WCW: Mariska Hargitay

Welcome to the first (of many to come) Woman Crush Wednesday!  This week’s WCW is my favorite actress: Mariska Hargitay.

Mariska has starred on NBC’s Law & Order: SVU for the entire run of the series (currently in its 17th season!).  Inspired by her character, Olivia Benson, Hargitay formed the Joyful Heart Foundation, which helps victims of sexual assault to heal.

Mariska has guest-starred in countless television shows and movies since the mid-80s, but will forever be known to this fangirl as Lieutenant Olivia Benson.  That’s right: she got promoted this season!

You can follow Mariska on Twitter (username: @Mariska) where she often tweets along to SVU with writers, fellow cast members, and of course, fans.

Law & Order: SVU airs Wednesdays on NBC a 9-10 p.m. ET.