Mariska Hargitay, Mickey Hargitay Jr., Zoltan Hargitay and Jayne Marie Mansfield | Source: Getty Images
Mariska Hargitay was born to Hollywood royalty and has five siblings who also briefly followed in their famous parent's footsteps in the entertainment industry.
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Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay were once one of the hottest couples in Hollywood. They had three children together and three children from other relationships.
One child they shared forged a path for herself in the entertainment industry, carving a success story of her own – Mariska Hargitay. Although she is the most famous of the Hargitay siblings, the others also have acting credits to their names.
Mariska Hargitay with husband Peter Hermann and their children during her Hollywood Walk of Fame induction on November 8, 2013 | Source: Getty Images
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After majoring in theater at UCLA, Mariska went to star in movies and TV shows since the 1980s. Her first movie feature was in the cult classic "Ghoulies," but she is best known for her recurring appearances on the shows "ER" and "Law & Order."
After being in the industry for fifteen years, she finally got her most significant break in her role on the "Law & Order" franchise. She's received Emmy and Golden Globe awards for her performance and was once named the highest-paid actress on television.
JAYNE MANSFIELD & MICKEY HARGITAY'S MARRIAGE
When Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay first met, Mickey was already famous. He was the 1956 Mr. Universe and worked as one of Mae West's musclemen in her shows.
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Portrait of Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay circa 1963 | Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, Jayne was on the way to becoming a celebrity. On the night they first met, Jayne requested two things while at a show: an introduction to Mickey and a six-dollar steak for her dog. She got both of them.
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Years later, Mickey spoke of their first meeting. He recalled singing on stage and seeing a girl in the audience drinking a milkshake. "I fell in love! And so did she. Both of us," he said.
After the show, they briefly met and exchanged phone numbers. Although it was difficult for them to meet due to their busy schedules, gossip columnists quickly took notice of their rare appearances.
Mae West, who at the time worked with Mickey, asked to call a press conference where she ordered him to discredit rumors of his relationship with Jayne. However, this plan backfired on her, as he admitted that he and Jayne were in love instead.
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Hollywood bombshell Jayne Mansfield poses at the Dorchester Hotel in London on September 25, 1957 | Source: Getty Images
By January 1958, Jayne and Mickey were married in Palos Verdes, California. At the time, Jayne's career was at its peak. She starred in several hit films and had a Las Vegas residency while raising her children with Mickey.
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In 1964, Jayne and Mickey decided to divorce, as the pressures and demands of Hollywood strained their relationship. In the end, they remained good friends and married other people.
During their divorce proceedings, Jayne charged "cruelty" against Mickey. However, she decided to clear the air by saying she had nothing but "respect and admiration" for her ex-husband.
She simply mentioned that if two people don't get along, it was best to separate rather than continue with the marriage. Opening about their divorce, she said:
"Our paths in life might be smoother separately. It is better for our children than for us to stay together not in harmony."
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Mickey Hargitay and Jayne Mansfield at the WAIF BALL in Los Angeles on November 9, 1957 | Source: Getty Images
JAYNE & MICKEY'S OTHER MARRIAGES
Before getting married to Mickey, Jayne was married to Paul Mansfield, with whom he shared a daughter. She was only sixteen years old during their marriage and decided to keep her union and pregnancy a secret.
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After getting married, Jayne would be with Paul in an apartment they rented until she had to hurry home every night in time for her 11:00 p.m. curfew. Their union ended in divorce, but Jayne decided to keep the Mansfield surname as she felt it was a good name for an actress.
Following her marriage to Mickey years later, Jayne married Matt Cimber, whom she met on the set of "Bus Stop." Together, they shared a son named Tony Cimber.
Jayne Manfield in the publicity portrait for "Kiss Them For Me" circa 1957 | Source: Getty Images
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Meanwhile, Mickey was first married to Mary Birge, with whom he shared a daughter named Tina. They filed for divorce in early 1956, just a few years before his union to Jayne.
His third wife, Ellen Siano, was his wife until death. She was the woman Mickey's kids called "mom," and she embraced the role wholeheartedly.
Jayne Mansfield was killed instantly when the car she was riding alongside her three children struck the rear of a trailer truck.
