Mariska Hargitay is an American actress best known for her role as Detective Olivia Benson on the television series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She was born on January 23, 1964, in Santa Monica, California, and is the daughter of actress Jayne Mansfield and actor Mickey Hargitay. In addition to her acting career, Hargitay is a dedicated advocate for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. She founded the Joyful Heart Foundation in 2004, which aims to support survivors and raise awareness about these issues. Hargitay has received several awards for her work, both in acting and advocacy.