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Mariska Hargitay Uncovers Deep Family Truths in New Documentary
“Law & Order: SVU” star Mariska Hargitay is peeling back the layers of her past in a deeply personal new documentary, “My Mom Jayne.” The film, airing June 27 on HBO, sees Hargitay confront a lifetime of clouded origins, including the tragic legacy of her mother, the iconic 1950s star Jayne Mansfield, and the surprising truth about her family lineage.
Hargitay, known globally for her portrayal of the steadfast Olivia Benson, is a force both on and off screen. Juggling a bustling home life – including hosting parties and navigating her son’s college life – she carves out space for creative pursuits like learning the piano on a treasured family heirloom. But it was in the jewel-toned offices of her Manhattan penthouse, surrounded by Emmys for her acting and producing work (“I Am Evidence”), that she conceived, edited, and even shot parts of “My Mom Jayne.” This project, she reveals, has been nothing short of transformative.
Unveiling “My Mom Jayne”: A Journey to Clarity
For Hargitay, directing “My Mom Jayne” was an urgent need to speak her truth and fill the voids left by the “unsaid.” The documentary serves as an unflinching portrait of Jayne Mansfield, who died tragically in a car crash in 1967 when Mariska was just three years old. It’s also a loving homage to the man who raised her, bodybuilder and actor Mickey Hargitay. Crucially, the film delves into the secretive aspects of her own beginnings, a process that has brought profound peace.
“This big haze came off — a veil of fear,” Hargitay shared. “And now I just feel so much at peace. It’s like a miracle to me to feel this way.” This journey has made her feel more empowered, even suggesting it’s brought her closer to the strength of her character, Olivia Benson.
The Shocking Secret Revealed
Central to the documentary is a revelation that rocked Hargitay’s world as an adult: Mickey Hargitay, the man she idolized and who raised her, was not her biological father. She discovered the truth in her 20s or early 30s, reportedly through a photograph or a conversation with a fan, realizing her birth father was Italian singer and comedian Nelson Sardelli. Jayne Mansfield had a brief relationship with Sardelli in 1963 during divorce proceedings from Mickey, though she reconciled with Mickey later that year before Mariska was born.
The discovery was devastating. Hargitay described it feeling like “the floor fell out from under me,” leaving her questioning her place and feeling like she had been “living a lie.” Though she reportedly confronted Mickey, he denied it, and the topic wasn’t raised again before his death in 2006.
Years later, in 2004, Mariska met Sardelli (who is now 90). In a moment reminiscent of Captain Benson, she initially conveyed that she already had a father figure and didn’t need anything from him. However, Sardelli, who also appears in the documentary and reportedly wept upon meeting her, and Hargitay have since forged a relationship. Despite this, Hargitay steadfastly considers Mickey Hargitay her true father, calling the documentary her “biggest thank you” to him and proclaiming him “the best dad” from whom she inherited her strength and morality.
Understanding Jayne Mansfield Beyond the Image
“My Mom Jayne” is more than just revealing a secret; it’s Hargitay’s effort to understand the mother she never knew. Using access to Mansfield’s storage locker filled with memorabilia, home movies, and personal items – including finding her mother’s 1956 Golden Globe award, which Mariska now displays beside her own Emmy – the film offers a nuanced portrait.
Mansfield, who died at just 34, was often overshadowed by her “dumb blonde” pinup image, marketed as a Marilyn Monroe counterpart. However, the documentary highlights her intelligence; she was classically trained, spoke multiple languages, played instruments like the piano, and had legitimate acting success on Broadway and in films. Hargitay learns how her mother, influenced by “the wrong people,” let others mold her career, teaching Mariska “what not to do” and inspiring her own strong resolve.
Through interviews with her siblings, her stepmother Ellen Siano (who helped raise her), and even challenging former associates, Hargitay pieces together the life of a complex woman. The film includes archival footage, allowing Jayne herself to speak and showcasing attempts to reveal her intellect beyond the public persona. Mariska admits to years of “distancing myself from my mother,” wanting a different career path, but now seeks to know her fully “as Jayne, my mom Jayne.”
Finding Strength in Vulnerability
Hargitay’s personal journey resonates deeply with her public life. Her portrayal of Olivia Benson, a champion for survivors, is infused with her own “shadows” and involves getting “close to the flame” of finding truth, as noted by former co-star Christopher Meloni. Her own past disclosure of being raped in her 30s, and the time it took to acknowledge it, connects to the themes of grappling with shame and seeking release explored in the film. Inspired by countless stories shared by SVU viewers, Hargitay became a trained rape crisis counselor and founded the Joyful Heart Foundation.
“My Mom Jayne” is less a traditional Hollywood biography and more a powerful act of self-discovery and healing. By reclaiming her family story and integrating the parts of herself she never owned, Hargitay feels more empowered and free than ever before. It’s a testament to the strength found in vulnerability and a unique experience where she finally got to “see” her mother and, in a way, “mak[e] a movie together.”
The documentary promises an emotional ride, culminating in a sense of peace and a deeper understanding of the interwoven lives that shaped Mariska Hargitay.
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