Sometimes, the biggest plot twists don’t happen on-screen; they happen in real life. For Mariska Hargitay, the iconic star of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, a deeply personal revelation turned her world upside down. In her new documentary, My Mom Jayne, which premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Hargitay shares a shocking family secret: her biological father is not the man she grew up calling “dad.”
A Stunning Revelation That Changed Everything
Mariska Hargitay, now 61, opens up about discovering that her real father is Italian singer Nelson Sardelli, not bodybuilder and actor Mickey Hargitay, who lovingly raised her. The revelation came when she was in her 20s and saw a photograph of Sardelli. In that moment, she said it felt “like the floor fell out from underneath me.” That image changed everything she thought she knew about herself.
A Love Story from the Past Resurfaces
The documentary traces back to 1963, when Mariska’s mother, glamorous Hollywood actress Jayne Mansfield, had a brief romance with Sardelli during her separation from Mickey Hargitay. Although Mansfield and Mickey reconciled later that year, and Mariska was born in January 1964, the truth about her parentage was never spoken, not even to Mariska herself.
“I Have a Dad”: Mariska Confronts the Truth
Years after her silent discovery, Mariska decided to meet Sardelli in person. At 30, she saw him perform in Atlantic City and approached him after the show. “I don’t want anything, I don’t need anything from you,” she told him. “I have a dad.” Still, what followed was an unexpected relationship not one built on obligation, but on understanding and quiet connection. Sardelli even appears in the documentary, sharing his part of the story.
A Daughter’s Emotional Journey to Reclaim Her Mother’s Legacy
My Mom Jayne is more than just a search for answers it’s a soul-stirring journey to rediscover a mother Mariska lost at only 3 years old. Jayne Mansfield died tragically in a car accident in 1967, leaving behind a legacy of beauty, boldness, and mystery. The documentary is Mariska’s way of reconnecting with her past, filling the gaps left by time and tragedy.
“In many ways, this film is a search for the mother I never knew, an integration of a part of myself I’d never owned,” Mariska said. “It’s a reclaiming of my mother’s story and my own truth.”
A Tribute to the Father Who Raised Her with Love
Despite the revelation, Mariska never wavered in her love for Mickey Hargitay. To her, he will always be her true father the man who was there through every joy and every hardship. “I’m Mickey Hargitay’s daughter that is not a lie,” she says with conviction. She calls him the person she was “closest to on this planet” before his passing in 2006. Her devotion to him shines throughout the film, creating a beautiful balance between truth and love.
When and Where to Watch My Mom Jayne
Following its emotional debut at Cannes, My Mom Jayne is set to premiere on HBO on June 27, 2025, and will also be available for streaming on HBO Max. It’s a must-watch for fans of Hargitay, lovers of true-life stories, and anyone who has ever searched for their identity.
Final Thoughts: A Story of Truth, Loss, and Unbreakable Bonds
In My Mom Jayne, Mariska Hargitay peels back the layers of her life to reveal a story full of heartbreak, healing, and love that transcends blood. It’s a powerful reminder that our past shapes us, but it doesn’t have to define us. Through honesty and vulnerability, she reclaims her narrative, honouring both the mother she barely knew and the father who stood by her side.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available interviews and verified reports. All content has been written for informational purposes only and with deep respect for the individuals mentioned.
