Sometimes, fans can’t see anyone but the selected actor playing a role. They were just so perfectly cast that to imagine a parallel universe where they were played by someone else, feels wrong. It could be argued that two of those roles are Law & Order: Special Victims Unit‘s Olivia Benson, played by Mariska Hargitay, and Friends’ Monica Geller, who was played by Courteney Cox.
However, recently on Amy Poehler‘s Good Hang podcast, Hargitay revealed her career aspirations back in the ’90s, being the daughter of actress Jayne Mansfield. She explained: “I tested for Friends so many times,” and when asked for whom, the actress revealed, “I think it’s Monica.” Ultimately, of course, as we know, the role went to Courteney Cox and Hargitay would go on to land her role as Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU.
Mariska Hargitay Wanted To Do Comedy, Until a Psychic Told Her Otherwise
The name Mariska Hargitay is synonymous with the world of Law & Order. After nearly 30 years, the actress is the face of the brand. She’s been the top-billed actor of SVU since Season 13 and the series remains the longest-running network drama. But before she was Olivia Benson, Hargitay thought her acting gifts laid elsewhere, not in a serious role like the tough NYPD Captain she’s known for portraying. She told Poehler, “I was like, I want to do drama, but it has to be funny because that’s what I felt like my gifts were.” Eventually, a friend told her to talk to a psychic, yes really. “I was listening to him really intently like this,” Hargitay said and made a serious expression. “And he said to me, ‘You see that face you’re doing right now? You see that face? You’re going to be famous for that face. You’re moving to New York and you’re gonna be famous for that face.'”
Prior to playing Olivia Benson, Hargitay would have guest starring roles on Seinfeld, Ellen, and even an episode of Baywatch. She’d also booked a recurring role as the bubbly, flighty Cynthia Hooper on ER, and a main role on the short-lived Can’t Hurry Love. Anyone watching the podcast, or any other interview with Hargitay knows she’s got the comedic chops, and a bright, vibrant personality, so it makes sense those were her original acting aspirations, but the world wouldn’t be the same without Hargitay as Captain Olivia Benson.
