WhatsApp Channel Join Now New York, June 16, 2025 — Mariska Hargitay, known for her role in Law & Order: SVU, has released a deeply personal documentary, My Mom Jayne, about her mother, Jayne Mansfield, a famous actress who died in a tragic car accident in 1967. The film, which premiered at the Tribeca Festival on June 13, reveals a heartbreaking detail: Mariska, then just 3 years old, was accidentally left behind in the wreckage.
A Tragic Night in 1967
Jayne Mansfield was a Hollywood star in the 1950s and 1960s, known for films like The Girl Can’t Help It. On June 29, 1967, she died in a car crash in Louisiana. Mansfield, her boyfriend Sam Brody, and their driver were killed when their car hit a truck. Three of Mansfield’s children, including Mariska, were in the backseat.
In My Mom Jayne, Mariska’s brother Zoltan Hargitay shares a memory that stunned the family. He recalls waking up after the crash and noticing Mariska was missing. “I looked around and asked, ‘Where’s Mariska?’” Zoltan says in the film. This led rescuers to return to the wreckage, where they found Mariska trapped under a seat with a head injury.
Mariska’s stepmother, Ellen Hargitay, adds, “Thank God Zoltan woke up. If he hadn’t, we might not have found her in time.”
A Family’s Painful Memories
The documentary, Mariska’s first time directing a feature film, explores her mother’s life and the impact of her death. Mariska, now 61, was raised by her father, Mickey Hargitay, a former bodybuilder and actor, alongside her brothers, Zoltan and Mickey Jr. In the film, Mickey Jr. recalls the chaos after the crash. “There was blood everywhere. I thought I saw Mom in the front seat, but it wasn’t her,” he says.
The crash left deep emotional scars. Zoltan remembers their mother comforting him before the accident. “She told me I’d be fine. Then, maybe 20 or 30 minutes later, I heard her scream. That was it,” he says, his voice breaking.
Mariska’s Journey to Tell Her Story
My Mom Jayne is not just about the tragedy. It’s also about Mariska reclaiming her family’s story. “Someone else told my story before I could,” Mariska said at the Tribeca Festival premiere on June 13, 2025. “This film is my way of taking it back.”
The documentary includes personal moments, like Mariska meeting her biological father, Nelson Sardelli, who is in his 90s. Sardelli attended the premiere in New York City, along with Mariska’s sisters, Giovanna, Pietra, and Jayne Marie Mansfield. “Telling my story feels empowering,” Mariska said. “It’s like giving myself back pieces of who I am.”
Experts praise Mariska’s approach. Dr. Sarah Klein, a trauma specialist, says, “Sharing personal stories, especially about loss, can help people heal. Mariska’s film shows how storytelling can bring closure.”
Why This Matters Today
The documentary, set to air on HBO and Max on June 27, 2025, comes at a time when many are reflecting on family and legacy. With Donald Trump as the current U.S. president, the nation is navigating a period of change, making stories of resilience like Mariska’s especially powerful.
The film also highlights the importance of road safety. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 40,000 people died in car accidents in the U.S. in 2024. Mariska’s story reminds us how quickly lives can change on the road.
What’s Next for My Mom Jayne?
My Mom Jayne is already generating buzz for its emotional storytelling and Mariska’s directorial debut. The film encourages others to share their own stories. “I want people to feel brave enough to tell their truth,” Mariska said.
As the documentary reaches a wider audience on HBO and Max, it will likely spark conversations about family, loss, and healing. For Mariska, it’s a chance to honor her mother’s legacy while sharing her own journey of survival and strength.
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