Mariska Hargitay Reveals Comedy Aspirations Before Law & Order Fame

LOS ANGELES, CA  — Mariska Hargitay, famed for her role as Detective Olivia Benson on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” recently shared her early aspirations to become a comedian. During a recent episode of the “Good Hang” podcast with Amy Poehler, Hargitay recalled auditioning for iconic comedy shows, including “Friends.”

“I did a lot of comedy auditions,” Hargitay said. “I did ‘Seinfeld‘ and I did ‘Single Guy,’ and I tested for ‘Friends’ so many times. I think for Monica.” The role eventually went to Courteney Cox, while Hargitay’s career path took a different turn.

Reflecting on her struggles as an actor, Hargitay admitted that she always envisioned herself in a sitcom. “I always thought I would end up being on a sitcom or doing comedy,” she stated. However, her destiny changed after she consulted with a psychic during a trip to New York City.

At the time, Hargitay had wrapped her role on the medical drama “ER” and was working on a dramedy with DreamWorks. “Everyone said to me, ‘Oh my gosh, Mariska, you have to meet this psychic. He’s amazing,'” she recalled. After meeting the psychic on Long Island, he surprised her with his predictions.

“He said to me, ‘You see that face you’re doing right now? You’re going to be famous for that face,'” Hargitay recounted. Initially skeptical, she continued to pursue comedy roles. However, six months later, she landed the role of Olivia Benson on “SVU,” which has now been a staple of American television for over two decades.

Today, Hargitay’s portrayal of Benson makes her the longest-running character in live-action primetime TV history. As she reflected on her early ambitions, Hargitay’s journey shows how unexpected paths can lead to great success.