Studio portrait of Jayne Mansfield, who died at the age of 34 in 1967. | Source: Getty Images
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MEET MARISKA'S SIBLINGS
Before Mickey found fame, he first worked as a plumber, carpenter, and contractor after migrating to the US from Hungary. He married Mary Birge in 1948 after settling in Cleveland, and their daughter Tina was born the following year.
Not much is known about Tina, but her parents' divorce was shrouded in controversy. Her mom was granted only $20 a week in child support after her separation from Mickey, but this was later amended to $300.
Jayne also had a child before her union with Mickey. She and Paul Mansfield shared a daughter named Jayne Marie Mansfield, who followed her famous mother's footsteps into the industry.
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Mariska Hargitay and half-sister Jayne Marie Mansfield attend the ceremony honoring Mariska Hargitay with a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame on November 8, 2013 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Jayne Marie is best known for her work on "Olly, Olly, Oxen Free" and "Blond in Hollywood." In more recent times, she's preferred to keep a low profile with her family on the west coast.
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During Mickey and Jayne's union, they first welcomed eldest son Miklos Jeffrey Palmer Hargitay, called "Mickey Jr." Although he's had some acting credits in the past, particularly on "New York, New York" and "The Merv Griffin Show," he's also preferred to keep away from the spotlight.
Currently, he runs a plant shop after choosing not to get involved in the industry he once called "phony" and "chaotic." Opening up about the decision, he said:
"[My family] made decisions to reach for the stars and I’ve wanted to keep my feet on the ground. I've wanted to do something that seems more grounded and is more real."
Jayne Mansfield with Matt Cimber and her children before leaving the Cedars of Lebanon Hospital after the birth of her last son, Anthony. | Source: Getty Images
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Next, after Mickey Jr., is Zoltan Anthony Hargitay. Like the rest of his family, he also has acting credits for "Retroactive," "T-Force," and "Shrunken Heads" from the 1990s.
When Zoltan was just six years old, he was severely mauled by a lion at the Jungleland Zoo in Thousand Oaks, California. He underwent two surgeries after suffering a skull fracture and multiple puncture wounds. He ultimately recovered from the traumatizing incident.
After Zoltan came Mariska Hargitay, the most well-known of the siblings. She worked her way towards becoming one of Hollywood's top-paid television actresses, thanks to her recurring role on the "Law & Order franchise.
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Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann sit courtside with their children during an NBA game on February 24, 2018 | Source: Getty Images
Mariska is currently married to fellow actor Peter Hermann, with whom she shares three children named Amaya, August, and Andrew.
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Last but not least, Jayne had one last child with her third husband, Matt Cimber, before her death. Antonio Raphael Ottaviano Cimber, known as Tony, was less than two years old when his mother died in a car accident that also involved three of his siblings.
Tony works in the entertainment industry as an actor and director, with works like "The Original Ladies of Wrestling," "GLOW: Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling," and "Married... with Children." He is also a proud dad to Jianni Alexandra Cimber, born in 1998.
Jayne Mansfield with her children Zoltan, Mariska, Jayne Marie, and Tony on December 25, 1966 | Source: Getty Images
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THE FORMER POWER COUPLE'S DEATHS
On June 29, 1967, Jayne Mansfield was killed instantly when the car she was riding alongside her three children struck the rear of a trailer truck in New Orleans. Then eight-year-old Mickey Jr., six-year-old Zoltan, and three-year-old Mariska were injured but ultimately survived.
Following Jayne's death, Mickey Hargitay was deemed Jayne's husband by the court, and he was awarded her body. However, Los Angeles courts decided that Matt Cimber was Jayne's husband, making him administrator of her California estate.
Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay with Jayne Marie, Miklos, and Zoltan in 1960 | Source: Getty Images
In 2006, Mickey Hargitay died at 80 due to bone marrow cancer. He was survived by his wife Ellen, and his four children, Mickey Jr., Zoltan, Mariska, and Tina.
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FAQs
Mariska Hargitay Has 5 Siblings — Jayne Mansfield & Mickey Harigtay's Kids Including Their Namesakes? ›
Mansfield had a daughter with her first husband, public relations professional Paul Mansfield. She was the mother of three children from her second marriage to actor/bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay.
