Not going to lie, some of us have forgotten that this show exists, but the stars on the show have their viewers to thank for making it last so long. And in the TV world, a long-lasting show means a bump in the stars' income surely. Mariska Hargitay plays Lt. Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU who has made a career investigating their cases. It is incredibly difficult to play such a role, but Hargitay, who nails it, and is the central figure on the show's promotional photos, has racked up quite the salary. How much you ask? $12.5 million.