Mariska Hargitay reflects on the life and legacy of her mother, Jayne Mansfield, in a deeply personal new HBO documentary now streaming on Max.

Mariska Hargitay is opening up like never before in My Mom, Jayne—a new HBO documentary that explores the life and legacy of her mother, Hollywood icon Jayne Mansfield. Now streaming on HBO Max, the film blends rare archival footage, never-before-seen family photos, and intimate reflections to reintroduce the world to one of the most talked-about women of the 1950s and ’60s.

Best known for her long-running role as Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU, Hargitay was just three years old when her mother died in a devastating car accident in 1967. While she’s rarely spoken in depth about the loss, this documentary marks a turning point—giving Hargitay space to process and share Mansfield’s story on her own terms. Hargitay also spoke exclusively with Vanity Fair about her mother, biological father, and the documentary.

Jayne Mansfield shot to fame after being named Playboy’s Playmate of the Month in February 1955, a moment that launched her into stardom. She landed a breakout Broadway role in Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?, later reprising it for the 1957 film adaptation, and wowed audiences in movies like The Girl Can’t Help It and The Wayward Bus, the latter of which earned her a Golden Globe.

Though her career eventually shifted from Hollywood studios to nightclubs and television, Mansfield remained a pop culture force until her untimely death at 37. My Mom, Jayne reframes her image beyond the bombshell persona—through the eyes of the daughter still carrying her memory.

Keep scrolling to see old photos of Jayne Mansfield from her Hollywood days.