Mariska Hargitay: Life, Loss, and Directing SVU's 600th

Mariska Hargitay, a veteran star of Law & Order: SVU, shared intimate details about her life and career on a recent podcast. She spoke candidly about the 1967 car accident that tragically killed her mother, Jayne Mansfield, and how she experienced her own near-fatal motorcycle accident at age 34, the same age her mother died.

This experience, she explained, significantly altered her outlook and led to profound personal healing. Hargitay also revealed that she is set to direct the upcoming 600th episode of Law & Order: SVU, a testament to her enduring presence on the show and her growth as an artist.

Her directorial debut, a documentary about her mother, provided further catharsis and insight into Mansfield's life. Hargitay discussed the challenges of her early career, overcoming industry pressures to change her appearance, and the deep connection she shares with her character, Olivia Benson.