Jayne Mansfield, a Hollywood icon of the 1950s, tragically lost her life in a car accident in 1967. Her three-year-old daughter, Mariska Hargitay, was also in the car at the time. Miraculously, Mariska survived and grew up to become a well-known actress in her own right, bearing a striking resemblance to her mother.
Becoming a Hollywood star is a dream that requires sacrifice, patience, and determination. However, some individuals achieve fame in a remarkably short amount of time, just like Jayne Mansfield did. With her roles in blockbuster films of the 1950s and 1960s, she quickly rose to become a famous sex symbol.
Despite being labeled as a “poor man’s Marilyn Monroe” at times, Jayne Mansfield was more than just a dumb blonde on screen. Sadly, her life was cut short by a car accident that left behind five children. But her legacy lives on through her children’s dedication to keeping her memory alive.
Let’s take a closer look at the remarkable story of Jayne Mansfield and her daughter Mariska Hargitay, who not only shares her mother’s looks but also follows in her footsteps.
The Early Life of Jayne Mansfield
Born Vera Jayne Palmer on April 19, 1933, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Jayne Mansfield was exposed to the arts from a young age. Her father, Herbert, a musician, taught her to sing and play the violin. However, tragedy struck when Jayne was only three years old. Her father passed away from a heart attack while the family was on a trip, leaving her mother, Vera, a former schoolteacher, to support the family alone.
Despite the hardships, Jayne Mansfield dreamt of becoming a Hollywood celebrity. She idolized Judy Garland and dressed like the renowned actress. In 1950, at a young age, she married Paul Mansfield and gave birth to her first child, Jayne Marie Mansfield, a year later. While attending the University of Texas, Jayne pursued her acting career by performing in various plays.
Jayne Mansfield’s Rise to Fame
In 1954, Jayne Mansfield moved to Los Angeles with her family, as being in Hollywood was crucial for success in the film industry. However, her voluptuous figure became an obstacle to finding work. Casting directors deemed her too attractive for commercials, which led her to edit out her first print advertisement for General Electric.
Jayne’s breakthrough came at Paramount Studios when she auditioned for Milton Lewis, the Head of Casting. Impressed by her talent, Lewis lightened her hair and tightened her clothing, completely changing her image. This marked the beginning of Jayne Mansfield’s career as she aimed to compete with Hollywood’s brightest star, Marilyn Monroe. Her marriage to Paul Mansfield ended in 1955, but her career was just beginning to take off.
After starring in the low-budget film “Female Jungle” in 1955, Jayne Mansfield gained considerable publicity. She was named “Playmate of the Month” and featured on the cover of Playboy Magazine that same year. Her bombshell image, complete with her signature pink wardrobe and a pink Cadillac, solidified her status as the new Marilyn Monroe. Jayne became both a successful actress and a sex symbol of the 1950s.
Jayne won hearts with her performances in films like “Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?” (1957), which earned her a Golden Globe nomination, and “The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw” (1958). However, despite her talent, Jayne was sometimes labeled as the “Poor Man’s Marilyn Monroe.”
The Tragic End of Jayne Mansfield and Her Legacy
In 1958, Jayne Mansfield married actor and bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay. They had three children together, including Mariska Magdolna Hargitay, born in 1964. Jayne’s career faced challenges as she encountered film censorship due to her daring scenes and controversial gowns.
Undeterred by setbacks, Jayne continued to perform in films and on stage, but her Hollywood career eventually declined. She appeared on various TV shows and game shows and performed in films overseas. Tragically, Jayne Mansfield’s life was cut short when she died in a car accident at the age of 34, leaving behind a lasting impact on Hollywood.
Her daughter Mariska, who was three years old at the time of the accident, went on to follow in her mother’s footsteps. Despite the hardships she faced growing up without her mother, Mariska pursued a career in acting. However, she chose to carve her own path and did not change her name or hair color to imitate her mother. Mariska’s dedication and talent eventually led her to her breakthrough role in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” in 1999.
Mariska’s outstanding performance as Olivia Benson in the long-running series earned her numerous awards, including an Emmy and a Golden Globe. She has become a well-known actress, just like her mother, taking the entertainment industry by storm. Mariska’s success and her striking resemblance to her mother are proof that Jayne Mansfield’s legacy lives on through her daughter.
Mariska Hargitay married actor and producer Peter Hermann in 2004, and together they have three children. Being a wife and mother brings Mariska immense joy and has allowed her to connect with the love her mother had for her own children.
In 2013, Mariska and Jayne Mansfield were reunited in some ways when their stars were placed next to each other on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Jayne Mansfield’s unforgettable performances will forever live on in the hearts of her fans, while Mariska Hargitay continues to captivate audiences with her talent and uncanny resemblance to her beloved mother.
Let us honor the legacy of Jayne Mansfield and celebrate the incredible journey of her daughter, Mariska Hargitay. Share this touching story with your family and friends on Facebook and keep the memory of these remarkable women alive!
