Mariska Hargitay has become a household name through her remarkable portrayal of Captain Olivia Benson in NBC’s <em>Law & Order: Special Victims Unit</em>, a role she has passionately embodied for over twenty-five years. Beyond her acting career, Hargitay is a fervent advocate for survivors of sexual assault, channeling her efforts through her Joyful Heart Foundation and her impactful documentary, I Am Evidence. Now, she embarks on a new journey as a director with her feature film debut, a poignant documentary exploring the life of her mother, actress Jayne Mansfield, who tragically lost her life in a car accident when Hargitay was only three years old. This heartfelt documentary, titled My Mom Jayne, is set to premiere on June 27 on HBO, with streaming available on Max. The project is a collaboration between Hargitay and her I Am Evidence producer, Trish Adlesic. The first trailer for the film has now been released.
In the newly released trailer, Hargitay shares her personal journey of reclaiming her mother’s narrative, expressing how she spent years trying to separate herself from her mother’s renowned image as a bombshell and sex symbol. Since Hargitay was so young at the time of Mansfield’s passing, she candidly admits that she lacks vivid memories of her mother, feeling a sense of envy towards her older siblings who have those cherished recollections. The documentary features contributions from her siblings, including Jayne Marie Mansfield, Mickey Hargitay, Jr., Zoltan Hargitay, and Tony Cimber, alongside her stepmother, Ellen Hargitay, and Mansfield’s press secretary, Raymond “Rusty” Strait. Viewers can expect a rich tapestry of never-before-seen photographs and home videos that showcase the duality of Hargitay’s late mother, exploring both her public persona and her private life.
Mariska Hargitay Reclaims Her Mother’s Legacy in the Documentary ‘My Mom Jayne’
In an enlightening interview with Vanity Fair, coinciding with the debut of Hargitay’s documentary at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, she reveals a long-held family secret that is unveiled in the film. Reflecting on the motivations behind creating the documentary, Hargitay shares that many were apprehensive about her undertaking this project. However, she recalls a powerful moment during a screening with her siblings, where the film was perceived as a form of catharsis. As she poignantly states, “Memory fragments you in so many ways, so to see the story organized felt like, ‘Oh, now we can deal with that.’” This journey of exploration allows Hargitay to confront her family’s history and her mother’s enduring impact on her life.
Presenting the documentary at Cannes held special significance for Hargitay, as her mother was famously photographed there in 1958. Hargitay expresses her emotions, stating, “The fact that I get to take her back and to tell her story there, I just don’t have the words.” The documentary features interviews with her siblings, emphasizing that Mansfield was more than just a glamorous figure or sex symbol; she was also intelligent and multifaceted. An archival clip within the trailer highlights Mansfield’s awareness of her public image, stating, “the public pays to see me a certain way.” Through My Mom Jayne, Hargitay strives to reclaim not only her mother’s narrative but also her own identity.
Mark your calendars, as My Mom Jayne is set to premiere on HBO on June 27 and will be available for streaming on Max. Be sure to check out the trailer above, and stay tuned to Collider for the latest updates on this compelling documentary.
