On what would have been Jayne Mansfield’s 90th birthday, Mariska Hargitay took a moment to honor her late mother, paying tribute with heartfelt words. The renowned Law and Order: SVU star shared a touching photo of her mom on Instagram, accompanied by a sweet caption.
“Mama, happy birthday. Each day, our love for you grows stronger,” Hargitay wrote, expressing her enduring affection for her mother.
In addition, the actress shared a brief clip from her mother’s film, Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?, on her Instagram Story, allowing others to reminisce about Mansfield’s captivating on-screen presence.
Born as Vera Jayne Palmer on April 19, 1933, Mansfield rose to prominence as one of Hollywood’s most iconic blonde bombshells during the 1950s and ’60s. Often hailed as the “Working Man’s Monroe,” she provided an alluring alternative to Marilyn Monroe’s glamorous image.
Mansfield’s illustrious career spanned beyond being a Playboy Playmate; she starred in several notable films such as The Girl Can’t Help It, Promises! Promises!, and The Sheriff of a Fractured Jaw.
Tragically, Mansfield’s life was cut short in 1967 when she lost her life in a car accident at the age of 34. At the time, Hargitay, merely three years old, was seated in the back of the car alongside her two siblings. While the children survived, Mansfield, her attorney and companion Sam Brody, and their driver Ronnie Harrison perished instantly.
Reflecting on her early encounter with crisis, Hargitay shared her insights with Glamour in 2021. She remarked, “I think I learned about crisis very young, and I learned very young that life can be unpredictable, and we must persevere. And then we find ways to transform it. That has become my superpower and the gift of experiencing trauma early in life.”
She further added, “During my childhood, I was often trapped in a state of survival—constantly striving to endure. My journey has involved peeling back layers, rebuilding trust, and embracing the process of trusting once again.”
On this special day, Hargitay sends her heartfelt wishes to her mother in heaven, honoring the enduring impact that Jayne Mansfield had on her life and the world.