Mariska Hargitay revisits the life and legacy of late mom Jayne Mansfield in new HBO documentary

Jun 14, 2025 08:51 PM IST

Mariska Hargitay’s directorial debut My Mom, Jayne delves into Jayne Mansfield’s life past the bombshell picture. Premieres June 27 after Tribeca debut.

Mariska Hargitay was solely three when her mom, iconic Sixties star Jayne Mansfield, died in a automotive crash. But Mariska by no means stopped chasing her fondest reminiscences with Jayne. So a lot in order that she has determined to showcase her love for her darling mom by means of the documentary My Mom, Jayne. It can even mark the 61-year-old’s directorial debut. The movie was additionally launched on theTribeca Film Festival on June 13.

Mariska Hartigay throughout her current look in Cannes.(AFP)

Peeling again the glamour

The documentary reveals a Jayne Mansfield far faraway from the blonde bombshell caricature. She performed violin, spoke a number of languages, had a 160 IQ and raised 5 kids whereas navigating a profession typically decreased to risque picture ops and tabloid fodder.

“To bring her back here and tell her story was quite meaningful,” Mariska stated at Cannes, the place Jayne as soon as walked the purple carpet a long time in the past.

The undertaking turned a private excavation. Hargitay admits she as soon as felt embarrassed by her mom’s over-the-top picture. But with time, she started to see Mansfield’s struggles with typecasting and artistic limitations. “I just longed and ached to know the real person… what made her tick,” she stated, as reported by E! News.

Also Read: Mariska Hargitay reveals Mickey Hargitay is just not her organic father, confronted actual dad years in the past: ‘Was living a lie’

Identity, household and hidden truths

Jayne Mansfield died in 1967 whereas travelling together with her kids. Mariska and her brothers survived the crash, however the emotional scars ran deep. “Losing my mother at such an early age is the scar of my soul,” she instructed Redbook in 2009.

Raised by Mickey Hargitay-her mom’s second husband-Mariska was surprised to find in her twenties that her organic father was singer Nelson Sardelli. That long-buried reality additionally finds area within the movie.

Today, Mariska embraces each her household historical past and her mom’s legacy. My Mom, Jayne, she says, is her means of lastly assembly the lady she missed.

The documentary premieres June 27 on HBO.

FAQs

Who was Jayne Mansfield?

A Nineteen Fifties–60s Hollywood actress identified for her magnificence, brains, and charisma.

How did she die?

Jayne Mansfield died in a 1967 automotive crash whereas travelling together with her kids.

What is My Mom, Jayne about?

Mariska Hargitay’s directorial debut explores her late mom Jayne Mansfield’s life, struggles and legacy.

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