Mariska Hargitay has guest-starred on well-known shows like "Baywatch" and "Seinfeld," had a 13-episode stint on "ER" at the height of its popularity, and has dabbled with crime dramas like "Chicago P.D.," "Chicago Fire," and several different "Law & Order" series. But she's best known for her role as Detective Olivia Benson on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." Hargitay has been on the show since its debut in 1999, and her character recently had to go through a very traumatic ordeal during the show's milestone

(creatively titled "The 500th Episode").

Obviously, playing a lead role in one of the most highly watched crime dramas on TV for the last 22 years has had a significant impact on the veteran actor. It's not uncommon for actors to be heavily influenced by the roles they play — especially when they go above and beyond to make sure they portray their character as faithfully as possible. However, with Hargitay, her role has profoundly impacted her daily life that it has changed her in ways she never saw coming.

Hargitay sometimes forgets she's not a cop in real life - but in a good way

In a 2010 interview, Mariska Hargitay talked about how her role as Detective Olivia Benson has changed her permanently (and for the better). She explained that she frequently finds herself going into "cop mode.

" She once even saved a pregnant woman who fainted on the sidewalk in front of her (and no, they weren't filming the show at the time). Hargitay yelled at people nearby to call 911, demanded someone get the woman water, and started interrogating her with a series of questions to find out what could have made her faint. The fate of the pregnant woman is unknown, but we're pretty sure Hargitay's quick action helped save the day for real.

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