Quotes from Mariska Hargitay

Every day is deeper and richer and more soulful.

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

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

No one can tell you who you are and what you are made of, only you yourself know what you are made of, and only you yourself can do the work to become who you want to be.

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

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.

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

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

Kids who drink alcohol, fairly regularly before they're 14 have a 48% chance... of becoming alcoholics.

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

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

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.

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

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.

The experience of being cared for is profound, and it nourishes the soul as much as the food does the body.

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

...it's a life's journey of finding ourselves, finding our power, and living for yourself not for everyone else....

It's a life's journey of finding ourselves, finding our power, and living for yourself, not for everyone else.

Chocolate is the first luxury. It has so many things wrapped up in it: Deliciusness in the moment, childhood memories, and that grin-inducing feeling of getting a reward for being good.

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

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.

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