12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Who were Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay's parents Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay? Her dad was a former Mr Universe – and her mum a former Playboy Playmate and film star
Mariska Hargitay has faced significant challenges despite her public success. While accepting the 2024 Hope Award for Depression Advocacy at the Hope for Depression Research Foundation's Annual Hope Luncheon, the
Law & Order : Special Victims Unit star opened up about her journey through trauma and healing.
Mariska Hargitay on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Photo: @nbclawandorder/Instagram
'I lost my mother when I was three years old,' the 60-year-old actress shared during her speech, per Mirror US. 'I grew up in a house of people dealing with the tragedy in their own way because there was so much grief, there wasn't room to prioritise anyone.' She also revealed she endured sexual trauma later in life, which took years to process.
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Mariska Hargitay, right, with husband Peter Hermann. Photo: @therealmariskahargitay/Instagram
These experiences, along with stories from other survivors, inspired her to create the Joyful Heart Foundation. 'I built a whole foundation that responded to trauma and survivors the way that I wanted to be responded to,' she said.
Curious about Mariska Hargitay's roots? Here's a closer look at her parents, Mickey Hargitay and Jayne Mansfield.
Mickey Hargitay was Mr Universe in 1955
Mickey Hargitay was a bodybuilding champion turned actor. Photo: @therealmariskahargitay/Instagram
Mariska's father, Mickey Hargitay, was born Miklós Hargitay in Budapest and immigrated to the US in 1947. He rose to fame as 1955's Mr Universe before transitioning to acting, starring in over a dozen films, including four with his wife Jayne Mansfield, including The Loves of Hercules and Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? Mickey died in 2006 at 80 after battling cancer.
Jayne Mansfield was an actress and Playboy Playmate
Jayne Mansfield was a 1950s and 60s pin up. Photo: @therealmariskahargitay/Instagram
