At the premiere of her deeply personal directorial debut, My Mom Jayne, Mariska Hargitay offered an emotional glimpse into what she believes her late mother, iconic actress Jayne Mansfield, would think of the documentary exploring her life.
The Law & Order: SVU star shared insights in an exclusive interview at the New York premiere on June 13, revealing the profound motivation and impact behind the film. For Hargitay, who was just three years old when her mother tragically died, the project was a true “labor of love and longing,” a dedicated “search for the mother I never knew.”
Jayne Mansfield Would Be “Very Happy—To Be Seen”
Hargitay believes her mother, the striking ’50s screen siren, would have found joy in the film. “I think she’d be very happy—to be seen,” Mariska posited. “Maybe for the first time.”
She emphasized that the documentary stands firm in presenting the “truth” about her mother’s life, a narrative Mariska feels compelled to share and reclaim.
A Journey of Grief, Healing, and Reclaiming Truth
Making My Mom Jayne was more than just a filmmaking endeavor for Hargitay; it was a powerful act of personal integration and healing. Raised primarily by her father, Mickey Hargitay, after her mother’s untimely death in a 1967 car crash that also tragically took Mansfield’s life at age 34 (while Mariska and two brothers survived with minor injuries in the back seat), Mariska has openly discussed the profound impact of this early loss.
She has previously spoken about facing grief head-on, recognizing that “the only way out is through,” navigating periods of “darkness” to reach brighter sides. Turning 60, as she recently shared, has helped her further process childhood trauma, providing clarity and a sense of stepping into her own power.
The documentary became “a place of meeting” for mother and daughter, allowing Mariska to explore their shared history and integrate a part of herself she felt she’d never truly owned. She described the process as a confirmation of the “strength in vulnerability,” feeling “grateful, fulfilled and so proud” to share this intimate story.
An Invitation to Explore Your Own Family Story
While the project began as a way for Mariska to learn more about her mother, she found the most touching aspect was the audience’s reaction. Viewers often shared that the film prompted them to reflect on their own families.
Hargitay sees the documentary as an “invitation” for people to delve into the potentially “uncomfortable places” within their own histories. Her own journey through the filmmaking process led her to discover aspects of her family story that were unexpectedly “beautiful” and full of “love,” allowing her to “reframe” her perspective.
Stepping behind the camera for her feature directorial debut felt like a natural step. Despite her previous directing credits being on episodes of Law & Order, Hargitay felt “ready” and had the full support and blessing of her family to “go in” and bring this deeply personal vision to life.
My Mom Jayne is scheduled for a limited theatrical release starting June 20, followed by streaming availability on Max beginning June 27.
