Jayne Mansfield, the legendary Hollywood bombshell of the 1950s and 1960s, is taking center stage once again—this time through the eyes of her daughter, actress Mariska Hargitay. In her directorial debut, Hargitay unveils My Mom Jayne, a deeply personal documentary that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025 and is set to premiere on HBO and Max on June 27, 2025. This emotional film reintroduces Jayne Mansfield not just as a pop culture icon, but as a complex, loving mother and woman whose story was long overshadowed by the media’s obsession with her sex appeal and tragic death.
Jayne Mansfield Through Her Daughter’s Eyes
Jayne Mansfield is often remembered as the platinum blonde starlet with a brilliant smile and daring persona, but My Mom Jayne brings forward a different narrative—one layered with humanity, vulnerability, and courage. Mariska Hargitay, best known for her long-running role on Law & Order: SVU, pulls back the curtain on the woman she barely had the chance to know.
Through a treasure trove of home videos, personal journals, and never-before-seen footage, Hargitay presents Mansfield as a devoted mother and a sharp, savvy performer navigating an industry that often reduced women to stereotypes. At only three years old, Hargitay survived the horrific car crash that took her mother’s life in 1967. For decades, she lived with the legacy of a mother frozen in tabloid headlines. This documentary is her attempt to understand that legacy—and to reclaim it.
Hargitay reveals that working on the film allowed her to fill in emotional gaps and discover sides of Jayne Mansfield that the public never knew. It’s as much about connecting with the past as it is about healing in the present.
Unveiling the Truth: Identity and Legacy
One of the most talked-about moments in My Mom Jayne is a powerful personal revelation. For much of her life, Hargitay believed that bodybuilder and actor Mickey Hargitay—Jayne’s husband—was her biological father. The film discloses that her actual biological father is entertainer Nelson Sardelli.
Though Hargitay learned the truth in her twenties, she kept it private for many years. Now, she bravely shares that chapter of her story, emphasizing love over biology. Sardelli did not raise her, but the father-daughter bond she formed with Mickey Hargitay remained unwavering. This revelation doesn’t diminish her love for Mickey—it only broadens her understanding of herself.
Such honesty is what sets this documentary apart. Rather than skimming the surface of Mansfield’s glamorous life, it dives into the intricacies of family, loss, and identity. These themes resonate with anyone who has experienced gaps in their personal history or sought to piece together the story of who they are.
Reclaiming Jayne Mansfield’s Real Story
Jayne Mansfield was many things: a mother of five, a law student, a multilingual intellect, and a savvy self-promoter who understood the power of media long before Instagram existed. My Mom Jayne gives her the dignity and nuance she was often denied.
By framing the story through a daughter’s perspective, Hargitay shifts the focus from Jayne Mansfield’s public image to her private world. The documentary highlights how Jayne balanced stardom with motherhood and how she pushed against an industry that constantly tried to box her into one-dimensional roles.
Key moments in the film include:
- Emotional interviews with Mansfield’s surviving children.
- Personal letters that showcase Mansfield’s vulnerability and wit.
- Footage from her early career that demonstrates her range beyond her “blonde bombshell” typecasting.
With this film, Hargitay doesn’t just offer closure for herself—she’s reframing Jayne Mansfield’s legacy for a new generation.
Why This Film Matters Today
At a time when public figures are increasingly reclaiming their narratives, My Mom Jayne is a timely and necessary story. It challenges viewers to consider how much of what we “know” about a celebrity is manufactured, distorted, or misunderstood. It’s also a poignant reminder of how grief, family, and personal truth can remain unresolved across generations unless we take bold steps to confront them.
Jayne Mansfield’s story—through the lens of her daughter—is no longer just a tale of glamour and tragedy. It’s a story of resilience, rediscovery, and deep emotional courage.
Watch My Mom Jayne on HBO and Max starting June 27, 2025, to experience the extraordinary journey of Jayne Mansfield through the heart of her daughter, Mariska Hargitay.