Mariska Hargitay spent just three years with her mother, Jayne Mansfield, before the famous actress passed away tragically at the young age of 34.
But the Law & Order: SVU actress never stopped feeling her mother’s larger-than-life presence.
And that isn’t a reference to Mansfield’s iconic bombshell figure.
In a 2018 interview with People, Mariska shared that her mother was more than just a stunning and iconic figure; she was also a gifted violinist, boasted a high IQ of 160, raised five children, and adored dogs. Despite this, the public had little insight into these facets of her life. Mariska explained that her mother was truly an embodiment of her era, serving as an inspiration to many. She also noted that she shares with her mother a similar zest for life.
Simultaneously, the now 61-year-old actress, mother of three with her husband Peter Hermann, found that there was still a wealth of untold stories about Jayne and her enduring impact.
In simple terms, the documentary titled “My Mom, Jayne” that was showcased on June 13 at the Tribeca Festival had its initial screening in May during the Cannes Film Festival. Interestingly, Cannes was a beloved destination for Jayne five decades earlier.
Mariska shared with Deadline at the event that it was significant for her to return here, to share this woman’s tale,” she said.
She confessed that her journey began as she wrestled with the portrayal of Jayne for years, yearning for a typical mother figure who could have collected her from school.
Mariska shared, “Since early on, her acting voice in a particular character always resonated with me, but it would often make me uncomfortable. Additionally, I wasn’t fond of her ‘bombshell’ image and disliked some decisions she made, which led to feelings of embarrassment towards her.
The need to dissociate even fueled her acting choices.
In an interview with the Washington Post back in 2000, Mariska expressed, “I spent my time playing tomboys, donning flannel shirts, jeans, and boots. On a subconscious level, I avoided roles that were overtly sexual due to my mother’s influence. However, as I grew older, my perspective shifted. Now, I eagerly embrace the opportunity to portray various characters, even those with sexual and sensual undertones.
Unbeknownst to her, the role of Det. Olivia Benson in Law & Order: SVU would blossom into a long-running 26-season career (and she’s Captain Benson now).
As Mariska delved deeper into Jayne’s background—a solitary child proficient in various musical instruments, fluent in several tongues, and aspiring for roles beyond the typical B-movies she had been associated with—she felt encouraged yet grew more and more exasperated.
Mariska expressed her curiosity about exploring the story behind her decision to direct “My Mom Jayne” when she found herself unable to create the kind of art she desired through traditional filmmaking. She also shared a deep desire to truly understand the person, uncovering her motivations, fears, sources of pain, and moments of joy.
Throughout much of Mariska’s life, the raw, tangible sorrow of scarcely recalling her mother was deeply felt.
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The pain of not having clear memories of her mother was a constant, vivid sensation throughout Mariska’s life.
In preparation for the upcoming documentary, I found myself reflecting on a tragic event from my past – the automobile accident that claimed the life of my beloved mother. However, I must confess, I have no recollection of the incident itself. The shock and grief, it seems, have left me with a blank in my memory. Similarly, I cannot recall being informed about my mother’s passing. It’s as if the news never reached me, or perhaps it was too overwhelming to be absorbed at the time.
She added, “I look at photos, and I don’t really remember anything until I was 5.”
Grew up under the care of Mickey Hargitay, who is not her biological father, as she disclosed; however, he was a father figure to her. She inherited her mother’s films, press articles about her, and anything shared by family members regarding her life.
As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’d like to share an intriguing insight into the life of a remarkable figure born as Vera Jayne Palmer on April 18, 1933, in the serene town of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Her story, much like a finely crafted work of art, is rich with complex layers that make it all the more captivating.
Strangely, when Jayne was just 3 years old, her father, Herbert Palmer (a lawyer who also played the violin), tragically passed away due to a heart attack. Subsequently, her mother, Vera Palmer, tied the knot again and the family relocated to Dallas.
Her well-known last name originated from her first spouse, Paul Mansfield, whom she tied the knot with in January 1950. Together, they gave birth to their daughter, Jayne Marie Mansfield, on December 8, 1950.
Jayne’s acting career in Hollywood gained momentum with her portrayal of Candy Price in the 1955 film “Female Jungle.” This was followed by movies like “Illegal,” “The Girl Can’t Help It,” and a role where she first played a shallow movie star who charms a screenwriter, which she had originated on Broadway in the production of “Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?
In my fervent admiration, I’d say: My adoration for her was initially understated, yet she soared to iconic heights that left me in awe. Her captivating appearance, magnetic presence, and an uncanny ability to make the world overlook her piercing gaze, made all the difference. Unlike other stars of her time, such as the legendary Marilyn Monroe who sold her vintage images, Jayne willingly struck a pose for Playboy.
