Throughout the long-running Law & Order franchise, many actors have come and gone, with very few sticking around for 20+ years. Mariska Hargitay has been the face of Law & Order: SVU for over 25 years now,

Few actors can boast a television career as enduring and impactful as Mariska Hargitay’s. For over 25 years, she has portrayed Detective Olivia Benson on NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU). Hargitay took on the role in 1999 at age 35, and today, at 61, she remains one of TV’s most celebrated and recognizable stars.

Mariska Hargitay has brought the brave Olivia Benson to life on the screens of Law & Order: SVU. Without a doubt, all these years playing this role have drastically changed the actress's life.