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Hot Hollywood Actress Pics Biography

Mariska Hargitay was born on January 23, 1964 in Santa Monica, California. At a young age, Mariska was already passionate about acting and was active in theater programs while attending Marymount High School. She attended UCLA School of Theater Film and Television, but left just a few months before graduation to pursue her career.

In 1982, Mariska Hargitay won the Miss Beverly Hills USA crown and became fourth runner-up at the Miss California USA Pageant. She then landed a small role in the movie, “Ghoulies” in 1985, “Welcome to 18” in 1986, “Jocks” in 1987 and “Mr. Universe” in 1988. From 1986 to 1990, Hargitay was given recurring roles in the TV series “Downtown,” and “Falcon Crest,” while also guest-starring in various TV shows such as “In the Heat of the Night,” “Freddy’s Nightmares,” “Finish Line,” “Baywatch,” “Wiseguy,” “thirtysomething,” “Booker,” and “Gabriel's Fire.”

By the early 1990s, Mariska Hargitay has appeared in several films, including “Hard Time Romance,” “The Perfect Weapon,” “Strawberry Road,” and “Bank Robber.” She also played the police officer Angela Garcia in the TV series “Tequila & Bonetti” in 1992, followed by guest appearances in “Grapevine,” “Hotel Room,” “Blind Side,” “Key West,” and “Seinfeld.”

Mariska Hargitay also appeared in the 1995 comedy show “Can’t Hurry Love,” followed by a role in the drama series “Prince Street,” and a recurring role in the medical drama, “ER” where she played Cynthia Hooper from 1997 to 1998. She also appeared in several other TV shows, including “Gambler V: Playing for Keeps,” “All American Girl,” “Ellen,” “The Single Guy,” “Cracker,” “The Advocate's Devil,” “Love, American Style,” and “Plain Truth.” However, it was on the show “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” where Hargitay truly shined. Her portrayal of the lead female character, Detective Olivia Benson has earned Mariska numerous awards and nominations, including Emmy nominations for “Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series” in 2004 to 2008, which she won in 2006. She also received a Golden Globe Award in 2005, a Gracie Allen Award in 2004 and a PRISM Award in 2007 for her work in “Law & Order: SVU.”

Throughout her stay on “Law & Order: SVU,” Mariska Hargitay continued to work on other films including “Lake Placid,” “Perfume,” “Tales from Earthsea,” and “The Love Guru.”

Mariska Hargitay has been named as the “Highest Paid TV actress” in the 2008 Guinness Book of World Records for her role in “Law & Order: SVU.