On the hit podcast Amy Poehler’s Good Hang, Mariska Hargitay, the iconic lead of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, shared her extraordinary ability to spot future stars. She confidently named two former guest actors, Abigail Breslin and Meghann Fahy, whose immense talent she recognized years before their widespread fame, proving that her instincts as Olivia Benson extend to Hollywood’s next big names.
After more than two decades portraying the unflappable Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU, Mariska Hargitay has developed an almost preternatural ability to “suss out a true star,” as she puts it. Her long tenure on one of television’s most iconic crime procedurals has not only made her a household name but also provided a unique vantage point to witness burgeoning talent.
Recently, during an appearance on Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast, Hargitay unveiled her uncanny knack for predicting Hollywood’s future heavyweights. When asked if any of the countless guest stars stood out, her response was immediate and definitive, highlighting two actors who have since achieved significant success: Abigail Breslin and Meghann Fahy. This isn’t the first time Hargitay’s intuition about talent has been spot on, as fans fondly recall her instant connection with long-time co-star Chris Meloni during their very first audition, as reported by Today.com.
The Child Prodigy: Abigail Breslin’s Unforgettable SVU Debut
Hargitay vividly recalled her first encounter with a then-seven-year-old Abigail Breslin, who appeared in the Season 6 premiere, “Birthright,” in 2004. Breslin played the victim of a deranged mother’s kidnapping attempt, and her performance left an indelible mark on Hargitay.
Hargitay described Breslin’s remarkable ability to switch between playful child and serious actor: “She was so young on the show. She kept doing this dance between takes, some kind of dance, and I started doing it with her. It was some kind of nursery rhyme schtick… and then they would say ‘action,’ and I swear to god, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it.”
The veteran actress recounted her astonishment at Breslin’s raw talent: “She would turn, one tear, and start lip quivering. No acting. I remember going, ‘What the f—, are you like Meryl Streep?'” This profound early display of skill led Hargitay to recognize Breslin’s destined path to stardom. After the cameras stopped, Breslin would “go back to her nursery rhyme,” leading Hargitay to conclude, “Oh, there’s something, this kid is touched. She is so magical.”
The “Internal Sparkle”: Meghann Fahy’s Cinematic Aura
A full decade later, Hargitay’s star-spotting abilities were once again put to the test when Meghann Fahy appeared in the Season 16 episode, “Downloaded Child,” in 2014. In a storyline echoing the mother-daughter theme of Breslin’s episode, Fahy portrayed a mother accused of neglecting her child due to an extreme fear of men and the outside world.
Hargitay remembers the exact moment she foresaw Fahy’s ascent: “Another person that I called it, I remember saying it to her, is Meghann Fahy. When she did the show, I was like, ‘Let me tell you something. I’m just gonna tell you right now — you’re gonna be a big movie star. You’re gonna be a huge star.'”
For Hargitay, Fahy possessed a unique combination of qualities that transcended mere acting talent. She elaborated, “I don’t like use that word ‘star’ because what does that even mean? But I just recognized her (a) talent, (b) light, and (c) she was so sparkly, internally, like an internal sparkle.” The gratification of seeing her predictions come true is palpable for Hargitay, who proudly exclaims, “It’s so exciting to see them go on and go, ‘I called it. I called it!'”
A Legacy of Talent: SVU as a Launchpad
Law & Order: SVU has a rich history of showcasing exceptional talent, not only with its core cast members like Hargitay, Meloni, Ice-T, and BD Wong, but also through its remarkable roster of guest and recurring stars. The show’s “ripped from the headlines” format necessitates a constant influx of new characters, offering invaluable opportunities for actors at various stages of their careers. Many have leveraged their appearances on the show as a significant “big break.”
Beyond Breslin (known for Little Miss Sunshine) and Fahy (who captivated audiences in The White Lotus and Sirens), the list of notable SVU guest stars who went on to widespread fame is extensive. It includes names such as:
- Elizabeth Banks (Pitch Perfect)
- Ty Burrell (Modern Family)
- Amanda Seyfried (Mamma Mia!)
- Connie Nielsen
- Peter Gallagher
- Marcia Gay Harden
- Pam Grier
The series has also garnered critical acclaim for its guest performances, leading to Emmy wins for actors like Cynthia Nixon, Ellen Burstyn, and Ann-Margret. This consistent stream of high-caliber talent underscores Hargitay’s position as a seasoned observer of the industry, capable of identifying greatness before it becomes undeniable. Her insights, shared on Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast, offer a delightful peek behind the curtain of television’s longest-running live-action primetime series, as detailed by Parade.
