Women of Emmy’s Past (and present): Mariska Hargitay

The upcoming Emmy Awards will mark Mariska Hargitay’s eighth chance to garner the precious award. The actress has been nominated every year since 2004 for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her portrayal of Detective Olivia Benson on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. Hargitay took home the trophy in 2006 but hasn’t won since.
Hargitay began her acting career in the 1985 Horror Ghoulies. She switched over to television with a role in the show Downtown. She then worked as a recurring character on many different shows including Falcon Crest, Tequila & Bonetti, Can’t Hurry Love, Prince Street, and ER. Unfortunately for Hargitay, none of these shows landed her in the TV spotlight.

In 1999 a new show began casting. Creator Dick Wolf and NBC worked together to cast their leading lady—narrowing the options down to Hargitay, Samantha Mathis and Reiko Aylesworth. Hargitay and Christopher Meloni won over Wolf to play the leading roles on the show based on their undeniable chemistry.
Law and Order: Special Victims Unit has been on television for twelve seasons, with its thirteenth preparing to air. While Hargitay is taking on a new character, (a supervisor position with the force), she will still be featured in every episode of the show.
SVU has led Hargitay to become a household name and earn over $385,000 per episode. In addition to her eight Emmy nods, she won the Golden Globe in 2005 and was nominated again in 2009.
Hargitay will get her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2012. Hopefully the eighth time is the charm and viewers will see Detective Benson take home the Emmy for the second time. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for this leading lady!