The Cannes Film Festival witnessed a deeply emotional premiere on Saturday as Mariska Hargitay presented her directorial debut, My Mom Jayne, an HBO documentary honouring her late mother, Hollywood icon Jayne Mansfield, per variety.com. The Law & Order: SVU star was visibly moved by the four-minute standing ovation that greeted the film, a poignant exploration of Mansfield’s life and legacy nearly six decades after her tragic death.
In a surprising and deeply personal revelation, Hargitay shared a long-held family secret. Addressing the audience, she disclosed that her biological father was not the late Mickey Hargitay, Mansfield’s second husband who raised her, but rather Italian singer Nelson Sardelli. This marks the first time Hargitay has publicly spoken about her true parentage.
“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,” an emotional Hargitay shared while introducing the documentary.
Jayne Mansfield, a captivating figure of 1950s Hollywood, was known for her roles in films like Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? and The Girl Can’t Help It. While often celebrated for her glamorous image, Mansfield also possessed intellect and talent that sometimes went overshadowed. Following her film career, she successfully transitioned into a nightclub performer.
Hargitay, who was only three years old when Mansfield died in a car accident in which she and her brothers were also passengers, has channelled her personal experiences into powerful advocacy work. Her portrayal of Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU for over 550 episodes has made her a prominent voice for survivors of sexual assault, rape and domestic abuse. My Mom Jayne offers a new perspective on Mansfield’s life, seen through the loving and insightful lens of her daughter.
•Featured image by Variety via Getty Images
