Mariska Hargitay gets emotional over ‘Law & Order: SVU’ 25-year milestone: ‘I couldn’t have dreamt it’
Mariska Hargitay got emotional when The Post asked her about being an icon.
“Wow,” she exclaimed at the Gotham TV Awards, seemingly at a loss for words.
For the past 25 years, the 60-year-old actress has played Detective Olivia Benson on “Law & Order: SVU,” making her the longest-running character on primetime TV.
And you know you’ve definitely achieved iconic status when the MTA releases a limited-edition “Law & Order: SVU” MetroCard featuring your face, in honor of the show’s 25th season.
Hargitay expressed deep gratitude for her gig.
“I feel privileged that I get to get up every day and do what I love to do. I love what I do. I love getting better at it and I love being inspired by the people that I work with. After doing something this long it’s working with family that inspire me and make me better every day.”
And the Emmy winner knows what a rare feat it is to be steadily employed in a business that is infamous for its instability.
“It’s wild,” she enthused, “this is beyond my wildest dreams, I couldn’t have dreamt it.”
She’s also well aware of how important “SVU” has been in bringing the subjects of rape and sexual assault to the mainstream. Twenty years ago, Hargitay founded the Joyful Heart Foundation, which provides support to people who have been sexually abused.
The 60-year-old actress has played Detective Olivia Benson on “Law & Order: SVU,” making her the longest-running character on primetime TV.©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection
Mariska Hargitay and Kevin Kane are seen on the set of “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” on March 7, 2024, in New York City.GC Images
“[‘SVU’ has] been a huge part of the cultural shift and that’s why I’m so grateful to be on it,” she shared, “and I knew immediately I wanted to do it and thought it was so incredibly progressive. I love telling women’s stories and I want to shout it from the rooftops.”
Hargitay has also cemented her place in pop culture when Taylor Swift named one of her cats, Olivia Benson.
Last year, the actress returned the favor by naming her new kitten Karma, in reference to the Grammy winner’s 2022 hit song.
“Karma is a Cat,” Hargitay captioned an Instagram post last December. “@taylorswift Meet Karma. My Cat.🐱 #MeAndKarmaVibeLikeThat #AndIKeepMySideOfMyPawClean.”
Swift soon responded writing: “Are you serious?!!!! Nothing has ever come more full circle ⭕️ LOVE THIS SO MUCH!! 😻.”
Hargitay says that the “Bad Blood” singer has helped her become a cat person.
“I’ve really crossed that street and it’s okay, I’m proud of it now. I used to judge cat people, I’m not going to lie. But I don’t any more. I’ve done a lot of learning,” she joked.
Hargitay was honored at the inaugural Gotham TV Awards along with “The Crown” creator Peter Morgan and “Expats” creator Lulu Wang. Kristen Wiig, “Reindeer Games” star Richard Gadd, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” alum Susie Essman, Riley Keough and Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of the Gotham, were also in attendance.
