Mariska Hargitay’s upcoming Emmys gig marks the first time a woman has hosted the show in 15 years.
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The 'Law & Order: SVU' star, Knicks superfan and, soon, Emmy host dishes about the speeches, the jokes and the prep for TV’s biggest night.
September 9, 2026
Long before she found fame as Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Mariska Hargitay envisioned a career in comedy. She’d successfully parlayed her early training at The Groundlings into guest spots on Seinfeld, Ellen and The Single Guy. She even tested for the role of Monica on Friends. But Hargitay’s path shifted considerably in 1999, when she booked SVU, on which she’s continued starring for 28 seasons and counting. Now, the two-time Emmy winner for her celebrated documentary My Mom Jayne will dust off those comedy chops as Emmy host, the first female to do so in 15 years. Hargitay took a break from prepping to field our questions.
