Best photos of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star Mariska Hargitay

Mariska Hargitay took time away from her iconic role as Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and from being a New York Knicks fan to host the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Sept. 14. Hargitay dazzled on the blue carpet in a red dress as she arrived to prepare for her role as host of the show. It was 20 years ago in 2006 when Hargitay won the Emmy for Best Actress in a drama series for Law & Order: SVU. Her loyal fans certainly think she deserves far more than the one honor for her legendary role.

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Actress Mariska Hargitay (L) and 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' co-star Christopher Meloni smile at the 58th annual Primetime Emmy awards nominees receptio.

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Actress Mariska Hargitay poses backstage after winning an Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a drama series for her work in

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Cast member Mariska Hargitay poses at the premiere of

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Actress Mariska Hargitay from the television show

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Actress Mariska Hargitay, from the drama series

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Law & Order: SVU cast member Mariska Hargitay takes part in a panel discussion at the NBC Universal Summer Press Day 2012 in Pasadena, California April 18, 2012.

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Actress Mariska Hargitay (C) laughs with actress Hilary Swank before unveiling her star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California November 8, 2013.

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Actress Mariska Hargitay reacts next to the flyer of a menu combo named after character Detective Olivia Benson, the character she plays in the television series

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Mariska Hargitay watches the warmups for the NFL game between the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium.

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Mariska Hargitay, American actress and advocate, speaks to viewers during the Democratic National Convention at the Wisconsin Center.

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Mariska Hargitay attends the 74th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sept. 12, 2022.

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Mariska Hargitay (l) and Christopher Meloni present the award for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series during the 74th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sept. 12, 2022.

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Mariska Hargitay and Rapper Ice-T react during Ice-T's star unveiling ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California.

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American actress Mariska Hargitay reacts while seated courtside during the half quarter of the NBA game between the New York Knicks and the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden.

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Director Mariska Hargitay, daughter of Jayne Mansfield, poses during a photocall documentary film

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Director Mariska Hargitay, daughter of Jayne Mansfield, poses during a photocall documentary film

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Peter Hermann and Mariska Hargitay pose during a photocall for guest arrivals at the amfAR Gala Cannes 2025 in Antibes, France, May 22, 2025.

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Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni, pose at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, California, U.S., September 14, 2025.

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Este Haim, Taylor Swift, and Mariska Hargitay react in the fourth quarter between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs during game four of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.

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Mariska Hargitay and Taylor Swift react after the New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in game four of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.

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Mariska Hargitay poses on the red carpet during arrivals for the screening of the film

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Emmy Award-winning actor, director and producer Mariska Hargitay, host of the 78th Emmy Awards, reacts on the day she rolls out a blue carpet for the upcoming awards show in Los Angeles, California, U.S., September 10, 2026.

Mariska Hargitay

Emmy Award-winning actor, director and producer Mariska Hargitay, host of the 78th Emmy Awards, looks on on the day she rolls out a blue carpet for the upcoming awards show in Los Angeles, California, U.S., September 10, 2026.

Mariska Hargitay

Emmy Award-winning actor, director and producer Mariska Hargitay, host of the 78th Emmy Awards, poses on the day a blue carpet for the upcoming awards show is rolled out in Los Angeles, California, U.S., September 10, 2026. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo