Mariska Hargitay Uncovers Secrets About Her Iconic Mother Jayne Mansfield In Highly Personal Documentary

Jun 13, 2025 by apost team

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Nearly six decades after Jayne Mansfield’s untimely death, her daughter Mariska Hargitay embarked on a personal journey to rediscover the iconic actress. Mariska made her directorial debut with “My Mom Jayne,” a documentary that explores the private side of her mother’s life. The film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2025, offered a rare glimpse into the real woman behind the bombshell image. 

At 61, Mariska is widely recognized for her groundbreaking portrayal of Detective Olivia Benson on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” one of the longest-running roles in television history. She is also the fourth of Mansfield’s five children. Through a collection of never-before-seen home videos and family photographs, Mariska attempted to piece together a fuller picture of her mother, whom she lost at the tender age of 3.

Mansfield, known for her roles in films of the 1950s and 1960s, such as “The Girl Can’t Help It” (1956) and “Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?” (1957), died tragically in a 1967 car accident at the age of 34. Remarkably, Mariska and her two older brothers, who were also in the vehicle at the time, survived the crash. Hargitay was just a toddler when she survived the tragic car crash that took her mother’s life. Her brothers, Zoltan Hargitay and Mickey Jr. Hargitay, recalled the chaos of that night, including how their sister had not been found right away. Injured and hidden beneath the front seat, she was initially overlooked as rescuers pulled the boys from the wreckage. Zoltan noticed her absence during the ride from the scene, prompting a swift return and her rescue. 

The documentary paid tribute to Mansfield’s legacy and uncovered deeply personal revelations about Mariska’s own life – stories she has never publicly shared. Through this intimate film, Mariska reclaimed her connection to a mother the world knew only as a star.

In her personal documentary, Mariska opened up about long-buried family truths, finally shedding light on parts of her past that have remained hidden for decades. More than just a tribute to Mansfield, the film is an emotional excavation of identity, lineage, and loss.

For over 30 years, Mariska kept a bombshell secret about her paternity. Although she was raised by actor and bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay, at age 25, she discovered that her biological father might be Nelson Sardelli – a former Las Vegas entertainer known for his charisma and charm. When she first saw a photograph of Sardelli, the physical similarities were too striking to ignore. 

Confronting Mickey only deepened her confusion as he continued to insist he was her birth father. The question of whether her roots were Hungarian, like Mickey’s, or Italian, like Sardelli’s, lingered. When she turned 30, Hargitay decided to see Sardelli perform and meet him in person. Sardelli reportedly told her he had “waited 30 years for this.” Today, Mariska has connected with her two half-sisters from Sardelli’s side, who also appeared in the documentary.

The film also touched on the darker chapters of Mansfield’s life, including suggestions of domestic abuse. Mariska’s younger brother, Tony Cimber – born during Mansfield’s third marriage to director Matt Cimber – shared brief reflections that hinted at troubling behavior. Meanwhile, her older brother, Mickey Jr., remembered their mother wearing sunglasses indoors to conceal bruises.

Strikingly, Mariska and her mother share a tragic parallel: both lost a parent in a car crash at age 3. It’s a connection that weighs heavily on Mariska, who admitted she never truly knew her mother but still felt bound to her through this shared loss.

Through “My Mom Jayne,” Mariska proudly reclaimed her past and honored her mother’s legacy with courage, grace, and love.

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Jayne Mansfield’s life was a captivating blend of glamour, heartbreak, and hidden truths. What more might still lie beneath the surface? Let us know your thoughts on this, and be sure to pass this along to fellow fans of the unforgettable 1950s icon!