Mariska Hargitay, the beloved star of Law & Order: SVU, recently opened up about a deeply personal family truth in her new documentary, “My Mom Jayne”. For more than 30 years, she believed her father was Mickey Hargitay, the Hungarian-American actor and former Mr. Universe who raised her. But in her twenties, Mariska discovered her biological father is actually Nelson Sardelli, an Italian-born entertainer from Las Vegas.

The discovery came after she noticed a striking resemblance to Sardelli and decided to ask questions. Despite learning this, Mariska has always stayed loyal to Mickey, who passed away in 2006. In the documentary, she shares the emotional moment she met Sardelli for the first time at one of his shows in Atlantic City when she was 30. Sardelli was moved to tears, saying he had waited decades for that day. Mariska, while touched, told him she didn’t need anything from him because she already had a father.

Over time, she built a relationship with Sardelli and even met her half-sisters, who appear in the film. The documentary also explores the life of her mother, Jayne Mansfield, a famous actress of the 1950s whose life was full of both glamour and tragedy. Jayne died in a car accident when Mariska was just three years old.

Through “My Mom Jayne”, Mariska invites viewers into her complex family story, showing how she’s come to embrace her past and honor both her mother’s legacy and her own journey. The film includes interviews with family members, giving a full picture of her life and roots. The documentary will be available to stream on HBO Max starting June 27, 2025.