Law & Order: SVU star gets mistaken for real cop in New York

Mariska Hargitay has been playing an NYPD officer longer than most real officers have been on the force. She debuted as Olivia Benson in 1999, has has gone on to become the longest-running live action character in television history. It should then come as no surprise that the actress was mistaken for a real officer during the production of a Law & Order: SVU episode.

According to New York Post, Hargitay was filming a scene as Benson when a little girl walked up to her and asked for help. Evidently, the little girl was separated from her parents, and she thought Hargitay would be able to find them. The incident took place at Fort Tryon Park, and various crew members, as well as co-star Ice-T, were present.

Hargitay was stopped by a child during production

Hargitay requested that production be halted for 20 minutes, and eventually helped the little girl reconnect with her parents.

The incident spread like wildfire online, with many praising Hargitay for her kindness and for displaying the same virtues as the character she plays. The actress has actually discussed the ways in which Benson has shaped her personal life, most notably during a 2023 interview with The Cut.

Hargitay told the outlet that she's been blessed to age and change with a character over the course of two and a half decades. "I’ve been doing this for so long, and the character is me — it’s part of me," she admitted. "I couldn’t play it if it wasn’t."

Hargitay in inspired by her fictional character

The actress went on to say that Benson's impact on fans, and the way she inspires others to do right, has rubbed off on her and inspired her to do better:

"This character has taught me so much. I’ve become a more whole person, a more self-aware person. I want to inspire people to have the strength to look in the mirror."

The Fort Tryon Park proved that Hargitay wasn't kidding. The actress still enjoys playing Benson, and even told Cinemablend that she'll continue to do so for as long as fans are invested. "I can’t imagine the show ending, and can’t imagine not going on this journey with my cast, my crew," she admitted. "I have so much to look forward to."

It sounds like fans do too!