A Daughter’s Tribute: Mariska Hargitay Reclaims Jayne Mansfield’s Iconic Sinks
In a poignant moment captured on video, Mariska Hargitay receives her late mother Jayne Mansfield’s original bathroom sinks, a deeply personal gift that mirrors the emotional arc of her new HBO documentary.
Emmy-winning actress and director Mariska Hargitay has made her feature directorial debut with My Mom Jayne, A Film by Mariska Hargitay, a personal documentary exploring the life and legacy of her late mother, Hollywood icon Jayne Mansfield. Distributed by HBO Documentary Films, the project has been met with critical acclaim and emotional resonance, both on and off-screen.
One such moment is featured in a touching YouTube video, where Mariska is presented with a pair of original porcelain sinks once used by Mansfield. These angel-adorned fixtures were part of Mansfield’s famed “Pink Palace” and are described as one of only two such pairs in existence, making them a rare and emotionally significant artifact.
The gift was made possible with the help of Mariska’s brother, Zoltan Hargitay, and reflects the film’s broader theme, reconnecting with a mother she barely knew. Jayne Mansfield died in a tragic car accident in 1967 when Mariska was just three years old. The documentary serves as both a cinematic exploration and a daughter’s heartfelt search for truth and meaning.
My Mom Jayne premiered on May 17, 2025, in the Cannes Classics section at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, earning a nomination for the prestigious L’Œil d’or. It later screened at the Tribeca Film Festival before its limited U.S. theatrical release on June 20. It became available for streaming on HBO and Max starting June 27.
Critics have responded positively: the film holds a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 10 reviews, and a Metacritic score of 73/100, signaling “generally favorable” reviews. Hargitay co-produced the film alongside Trish Adlesic, a two-time Academy Award-nominated producer, under Mighty Entertainment.
The documentary also unveils surprising revelations, including the identity of Hargitay’s biological father. While actor Mickey Hargitay raised her, the film reveals that singer Nelson Sardelli was her biological parent, another deeply personal chapter in a story of identity, memory, and rediscovery.
With artifacts like the angelic sinks and revelations both public and private, My Mom Jayne becomes more than a film, it’s a reclamation of legacy, layered with glamour, grief, and grace.
