Mariska Hargitay Was Accidentally Left at Car Crash That Killed Her Mom

In a poignant revelation during her directorial debut, actress Mariska Hargitay explored both her mother’s legacy and her own traumatic childhood experience in the documentary My Mom Jayne. This heartfelt film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 13 and presents a harrowing tale intertwined with love and loss.

Mariska Hargitay, widely recognized for her role in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, delves deeply into her past, recounting a tragic event that shaped her life forever. The narrative centers around the fatal car crash that took her mother, the iconic actress Jayne Mansfield, in 1967. Through intimate conversations with her brother Zoltan, the film unveils a haunting memory—Mariska was accidentally left at the scene of the accident as her siblings were pulled to safety.

The revelation that Mariska was left behind at a catastrophic scene is both shocking and deeply emotional. Her brother Zoltan recalls, “I often think about why she didn’t just stay in the backseat with us.” The heartbreaking choice their mother made to move to the front during a heated argument with her then-boyfriend, Sam Brody, resulted in unimaginable grief for her young children. As they slept in the back, Zoltan remembers hearing their mother’s screams, a moment forever etched in his memory.

In the aftermath of the crash, the siblings faced a gruesome reality. Mickey Hargitay Jr., Mariska’s eldest brother, recalls waking up in a car filled with chaos and confusion. Unbeknownst to them at the time, Mariska was lost, trapped beneath the wreckage of their vehicle. It wasn’t until Zoltan asked where his sister was that the adults realized Mariska was missing, prompting a frantic search.

Mariska, only three years old at the time of the accident, had been lodged under the front passenger seat. Years later, her stepmother Ellen Hargitay reflected on this moment, expressing gratitude that Zoltan had woken up to alert the adults. They managed to pull her from the wreckage, but not without significant trauma.

As the documentary unfolds, it not only recounts the tragic events of that day, but also dives into the complexities of family and identity. Mariska reveals another familial secret—the identity of her biological father, Nelson Sardelli, who attended the premiere alongside her sisters. This revelation adds layers to her understanding of self and belonging, marking a journey of personal discovery intertwined with an exploration of her mother’s legacy.

“I had a rough time with the fact that somebody else told it before I did,” Mariska shared with PEOPLE at the film’s premiere. Her documentary aims to reclaim her narrative, empowering not just herself but encouraging others to share their stories as well. “I encourage a lot of women, and men, to tell their stories,” she emphasizes, portraying storytelling as an essential healing process.

My Mom Jayne not only serves as a tribute to Jayne Mansfield’s life and career but also as a profound exploration of the impact of trauma and the power of resilience. By confronting her past, Mariska aims to connect with others who have faced similar adversities, reinforcing the idea that sharing our experiences can be a source of strength.

The documentary is not only personal but also universally resonant, touching on themes of loss, survival, and the complicated nature of familial relationships. Mariska reflects on the idea that some stories are “divinely protected” until one is ready to share them, a thought that permeates through her narrative.

This compelling exploration of Mariska Hargitay’s life and her mother’s legacy invites viewers to reflect on how we deal with trauma and the significance of storytelling in healing. My Mom Jayne serves as a powerful reminder that while loss may define us, it does not have to dictate our future.

As the film prepares to premiere on June 27 on HBO and Max, it encourages viewers to sit with their emotions, confront their pasts, and appreciate the intricate woven fabric of familial love and loss. Through the lens of her personal story, Mariska Hargitay invites us all to find our voices, reclaim our narratives, and ultimately heal.

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