Mariska Hargitay will reveal past secrets, new family at 'My Mom Jayne' premiere
Mariska Hargitay will introduce her extended family and "My Mom Jayne" at Tribeca Film Festival on June 13. And it's going to be big.
The "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" star makes her directing debut with the powerful and poignant documentary about her late mother, actress and bombshell Jayne Mansfield. "My Mom Jayne" airs June 27 on HBO after making its world premiere at May's Cannes Film Festival in France to acclaim and global headlines.
Hargitay and her siblings, who speak about their mother for the first time on camera in the documentary, will attend the premiere at Carnegie Hall, which will conclude with a discussion featuring Hargitay.
"I'm so excited to share this story and share my gorgeous family, these hearts and souls, with the world," Hargitay tells Paste BN in an interview for an upcoming profile. "My family is coming in and I can't wait to hold them. Because we have been through something together."
Which family members appear in Mariska Hargitay's documentary 'My Mom Jayne'?
Hargitay goes on a journey to rediscover her famous mother, who died in 1967 at age 34 in a car crash that has become the tragic fodder of Hollywood legend. Hargitay, 3 at the time, survived the horrific crash along with her two brothers, but has no memories of her mother.
In "My Mom Jayne," Hargitay speaks with her older brothers from Mansfield's marriage to bodybuilder and actor Mickey Hargitay − Mickey Jr. and Zoltan − as well as older half-sister Jayne Marie Mansfield (from Jayne's first marriage to Paul Mansfield).
The family discusses memories of their mother and life in Mansfield's famed Pink Palace home on Sunset Boulevard, which featured a heart-shaped pool and exotic animals. To complete one family circle, the documentary features Hargitay's youngest half-sibling, Anthony Cimber, from Mansfield's brief marriage to her third husband, Italian director Matt Cimber.
Just speaking with the famous family for the first time on camera about the life and death of the complex and misunderstood Mansfield, as well as discussing devoted father Hargitay, would make for a compelling documentary.
But there's much more to "My Mom Jayne."
'My Mom Jayne' reveals a secret about Jayne Mansfield that Mariska Hargitay kept for 30 years
Most headlines surrounding the documentary have centered on the revelation about Hargitay's biological father, which the actress kept secret for more than three decades.
In 1963, Mansfield became romantically involved with singer Nelson Sardelli amid her divorce from Mickey Hargitay. Mansfield and Hargitay reconciled late in 1963, and Mariska was born in January 1964. The actress has always called Hargitay, who lovingly raised her after Mansfield's death, "my rock." (Mickey Hargitay, who died in 2006, even guest-starred on a Season 5 episode of "SVU" with his famous daughter.)
However, in the documentary, Hargitay discusses her life-altering discovery that Sardelli was her biological father and recounts her decision to dramatically confront the singer in Atlantic City 30 years ago. There were Hollywood whispers that Sardelli was Hargitay's father, including a mention in a tell-all book about Mansfield written by her former publicist, Rusty Strait (who is also interviewed). But Hargitay and Sardelli came to terms and agreed to keep silent. Until now.
Hargitay has remained quietly close to Sardelli and his daughters Giovanna and Pietra, from his marriage to Fledia, his wife of 47 years. Sardelli and Hargitay's newly revealed half-sisters all appear in "My Mom Jayne" and are expected to attend the Tribeca premiere.
The revelation of these relationships has been freeing to Hargitay.
The "SVU" veteran concedes it was a sometimes "bumpy road to get here. But it has paid off. Once you open the door and shed a bit of light on something, the beauty that comes from the scariest places is extraordinary."
Even before heading to the premiere with her family, Hargitay feels relieved that the secret is out.
"I feel like this 1,000-pound weight has been lifted," she says. "There's this sense of integration and peace about it. There are all these beautiful heartstrings that connect our hearts together. I'm just taking in the moment now."
Who else will attend the Tribeca premiere of 'My Mom Jayne'?
Hargitay’s husband of more than two decades, actor Peter Hermann, will attend. The couple met on the set of "Law & Order: SVU" and have three children: Miklós Friedrich, Amaya Josephine and Andrew Nicolas.
"SVU" stars Ice-T and Christopher Meloni will also support their co-star, along with celebrities including Jon Hamm, Carrie-Anne Moss and Brooke Shields.
Where can I stream 'My Mom Jayne'?
"My Mom Jayne" airs June 27 on HBO (8 EST/PST) and will stream on HBO Max.