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Mariska Hargitay Directs HBO Documentary Exploring the Life of Hollywood Icon Jayne Mansfield
Mariska Hargitay, renowned for her role on Law & Order: SVU, is venturing behind the camera to direct a compelling HBO documentary about her mother, the celebrated Hollywood actress Jayne Mansfield. Titled My Mom Jayne, this feature-length film represents Hargitay’s inaugural public exploration into her mother’s life story and enduring legacy, almost sixty years following her untimely death. This project promises an intimate look at the life of a Hollywood icon through the eyes of her daughter.
A Personal Journey: Unveiling Jayne Mansfield’s Story
Hargitay, who has become synonymous with her character Olivia Benson in the acclaimed police procedural Law & Order: Special Victims Unit for 26 years since its inception in 1999, articulated her motivation for undertaking this deeply personal television film endeavor. “This documentary is a profound labor of love and longing,” Hargitay explained. “It represents a quest to discover the mother I never had the chance to truly know, to integrate a part of myself that has remained unexamined, and to reclaim my mother’s narrative alongside my own authentic truth. I have always firmly believed in the power of vulnerability, and the process of creating this film has validated that belief more powerfully than ever before.” Hargitay, currently 61 years old, was only three and a half years old when Mansfield tragically perished in a fatal automobile accident in 1967.
Tragedy in 1967: A Mother’s Untimely Death
In the devastating 1967 car accident, Mariska and her two brothers, Miklós and Zoltán, were also present in the vehicle, asleep in the rear seats at the time of the collision.
Mariska sustained a noticeable zigzag-shaped scar on her head as a result of the accident, while her brothers fortunately escaped with only minor injuries, marking a harrowing event in their young lives.
Jayne Mansfield: Hollywood Sex Symbol
Jayne Mansfield rose to prominence as a quintessential Hollywood sex symbol during the 1950s. Initially, she was presented to the public as a potential alternative to the iconic Marilyn Monroe. However, despite her initial fanfare, Mansfield did not attain the same level of superstardom as Monroe, with her career largely confined to roles in B-级 films.
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Marriage and Career with Mickey Hargitay
In 1958, Jayne Mansfield married Mickey Hargitay, a former bodybuilder who held the title of Mr. Universe. As a duo, they frequently appeared together in various motion pictures, notably including Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? and The Loves of Hercules, showcasing their on-screen chemistry.
Divorce and Family Life
Their marriage, however, was not to last, culminating in a divorce in 1964. During their union, they welcomed three children into the world, including Mariska and her two brothers. Prior to her marriage with Hargitay, Jayne Mansfield had already had two other children from previous relationships, expanding her family.
Documentary Unveils Intimate Portrait
According to the official documentary synopsis, My Mom Jayne “follows Mariska as she endeavors to know, comprehend, and fully embrace her mother for the very first time.”
Through the incorporation of intimate interviews and a curated collection of never-before-seen photographs and personal home movies, the documentary delves into Mansfield’s multifaceted public and private life. It aims to uncover the layers and profound depths of Jayne Mansfield’s character, revealing who she truly was, not just to her audience but also to those individuals who were closest to her throughout her life.
Premiere on HBO and Streaming on Max
The highly anticipated documentary, My Mom Jayne, is scheduled to premiere in June on HBO. Following its debut, it will be readily accessible for streaming on Max, providing audiences with multiple platforms to experience this poignant exploration of a Hollywood legend.