Mariska Hargitay Says Her Family Feels “More Healed” After Making “My Mom Jayne” in Honor of Late Mom Jayne Mansfield

Nov 25, 2025 by apost team

Actress and director Mariska Hargitay, known worldwide for her long-running role on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," has shared that creating her documentary "My Mom Jayne" has brought her family profound healing. 

The documentary marks her feature film directorial debut. It explores the life and legacy of her mother, Hollywood star Jayne Mansfield, whose vibrant career in the 1950s and 1960s made her one of the most memorable icons of her generation. Mansfield died tragically in a car accident on June 29, 1967, a crash that three-year-old Hargitay and two of her siblings survived.

The film not only honors Mansfield's life but also addresses long-quiet family truths. Among the most significant revelations is that Hargitay's biological father was not actor and former Mr. Universe Mickey Hargitay, the man who raised her, but entertainer Nelson Sardelli. This intensely personal discovery is shared publicly for the first time in the documentary.

Beyond celebrating "My Mom Jayne," Hargitay is also an executive producer of the documentary "Nuns vs. The Vatican," which explores the rarely discussed issue of abuse faced by women within the Catholic Church. The film premiered in the United States on Nov. 15, 2025, at the DOC NYC festival. Hargitay said the topic is "not talked about enough," emphasizing that it represents decades of overlooked suffering.

She said: "It's something that's been going on in the Catholic Church for a long time that hasn't gotten the attention that it needs, and it's time to change it."

She added that she believes "Pope Leo is the one to do that," and expressed hope that the film will raise awareness and spark meaningful reform. Hargitay's work on both projects reflects her enduring commitment to giving voice to the unseen—whether honoring her mother's legacy, confronting hidden truths, or spotlighting long-ignored injustices.

Hargitay has described "My Mom Jayne" as "a transformative part of my life's work," emphasizing the importance of exploring her mother's legacy with compassion and honesty. Speaking at the DOC NYC Visionaries Tribute Luncheon on Nov. 12, 2025, she expressed how meaningful the film's completion has been for her children—August, Amaya, and Andrew—whom she shares with her husband, actor Peter Hermann.

She told PEOPLE: "I think our whole family learned a lot." She added that seeing their family story laid out from beginning to end gave her children clarity about their grandmother's life and the complex history surrounding it:

"Everyone just feels so much lighter and clearer and a little bit more healed from it."

Hargitay described the entire experience as "a very sacred journey with my family," one that bonded them through shared truth and deeper understanding. "My Mom Jayne," which premiered on HBO Max in May 2025, has been praised for its emotional depth, intimate storytelling, and bold exploration of family identity. 

The documentary earned the Best First Documentary Feature award at the Critics' Choice Documentary Awards on Nov. 9, 2025, marking a remarkable milestone in Hargitay's career as she transitioned from actor to filmmaker. The film traces Mansfield's rise to fame, her carefully crafted public image, and the private struggles that were often overshadowed by her glamour. 

It also examines the impact of Mansfield's sudden death on her children, who grew up navigating both the myth and the memory of their mother. For Hargitay, who has spent decades advocating for survivors and trauma awareness, the documentary became another form of truth-telling—this time within her own family.

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Mariska Hargitay is reminding us that truth can bring families closer together. How has understanding your own history shaped who you are today? Pass this article along to inspire someone who is seeking understanding.