Mariska Hargitay looks into her past while honoring the memory of her late mother, Jayne Mansfield, in a new way. She has directed My Mom Jayne, an upcoming HBO documentary that marks her feature film directorial debut. The project is a thorough look into Mansfield’s life, and the mother Hargitay lost when she was just three years old.
Jayne Mansfield died tragically in a car accident in 1967 at the age of 34. The accident made headlines, not only for its shocking nature but also because her three children, including a young Hargitay, were in the car and survived. Now, nearly sixty years later, Hargitay is taking the opportunity to tell her mother’s story in her own words.
Mariska Hargitay’s new documentary
Speaking about the project, Mariska Hargitay described My Mom Jayne as a labor of love and longing, calling it “a search for the mother I never knew.” The documentary has been creative and emotional, allowing Hargitay to reconnect with the woman she remembers only through memories, stories, and pictures. The movie is more than a tribute; it is a conversation across time.
Hargitay, now 61, has often spoken publicly about her mother, whether in award show speeches or interviews, where she has shared how Mansfield’s spirit continues to guide her. With this documentary, she now invites viewers to see Jayne Mansfield as more than a Hollywood star but as a daughter, friend, and mother.
Jayne Mansfield’s legacy
Jayne Mansfield was one of Hollywood’s stars of the 1950s. She starred in several popular movies, including Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? and The Girl Can’t Help It, and in 1958, she married Mr. Universe winner Mickey Hargitay. The couple had three children together before divorcing in 1964.
Though Mansfield was known for her glamorous presence, My Mom Jayne aims to reveal a more complex part of her life through rare home videos, never-before-seen photographs, and intimate interviews. The movie is produced by Hargitay and Trish Adlesic and executive by Lauran Bromley and will debut on HBO later this year.