Law & Order: SVU attracts millions of viewers weekly, making Mariska Hargitay a widely recognized figure. However, not all fan encounters are straightforward. Hargitay once shared an especially bizarre experience that left her unsure how to respond.
An Unusual Encounter in the Caribbean
While filming SVU in New York means frequent fan interactions, Hargitay found herself recognized even while vacationing in the Caribbean. During an interview with Chelsea Lately (via E News), Hargitay recounted an incident at the upscale restaurant Nobu. When her husband, Peter Hermann, stepped away, a fan approached her with a curious remark.
“You look exactly like the woman on Law & Order—but you’re much younger and prettier,” the fan exclaimed.
Hargitay was taken aback and unsure how to react.
“I’m trying to suss out if she’s pulling my leg, or even doing shtick with me or if she’s serious,” Hargitay said. “So I said, ‘Really?’ and she said, ‘Yes,’ and she goes, ‘much younger!’”
The unexpected comment left Hargitay wondering if she should be offended.
“I’m sitting there going, ‘Wow, you said that out loud,’ and that’s a little risky! It was so great,” she reflected.
The Most Common Phrase from Fans
Over the years, fans have formed deep connections with SVU and Hargitay’s character, Olivia Benson. In an interview with NBC, Hargitay revealed how the nature of fan letters evolved.
“When I started SVU, very quickly I started to receive a different kind of fan letter. Instead of, you know, ‘I love your show; you’re a great actress,’ it was women and men disclosing stories of abuse,” she explained. “People started sharing and saying, ‘Your show changed my life,’ and ‘I’ve never told anyone [about my abuse].’”
These heartfelt messages were what Hargitay cherished most.
“I knew very early that this wasn’t a regular TV show,” she said. “I understood very quickly the power of healing this television show had.”
Founding the Joyful Heart Foundation
The profound impact of fan letters and comments inspired Hargitay to take action beyond her role on TV. In 2004, she founded the Joyful Heart Foundation to support victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. The harsh realities portrayed in SVU and the real-life statistics also motivated her.
“I’ve always had an affinity for children, and when I started preparing for the role of Detective Benson on Law & Order, the statistics just floored me,” she shared with Health magazine. “Every two minutes in the United States, a woman is sexually assaulted. Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women. And nearly four children die in this country every day as a result of abuse and neglect.”
Hargitay felt compelled to do more than just act.
“Wait a minute, everyone, I’m an actor on TV! And Joyful Heart was my answer and my way of giving back,” she said. “I wanted to shine light on this darkness because sexual assault, in particular, is something people don’t talk about. I’ll tell you, I have three passions in life: work, motherhood—I’ve wanted to be a mother since I was 2 feet tall—and Joyful Heart. People say, ‘Oh, it’s so great, you’re helping all these people.’ And I say, ‘You know what? I’m starting to think Joyful Heart is the most self-serving thing I’ve ever done.’”
Hargitay’s dedication to her fans and her activism highlights her commitment to making a real difference, both on-screen and off.