In my line of work as a lifestyle expert, I often find myself appreciating individuals who exude charisma without the need for grand gestures. As Roger Ebert eloquently put it in his tribute to Jayne, she was a woman whose presence was so captivating that she didn’t require acting; instead, she simply needed to stand there to command attention and evoke emotion.
In a different town, there wasn’t just one curvaceous blonde around, but John Travolta’s character Vincent jokes in “Pulp Fiction” when he sees waitresses resembling Marilyn Monroe and Mamie Van Doren at a 1950s-style diner, saying something like “Jayne Mansfield must be taking the night off.” However, she managed to establish her unique niche.
1956 was the year I caught sight of Mickey, a Hungarian powerhouse who had once worn the title of Mr. Universe, gracing the stage at Mae West’s dazzling Vegas extravaganza.
According to the New York Times, it is said that she told her dinner associates, “For my meal, I will choose a steak and the gentleman seated to my left.
On January 13, 1958, they got married at the scenic Wayfarers Chapel, overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, a few days following the legal conclusion of her divorce with Paul.
Jayne and Mickey had two sons, born on December 21, 1958 (Mickey Hargitay Jr.) and August 1, 1960 (Zoltan Hargitay). They starred in multiple films together, such as “Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?” and “The Loves of Hercules.”
Or simply:
Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay became parents to two sons, Mickey Jr. (1958) and Zoltan (1960). They worked together in films like “Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?” and “The Loves of Hercules.
Mariska was born on January 23, 1964. After her mother passed away, she and her siblings were brought up by their father and stepmother, Ellen Hargitay (née Siano), who married Mickey in 1968 and remained with him until his lifetime’s end.
In an interview with Good Housekeeping in 2012, Mariska expressed that she calls Ellen “Mom.” She added that we were lucky because Ellen warmly accepted and loved us so swiftly. Furthermore, Mariska felt incredibly fortunate to have someone like Ellen, a maternal figure, in her life after such a tragic accident.
And she was very close to her dad, whose final acting credit was a 2003 episode of SVU.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Mariska expressed, “Mickey was my everything, my role model. He cared for me deeply, and I could sense it. Beyond that, there was something else I understood, though I wasn’t fully aware of it at the time.
She found out in her 20s, when she saw a photo of singer Nelson Sardelli.
In the movie, “My Mom Jayne“, Mariska shared a feeling similar to when the ground beneath her seemed to disappear – almost as if her foundation crumbled away, which marked the first time she publicly acknowledged that Nelson was indeed her biological father.
Mickey refused it when she questioned him, and the matter was never discussed further. He passed away in 2006.
Mickey said no when asked about it, and the topic was not mentioned again. He expired in 2006.
Lastly:
When she questioned Mickey about it, he denied it. The issue wasn’t brought up afterward. He passed away in 2006.
In 1994, Mariska came across Nelson when she was 30, attending one of his concerts and acting very enthusiastically towards him, as she later shared with Vanity Fair. Interestingly, the performer, who hails from Brazil to Italian parents, confessed that he had been anticipating this encounter for thirty years. Mariska, however, remembered it differently, saying “I didn’t want or need anything from you…I already have a father.
She explained, “There was something about loyalty. I wanted to be loyal to Mickey.”
In 1963, Jayne initiated the divorce process with her second spouse. As a result, they were already separated when she began her relationship with Nelson.
They made up approximately a couple of months prior to Mariska’s birth; however, they eventually divorced in 1964.
As a child who was brought up exactly where fate intended, I can confidently affirm that every decision made on my behalf was indeed the best one. After all, I’m the proud daughter of Mickey Hargitay – and that’s no exaggeration.
In addition to our bond, I’m connected to Nelson, a man of 90, who graces the screen in “My Mom Jayne.” Notably, he shares this journey with his two daughters, both survivors from his marriage to the late Fledia Fay Sardelli.
After swiftly advancing in her private affairs, Jayne tied the knot with director Matt Cimber in September 1964. Their child, Tony Cimber, entered the world on October 18, 1965.
During that period, Jayne’s acting career had come to be closely associated with her physical appearance. She was one of the early prominent actors to bare (strategically) in a mainstream movie, namely “Promises! Promises!” released in 1963.
As a passionate enthusiast, let me share some insights I picked up from an interview, as reported in the New York Times. To carve a niche for yourself as an actress, you must strive for recognition. For a fledgling actress like myself starting out, my advice would be to focus wholeheartedly on your craft. However, it’s not necessary to make a fashion statement by draping yourself in blankets!
