Mariska Hargitayhas become synonymous with her longtime role as Olivia Benson on “Law & Order: SVU.”
“I was quickly educated about how this show was affecting people,” she said.
“People would say, ‘Thank you …
I’ve never told anyone before [about my sexual abuse].’
It’s always been a personal connection” (viaTV Insider).
The traits of her on-screen character have spilled over into her real life as well.
Other than her charitable work, Hargitay keeps a low profile.
Mansfield starred in several films, including “Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?”
and “The Girl Can’t Help It” (perIMDb).
When her career began to stall in Hollywood, she started touring with a nightclub act.
She would pack up her family and travel by car across the country.
It was on one of these trips that tragedy struck.
According toToday, in 1967, Mansfield’s car was struck by a semi-truck.
She did not survive the accident, though her children, including 3-year-oldMariska, were not seriously injured.
Mansfield was only 34 years old at the time of her death.
I’m not saying it’s easy, and it certainly hasn’t been for me.
There’s been a lot of darkness.
But on the other side, things can be so bright."
Hargitay said there were so many things people did not know about her mother beyond the sex symbol image.
“She was just so ahead of her time.
She was an inspiration.
She had this appetite for life, and I think I share that with her.”
