Actress Mariska Hargitay steps behind the camera for her feature directorial debut, an HBO Original documentary titled My Mom Jayne. The film explores the life and legacy of her mother, Hollywood icon Jayne Mansfield, and premieres this June on Max.
Here’s the Lowdown: Nearly sixty years after Jayne Mansfield’s death in a car accident when Hargitay was just three, the Law & Order: SVU star uses this film to explore her mother’s story. The documentary utilizes intimate interviews and previously unseen photos and home movies as Hargitay seeks to understand Mansfield’s public persona and private life.
What This Means Now: This project represents a deeply personal exploration for Hargitay. She described the film as a “search for the mother I never knew” and an effort to reclaim both her mother’s story and her own truth. It marks her first directorial effort focused on her family history.
The Bigger Picture: Hargitay previously produced the Emmy-winning HBO documentary I Am Evidence. My Mom Jayne continues her relationship with HBO Documentary Films. It presents a unique look at a famous figure through the eyes of her daughter, examining fame, legacy, and personal discovery. The film debuts exclusively on Max in June.
