Mariska Hargitay’s Comedic Break from SVU: A Journey with Mike Myers
Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay took a detour from her usual role of solving dark crimes to dabble in comedy with her appearance in The Love Guru. This lighthearted comedy, based on a character created by Mike Myers, led to an unexpected friendship between the two, ultimately bringing Hargitay into the film.
Hargitay’s Introduction to Mike Myers
Mike Myers developed his character, Guru Pitka, in the 90s, honing it in the comedy circuit long before it hit the big screen. Hargitay became part of the act even before meeting Myers, thanks to their mutual friend, producer Eric Gilliland. In an interview with TV Guide, Hargitay recalled how she first encountered Myers’ act and how her name became a staple in his performances.
“The first thing out of his mouth is, ‘I am Guru Pitka. Mariska Hargitay.’ I thought I was being punk’d. I’m going, ‘OK, is this a joke on me?’ He must have said my name 60 times,” she recounted.
Despite the initial confusion, the encounter blossomed into a friendship. Myers would later help Hargitay achieve a dream by casting her in The Love Guru. Hargitay, who always had a passion for comedy, saw this as a chance to showcase her comedic talents.
“Then last fall, I get a call and it was like, ‘Hi, this is Mike Myers.’ And I’m like, ‘Are you sure?’ He asked me if it was OK to use my name in the movie,” she said. “He sent me the script and said, ‘I promise you I’ll take care of you.’ And then asked me to be in the movie! I’ve been wanting to do comedy for 15 years and I keep getting cast as cops. So I flew up there and we just had a blast. It was the most fun I’ve had in years.”
The Origin of the Catchphrase
Myers chose Hargitay’s name as a catchphrase for his Guru character, a decision inspired by Gilliland. In an interview with Collider, Myers explained his search for a unique catchphrase, eventually landing on Hargitay’s name.
Hargitay embraced the joke, even sending Myers a T-shirt that read, “Mariska Hargitay, Mariska Hargitay.” Myers appreciated the gesture, saying, “Recently, she sent me an unauthorized T-shirt from the internet that says, ‘Mariska Hargitay, Mariska Hargitay.’ That’s so perfect. She’s awesome and when you get to know her, she is, in fact, a blessing.”
Hargitay humorously acknowledged Myers’ role in helping people pronounce her name correctly. “It took Mike Myers to finally teach everybody how to pronounce my name properly! It’s not Marissa Hagerty. God bless Mike Myers,” she quipped.
A Shift from Comedy to Drama
Although Hargitay is now best known for her role in the darker series SVU, her initial interest lay in comedy. This shift surprised some, including her manager, who doubted she would take on such a serious role. In an interview with Parade, Hargitay reflected on this transition.
“My manager was worried because it was very dark and not up my alley, because I liked comedy. And I was like, ‘This is right up my alley.’ Never in my life had something been more known to me,” she said.
Conclusion
Mariska Hargitay’s foray into comedy with The Love Guru highlights her versatility as an actress and underscores the unexpected friendships that can shape a career. Her collaboration with Mike Myers allowed her to explore a long-held dream and added a new dimension to her already impressive career. Despite her strong association with the intense world of SVU, Hargitay’s heart and humor remain central to her journey, proving her adaptability and enduring appeal.