Mariska Hargitay Helps Little Girl After She's Mistaken for Real Cop

  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Originally appeared on E! Online

Mariska Hargitay is a member of an elite squad: real life heroes.

While filming Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in New York City April 10, the actress was approached by a little girl who mistook the 60-year-old for a real police officer based on her costume—which includes a very real-looking police badge.

The child went up to Mariska as she was shooting a scene with costar Ice-T, and according to multiple outlets interrupted filming to ask for Mariska's help in finding her mom, which she successfully did.

E! News has reached out to Mariska for comment.

The Emmy winner—who shares children sons August, 17, and Andrew, 12, and daughter Amaya, 12, with husband of 20 years Peter Hermann—has played the iconic role of Olivia Benson on the NBC procedural since the show premiered in 1999.

And according to Mariska, playing a role like Olivia has offered important lessons that she has applied to her real life.

Mariska Hargitay's Law and Order: SVU Hair Through the Years

More from E! Online

"I would say learning to tolerate our feelings and knowing that we can get over anything, that they pass, and then we're stronger because of it," she told E! News in 2022. "It's just about accessing our strength. I think that Olivia is such a badass who's grown into her power. And that is our journey for all of us women."

Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order Filming, Little Girl
Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

And while SVU shows no signs of slowing down, what would be her idea outcome for Olivia be in the end?

"I hope that she can get to a point where she feels like she's done enough service," she continued, "and it's time to rest and be and see the best that life has to offer. She's spent so much time in the darkest of what life has to offer."

Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order Filming, Little Girl
Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Law & Order: SVU airs on Thursdays at 9/8c pm on NBC. To find out when more of your favorite shows are hitting the small screen this year, keep reading.

(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

Under the Bridge (Hulu) - Apr. 17

<p><em>Under the Bridge</em> (Hulu) - Apr. 17</p>


Going Home with Tyler Cameron (Prime Video) - Apr. 18

<p><em>Going Home with Tyler Cameron</em> (Prime Video) - Apr. 18</p>


Welcome to Wrexham (FX) - Apr. 18

<p><em>Welcome to Wrexham</em> (FX) - Apr. 18</p>

In season three, Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds navigate running the 3rd oldest professional football club in the world. Welcome to Wrexham is a docuseries tracking the dreams and worries of Wrexham, a working-class city in North Wales, U.K., as two Hollywood stars guide the future of their historic Club.


High Hopes (Hulu) - Apr. 20

<p><em>High Hopes</em> (Hulu) - Apr. 20</p>


The New York Times Presents: Broken Horses (FX) - Apr. 26

<p><em>The New York Times Presents: Broken Horses </em>(FX) - Apr. 26</p>


Milf Manor (TLC) - Apr. 28

<p><em>Milf Manor</em> (TLC) - Apr. 28</p>

Milf Manor the provocative dating series that became a pop culture sensation is back on TLC. Brimming with a whole new group of sexy, successful MILFs who are looking for their chance at love, this season promises one shocking twist and plenty of unexpected twists and turns throughout.


 We Are Lady Parts (Peacock) - May 30

<p><em>&nbsp;We Are Lady Parts</em> (Peacock) - May 30</p>


The Veil (Hulu) - Apr. 30

<p><em>The Veil</em> (Hulu) - Apr. 30</p>


Catfish (MTV) - Apr. 30

<p><em>Catfish</em> (MTV) - Apr. 30</p>

Co-hosts Nev Schulman and Kamie Crawford reunite to uncover some of the most important, real-life stories to date including overcoming abuse, disease, racism and more.


Hacks (Max) - May 2

<p><em>Hacks</em> (Max) - May 2</p>

A year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava (Hannah Einbinder) pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles.


Selena + Restaurant (Food Network) - May 2

<p><em>Selena + Restaurant</em> (Food Network) - May 2</p>

Selena Gomez takes the next step in her culinary adventure as she heads out of her home kitchen and into the professional kitchens of some of L.A.’s hottest restaurants in Selena + Restaurant, premiering May 2.


The Tattooist of Auschwitz (Peacock) - May 2

<p><em>The Tattooist of Auschwitz</em> (Peacock) - May 2</p>


The Real Housewives of New Jersey (Bravo) - May 5

<p><em>The Real Housewives of New Jersey</em> (Bravo) - May 5</p>

Returning for season 14 are Housewives Teresa Giudice, Melissa Gorga, Dolores Catania, Margaret Josephs, Jennifer Aydin, Danielle Cabral and Rachel Fuda.


OMG Fashun (E!) - May 6

<p><em>OMG Fashun</em> (E!) - May 6</p>


Love Undercover (Peacock) - May 9

<p><em>Love Undercover</em> (Peacock) - May 9</p>


Bridgerton (Netflix) - May 16

<p><em>Bridgerton</em> (Netflix) - May 16</p>


Don't Forget the Lyrics (Fox) - May 16

<p><em>Don't Forget the Lyrics</em> (Fox) - May 16</p>

Hosted by Emmy Award-winner Niecy Nash, Don’t Forget The Lyrics challenges contestants’ musical memory as they get one song closer to winning $1 million.


I Can See Your Voice (Fox) - May 16

<p><em>I Can See Your Voice</em> (Fox) - May 16</p>


Race to Survive New Zealand (USA) - May 20

<p><em>Race to Survive New Zealand</em> (USA) - May 20</p>


Weakest Link (NBC) - May 20

<p><em>Weakest Link </em>(NBC) - May 20</p>

Hosted by Emmy Award winner Jane Lynch, the iconic British import and international game show phenomenon returns with a new batch of episodes, including a special veteran-themed show saluting the troops.


Gordon Ramsey's Food Stars (Fox) - May 22

<p><em>Gordon Ramsey's Food Stars</em> (Fox) - May 22</p>

Culinary titan Gordan Ramsay welcomes famed hospitality industry leader and TV personality Lisa Vanderpump in the all-new season of the hit competition series.


The Kardashians (Hulu) - May 23

<p><em>The Kardashians</em> (Hulu) - May 23</p>

Kris Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian Barker, Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner return for season five this spring.


Beat Shazam (Fox) - May 28

<p><em>Beat Shazam</em> (Fox) - May 28</p>

Jamie Foxx and Corinne Fox return for a new season of the interactive game show.


America's Got Talent (NBC) - May 28

<p><em>America's Got Talent</em> (NBC) - May 28</p>


For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App