The One Tragedy That Changed Mariska Hargitay Forever

Publish date: 2024-05-07

When Mariska Hargitay was just 3, her mother, actor Jayne Mansfield, tragically died in a car accident. According to History.com, Mansfield's car crashed into a trailer on Route 90, just east of New Orleans, on June 29, 1967. At the time, Mansfield was headed for New Orleans, where she was scheduled to appear on WDSU's "Midday," per Nola.com. History.com reported that due to a "thick white fog," the car Mansfield was in hit a trailer from behind — Mansfield, her driver Ronald B. Harrison, and friend Samuel S. Brody all died in the accident. According to the outlet, Hargitay was in the car at the time, along with her two siblings. 

Over the course of her illustrious career, Mansfield appeared in a number of celebrated films, from "The Girl Can't Help It" to "When Strangers Meet." And among her many successes are the Theater World Award and a Golden Globe Award. Today, Mansfield is buried in Pennsylvania. However, according to Nola.com, the crash site has become a popular tourist destination over the years. 

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