Mariska Hargitay Quotes

When I was in my early 20s, I had my hair permed. Bad Idea! It turned into total frizz. My advice to women is: if you have nice hair already, don't get a perm, leave your hair alone.

My Dad taught me that good health is all about living in gratitude.

I'm an L.A. girl who became a tough New York cop.

I was lucky enough to have a father who said, 'Don't quit.' So I just kept going.

I'm a size 8, and I feel proud of that, because it's healthy. I've never felt compelled to be a skinny actress.

I have a more developed sense of my priorities. Life has so much more meaning now.

If you stop for one second and do something, everyone is happy. You pay it forward and it comes back to you twelve-fold.

I look at all the things life has allowed me to do, and I feel like the luckiest person in the world.

You make sacrifices to become a mother, but you really find yourself and your soul.

A guy at ABC told me to change my name and get a nose job. I said 'You get a nose job.'

There's so much that you can get mad about. Out of self-preservation, I focus on being grateful.

Sometimes things in life happen that allow us to understand our priorities very clearly. Ultimately you can see those as gifts.

By coming forward and sharing your story, you don't know the countless lives you change.

I realize that you have to show up for your life.

I think God runs the show. Completely. Life proves it every day: He runs the show.

Humor is about perspective, and hanging out with people who see life through a similar lens is so important.

Adoption was a bumpy ride - very bumpy. But, God, was it worth the fight.

When I read the script sometimes, it's like 'Christ! Enough!' I can't sleep at night sometimes. There's the occasional script that just hammers you, that you can't shower off.

When my body is strong, I feel stronger inside. I feel more capable of handling emotional situations. Usually I'm more of a inside-out person, but this was a great case of me from the outside in.

I definitely have my days where I look like I got dressed in the dark.

You've got to kick fear to the side, because the payoff is huge.

Just having someone make you laugh so hard that it hurts is so healing to me.

You survived the abuse, you’re going to survive the recovery.

Being sexy is just one part of being a woman and an actress. But if the part calls for sexy...

We're all connected. Helping another woman is helping yourself, your mother, your sister, your children.

In life you have two choices. You can laugh or you can cry. You have to laugh, you have to.

I am grateful that I didn't let fear get the best of me. It only holds you back from possibilities and greatness.

To me, the definition of sexy - at any age - is strength and confidence.

Sexual assault and domestic violence are difficult things to talk about. Talk about them anyway.

Healing takes time, and asking for help is a courageous step.

If I can play a little part in the world's healing, and making it a better place than when I came, then I just thank God for that chance.

People who overcome their fears every day, without fanfare, without recognition. Quiet, everyday courage, that’s what I admire most.

I don't have to be an expert. I just have to care.