Archive for Mariska Hargitay

Mariska Hargitay Starts A Scholarship Fund At UCLA

Mariska Hargitay has donated $100,000 to the UCLA School of Theater Film and Television. It’s the Law & Order: SVU star’s alma mater and the money has gone towards creating an acting scholarship called the ‘Mariska Hargitay Scholarship for Acting Students’. What’s even cooler is that both graduate and undergraduate students can avail of the fund.

Mariska issued a statement about her reasons for dropping such serious cash, saying, “After all I have received from TFT for my journey as an actor; I am so excited to give back. My education there not only gave me an invaluable foundation for my craft, but also lit the fire of enthusiasm, perseverance and pursuit of excellence that has fueled me ever since.” She also added a really sweet bit revealing, “I cheer for the students now receiving those gifts at TFT, and to play a part in their journey as artists is hugely gratifying.” We knew we were fans of hers for a really good reason!

[Photo: WENN]

Christopher Meloni To Leave Law & Order: SVU After 12 Years On The Force

Is the Law & Order era coming to an end? The flagship show was shut down episodes away from becoming the longest running prime-time drama ever, and the LA version was canceled after one season, despite signing big names like Terrence Howard, Alfred Molina and…Skeet Ulrich (there’s the rub). Now Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is headed for its first major shake-up, with Christopher Meloni leaving after 12 years(!) as the show’s male lead. No word on what made negotiations fall apart, but we have to imagine its hard to work up righteous indignation over stories ripped from the headlines year after year after year after year. And it’s not like the residuals will be going away anytime soon…we’re just amazed they haven’t made a L&O channel yet.

Season 13 was already set to be a risky one for the show, with Meloni’s partner Mariska Hargitay set to take a more “supervisory” role half way through. Jennifer Love Hewitt was rumored to be replacing Mariska as the show’s female lead, but with Meloni already out the door, creator Dick Wolf and the gang might want to think really hard about which actors they choose—or just letting Richard Belzer & Ice-T run the ship like a pair of Lenny Briscoes. Let Skeet be a teachable experience.

[Photo: Getty Images]

Sarah Jessica Parker, Gisele Bundchen Look “Interesting” At Robin Hood Gala

Let’s first put this event into context. It wasn’t a party held in Sherwood Forest, clearly. The 11th Annual Robin Hood Foundation gala took place yesterday at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York. The foundation benefits people dealing with poverty and lately, National Reservists and veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. This year $400,000 will also assist veterans to fly to L.A and record a song Will.I.Am. And to stir things up, Lady Gaga performed at the benefit as well!

As for the celebrity guests, lets focus on two incredibly famous ones — Sarah Jesscia Parker and Gisele Bundchen. We don’t mean to rag on them because they were helping with a great cause, but what were you thinking ladies! We don’t have much issue with what SJP was wearing because everything that was blah about the outfit was eclipsed by that hair! Who did that to you, Parker? It looks like a cobra rearing its head! You should have used your Carrie cred and told (threatened, even) your hairstylist to put that teaser comb down. As for Gisele, we get she’s a supermodel and God blessed her with genetics far beyond our comprehension, but what is that outfit? We get you’re sex on a stick, Gisele. We don’t need to see your sternum, inside-boob and inner thighs to know that. Dominatrix-meets-sexy librarian may be a little too much for a benefit.

Luckily, others stars fared better. Kelly Ripa and her husband Mark Consuelos get our vote for best dressed couple. Mariska Hargitay looked pretty fine too and a preggers Thalia is just adorable! Take a look at our gallery for the rest of the celebrity guests.

[Photos: Splash News Online]

Mariska Hargitay Adopts A Baby Girl

Mariska Hargitay has adopted a baby girl with her hubby Peter Hermann! The actress’ spokeswoman revealed the news, saying, “The couple are overjoyed by the wonder of their new daughter. Her brother, August, is thrilled to have the sister he’s always wanted.” That’s so adorable! Their son is four-and-a-half, FYI.

The new addition, Amaya Josephine was born approximately a week ago and is a domestic adoption (from the U.S). Mariska told People, “I’m deliriously happy. From the minute she was born, she was just surprisingly alert and so full of love. We were considering both international and domestic adoption and we’re thrilled that this is the way our prayers were answered. We talked a lot about mixed-race adoptions, and we are very excited that we are now a multi-racial family…” Congratulations to the happy unit!

[Photo: Getty Images]

Mariska Hargitay: Working Mom On SVU Set

Mariska Hargitay and son August

The Law & Order: SVU crew must be glad Mariska Hargitay‘s contract was renewed after all—otherwise they might not have her son August cheering up the set! Three-year-old August is a true child of the show, with Mariska having met husband Peter Hermann on set in 2004 (Hermann plays a regularly appearing Defense Attorney). See photos of Detective Mom playing with her junior partner in the gallery below.

[Photo: Splash News Online]

Mischa Barton’s Stripper Outfit: This Time, It’s For A Role

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You may think Mischa Barton exhausted every young female stereotype during her time as Marissa Cooper on The O.C. To be able to play a lovelorn, teenage, alcoholic sometimes-lesbian who dies in a fiery car wreck takes a special talent. We never did see her work the streets, though.

Luckily, Law & Order: SVU is going to allow Mischa to round out her fragile, female-in-trouble resumé when she plays Gladys The Pregnant Hooker on an episode set to air on March 3. No doubt Gladys will have a heart of gold and is just paying her way through law school. Mischa’s wardrobe for the role is pretty hilarious in that clichéd prostitute way – she actually looks more like a thrift store hipster to us, but you be the judge. [Photos: Getty Images]

Michelle Obama, Stars Salute Ballet At Spring Gala

spring gala

Michelle Obama spoke at the 69th Annual American Ballet Theatre Spring Gala last night in New York’s Metropolitan Opera to a crowd of beautifully dressed dance enthusiasts, including such celebs as Renee Zellweger, Claire Danes and Kelly Ripa. “The arts are not just a nice thing to have or to do if there is free time or if one can afford it,” said the First Lady at an event at the Metropolitan Museum Of Art earlier that day. “Rather, paintings and poetry, music and fashion, design and dialogue, they all define who we are as a people and provide an account of our history for the next generation.”

See who made the scene in the gallery below.

Health Dating: Who’s Sicker? Howie Mandel Or Mariska Hargitay?

NBC’s prime-time line-up had a scare this week, as Deal Or No Deal host Howie Mandel and Law & Order: SVU actress Mariska Hargitay announced they’d been sent to the hospital with serious ailments. Hargitay’s rep told Access Hollywood that she’s suffered a collapsed lung, but that—while it kept her from Sunday’s Golden Globes—she won’t miss any episodes of SVU.

Mandel’s medical emergency followed the discovery of an irregular heartbeat on the set of his new show, Howie Do It! According to TMZ, Mandel received medication for the condition that was not to be taken on an empty stomach. Naturally, he did just that. The comedian is expected to be back at work today, and did not suffer a heart attack. Get well soon, guys! NBC can’t afford to lose anyone popular right now.

[Photos: WireImage]