Unveiling the personal journey of Mariska Hargitay as she endeavors to resurrect her family's narrative in the trailer for 'My Mom Jayne'
Mariska Hargitay, the renowned actress and philanthropist, has decided to air her own personal story to the world. The trailer for her HBO documentary "My Mom Jayne," which serves as the first project under her newly launched production company Mighty Entertainment, was exclusively aired on June 3.
The revealing film, initially premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, delves into the life of Hargitay's late mother, Jayne Mansfield, a Hollywood bombshell of the 60's.
As Mariska narrates, the trailer opens with black-and-white footage of Mansfield, interspersed with shots of Hargitay rummaging through memory boxes. She admits to spending her life distancing herself from her sex-symbol mother, echoing images of Mansfield in racy attire on screen.
Channeling her Emmy-winning character Olivia Benson from "Law & Order: SVU," Hargitay expresses her desire to understand Mansfield better, in contrast to Mansfield's flashy image.
Hargitay grieves over her inability to remember her mother, who died in a tragic car accident in 1967 when she was just 3 years old. Joined by two of her surviving brothers, Zoltan and Mickey Jr., and her half-sister Jayne Marie, Hargitay sets out to reconstruct their shared past.
This emotional endeavor offers an intimate, heartfelt perspective on Mansfield's life and relationships with her children. With each interview, Hargitay, the director, captures the unique bond that each sibling shares, be it the envy from those who have few memories, or the cherished moments from those who were closer to their mother.
The documentary highlights both Mansfield's public persona, a symbol of sensuality and charm, as well as her private, hidden qualities. It explores how Mansfield used her charisma to climb the Hollywood ranks, creating a contrast with Hargitay's career choices.
The project also touches upon a shocking revelation: Hargitay publicly admitted in a 2025 interview with Vanity Fair that her biological father isn't her adoptive father, Mickey Hargitay, but Italian singer Nelson Sardelli. This is hinted at in the documentary's final scenes, as Hargitay reflects upon the truth that shattered her understanding of her heritage.
"My Mom Jayne" has its North American premiere on June 13 at the Tribeca Festival, and will air on HBO at 8 p.m. ET on June 27, streaming on Max13.
The documentary "My Mom Jayne," produced under Mighty Entertainment, offers an introspective look into Mariska Hargitay's life with her late mother, Jayne Mansfield, delving into their shared past and the actress's struggle to remember her early years. Despite Mansfield's public image as a Hollywood bombshell, this film explores her private life and relationships with her children, culminating in a surprising revelation about Hargitay's biological father.
