"This is the only thing I have from my mother, she tells me. (Mansfield died in a 1967 automobile accident.) "She had a charm bracelet, but I never wore it because it was big and clangy. So I had all the charms taken off, and Loree Rodkin - she is one of my favorite designers - made it into a necklace for me. I get stopped on the street for my bling. But are you ready for this? My father gave these to my mother when I was born. It has my name on it. Mariska Magdolina."

Heavy? Not in the least. Hargitay exudes the same sort of fervent lust for life as her mother - even when speaking of her death. You just know when you stare through her piercing chocolate-browns, there is a wealth of experience waiting to be pounced upon.

"Do you need to know everything about me?" Hargitay asks sweetly. "Pretty much," I tell her.

You are a product of Los Angeles, but you live most of the year in New York. Talk about the best of both worlds ... I started coming to New York when I was 16, for theater, and twice a year since I decided I wanted to be an actor. It was always an electrifying week. That's not a word that I use often. But it truly was. I'd come here and just get so inspired. For an actor or an artist, there's nothing like it in the world. You walk down the street, and it's like molecules bouncing off each other. You are forced to be impacted­ by people. And people say stuff to you. When I'm in L.A., people will just look at you. Here, they're like, "I love your show! I love you!"

Well, it's not cool to do that in L.A. Everyone stares, but nobody will say anything. Right. But it's cool to do it here. It's more honest here. I hate being stared at. If you're going to stare at me, then say something! Let's ­acknowledge the situation.