How many kids did Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay have? ›Mansfield had a daughter with her first husband, public relations professional Paul Mansfield. She was the mother of three children from her second marriage to actor/bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay.
What are the names of Jayne Mansfield's children? › How many full siblings does Mariska Hargitay have? ›Law & Order fans may be surprised to learn that Mariska Hargitay's siblings also work in Hollywood. Hargitay, who is best known for her role as Detective Olivia Benson (now Commander) in NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, has two full siblings and three half-siblings.
How many biological children does Mariska Hargitay have? ›"Law & Order: SVU" star Mariska Hargitay and husband Peter Hermann are parents to three kids: August, 16, Amaya, 11, and Andrew, 10. In 2006, Hargitay, 58, and Hermann, 55, welcomed August, and adopted Amaya and Andrew months apart in 2011.
Is Noah on SVU Mariska's real son? ›Ryan Buggle has been a fan fave since Season 15. And his on-screen mom is showing some love. If Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) isn't putting away bad guys on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, you can bet she's lovingly taking care of her adopted son, Noah, played by Ryan Buggle.
Why did Jayne and Mickey divorce? ›The couple produced three well-publicized children (including daughter Mariska Hargitay, now 28, an actress), and once, at a Rome nightclub, Jayne made news by shimmying right out of her polka-dot dress. The marriage went sour in 1962, following her affair with an Italian filmmaker.
Who raised Jayne Mansfield's kids? ›The children escaped with minor injuries. Her father remarried a stewardess named Ellen, and they raised the three children and gave them a normal childhood. They also financially supported the children, since Jayne Mansfield's debt-ridden estate left no money for them.
What happened to Jane Mansfield's children? ›So were Mansfield's other two children from her marriage to ex-husband and former Mr. Universe Mickey Hargitay. While all three adults were thrown from the vehicle and died, Mariska, then three, asleep in the backseat, and her brothers, 8-year-old Mickey Jr. and 6-year-old Zoltan, survived.
Did Jayne Mansfield have a high IQ? ›AFP? Getty The late actress Jayne Mansfield, a sex symbol of the 1960s, had a reported IQ of 149.
Is Mariska Hargitay a Millionaire? ›
With a net worth of $100 million, Mariska Hargitay is definitely a millionaire and then some! And earning $500,000 an episode for each Law & Order: SVU season only adds to that.
Did Diane Neal and Mariska Hargitay get along? ›“There is no truth to this at all. Most of the people I've worked with are amazing, I love almost everyone I've ever worked with,” she said. “Mariska and I were not the closest, but that doesn't mean we have any animosity towards each other, we're still very supportive of each other.
Are all of Mariska kids adopted? ›Mariska Hargitay Has 2 Adopted Kids—Meet Her Sweet Family With Husband Peter Hermann. Photo: Andy Kropa/Invision/AP. She may be Detective Olivia Benson to Law & Order fans, but to Mariska Hargitay's kids, she's just known as mom.
Who is Stabler's true love? › Does Mariska Hargitay have any natural children? ›August, who is Hargitay and Hermann's first son and their only biological child, was born on June 28, 2006, when the Law & Order actress was 42.
What is celebrity net worth Mariska Hargitay? ›So What Is Mariska Hargitay's Net Worth in Total? According to Celebrity Net Worth, Mariska has $100 million in the bank, the vast majority of which is thanks to playing Detective Olivia Benson.
Who is Noah's real father on SVU? ›After taking custody of Noah, Benson learns that Noah's biological father is a pimp and serial rapist named John "Johnny D" Drake (Charles Halford), who trafficked, raped and murdered Noah's mother, Ellie Porter (Emma Greenwell).
Is Olivia's son in SVU her real son? ›Elliot Stabler, Jr. Noah Porter-Benson is the adoptive son of Captain Olivia Benson and the biological son of Ellie Porter and Johnny Drake.
What happened to Noah's grandma on SVU? ›Sheila was later handcuffed and arrested for orchestrating Noah's abduction.
