Mariska Hargitay Uncovers Family Secret in Emotional Documentary My Mom Jayne

Mariska Hargitay, beloved star of Law & Order: SVU, dropped a bombshell at the Cannes Film Festival, revealing in her documentary My Mom Jayne that her biological father is Nelson Sardelli, a former Las Vegas entertainer. Raised by bodybuilder and actor Mickey Hargitay, who passed in 2006, Mariska carried this secret for over 30 years, wrestling with the truth of her identity. "I was living a lie my entire life," she confessed, yet affirmed her deep bond with Mickey, calling the documentary a love letter to the man who shaped her.

The revelation came into focus in her 20s when a photo of Sardelli sparked an undeniable gut feeling. Her mother, Jayne Mansfield, a Hollywood icon whose life was cut short in a 1967 car crash, had a brief romance with Sardelli during a separation from Mickey in 1963. Mariska, born in 1964, later confronted Mickey, who denied the truth, leaving her shaken. At 30, she met Sardelli in Atlantic City, where he tearfully acknowledged her, saying he’d waited decades for that moment. True to her loyal heart, Mariska stood firm, channeling her inner Olivia Benson: "I don’t need anything from you. I have a dad."

The documentary, a poignant exploration of family and truth, weaves interviews with Mariska’s siblings and Sardelli’s daughters, who were moved to tears at a private screening. It also grapples with the loss of Mansfield, whose vibrant life as a multilingual, musically gifted actress was overshadowed by her Marilyn Monroe-esque persona. Mariska’s journey is one of reconciliation—not just with her past, but with the families tied to it, unburdening secrets and embracing healing through storytelling.