Mariska Hargitay's Mom Jayne Documentary Reveals Shocking Family Secret
The film provides a unique glimpse into Hargitay's life and her mother's legacy, exploring themes of identity, family, and self-discovery. With its release on HBO Max in June, audiences will have the opportunity to experience this powerful and emotional documentary for themselves.
Mariska Hargitay, the 61-year-old "Law & Order: SVU" star, has premiered her documentary "My Mom Jayne" at the Tribeca Film Festival in NYC, revealing a long-held secret about her biological father, Nelson Sardelli, a retired Las Vegas showman, rather than her mother's second husband, Mickey Hargitay.
The documentary explores Hargitay's childhood, her mother's life and death, and her own journey of self-discovery, including her complicated feelings about her biological father. Hargitay discovered the truth about her father at the age of 30 but chose not to confront Sardelli about it, out of loyalty to Mickey, who had always claimed to be her father. Sardelli and Hargitay's extended family participated in the film, which will be available on HBO Max in June.
Hargitay's mother, Jayne Mansfield, was a Hollywood bombshell and one of the Three Ms, along with Marilyn Monroe and Mamie Van Doren. She died in a car accident when Hargitay was three years old, and she was raised by her mother's second husband, Mickey Hargitay. The documentary is a heartfelt tribute to her mother and explores Hargitay's own journey of self-discovery, including her complicated feelings about her biological father.
The documentary has received a warm reception at the film festival, with many praising Hargitay's emotional and introspective portrayal of her mother's life and legacy. Hargitay has become a real-life advocate for sexual assault, rape, and domestic abuse survivors, a cause that her mother's legacy has inspired.