Mariska Hargitay made her acting debut in the 1984 film Ghoulies, playing the character Donna. The following year, she became a series regular on the drama Downtown, portraying Jesse Smith for 14 episodes from 1986 to 1987. In 1988, she had a recurring role as Carly Fixx on Falcon Crest. Hargitay is also known for her roles in Prince Street, ER, and Can’t Hurry Love. She joined the cast of Law & Order: SVU in 1999 and has since become synonymous with her character, Olivia Benson.
Are the Stories on Law & Order: SVU Real?
One common question viewers have is whether the storylines on Law & Order: SVU are based on real events. In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Hargitay clarified that the stories are a mix of real and fictional elements.
“It’s a combination,” Hargitay explained. “Sometimes it’s ripped from the headlines. This year we sort of did stories before they came out in the press, which was kind of crazy. The show was truly clairvoyant in a scary way. And sometimes it’s a mixing of two stories.”
Mariska Hargitay’s Connection with Survivors
During an appearance on The View, Hargitay shared that survivors of sexual violence often write to her, expressing their gratitude for her work on the show and for bringing their stories to light.
“When I started shooting the show, I started getting a different kind of fan mail,” Hargitay said. “Most fan mail says, ‘I love your show, can I get an autographed photo?’ But early into the show, as soon as it started airing, I began receiving letters from survivors disclosing their abuse, many for the first time. They said, ‘I’ve never told this to anyone,’ and they shared their stories of assault.”
Hargitay felt both privileged and shocked by these letters. Despite being an actor, not an expert, she felt compelled to respond. She had recently learned the disturbing statistics: one out of three women will be assaulted by a husband or boyfriend at some point, one out of four women will be assaulted by their 18th birthday, and one out of six men will be assaulted by their 18th birthday.
In response to these letters, Hargitay founded the Joyful Heart Foundation in 2004 to help survivors reclaim their lives.
What’s Next for Mariska Hargitay
Hargitay is set to reprise her role as Olivia Benson in the upcoming 22nd season of Law & Order: SVU. She will also help launch the latest spinoff in the series, Law & Order: Organized Crime.
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