Quotes By Mariska Hargitay

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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 have a nest egg, and I don't buy above my means.

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

I'm living every ten-year-old boy's fantasy. The other day, Chris and I had this big scene where we had to pull out our guns, and I was thinking, 'Here we are in New York City - a place where every actor wants to be - and we are literally playing cops and robbers. How great is that?'

As an actress, there were so many months, years even, when I didn't get work, when I wanted to quit.

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.

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

I have everything I need. Our house is very joyful.