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Mariska Hargitay, star of long-running crime drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, has a long history of proving she is both an icon on and off screen.
On screen, Hargitay is Lieutenant Olivia Benson and has been with the show since the very first episode—working up from her rank as detective.
And off-screen, she easily dealt with a man who walked into the shoot of SVU and tried to gain attention with his singing.
olivia benson talking to someone trying to disrupt filming pic.twitter.com/wlO5xNprpI
— ale (@mayfielms) November 30, 2021
Without batting an eyelash, Hargitay easily explained to the man the singing was inappropriate for the scene they were shooting.
“Your singing was beautiful, but we’re just trying to get the shot. Is it okay if you don’t sing when we say ‘action’?”
Years ago I was on the set and someone kept taking flash pics. She did the same thing with them. Stepped up and was very lovely asking them to stop. Genuinely nice. Such a sweetheart, And afterwards, she took a pic with me. :) pic.twitter.com/WFqQ1tK6YX
— Patrick Flynn (@TheaterBro) December 2, 2021
Just curious what was it that he asked for? And it appears that he was wanting something and figured out the best way to get her attention to ask for it. She ALWAYS handles things with such a graceful and polite manner
— Amber Mackin-Tyler (@AnchelinaTyler) December 2, 2021
He said, "Can I have your autograph?" and she said yes, if he doesn't sing. He started to ask how to get it and she said she'll get it to him after they film the shot. 😀
— Angelika Diana (@Sxygrrl) December 2, 2021
This is great don't sing where trying to get the shot!!!
— Big Nick Turturro (@NickTurturro1) December 2, 2021
According to bystanders, the singing man came along with the intention of disrupting the shot and was asked by several crew members to stop, to no avail.
Hargitay then jumped in, keeping her cool.
Showrunner Warren Leight later tweeted, praising Hargitay for her handling of the moment.
What other #1 on the call sheet could do this?
We all ❤️ @Mariskahttps://t.co/NBYR2TqMED
— Warren Leight (@warrenleightTV) December 1, 2021
"Your singing was beautiful, but we're just trying to get the shot,"
"Is it okay if you don't sing when we say, 'Action'?" https://t.co/w1jXKjPHvc
— Let it go. (@darkfrias) December 2, 2021
Yes. The absolute very best. ❤️
— Delaney Williams (@delaneywilliams) December 1, 2021
There is no other like her. So classy, so gentle and understanding. Not diva-like, but so human and full of heart. That’s why so many adore her. That’s why there is only one. Mariska is love. pic.twitter.com/nK6si0VQDB
— Miss Terry Brown (@msterrybrown) December 1, 2021
Hargitay can also be heard striking a bargain with the unknown man to make sure the set is able to do its job.
“We’ll make a deal. I’m happy to do that for you, it’s just that we’re shooting, so it doesn’t work for the scene. Is that okay? I’ll get to you, though.”
A bystander reported the man asked for her autograph and that's what she was responding to.
I work down the block! I am always so close but yet so far from meeting anyone from SVU. Side note,where is @Mariska 's Emmy? She's more than earned it. https://t.co/DdKYMJMaon
— Agent Lizzo (@Kimplaints_NYC) December 2, 2021
So normally it's a PA or location assistant who has to try to persuade people to stop doing things that disrupt filming and let me tell you IT IS REALLY HARD, especially in NY, where there is filming everywhere and NYer's just wanna do their thing... @Mariska is really the best https://t.co/CxRscNhpcE
— Micharne Cloughley (@micharne) December 1, 2021
I’ll forever be a little in love with Mariska. https://t.co/99cFGMWyG4
— THEE 𝙱𝚛𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚎 ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃⁿ 𝐄 ⋆ ⚢ (@brooke_AF) December 1, 2021
Hargitay is well recognized for her prowess on television.
She has been nominated for Emmy Awards eight times and won one time.
SVU has been airing regularly since 1999 with no signs of slowing down.