People » Died Young » Jayne Mansfield
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Jayne Mansfield was an American actress and popular sex symbol of the 1950s. She was one of the original platinum blonde bombshells and appeared in Playboy magazine several times. Mansfield died in a car accident at the age of 34. Her daughter Mariska Hargitay, who was in the car when Mansfield died, is an award-winning actress best known for her work on the tv show Law and Order. |
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Born as Vera Jane Palmer in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania to Herbert William Palmer and Vera Jeffrey Palmer.
Late 1940s
Attends Highland Park High School in Dallas.
May 10, 1950
Marries Paul Mansfield at the age of 17.
Nov. 8, 1950
Gives birth to daughter Jayne-Marie Mansfield.
1954
The couple moves to Los Angeles where Mansfield begins studying drama at UCLA.
1954
Lands a small part in the The Female Jungle
Jan. 1955
She takes part in a publicity campaign for the Howard Hughes film, Underwater!, starring Jane Russell.
Feb. 1955
Is selected as "Playmate of the Month" by Playboy magazine.
1955
Portrays Rita Marlowe on Broadway wearing only a towel in Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?
1956
Receives the Theatre World Award for her performance in Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?
1956
Stars in the The Girl Can't Help It.
May 3, 1956
Signs a contract with 20th Century Fox.
1957
Reprises her role of Rita Marlowe in the movie version of Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? with Tony Randall.
1957
Wins a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer.
Oct. 1957
Goes on a tour of Europe for 20th Century Fox.
Nov. 4, 1957
Is presented to Queen Elizabeth, to whom she says, "You are so beautiful." The Queen replies, "So are you."
Jan. 13, 1958
Divorces Paul Mansfield. Marries Mickey Hargitay the same day.
1958
Stars in the comedy Western, The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw
Dec. 21, 1958
Gives birth to son Miklós Jeffrey Hargitay.
1959
Wins a Golden Laurel for Top Female Musical Performance for her role in The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw
Aug. 1, 1960
Gives birth to Zoltan Anthony Hargitay.
1963
Poses for Playboy magazine on the set of the movie Promises, Promises. The series of photographs ends up getting Hugh Hefner charged with obscenity.
Jan. 24, 1964
Daughter Mariska Hargitay is born.
1964
Divorces Mickey Hargitay.
Sept. 4, 1964
Marries director Matt Cimber.
Oct. 18, 1965
Gives birth to Antonio Raphael Ottaviano Cimber.
1966
Divorces Matt Cimber.
Mid-1960s
Anton LaVey of the Church of Satan becomes smitted with Mansfield and makes moves on her. They meet as a publicity stunt, but according to Mansfield's managers and friends, there was no romance between the two. Mansfield says in an interview: "He had fallen in love with me and wanted to join my life with his. It was a laugh." After her death, LaVey would claim they had an affair.
June 29, 1967
Mansfied dies at the age of 34 in a car accident on Highway 90 near Slidell, Louisiana. The car crashes into a truck and slides under it. The three adults in the front seat are killed. Mansfield's children, including Mariska, are sleeping in the backseat and survive the accident. Mariska Hargitay has a scar on her head from the accident, but has no memory of the event.
July 3, 1967
Her private funderal is held in Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania.