When you’ve spent nearly 25 years of your existence portraying a police officer on television, some will associate you with that role regardless of the situation.
This is the case for Mariska Hargitay, who has played Olivia Benson in the ultra-popular Law & Order: Special Victims Unit since 1999.
The beloved actress, now 60, has become one of the most recognizable women on television due to her long-time role in the popular series.
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Recently, Hargitay’s on-screen character - who tries her best to help women and children in harm’s way - has leaked into her real life.
While she wasn’t involved in a high-stakes police investigation in the real world as she oftentimes finds herself in on TV, Hargitay did take the time to aid a young girl who was lost.
The little girl found the actress recording upcoming episodes of Law & Order: SVU in Fort Tryon Park in New York City.
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A witness told PEOPLE Magazine that the little one had been separated from her mom in the Anne Loftus Playground in Fort Tryon Park.
She ran to the legendary actress seeking help, seemingly under the assumption that she was a real police officer. Hargitay, who was joined by costar Ice-T for the shoot, decided to aid the young girl to the best of her abilities.
Eventually, after stopping production for 20 minutes in order to help and console the girl, the long-tenured actress was able to reunite the child with her mother and resume the filming of the critically acclaimed TV show.
Hargitay’s actions garnered traction across the internet, with many praising the actress for her selflessness and quick thinking.
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“Turns out Mariska Hargitay is a hero on and off the screen,” said one poster on X.
Another joked: “It’s actually so important for kids to know that if they’re ever lost in a crowd they should look around for Mariska Hargitay.”
The similarities between Hargitay and Olivia Benson were something that the actress discussed with PEOPLE recently, noting a long-running phrase that both fans of the show and she herself occasionally live by.
“There’s a thing: WWOBD, ‘What would Olivia Benson do?’” Hargitay explained, “The fans would always talk about it, and one day it hit me.”
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“I also have those moments where I’ve sort of slipped into her. If there’s a crisis, I just take over and lead like that.”
With the conclusion of Law & Order: SVU’s 25th season eminent and the renewal of the NBC juggernaut for a 26th, Hargitay becomes the longest-running leading lady of a primetime television show in history.
Topics: US News, Celebrity, Film and TV, Parenting