Mariska Hargitay: Beyond Benson's Badge

Mariska Hargitay, widely recognized for her iconic role as Olivia Benson on "Law & Order: SVU," also boasts a significant acting history prior to her career-defining part. Years before gracing the "SVU" set, Hargitay was a cast member on the popular 1980s primetime soap opera "Falcon Crest."

The series, which aired from 1981 to 1990, chronicled the tumultuous lives of the Gioberti/Channing family amidst their involvement in the wine industry and complex personal dramas. Hargitay portrayed Carly Fixx, a character introduced in the seventh season as the supposed half-sister of Dan Fixx.

It was later revealed that Carly and Dan were not blood relatives. Although featured in the show's opening credits, Hargitay's tenure on "Falcon Crest" was relatively brief, spanning 15 episodes across Seasons 7 and 8.