When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
My Mom Jayne Documentary: All you need to know About Mariska Hargitay’s Powerful Tribute to her Mother
A powerful new trailer for My Mom Jayne has just dropped—and it’s nothing short of breathtaking. The deeply personal documentary, directed by Mariska Hargitay herself, offers a haunting glimpse into the life of her late mother, Jayne Mansfield, like we’ve never seen before.
For decades, the world knew Jayne Mansfield as the ultimate blonde bombshell—but for Hargitay, her mother was a void, a myth, a question left unanswered. Now, the Law & Order: SVU star is opening up in a way she never has, stepping into a past she’s long kept at a distance. The documentary doesn’t just explore Mansfield’s image—it challenges it.
From emotional interviews to rare archival gems, this piece breaks down everything you need to know about My Mom Jayne—from what’s been revealed so far to the secrets that still linger. And trust us, the revelations are just beginning. As Mariska reclaims her mother’s legacy, the lines between icon and individual are beautifully blurred. Keep checking back—we’re updating this guide with every stunning new detail as it emerges.
Release date & Where to Watch
My Mom Jayne premieres Friday, June 27, 2025, from 8-10 pm ET on HBO and will be available to stream the same day on Max.
The documentary was officially announced on April 8, 2025, and had its world premiere in the Cannes Classics section of the 78th Cannes Film Festival on May 17, where it was nominated for the L’Œil d’or. It also screened at the Tribeca Festival from June 13 to 15, ahead of a limited theatrical release on Friday, June 20, 2025.
What is the plot of My Mom Jayne?
In her deeply personal directorial debut, My Mom Jayne, Mariska Hargitay embarks on a profound journey to uncover the truth about her mother, 1950s Hollywood icon Jayne Mansfield. Nearly six decades after Mansfield’s tragic death in a car accident, the documentary becomes a vessel through which Hargitay—who was only three years old at the time—searches for the woman she never truly knew.
Using an extraordinary collection of never-before-seen photographs, home videos, and letters, Hargitay dives headfirst into Mansfield’s legacy, both public and private. While Mansfield dazzled the world with her beauty, boldness, and brilliance—boasting a 160 IQ, a violin talent, and a reputation as one of the most photographed women of her era—Hargitay seeks to understand the human beneath the myth.
“It’s a search for the mother I never knew,” she said in a statement to Variety. “An integration of a part of myself I'd never owned, and a reclaiming of my mother's story and my own truth. I've always believed there is strength in vulnerability, and the process of making this film has confirmed that belief like never before,” she added.
My Mom Jayne draws on powerful interviews with Mansfield’s children, including Hargitay’s siblings Mickey Jr., Zoltan, Jayne Marie, and Tony, to reveal the woman behind the spotlight. Throughout the documentary, Hargitay also opens up about her complicated paternity. Though she was raised by Hungarian bodybuilder and actor Mickey Hargitay, it wasn’t until her 20s that she discovered he wasn’t her biological father.
The revelation came after she stumbled upon a photograph that shook her identity. The documentary reveals that her biological father is Italian singer Nelson Sardelli, who had a romantic relationship with Mansfield during her marriage struggles.
Directed with raw intimacy and cinematic elegance, My Mom Jayne features archival footage of Mansfield’s interviews and film appearances, personal memories from her children, and insights from those who knew her best, including trusted confidante and press secretary “Rusty” Strait.
Hargitay told Vanity Fair that while her family was initially hesitant, they ultimately gave their blessing to the project. During a Q&A at the 2025 Tribeca Festival, she added (via Variety), “This story had not gotten out there and it was mine to tell.” Summing up the emotional weight and healing power of the experience, she declared, “Has it been a bumpy road? Yes! And it’s fucking glorious now.”
My Mom Jayne is the debut project of Mighty Entertainment, Hargitay’s newly launched production company, which will produce both scripted and unscripted projects. When asked by Variety whether she would adapt the story into a narrative feature or series, she replied, “Oh, you’re giving me ideas, I didn’t even think about it.”
Ultimately, My Mom Jayne is a moving portrait of loss, discovery, and reclamation—an exploration of a daughter’s longing, a woman’s truth, and a legacy ready to be redefined.
Who are the Featured Participants in My Mom Jayne?
- Mariska’s siblings Jayne Marie Mansfield, Mickey Hargitay, Jr., Zoltan Hargitay, and Tony Cimber
- Stepmother Ellen Hargitay
- Jayne Mansfield’s press secretary Raymond “Rusty” Strait
Is There a Trailer for My Mom Jayne?
The trailer opens with Mariska Hargitay’s gentle voice reflecting, “I’ve spent my whole life distancing myself from my mother… but I want to understand her now.” We see deeply personal family footage—scenes of her siblings discussing early memories and tragic moments.
Emotional revelations are interwoven throughout. Mariska admits on camera, “I don’t have any memories of her,” as photos of a young Jayne Mansfield flash behind her. Her brother Mickey Jr. humorously remarks, “I don’t know how the hell you got me to do this,” capturing the mixture of hesitation and love surrounding the project.
In quiet yet powerful moments, the family tackles tough memories: sister Jayne Marie sharing, “In the beginning, I had her to myself…” And spoken candidly by Tony, “I don’t know that I want to know those ugly things,” spotlighting the complex mix of affection and pain.
We also hear archival whispers and see letters and unseen photographs, as the trailer dives into Mansfield’s dual identity—one public, one private. Mariska’s final statement in the trailer—“Reclaiming our family story. That is what this is about for me. Because she’s a part of me. I want to know her as Jayne. My mom Jayne.”—serves as a powerful declaration of healing and legacy.
Behind the Scenes
My Mom Jayne is a 2025 HBO Original documentary directed by Mariska Hargitay in her feature film directorial debut. The film marks a deeply personal project for Hargitay, who also serves as producer alongside Trish Adlesic. HBO Documentary Films presents the documentary in association with Mighty Entertainment.
The production team includes executive producer Lauran Bromley, with Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller serving as executive producers for HBO, and Anna Klein as senior producer. Additional key creatives include cinematographer Tony Hardmon, composer Max Avery Lichtenstein, and editor JD Marlow, who also co-produces with Steven Bennett and Melissa Glassman.
Related
Most Popular
Most Popular