Quotes By Mariska Hargitay

My weekends are extremely precious.

Every day is deeper and richer and more soulful.

Life begins at 40, and I'm living proof.

It's very difficult leaving the house anytime with my baby at home.

My heart just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

Yes. I did more research than I ever wanted to and saw some things I wish I didn't. I went on ride-alongs, spent time with Homicide, Cold Case, and SVU detectives, hung out in subways learning how to spot pervs and pick-pockets, viewed an autopsy, went to a police firing range, and witnessed court cases and I read, read, read.

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

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.

Of course everyone says they hate baby talk, but mine was not annoying.

There's the occasional script that just hammers you, that you can't shower off.

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

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

I am proud to be a role model for my viewers. I am finding out that helping victims is as or more rewarding the all the awards I win.

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!

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

I think because I became a mom later in life, everything in life means more.

Golf made me feel like a loser. So I dismissed it.

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

I'm a ready-shoot-aim kind of gal.

When I was pregnant, I was so huge and people on the bus would get up for me. That made me feel so precious and valued and valuable. I try to treat everyone like they're pregnant.

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

When you see a girl like me bustin' perps, there ain't no time to be pretty.

Everything has combined to make my life in New York an amazing experience. I told my manager a few years ago that I wanted to move here and try acting in the theater.

I say to everybody, 'Adoption is not for the faint of heart.'

I think people were expecting me to be that kind of glamorous sexpot. So they were always, Wow you're not what I expected.

It's a new skill to have two children that want you at the same time.

When we're on the street and someone drops something, I pick it up.

I get very excited about my double stroller. Every time I look at it, I get a shot of adrenaline and joy because I think, This is real!

I want to be a fun mom. Not a gasping for air mom.