Mariska Hargitay is reportedly earning $850,000 per episode for her dual role as star and executive producer of the long-running NBC drama “Law & Order: SVU.”
The salary details emerged in conjunction with the broadcast of the show's 600th episode, marking a significant milestone for the series, which is now in its 28th season. Hargitay, 62, has portrayed Detective Olivia Benson since the show's inception in 1999. She took on an executive producer role starting with Season 15 in 2014.
Variety's report also highlighted other significant television salaries, including $2 million per episode for Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston on Apple TV+'s “The Morning Show,” and the same amount for Zendaya for her role in HBO's “Euphoria.” Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Martin Short each reportedly earn $1 million per episode for the Hulu comedy “Only Murders in the Building.” Additionally, Ellen Pompeo previously disclosed that she makes $20 million per season for “Grey’s Anatomy.”
Hargitay recently shared her reflections on the celebration dinner for the 600th episode, attended by cast, crew, and creator Dick Wolf. She described the evening as "one of the most extraordinary, meaningful nights, and unexpectedly so to me." She recounted Dick Wolf's sentiment that the achievement "has never happened, and it will never happen again."
In her own toast at the event, Hargitay expressed her disbelief and gratitude, stating, "Here we are at episode 600, and it really doesn’t feel totally real — which in a way is exactly how it should feel, because it’s as if we all get to live in this dream of what you thought might be possible someday." She added, "And you’ve shown that it’s not only possible, but it’s so much better than anyone could have imagined."
Following Christopher Meloni's departure from the show in 2011, Hargitay has remained the sole lead. Her performance as Detective Benson has earned her an Emmy Award. “Law & Order: SVU” airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.