Fans of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit may be surprised to learn about the Hollywood history of Mariska Hargitay, who plays Detective Olivia Benson on the show. Mariska is the daughter of bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay and the iconic actress Jayne Mansfield, who was a Hollywood legend in her own right.

Jayne Mansfield, whose real name was Vera Jayne Palmer, had a fascinating journey into the world of Hollywood. Starting in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Jayne dreamt of becoming a Hollywood star like Shirley Temple. Her early years included taking dance and music lessons, and eventually, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting.

Despite facing some challenges, Jayne’s career took off after being named Playboy’s Playmate of the Month in 1955.

 

She starred in several movies and became known for her roles and appearances. However, tragedy struck when Jayne passed away in a car accident at just 34 years old. Mariska and her siblings were also in the car but thankfully survived.

Mariska has spoken openly about the loss of her mother and how she has learned to navigate through grief and darkness. Despite the hardships, she has found light on the other side. This story sheds light on the remarkable legacy of Jayne Mansfield and her impact on Hollywood.