Hollywood stars were out across New York City, Toronto and Paris this week, with Mariska Hargitay providing one of the most unexpected celebrity moments.
While filming Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in Manhattan, Hargitay spotted a newlywed couple taking wedding portraits outside the New York County Supreme Court. Still dressed as her iconic character, Captain Olivia Benson, the actress decided to join the couple for a surprise photo.
The spontaneous moment quickly became one of the week’s most memorable celebrity sightings.
Mariska Hargitay Gives Newlyweds an Unexpected Surprise
Hargitay was taking a break from filming Law & Order: SVU on Thursday, October 1, when she noticed the newly married couple posing for photographs.
Rather than simply walking past, the actress approached the couple and joined their photo session.
Photographer José Pérez captured the moment, showing Hargitay enthusiastically running toward the newlyweds before posing alongside them.
The bride was wearing a white wedding dress and veil, while the groom wore a gray suit, turquoise bolo tie and black cowboy hat.
Hargitay was still in her Olivia Benson wardrobe, making the surprise encounter even more recognizable.
The couple has not been publicly identified.
It’s Not the First Time Hargitay Has Done This
The surprise wedding photos were not Hargitay’s first encounter with newlyweds while filming SVU.
In 2024, she also surprised another New York couple by stopping during their wedding photo session.
At the time, she congratulated the newlyweds and jokingly referred to herself as their wedding present.
Her latest appearance continued a tradition that has made her a particularly memorable sight for fans getting married near the show’s New York filming locations.
Hargitay Is Back as Olivia Benson
The wedding photo moment happened while Hargitay was filming the upcoming 28th season of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
The long-running NBC crime drama is scheduled to return on October 8, continuing Hargitay’s run as Captain Olivia Benson.
The actress has remained closely associated with the character for decades, making an unexpected appearance in full costume especially exciting for fans who happened to be nearby.
The new season is also generating additional attention because Christopher Meloni is returning as Elliot Stabler for the show’s milestone 600th episode.
Pedro Pascal Takes the Spotlight in New York
While Hargitay was creating an unexpected wedding memory, Pedro Pascal was also in New York City for the 64th New York Film Festival.
Pascal took part in a press conference for Behemoth! on October 2, speaking onstage as the film received attention during the festival.
The actor’s appearance was among the week’s notable celebrity events as stars continued arriving in New York for premieres, press events and industry gatherings.
Lindsay Lohan Spotted on New Movie Set
In Toronto, Lindsay Lohan was photographed while working on her upcoming movie Return to You.
Lohan was seen carrying a cup of coffee while on the set of the film on October 2.
The project represents another chapter in the actress’s return to leading film roles after years of balancing acting projects with other work in entertainment.
Her appearance on the Toronto set was one of several celebrity sightings attracting attention this week.
Tim Burton and Daughter Nell Make Rare Appearance
Over in Paris, filmmaker Tim Burton appeared at the Loewe fashion show with his daughter, Nell Burton, during Paris Fashion Week.
The father-daughter appearance offered another memorable celebrity moment as Hollywood figures mixed with the fashion world.
The pair attended the show on October 2 as designers and celebrities gathered for the latest Paris fashion events.
More Celebrity Sightings Around the World
The week’s celebrity activity extended well beyond those four stars.
Russell Wilson attended the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year Celebration in New York City.
Eddie Redmayne and Hannah Bagshawe appeared at the Givenchy Womenswear Spring/Summer 2027 show during Paris Fashion Week.
Paris Jackson attended a Ralph Lauren event in Paris, while Nicole Ari Parker appeared at the New York City Ballet’s 2026 Fall Fashion Gala.
Elsewhere in New York, Alex Warren performed on Today at Rockefeller Plaza, while Ringo Starr performed at Forest Hills Stadium.
Stevie Nicks also attended the New York City Ballet gala, adding another major name to an already star-filled week.
New York Remains a Celebrity Hotspot
From television sets and movie premieres to fashion shows and wedding photos, New York City once again provided plenty of opportunities for unexpected celebrity encounters.
For one newly married couple, however, the biggest surprise may have been seeing Captain Olivia Benson herself suddenly appear in their wedding photographs.
Hargitay’s spontaneous gesture turned an ordinary photo session into a memorable celebrity encounter — and gave the newlyweds a story they are unlikely to forget.
Meanwhile, Pedro Pascal, Lindsay Lohan, Tim Burton and numerous other stars continued making headlines with their appearances across major entertainment events.
For fans following celebrity sightings, movie productions and major entertainment events, the week offered plenty of memorable moments from New York to Toronto and Paris.