With the craziness of my recent move and last week’s trip, I have *yet* to set up my TV, which means no Detectives Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler for me tonight, boo!
They star in one of my favorite guilty pleasures, Law and Order: SVU (SVU = Special Victims Unit; they investigate sex crimes and crimes against children). I’ve been watching the show for years. I adore the characters and the actors who play them, particularly Mariska Hargitay.
Mariska, born Mariska Magdolina Hargitay on January 23, 1964, comes from showbiz roots. The daughter of 1950s sex symbol Jayne Mansfield and former Mr. Universe Mickey Hargitay, the beauty queen (she was Miss Beverly Hills USA in 1982, and was a fourth runner up Miss California) appeared in several popular ’90s TV shows, ER and Seinfeld among them, before landing her career-defining role on SVU in 1999.
Playing the dedicated, empathetic Detective Olivia Benson also inspired her real life effort to start Joyful Heart, a foundation which provides support to women victims of sexual assault.
And, get this — homegirl speaks five languages (English, Hungarian, French, Spanish and Italian)! SO COOL!
Can ya tell I’ve got a girl crush? 🙂
Loading ...Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I love Detective Benson, she’s so badass! I wish she’d marry Detective Stabler.
Hi Tatiana,
In real life she’s the godmother to one of Un-Stabler’s kids!
Love her, love Stabler, love L&O SVU and L&O! I’ve been watching L&O for I think like 15 years now yikes! 🙂
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Hi Kelly,
FOR REALS! Do you ever watch those SVU marathons? I love those!
Hi Karen! I’ve voted for the 5th photos, I think I have a thing for long and straight hair with bangs. 🙂
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Hi Tavia,
She looks very pretty in that pic. I love the light hair on her!
Holy cripes, five languages?! That is AWESOME. I’ve never actually read anything about Mariska Hargitay, despite the fact that I absolutely adore her in SVU, so thanks for posting this ^^ I had no idea she was so amazing in real life, too!
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Hi Rae,
Yeah — I was tripping when I found out her mom was Jayne Mansfield! I would’ve never guessed.
Oh, just in case you or anybody else wants to check it out, here’s a link to Joyful Heart Foundation.
From this selection I like #5, but I think she looks the best with really short hair.
Hi Amy,
Do you remember her from the early seasons of SVU? She rocked the short ‘do big time. 🙂
It’s so hard to decide. Mariska looks good with all styles.
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Hi Alyssa,
She pulls off many different styles well.
I’m a HUUUGE fan of the show! Stabler and Benson make quite a pair, don’t they? I actually voted for #4–she pulls off short hair beautifully!
Hi A. Rose,
I love both characters. I hope the show stays on the air for a few more years. I remember last year there were rumors of it being cancelled!
Karen…
I have a mad girl crush on Mariska too! I didn’t know she spoke all those languages. Did you read about how she was hospitalized for a collapsed lung? I’m glad she pulled through. She is an amazing actress and boy can she pull off many different hair styles. I adore her and the show.
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Hi Sarah,
Yeah, I remember reading about that. She was doing a stunt on SVU when it happened. How do you feel about her short hair? I think it makes her look so sassy!
I agree, her short hair is sassy. She pulls it off so nicely with her beautiful bone structure.
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Hi Sarah,
I wish I had the guts to pull of short styles! I’ve had long hair for so long — it’s kinda like a security blanket. 🙂 Have you ever had super short hair?
I tried the Halle Berry because I have mixed hair too. Unfortunatly, my face is too round to rock it. You are solucky to have your long thick hair.Mine won’t seem to grow past my shoulders.
Hi Sarah,
Oh! I wish I had the guts to even try the Halle. It’s so cute… I’m too scurred to try though. 🙂
Karen
You know I love me some SVU!! I still watch it on Wednesday nights though I have to rush home after Youth Group. I voted for numero 3 because she looks so relaxed and pretty. It’s so sad she doesn’t remember her mom to much because she was little when she died (and in the car during the car crash) YIKES! She’s really nice to watch on the carpet though she tends to always wear Carolina Herrera which is great for her but bad for Renee Zellweger.
can i just say that number one and number three, seven and nine are the best. i love “benson’s” shoulder length hair do’s. And I love Mariska’s long hair do’s. 😀
i loved mariska with the curls. She can go bald and i think she would look beautiful, but i personally like her hair longer. I’ve been such a huge fan since right before she went on maternity leave. I was like “how gorgeous can this woman get? i need to find out what her name is” lol she is just breathtaking.
i had hair to my waist till i went through chemo. i always loved Ms. Hargity. Professional, strong, feminine and no matter what style she had she always looked beautiful . I have been dealing with my new style by trying out her different styles! thanks for the picture of all the different styles, maybe you could do a timeline and we can see them all!
Love her:) i swear she is the only woman i would go lesbian for:) she is the only one!!!!!! really:) my favorite actress……. (fave actor: Chris Meloni) (they should come as a package)lolz:) im not psycho but im obsessed with them and SVU!!!! who isnt???:) anyways… my facebook status always literally says SVU:) or somethin about it:) yay:) SVU:)