Founder and President of a non-profit organization to aid the victims of rape - The Joyful Heart Foundation.

Became good friends with Maria Bello when she had a recurring role on "ER" (1994) in 1997-1998.

Won the Miss Beverly Hills 1982 pagent.

Her father Mickey Hargitay died after a lengthy illness at the age of 80. [14th September 2006]

Has a zig-zag scar down the side of her head from the 1967 crash that killed her mother, Jayne Mansfield. She was only three years old when she was involved in the crash and has no memory of the event.

Daughter of Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay; sister of Zoltan Hargitay (b. 1 August 1960) and (Miklos) Mickey Hargitay Jr. (b. 21 December 1958). Half-sister of Jayne Marie Mansfield (Jayne's daughter from her first marriage, b. 8 November 1950),Antonio Raphael Ottaviano Cimber a.k.a. Tony Cimber (from her mother's third marriage,b. 18 October 1965), and of Tina Hargitay (from her father's first marriage, b.1949).

Is of German/English & Hungarian descent.

Replaced Gabrielle Fitzpatrick in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995) as Dulcea, but her scenes were re-shot with Gabrielle Fitzpatrick returning as Dulcea.

Is half-sister of Tina Hargitay (b. 1949) through her father's first wife Mary Birge.

Following the family's acting lineage, Mariska has a cousin whom is actor Eddie Hargitay.

One of People Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People (2006)

One of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People (2005)

Majored in theatre at UCLA, but quit shortly before graduating.

In June 1967 she and her two brothers were asleep in the back seat of a car when it smashed into the back of a trailer truck instantly killing her mother (Jayne Mansfield), the driver and Mansfield's boyfriend, attorney Sam Brody. Miraculously, the three children escaped with minor bruises.

She learned to swim at the age of two and later swam for her high school.

Married Peter Hermann on August 28, 2004 at California's Unitarian Historical Chapel.

On one occasion, she came upon a pregnant woman who collapsed while in New York City. When no one else came to the woman's aid, she lapsed into her character on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1999) while aiding the victim.

Measurements: 36-24-36 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)

First woman ever from the Law and Order franchise to receive award nominations and wins.

Speaks French, English, Hungarian, Spanish and Italian.

Engaged to actor Peter Hermann. [April 2004]

Spoke in 2007 for Girl Scouts of Greater New York Scholars Program about her career and how she became who she is.