Mariska Hargitay, renowned for her role as Olivia Benson in Law & Order: SVU, made a poignant appearance at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday. She attended the premiere of her directorial debut, a documentary titled My Mom Jayne, which celebrates the life and legacy of her mother, the legendary Hollywood actress Jayne Mansfield.
The screening of the documentary was met with a four-minute standing ovation, reflecting its emotional depth and impact. During her introduction, Hargitay shared a deeply personal revelation that has captivated the audience: her biological father is Italian singer Nelson Sardelli, not Mickey Hargitay, the man who raised her and was married to Mansfield. This marks the first time Hargitay has publicly spoken about her parentage, offering new insight into her family history.
Hargitay expressed her feelings about the film, stating Tonight I’m celebrating the power that film has for me to remember somebody I didn’t have the good fortune to know or grow up with.
Jayne Mansfield, a prominent figure in the 1950s entertainment industry, was known for movies such as The Girl Can’t Help It and Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?. Far beyond her glamorous image, Mansfield was recognized as a talented actress and later enjoyed success as a nightclub performer. Her life was tragically cut short at age 34 in a car accident, when Hargitay was only three years old. The accident also involved her brothers, who survived.
Following the release of the documentary, it is worth noting the complex personal history of Mansfield’s marriages. Initially married at seventeen to Paul Mansfield, with whom she had her first child, Jayne Marie, in 1950, her marriage was turbulent and ended in divorce by 1958. She then married Mickey Hargitay in 1958, with whom she had three children, including Hargitay herself. During this marriage, Mansfield’s personal life was marked by alleged affairs, leading to divorce in 1964.
One of the most striking disclosures from the documentary is the revelation that Mansfield’s biological father was Nelson Sardelli, not Mickey Hargitay. This personal detail has always been held private, and its uncovering provides a new perspective on Mansfield’s life.
Jayne Mansfield later married director Matt Cimber, with whom she had a son, Tony. Their marriage was short-lived, as they divorced before her death in 1967, when she was involved in a fatal car crash along with her lawyer and driver. Her children, some of whom were in the vehicle, survived with minor injuries.
The documentary features interviews with all of Mansfield’s children and includes commentary from Nelson Sardelli, giving viewers a comprehensive view of her multifaceted life. Through this film, Hargitay aims to offer a new understanding of her mother, emphasizing her humanity beyond her celebrity persona.
