Mariska Hargitay might be known for her dramatic acting today — but at the beginning of her career, she was set on doing comedy. In a new interview with Amy Poehler on Good Hang , the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star shared a story about a visit to a psychic that she thinks led her to playing the iconic Olivia Benson.
“I did a lot of comedy auditions,” Hargitay told Poehler. “I did Seinfeld and I did Single Guy , and I tested for Friends so many times. I think for Monica. I always thought I would end up being on a sitcom or doing comedy.” (The role of Monica ended up going to Courteney Cox.)
Hargitay shared that even when she auditioned for dramatic parts, she always figured she’d end up doing something funny because: “I’m going to be a comedian because I’m funny