Mariska Hargitay Faces Brother Over Dad’s Relationship With Jayne Mansfield

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Mariska Hargitay is having an open and candid conversation with her younger brother Tony Cimber regarding their father Matt Cimber’s history with their late mother, Jayne Mansfield.

Tony, aged 59, mentioned in Mariska’s recent documentary, “My Mom Jayne,” that his father Matt rarely discussed her. It seems a bit regrettable as he didn’t take the opportunity to ask about her, and unfortunately, he remains unaware of the reason behind it.

Mariska, aged 61, shared with her brother that she’s been hesitant to discuss certain matters about their parents, as there are stories she’s heard that make her apprehensive. She described these topics as not very pleasant.

Tony replied, “Indeed, I am certain. However, I’m unfamiliar with those unsightly items. Frankly, I have no desire to learn more about them. The reason being, I prefer not to be burdened by them. I’m uncertain of their value.

Previously employed as Jayne’s secretary, Raymond “Rusty” Strait, commented, “I believe Matt was a detrimental influence on [Jayne]. The only positive outcome from that situation was Tony.

Matt, 89, was married to Jayne from 1964 to 1966.

In this rephrased version, “My Mom Jayne” is “my mother, Jayne,” and the names of Mariska’s family members have been rearranged for clarity:

Mariska sat down with several members of her family, which included her siblings, her stepmother Ellen Siano Hargitay, her biological father Nelson Sardelli, and others, to learn more about my mother, Jayne. Tragically, she passed away in a car accident when Mariska was just 3 years old in 1967. At the time of her death, Jayne was 34 years old.

In her April statement, Mariska expressed that the movie was deeply personal and emotional for her: it’s a journey to find the mother she never met, embracing a piece of herself she hadn’t acknowledged before, and retelling her mother’s story while uncovering her own truth. She believes that being open about one’s feelings can be powerful, and creating this film has shown her the power of vulnerability more than ever.

In the 1950s, the well-known actress and symbol of beauty, Jayne Mansfield, had five children in total. She gave birth to Jayne Marie Mansfield with her first husband, Paul Mansfield, in 1950. Later on, she added three more children – sons Miklós “Mickey” Hargitay Jr. and Zoltán Hargitay, as well as a daughter named Mariska – to her family in the years 1958, 1960, and 1964 respectively, all with her second husband, Miklós “Mickey” Hargitay. However, it was later revealed by Mariska in May that Sardelli, who was around 90 at the time and with whom Jayne had a relationship in 1963, was actually her biological father. This truth came to light for Mariska in her twenties.

Jayne and third husband Matt welcomed Tony in 1965.

On Thursday, June 26, Mariska disclosed during her appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers that she sought approval from her siblings prior to embarking on the documentary production.

She shared, “It was extremely thoughtful since I traveled to L.A. specifically to discuss the idea with them and express, ‘I’m keen on this project. In fact, I seek your approval. I wouldn’t want to proceed without your approval.’ As expected, they were a bit uncertain and asked, ‘What exactly does this entail?’

Mariska went on saying, “None of them work in the film industry, you understand. They’re not actors or involved in show business whatsoever. Yet, they concluded by saying, ‘We trust you,’ which was truly remarkable coming from my siblings.

Later on, Mariska mentioned that following the completion of the documentary, they all had a “personal, close-knit” viewing session with her other siblings.

She expressed that it was a profound moment in her life, stating, “It was absolutely unforgettable.” The seating arrangement had four seats side by side, allowing for my brother, sister, myself, and another brother to sit. Within just ten minutes of the movie starting, we were paired up on two seats. Throughout the film, we held hands, creating a truly magical atmosphere. It was incredibly heartwarming. And as if that wasn’t enough, we all cried. My sister, in a moment that touched me deeply, said something that brought us even closer, “It feels like we are four people sharing one single heartbeat.

My Mom Jayne premieres on HBO and Max Friday, June 27, at 8 p.m. ET.

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2025-06-28 01:23