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“Law & Order: SVU” star Mariska Hargitay explores her family history in a new HBO documentary, “My Mom Jayne,” premiering June 27. The film delves into the life of Hargitay’s mother, Jayne Mansfield, a 1950s Hollywood icon. Hargitay, who survived the car crash that took Mansfield’s life when she was just three, reveals a closely guarded family secret: her biological father is singer Nelson Sardelli, not Mickey Hargitay, Mansfield’s second husband who raised her.
This revelation, which Hargitay discovered 30 years ago, profoundly impacted her life. The documentary marks the first time she has publicly discussed this discovery, introducing viewers to Sardelli and his family.
Hargitay describes the journey to this point as “bumpy,” but ultimately rewarding. She shares that confronting her fears has brought unexpected beauty.
Hargitay’s adoptive father, Mickey, played a crucial role in shaping her career, advising her to define herself on her own terms, unlike her mother who was often typecast. In the 1990s, a chance encounter with a Mansfield fan led Hargitay to a photograph of Sardelli.
She instantly recognized him as her biological father. The realization was jarring, as she had built her identity around Mickey Hargitay.
She subsequently confronted Sardelli, who confirmed the truth.
Newspaper accounts from the 1960s document Sardelli and Mansfield’s brief relationship during a period of separation from Mickey Hargitay. Though rumors circulated about Sardelli’s paternity, Mickey Hargitay denied them.
Hargitay’s 1994 meeting with Sardelli provided closure and led to a bond with her half-sisters, Giovanna and Pietra. They honored a pact to keep the secret until now.
“My Mom Jayne” also features interviews with Hargitay’s brothers, Mickey Jr. and Zoltan, and other family members, painting a complex portrait of their famous parents. Hargitay speaks fondly of her newly discovered half-sisters, marveling at their similarities.
The documentary premiered to acclaim at the Cannes and Tribeca Film Festivals, with celebrities and family, including Sardelli and his daughters, in attendance. Hargitay describes her relationship with Sardelli as “close, beautiful, and respectful,” sharing a touching anecdote of a recent email exchange where they expressed their love for each other. She calls the story “magical,” emphasizing the cathartic experience of revealing the truth.