TV star jumped from 'ER' to 'SVU' / LJWorld.com

Archive for Wednesday, January 1, 2003

By Norma Cavazos, Knight Ridder Newspapers

January 1, 2003

Q: My mother and I have a disagreement about whether Mariska Hargitay, who plays Det. Benson on "Law & Order: SVU," also played Cynthia the desk clerk on "ER." Cynthia was the character who got involved with Dr. Green. I say she did, but my mother thinks she didn't. -- N.A.R., Las Vegas, Nev.

A: This time you're right. Hargitay, the youngest daughter of body builder Mickey Hargitay and actress Jayne Mansfield, played both roles. She was Dr. Green's needy girlfriend Cynthia Hooper on "ER" during the 1997-98 season. Early in her career, Hargitay was on the nighttime soap "Falcon Crest" as Carly Fixx. She turns 39 on Jan. 23.

Q: I would like to know more about Gary Dourdan, from "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation." I discovered him on an early episode of "A Different World." Can you give me some personal and professional information about him? He's an awesome actor. -- J.H., San Jose, Calif.

A: Dourdan, "CSI's" Warrick Brown, has several acting roles to his credit, from "A Different World" in the early 1990s (as Shazza Zulu) to Showtime's "Soul Food" series (as Jack Van Adams). He portrayed Malcolm X in the television movie "Muhammad Ali: King of the World," fought space creatures in "Alien Resurrection," and played Janet Jackson's boyfriend in her "Again" music video. On the personal side, Dourdan turned 36 on Dec. 11. He was born in Philadelphia, lives in Los Angeles and is divorced from model/"Entertainment Tonight" correspondent Roshumba Williams.

Q: Does Seth Meyers from "Saturday Night Live" have a brother on "Mad TV"? There's a guy with the last name Meyers who looks just like him. I think they are both very funny. -- S.N., via e-mail

A: You've discovered another show biz family connection. "SNL" featured player Seth Meyers and "Mad TV's" Josh Meyers are brothers. Both are former members of the improv/sketch comedy group Boom Chicago. Seth, in his second year on "SNL," has appeared in various sketches as Hugh Grant, Russell Crowe, Tobey Maguire and NBC newsman Brian Williams. Josh just joined "Mad TV" this fall and has played Eminem, Anna Nicole Smith's son Daniel and Justin Timberlake.