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Exploring Jayne Mansfield’s Legacy: Mariska Hargitay’s New Documentary

Mariska Hargitay is embarking on a deeply personal journey with her upcoming documentary, My Mom Jayne, centered on the life of her mother, the iconic actress Jayne Mansfield. Announced on April 8, the film aims to shed light on the mother Hargitay never had the chance to know, following the tragic death of Mansfield when Hargitay was just three years old.

The HBO documentary, described as a “labor of love and longing,” will feature Hargitay as she seeks to reconnect with her mother’s legacy. Through personal interviews, rare photographs, and intimate home videos, Hargitay intends to explore the multifaceted aspects of Mansfield’s persona, navigating both her public image and her private life. “I’ve always believed there is strength in vulnerability,” Hargitay stated, emphasizing the transformative nature of creating the film. “This process has confirmed that belief like never before.”

The premiere is set for June, with the documentary streaming on Max. Hargitay’s project marks her directorial debut, and this will be her first comprehensive reflection on her mother’s death in over five decades.

Jayne Mansfield was only 34 when she passed away in a car accident in 1967, a tragic event that shaped the lives of her three children, including Hargitay. At the time of the accident, Mansfield was en route to New Orleans after a performance when the vehicle she was in collided with a truck that was obscured by a cloud of insecticide. The crash resulted in the deaths of Mansfield, her lawyer, and the driver, Ron Harrison, while her children and their pets survived with only minor injuries.

In the wake of Mansfield’s untimely death, significant changes were implemented in road safety regulations. The incident sparked a push for improved safety measures, leading to the eventual introduction of underride guards on large trucks, although it took until 1998 for this requirement to be fully enforced. Prior to these changes, thousands of lives were affected by underride crashes every year.

Jayne Mansfield enjoyed a varied career as a beauty queen, stage and screen actress, and even a Playboy Playmate. Her most notable films include The Girl Can’t Help It, The Burglar, and Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? Her vibrant yet tragic life continues to resonate, not only through her work but also through the stories shared by her family.

My Mom Jayne is set to premiere on HBO and will be available for streaming on Max in June 2025.

Source
www.tvinsider.com