Mariska Hargitay Unveils Family Secret in New Documentary
Mariska Hargitay, known for her role in the long-running legal drama ‘Law & Order: SVU,’ has shared a deeply personal family secret through her new documentary, ‘My Mom Jayne.’ During the filming of the documentary, Hargitay discovered that she had been inadvertently left behind at the scene of her mother Jayne Mansfield’s 1967 car crash.
The documentary, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, recounts the harrowing details of the accident that claimed the lives of Mansfield, her boyfriend Sam Brody, and her driver Ronald B. Harrison. At the time of the crash, Mansfield, Brody, and Harrison were in the front seat of the vehicle, while Hargitay and her siblings were asleep in the backseat. Hargitay’s brother Zoltan revealed how she was initially missed at the crash site but was later found by the rescue team.
Following the accident, the children in the backseat survived with injuries, while the adults in the front were killed instantly. Zoltan recalled waking up in the car after the crash and initially thinking he had seen Mansfield in the front seat. However, he soon realized the woman in the front was not his mother and that a third child had been left behind.
Hargitay’s stepmother, Ellen Hargitay, explained that the adults initially missed Hargitay because she had been lodged under the passenger seat with a head injury. Her brother’s awareness of Hargitay’s absence led to the search that ultimately found her at the accident site.
The documentary ‘My Mom Jayne’ not only highlights the tragic event but also delves into Mansfield’s life and legacy. Mansfield, born Vera Jayne Palmer, was an aspiring actress who gained fame through a transformation that included bleaching her hair, wearing tighter dresses, and adopting a Marilyn Monroe-inspired voice. This ‘dumb blonde’ persona became integral to her career, though it also limited her recognition as a serious actress.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Hargitay revealed the emotional journey of uncovering her biological father, Nelson Sardelli. She had long suspected that her idolized stepfather, Mickey Hargitay, was not her biological father. Her suspicions were confirmed when she saw a photo of Sardelli, leading to a reconciliation with her biological father at age 30.
Hargitay’s documentary not only addresses the loss of her mother but also explores her personal journey of identity and family reconciliation. ‘My Mom Jayne’ is set to premiere on HBO and HBO Max on June 27, offering a unique blend of personal narrative and historical exploration.