The television genre is quite cutthroat, with actors showcasing the best of their abilities. But once in a while, a talent emerges that not only takes the genre by storm but also leaves a lasting impression. For the world of crime drama, that talent was actress Mariska Hargitay, who became a main reason why Law & Order: SVU became one of the longest-running primetime shows.
But talent doesn’t go unrewarded in the industry. Because of her role as Olivia Benson, she also became one of the most bankable stars in the television world. Not only that, but her star power also overshadowed other crime shows such as NCIS and The Rookie.
While they more or less follow the same storyline format, when it comes to bank balance, Hargitay is leaps and bounds ahead of the actors on these shows.
Mariska Hargitay turned Olivia Benson into a TV icon and her bank balance is proof of that
From her rapport with Elliot Stabler to solving some of the most gripping crime stories out there, everyone is a big fan of Olivia Benson. More than that, it was actress Mariska Hargitay who did complete justice to the role since she joined Law & Order: SVU in 1999.
And even after more than two decades, fans cannot stop raving about her acting chops and how she rose from the ranks of detective to captain.
While the show can easily be NBC’s golden crown, it has also pushed the actress to the ranks of one of the most bankable stars. According to Forbes, in 2024, the actress ranks as the highest-paid television actor, with a staggering $25 million in earnings ($29 million gross). On the show, she had an estimated $750,000 per episode from acting and producing fees.
She also has a share in SVU’s lucrative syndication profits, making her a dominant force on the list. While other procedural shows like NCIS and The Rookie also enjoy a large fan following, no actor from these shows has a mention on the list.
Apart from this, Dwayne Johnson has topped the list with a massive $88 million, and second on the list was Ryan Reynolds with $85 million to his name.
At the moment, he and his wife are embroiled in a major lawsuit with Justin Baldoni. And while the public has their opinions about the same, there’s no denying that he is a big deal when it comes to Hollywood.
SVU guest star shares words of praise for actress Mariska Hargitay
Apart from working on one of the longest-running shows, Mariska Hargitay is also a very kind person to be around. This was revealed by actress and guest star of SVU, Donna Lynne Champlin via CBR. She appeared in some episodes of the show and had nothing but praise for Hargitay, calling her experience on the show one of her best ever.
This was all thanks to the actress’s professionalism and kindness. Champlin added, “Mariska is my favorite kind of leading lady. She sets such a warm and friendly tone on set, making it a great place to work.”
Apart from her acting duties, the actress is also an executive producer on the show and has directed some of the episodes. Champlin noted just how involved she was in every part of the process, also helping others improve their performances.
You can watch all the seasons of Law & Order: SVU on Prime Video.
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