Mariska Hargitay is taking on a new project that means a lot to her. The Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star has directed My Mom Jayne, a documentary that explores the life and legacy of her late mother, Jayne Mansfield. The documentary marks Hargitay’s feature film directorial debut and takes a deeply personal look at the mother she lost as a toddler.
Jayne Mansfield passed away in a tragic car accident in 1967 at the age of 34. Hargitay was just three then, and she survived the crash with her two older brothers. Decades later, at 61, Hargitay is embracing that early trauma as she searches for a connection to her mother through storytelling.
Documentary of Jayne Mansfield – what we know
Mariska Hargitay revealed that the movie is a search for the mother she never knew and an integration of a part of herself she had never owned. She added that the process reaffirmed her belief that one could find strength in weakness. HBO also described the documentary as finding “strength in vulnerability,” as Hargitay often acknowledged.
The documentary combines rare home videos, photographs, and interviews as Hargitay shows her mother’s private life. While the public knew Mansfield as the blonde bombshell in pink, Hargitay hopes viewers will meet a more layered picture of someone adored by fans and deeply loved by those closest to her.
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Signs of her mother
Even before the movie, Mariska Hargitay often talked about her mother fondly. During her 2024 speech at Variety’s Power of Women event, she referenced actress Amy Schumer’s sparkly pink gown, saying, “I feel like my mom’s here with me.” Mansfield was known for her love of pink, and Hargitay admitted she often looked for signs of her mother’s presence.
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This was not the only moment she felt connected to Mansfield. At the 2023 Women’s Media Awards, Hargitay shared a touching anecdote about meeting Jane Fonda. While posing with the actress on the red carpet, photographers repeatedly called out their names: “Mariska, Jane. Mariska, Jane.” In that serendipitous moment, she felt her mother’s presence once again.