Who Are Mariska Hargitay’s Parents? All We Know About Law & Order: SVU Star’s Mom And Dad

Reflecting upon the life stories of these remarkable individuals, I am truly awestruck by the indomitable spirit and resilience that they have embodied throughout their journey. Mariska Hargitay, an iconic figure in the world of acting, has been significantly influenced by her parents, particularly her father Mickey Hargitay. His wisdom, guidance, and unwavering belief in his daughter’s potential served as a beacon that illuminated her path to success.


Trigger warning: This article contains a reference to the tragic death.

Few may realize this, but Actress Mariska Hargitay from Law & Order: SVU is a member of a well-known Hollywood family. That’s correct! Mariska, along with her brothers Miklos and Zoltan, are the offspring of Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay.

Hey there! You might be aware that Jayne, a renowned figure in Tinseltown, graced our screens with her captivating presence. Interestingly enough, Mariska’s dad, Mickey Hargitay, was once a bodybuilding champion who later ventured into acting. Remarkably, both of her parents have shared the screen together in their roles as well!

In 1958, they got married, but the couple parted ways in 1964. Tragically, Jayne died at just 34 years old in 1967 following a car accident. Her father passed away in 2006 after a prolonged struggle with an illness. The actress frequently discusses her parents openly, particularly their lives together.

If you’re curious to learn more about Mariska Hargitay’s former partners, you’ve come to the ideal spot! Here’s a rundown of essential facts about Mariska Hargitay’s parents.

How did Jayne and Mickey meet?

Initially, Jayne was the one who noticed Mickey. Known for being crowned Mr. Universe, there were whispers that Mae West had extended an invitation to him to be a part of the musclemen in her Las Vegas show, The Mae West Revue, as reported by The Independent.

As a die-hard fan, I was thrilled to learn that I, myself, was among the lucky crowd at the event! When I was given the chance to speak with the one and only Mickey, I couldn’t help but gush, “Give me a juicy steak, and the man on his left, please!”

Jayne and Mickey got married in Los Angeles

On January 13, 1958, the couple moved forward in their bond and exchanged vows at Glass Wayfarer’s Seaside Chapel in Los Angeles. According to Entertainment Weekly, approximately 100 guests witnessed this special event.

Their marriage didn’t endure for long, as they decided to part ways through divorce in 1964. Later on, both individuals moved on, getting remarried. Specifically, Jayne wed film director Matt Cimber, while Mickey married Ellen Siano.

Following the death of the famous actress, it was Mickey and Ellen who raised Mariska and her two other siblings, according to People Magazine.

Details about Mariska’s parent’s Pink Palace

A couple purchased a grand mansion painted in various hues of pink on Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California, exactly a year following their wedding. This residence later earned the nickname “The Pink Palace,” as reported by Architectural Digest.

As reported by People Magazine, in 1960, the star of Promises! Promises! provided a guided tour of their opulent residence to the BBC. Every corner of the home showcased items that symbolized their deep affection for each other.

Mickey constructed a 40-feet wide pool shaped like a heart for the actress, complete with the message “I love you Jaynie” etched in gold foil at its base. This pool was just one of the personalized touches that Mickey had thoughtfully incorporated throughout their residence.

According to Curbed LA’s report, following their divorce, ownership of the expansive mansion passed to Ringo Starr and Engelbert Humperdinck, along with several other individuals.

Jayne and Mickey welcomed three children together

Together, the couple shared three kids: Mariska, Miklos, and Zoltan. However, they both had children from prior relationships as well. The actress, in her earlier marriage, welcomed a daughter named Jayne Marie. Similarly, Mickey and his former partner also have a daughter called Tina.

The celebrity, as reported by People Magazine, told Star Weekly Magazine that they like to bring their children along wherever they go and feel strongly against the idea of leaving them in someone else’s care for upbringing.

Mariska is the only sibling involved in show business, while her brother Zoltan worked behind the scenes in film art departments during the 1990s. Miklos, on the other hand, has been running a plant shop in L.A. for over four decades and prefers to keep his life private.

Mariska’s father truly inspired her

According to the article, in 2019, the actress discussed her late father with Parade. She affectionately referred to her dad as a “superhero,” drawing a parallel between him and Wonder Woman, stating, “He’s like the male version of her.” Mariska Hargitay further shared that her father was her pillar of strength, providing guidance and support since her childhood years.

Besides admitting that he consistently established lofty objectives deemed unreachable by others, she also noted his unique approach to accomplishing them – marching to the beat of his own drum. She further shared, “He would often say this to me: ‘Why worry about what others think?’ He was very focused on understanding the path to success.”

Prior to Mickey’s demise, the father-daughter team frequently graced numerous red carpet events together. It was on the occasion when she received a Golden Globe award for the category of Best Actress in a Drama TV Series that she paid tribute to her parents during her acceptance speech.

Mariska expressed, “Exactly forty-nine years ago, my mom won a Golden Globe award, and my dad was there with her. Tonight, I’m fortunate to have my dad by my side.” She went on to say, “You are my role model, Dad. You’ve shown me not just through your words but through your actions, and I adore you.”

Mariska talks about the deep bond she feels with her mother

Despite losing her mother at a young age, Mariska’s bond with her mom, Jayne, was incredibly profound. As shared by the source, Mariska opened up to Good Housekeeping in 2010 about this experience, expressing that she found a unique understanding of Jayne that brought her a sense of tranquility.

In the process of discussing motherhood, she mentioned, “Experiencing motherhood has brought a sense of healing. It helps me comprehend the depth of her love, which brings me even closer to her.”

Actress from Law & Order, together with her spouse, actor Peter Hermann, is a parent to three kids – August, Andrew, and Amaya.

In her conversations during 2019, she shared that her mother was not just an iconic, attractive, and glamorous figure often associated with being a sex symbol; rather, she was also a proficient violinist, boasted a high IQ of 160, raised five children, and adored dogs.

Mariska noted that Jayne was progressive for her era, serving as a source of motivation. Moreover, she possessed a strong zest for living, which Mariska believed they both held in common.

Mickey graces the 100th episode of Law & Order: SVU

In the 100th episode of Law & Order: SVU, Mariska’s father made a special appearance. The episode, titled “Control,” from 2003, had Mickey playing the role of a grandfather who witnesses a man bleeding after falling from an escalator in the opening scene. Later on, he provides a statement to Detective Olivia Benson, as portrayed by Mariska.

Read More

2024-08-13 17:23