Most people search for August Miklos Friedrich Hermann for one simple reason: he is the oldest child of “Law & Order: SVU” star Mariska Hargitay and actor Peter Hermann. He isn’t an actor, and he hasn’t chosen a public career. But because his parents are two of television’s most recognizable faces, every rare photo of him gets attention.
This article pulls together what has actually been confirmed about August’s life — his birth, his family, his schooling, and his most recent public appearances in 2026 — while being clear about what his family has chosen to keep private.
Quick Facts About August Miklos Friedrich Hermann
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | August Miklos Friedrich Hermann |
| Date of Birth | June 28, 2006 |
| Age (as of late 2026) | 20 |
| Birthplace | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Mother | Mariska Hargitay (actress, “Law & Order: SVU”) |
| Father | Peter Hermann (actor, “Law & Order: SVU,” “Younger”) |
| Siblings | Amaya Josephine Hermann, Andrew Nicolas Hargitay Hermann |
| Maternal Grandmother | Jayne Mansfield (actress) |
| Education | Graduated high school in 2024; currently in college studying philosophy (university undisclosed) |
| Occupation | College student; no public career of his own |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed; still a student |
| Nationality | American |
Early Life and Family Background
August Miklos Friedrich Hermann was born on June 28, 2006, in New York City. He is the first and only biological child of Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann, who met on the set of “Law & Order: SVU” and married in August 2004.
Multiple family profiles report that his name carries meaning on both sides of the family. “August” is said to be a name that has run in Peter Hermann’s family for generations, while “Miklos” honors Mariska Hargitay’s late father, the bodybuilder and actor Mickey Hargitay, and “Friedrich” comes from a name on Peter’s side of the family. These origin details are not independently confirmed by a primary source, so they should be read as reported rather than verified fact.
Through his mother, August is the grandson of Hollywood actress Jayne Mansfield, who died in a car accident in 1967, several years before Hargitay was born into public awareness of her mother’s legacy. Hargitay has spoken about wanting her children to understand where they come from, including through her 2025 documentary about Mansfield’s life.
August grew up alongside two younger siblings. Hargitay and Hermann adopted a daughter, Amaya Josephine, in April 2011, and a son, Andrew Nicolas, that October. Hargitay has said the choice to adopt was shaped by her own experience of loss and blended family life after her mother’s death, and that she never saw biology as the only way to build a family.
Growing Up Away From the Spotlight
Unlike many children of famous parents, August was rarely seen in public as a kid. Hargitay and Hermann have consistently kept their children’s day-to-day lives private, limiting public appearances to occasional red carpets, award shows, and family milestones.
That pattern has held steady even as August has gotten older. Outlets covering the family regularly describe his public appearances as “rare,” and note that most of what is known about him comes from brief comments his mother makes in interviews rather than from August himself.
One detail that has drawn attention as he’s grown up is his height. Photos from 2025 and 2026 show him towering over his 5-foot-8 mother, with several outlets comparing his build to his father Peter Hermann, who stands around 6 feet 5 inches.
High School Graduation and College Life
June 2024 marked a turning point for the family: August graduated from high school. Hargitay spoke about the moment publicly at the 2024 Gotham TV Awards, describing the mix of pride and disbelief that comes with watching a first child finish school and prepare to leave home.
August then started college later that year. True to the family’s private approach, the name of his school has not been made public. What has been confirmed, through his mother’s own comments, is that he is majoring in philosophy.
In August 2026, Hargitay’s Variety cover interview gave fans an unusually direct look at August’s college life. He briefly appeared during the interview, reportedly wearing sweatpants with his college’s logo, and Hargitay invited him to join the conversation for a moment. It remains one of the only times August has been described taking part in press coverage himself, rather than simply being mentioned or photographed.
Public Appearances Through the Years
August has joined his family for a handful of notable events over the years:
- 2017: Attended events tied to Hargitay’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, where she thanked her children by name during her speech.
- May 2025: Walked the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival with his parents and siblings for the premiere of “My Mom Jayne,” Hargitay’s directorial debut about Jayne Mansfield.
- June 2025: Appeared at the Tribeca Festival premiere of “Re-Creation” alongside his mother.
- June 8, 2026: Joined his mother for a double outing in New York — the Tribeca Festival premiere of “The Gymnasts of Fisherman Colony,” followed by Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.
That June 2026 appearance came just weeks before August turned 20 on June 28, and several entertainment outlets noted how much he had grown since his last widely shared public appearance.
Recent 2026 Update
The most notable 2026 news involving August ties back to two events: his 20th birthday on June 28, and his brief, candid appearance during his mother’s Variety cover interview in August 2026, published while he was home from college for summer break. Both moments gave the public a rare, if small, glimpse into his life as a young adult, without revealing details his family has chosen to keep private, such as his school’s name or his personal relationships.
How This Was Researched
I researched this biography using verified entertainment news coverage from outlets including People, AOL, Yahoo, ABC News, Hello Magazine, and NBC Insider, along with public biographical records and Mariska Hargitay’s own public interview comments. While researching, I found that many existing pages about this name either repeat thin, unsourced personal details or, in a few cases, mix him up entirely with unrelated historical figures who share parts of the name. This article focuses only on details that could be checked across more than one credible source, and it says clearly where a detail — like the origin of his name — comes from a single report rather than a confirmed fact.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is August Miklos Friedrich Hermann?
He was born on June 28, 2006, which made him 20 years old as of his most recent birthday in 2026.
Who are August Miklos Friedrich Hermann’s parents?
His mother is actress Mariska Hargitay, known for playing Olivia Benson on “Law & Order: SVU.” His father is actor Peter Hermann, also known for “Law & Order: SVU” and “Younger.”
Does August Miklos Friedrich Hermann have siblings?
Yes. He has a younger sister, Amaya Josephine Hermann, and a younger brother, Andrew Nicolas Hargitay Hermann, both adopted by Hargitay and Hermann in 2011.
What does August Miklos Friedrich Hermann do?
As of 2026, he is a college student. His mother has said he is majoring in philosophy. He does not have a public acting or entertainment career.
What college does August Miklos Friedrich Hermann attend?
His family has not publicly named his college or university.
What is August Miklos Friedrich Hermann’s net worth?
Since he is a full-time student without a public career, there is no confirmed personal net worth for him.
Accuracy Note
This biography is based on publicly available information, including verified entertainment news coverage and public comments from Mariska Hargitay. If you spot anything outdated or incorrect, please let us know so we can update it.
Written and researched by Hassan, contributor at ntx magazine.
Written by Hassan, founder and editor of NTX Magazine — an independent news and biography publication. Every article is researched and cross-checked against multiple public sources before publishing; see our Sourcing Standards page for details.