with injuries. Today, Mariska has been happily married to Peter Hermann for now 20 years and has 3 children. With her amazing work at Joyful Heart, she created it to put an end to sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence and have done a ton of change and healing with her foundation for millions of people all over the world. As well as through her show SVU, Mariska is the light and inspiration to millions around the world who she’s brought endless comfort, joy, and healing to. Her historic show is in the middle of airing its 26th season on NBC.
