Mariska Hargitay Premieres Documentary Revisiting Jayne Mansfield's Life, Legacy

Mariska Hargitay, known for her role in Law & Order: SVU, has directed a personal documentary titled "My Mom Jayne," which premieres on HBO and Max. The film aims to reclaim the legacy of her mother, Jayne Mansfield, a 1950s Hollywood star often reduced to tabloid caricatures, by highlighting her intelligence, ambition, and the complexities behind her bombshell image. Mansfield, who had a genius-level IQ and was fluent in multiple languages, was a pioneer in celebrity branding and marketing, famously staging publicity stunts and insuring her body. The documentary also addresses longstanding myths and reveals personal family secrets, including the identity of Hargitay's biological father, Las Vegas lounge singer Nelson Sardelli. By exploring Mansfield's life beyond her tragic 1967 car accident and her limited filmography, Hargitay presents a more nuanced portrait of a woman who was both a flawed human and a Hollywood icon. This renewed attention is expected to influence how Mansfield's memorabilia and legacy are perceived by collectors and fans alike.