Mariska Hargitay, though renowned for her more somber roles, has always harbored a secret aspiration to shine in a comedic light. Reflecting on the early days of her illustrious career during an episode of Amy Poehler's enchanting 'Good Hang' podcast, she revealed her relentless pursuit of a coveted spot on 'Friends', auditioning "so many times" for the show.
"I delved into the world of comedy auditions with gusto," Hargitay recalled, sharing her initial foray into comedy with glee. "I tried out for 'Seinfeld' and 'Single Guy,' and I auditioned for 'Friends' numerous times." When pressed on her specific audition, she candidly revealed, "I believe it was for the role of Monica."
The part of Monica, however, ultimately became the defining role of Courteney Cox, who graced the NBC sitcom alongside luminaries like Jennifer Aniston, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, and Matt LeBlanc from 1994 to 2004. Despite her unwavering passion for comedy, Hargitay admitted that she "always thought" she would "end up being on a sitcom or doing comedy."
As she mused about her struggles as a struggling actor in L.A., Hargitay shared a pivotal moment in her career that took her on a detour from comedy. "I was like, 'What am I going to do? What am I going to do?'" she exclaimed, referencing her beloved but demanding role on the medical drama 'ER.' "I loved 'ER,' but I had a development deal with DreamWorks, and I was developing a show akin to 'Ally McBeal,' a dramedy if you will."
It was during one of her annual trips to New York City to indulge in theater that Hargitay experienced a life-changing encounter. "I met with this psychic," she recalled with a touch of wonder. "Everyone raved about him, saying he was amazing. So I drove out to Long Island to see this man, and he started telling me all these amazing things."
The psychic's words left an indelible mark on Hargitay. "He said to me... 'You see that face you're doing right now? You see that face?' I replied, 'Yeah.' And he went, 'You're going to be famous for that face. You're moving to New York and you're gonna be famous for that face.'" Despite her determination to land a network sitcom role, Hargitay was determined to follow her heart. "I said, 'Uh, no.' I live in L.A. and I'm going to be a comedian,'" she recalled with a hint of mischief. "Six months later, swear to God, I got 'SVU.'"
Hargitay has been bringing Detective Olivia Benson to life on 'Law & Order: SVU' for over two decades now, and the NBC series is currently celebrating its 27th season.
