MARISKA HARGITAY

In 1983, a year after she was crowned Miss Beverly Hills, Hargitay made her screen debut with a small role in Star 80, a Mariel Hemingway feature film about the murdered Playboy centerfold Dorothy Stratten. Within a few years she had landed recurring roles in the television series Downtown and Falcon Crest, in which she played the character Carly Fixx. She was police officer Angela Garcia in the 1992 series Tequila & Bonetti and appeared in the of Seinfeld. Two years later, she portrayed Didi Edelstein, the sexy next-door neighbor, in the 1995 sitcom Can't Hurry Love, which starred Nancy McKeon. In 1997, Hargitay was detective Nina Echeverria on the dramatic series Prince Street, and she had a recurring role as Cynthia Hooper during the fourth season of ER.Hargitay has appeared on numerous other television programs, including Ellen, All-American Girl, Baywatch, Cracker, Gabriel's Fire, In the Heat of the Night, JoJo's Circus, The Single Guy, Wiseguy, and thirtysomething. Her voice is featured on the 2005 video game . Hargitay also had a minor role ("Hooker in Bar") in the 1995 film Leaving Las Vegas. Since 1999, Hargitay has portrayed Detective Olivia Benson, the female lead on . “As a woman, it’s gratifying to play such a multilayered part," the actress stated on her official website. "Olivia is not only a competent, street-smart cop, she’s also an empathetic woman who can respond emotionally to victims of terrible crimes without compromising her professionalism.”