Mariska played olivia as a tough, compassionate detective, who did action scenes and her own stunt work. She reaped the rewards from the hit tv show, after struggling and studying her craft for fifteen รขโ‚ฌยฆ Mariska magdolna hargitay is an american actress, philanthropist, producer, and director.

Hargitay has played olivia benson on nbc 's law & order: Special victims unit since 1999, which is the longest-running character in american primetime drama in history. Her accolades for the role include รขโ‚ฌยฆ