Television star Mariska Hargitay has made a deeply personal and emotional revelation in her new documentary My Mom Jayne, where she opens up about her iconic mother, Jayne Mansfield—and shares a long-kept secret about her own paternity.
The Law & Order: SVU actress, who also directed the documentary, delves into the glamorous yet chaotic life of Mansfield, a 1950s and ’60s Hollywood sex symbol. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival over the weekend and includes never-before-seen footage, intimate moments, and stunning disclosures.
One of the most striking revelations: the man who raised her, Mickey Hargitay, was not her biological father.
A Shocking Discovery
In My Mom Jayne, Mariska recounts the moment she learned the truth in her 20s, when someone showed her a photo of Nelson Sardelli, an Italian entertainer who had a high-profile relationship with Mansfield during a separation from Mickey.
“The moment I saw his face, I just knew,” Mariska says in the documentary. “It was like the ground disappeared beneath me. My whole foundation—everything I believed about my identity—was shaken.”
Although Mansfield and Mickey reconciled months before Mariska’s birth, the actor now believes Sardelli is her real father. When she confronted Mickey Hargitay about the possibility, she says he denied it. The revelation left her feeling betrayed. “It hurt to realize I’d been living a lie,” she admits.
A Painful Reunion
A decade later, Mariska traveled to Italy to meet Sardelli in person. The meeting was highly emotional. Sardelli reportedly wept and told her, “I’ve been waiting 30 years for this moment.”
Despite his outpouring of emotion, Mariska says her response was guarded and defensive. “I told him, ‘I don’t want anything from you. I have a dad. That’s Mickey. There’s something sacred about loyalty.’”
A Glimpse Into Mansfield’s Life and Legacy
Jayne Mansfield was known for her bold screen presence and over-the-top persona, often compared to Marilyn Monroe. She was a Playboy playmate and became a household name through her roles as the quintessential “dumb blonde.” Off-screen, however, her life was filled with turmoil, failed relationships, and personal struggles.
Tragically, Mansfield died in a car accident in 1967 at the age of 34. Mariska, only three years old at the time, was in the car but survived the crash.
Raised by Mickey Hargitay—Jayne’s second husband and a former Mr. Universe—Mariska has long credited him as her father. Her latest revelations don’t diminish her love for Mickey, but rather add a new, complex layer to her identity.
A Daughter’s Tribute, a Woman’s Truth
My Mom Jayne is not just a tribute to Jayne Mansfield’s life but also an exploration of legacy, identity, and truth. Through the lens of a daughter seeking answers, Mariska Hargitay offers a heartfelt and raw perspective on family, loyalty, and the painful beauty of uncovering the past.