Moreover, it’s worth noting that Jayne didn’t find herself in a situation where she had to prioritize being a mother over being a sex symbol. This was evident when she appeared on Merv Griffin’s talk show in 1966, accompanied by four of her children and an equal number of dogs. (Merv Griffin humorously commented at the time, “I have never seen such an entourage.”)
Newspapers sensationalized her life story, detailing her divorces, romantic liaisons, scandalous photo shoots, movie successes and failures, as well as her personal struggles such as when her son Zoltan was attacked by a lion in 1966 at a California wildlife sanctuary during a publicity photoshoot.
Her death wasn’t just the subject of another sensational news headline; it also fueled a harmful city myth.
Her passing didn’t merely inspire another tabloid sensation; it also contributed to a malicious urban tale.
On June 29, 1967, Mickey Jr., Zoltan, and Mariska were seated in the back of a Buick Electra alongside their mother, Sam Brody (Jayne’s then-boyfriend), and driver Ronnie Harrison.
They were traveling on U.S. Highway 90, moving from Biloxi, Mississippi, where Jayne had recently finished her nightclub performance, towards New Orleans. Around 2 a.m., their Buick entered Louisiana and collided with the rear of a truck that was dispersing mosquito repellent. The police suggested at the time that the fog may have impaired Harrison’s ability to see.
The youngsters managed to live on despite sustaining scrapes and bumps, but Mickey Junior ended up with a broken arm, tragically, all three grown-ups lost their lives.
Appears to have been triggered by pictures depicting a wig of blond hair on the street, gruesome theories suggesting Jayne met a grisly fate in the crash persist – and there were even whispers that her head was buried separately at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
Photos from the scene showing a blonde wig on the road have sparked grim conjecture that Jayne might have been decapitated in the accident, a rumor that has endured – and it was even whispered that her head was interred separately at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
All untrue, according to an eyewitness.
In 1997, retired undertaker Jim Roberts, who had worked at a New Orleans funeral home for 41 years where Jayne’s body was received, told the New York Times that “Jayne’s head was as connected to her body as mine is,” implying a strong bond. He added that people often misunderstood Jayne, both in how she lived and how she passed away.
He admitted that her injuries were quite severe for someone in the profession, so he spent the entire night working on her appearance to make her presentable to her family. Roberts mentioned that she had an abundance of makeup, which he utilized completely.
Jayne was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania. Her white heart-shaped marble tombstone carries the message, “Our love for you grows stronger with every passing day.
Mariska continues to carry a scar that resembles a zig-zag pattern on the side of her head, remnant from the accident. The hidden wound, however, took significantly more time to mend and will forever be an ongoing process.
In a conversation with Redbook in 2009, she expressed that losing her mother at a young age left an indelible mark on her spirit. However, she believes it was this experience that shaped her into the person she is today. She feels that understanding life’s journey, including the hardships she faced, brought her to where she is now.
Despite spending many years attempting to distinctly separate herself from her mother, she found it impossible to escape the genetic influence—a positive aspect.
Mariska mentioned in 2007 to Glamour that she had five children, worked, owned numerous dogs, and played the violin. Reflecting on her life today, she commented, “I find myself on a TV show, managing a foundation, running a household, being a mom, a wife, and much more. I’ve come to understand that this is who I am because it’s what I’m familiar with.
Now, she has transitioned into a first-time documentarian, driven by her curiosity to uncover the unknown.
My Mom, named Jayne, will be premiering on June 27 on HBO. In the meantime, check out these heartwarming glimpses into Mariska’s family life.
In the year 1963, a year before Mariska was born, her parents appeared warm and snuggly together. However, it’s worth noting that Jayne had filed for divorce the year prior to this.
Mariska was born in the year 1964, shortly following her mother’s reconciliation with Mickey Hargitay. However, they separated and got divorced at the end of the same year.
In 1966, two years following their divorce, Mariska’s parents were spotted together at the Westbury Music Fair, having attended her stage performance of “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
Backstage, Mickey and Jayne met up with Mariska and her brothers Miklos Hargitay Jr., Zoltan Hargitay, and Jayne Mansfield.
The actress’ dad joined her at Law & Order SVU‘s 100th episode celebration in 2003.
The Hungarian-born actor died three years later after battling multiple myeloma. He was 80.
The actress’ siblings supported her at her star ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013.
On Thanksgiving Day, 2024, Mariska posted a photo featuring herself and her long-time husband. They are the proud parents of sons August Miklos Friedrich Hermann, Andrew Nicolas Hermann, and daughter Amaya Josephine Hermann.
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2025-06-14 13:18