What race is Mariska Hargitay? ›Her father was the Hungarian-born former Mr. Universe, Mickey Hargitay. Her first and middle names are Hungarian and refer to Mary Magdalene (Mariska is a diminutive of Mary).
Who got Jayne Mansfield's money? ›
After Mansfield's death, Hargitay, Cimbers, Vera Peers (Jayne Mansfield's mother), William Pigue (her elder daughter Jayne Marie's legal guardian), and Charles Goldring (Jayne Mansfield's business manager), as well as Bernard B.
Who owns Jayne Mansfield House? ›The Pink Palace was sold after her death and its subsequent owners have included Ringo Starr and Engelbert Humperdinck. In 2002, Humperdinck sold it to developers, and the house was demolished in November of that year.
Does Mariska Hargitay remember the car accident? ›Although the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit actress, 53, has said she doesn't remember the crash, the scar on the side of her head has served as a reminder.
How old were Jane Mansfield's children when she died? ›Mansfield, Harrison and Brody were all killed in the accident. Eight-year-old Mickey, six-year-old Zoltan and three-year-old Marie, or Mariska, had apparently been sleeping on the rear seat; they were injured but survived.
How old was Mariska Hargitay when her mom Jayne Mansfield died? ›Jayne was married to him from 1964 until 1966. Mariska was only three and a half years old when her mom tragically passed away in a car crash in Biloxi, Mississippi in June of 1967.
Was Jayne Mansfield son mauled by a lion? ›Her son, Zoltan, was mauled by a lion and after three operations developed spinal meningitis. Jayne herself contracted pneumonia.
Who is Jayne Mansfield's first child? ›Jayne Marie Mansfield (born November 8, 1950) is an American actress and model. She is the first child and eldest daughter of 1950s Hollywood sex symbol and Playboy Playmate Jayne Mansfield and Mansfield's ex-husband Paul.
Were Jayne Mansfield and Marilyn Monroe friends? ›They were never friends. Mansfield was being a publicity hound and squeezed by Marilyn but you can see MM is ignoring her. She did not want any part of the imitators .
Does Ashton Kutcher have a high IQ? ›Ashton Kutcher
But little do fans of That '70s Show and Dude, Where's My Car know that Kutcher bears no similarities to some of his former on-screen characters. The-now 44-year-old has an estimated IQ of 160, evident in his humanitarian work (he's assisted with the plight of child trafficking) and investment work.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Marilyn vos Savant, a magazine columnist, has the highest ever recorded IQ, with a score of 228.
Who has the highest IQ ever known to man? ›
There is not a distinct answer to who has the highest IQ, but it is not Albert Einstein. Those with higher IQs in comparison with Einstein include William James Sidis, Leonardo Da Vinci and Marilyn vos Savant. Sidis was a child prodigy whose IQ was estimated to be anywhere between 200 to 300, says parade.com.
How much does Ice-T make per episode on SVU law and order? ›Ice-T's net worth
Ice-T has a net worth of $65 million. He receives $250,000 per "Law & Order: SVU" episode. Before syndication payments, that comes out to almost $6 million per season.
Click here to read the full article. At the peak of his Law & Order: SVU career, Meloni and his co-star Hargitay were being paid approximately $395,000 an episode, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
How much does Mariska Hargitay make on Law & Order SVU? ›Mariska Hargitay is an American actress, filmmaker, and philanthropist popularly known for her role as detective Olivia Benson in Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. She is the highest-paid actor on the crime hit Television show Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, earning $500,000 per episode.
Are Mariska Hargitay and Ice-T friends in real life? ›Ice-T revealed he and Mariska Hargitay are just as good of friends IRL as they are on Law & Order: SVU. Plus, the rapper weighs in on whether Benson and Stabler will ever get together.
Did Olivia Benson have a drinking problem? ›Hargitay hasn't forgotten about Benson's familial history surrounding alcohol abuse, either. Actually, she thinks the fact Benson's mother died tragically after falling down the stairs drunk is exactly why Benson won't let her drinking get out of hand. “It was a moment and that is why she will never.
Are Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay friends in real life? ›Hargitay and Meloni have had a strong friendship for many years. At the 2021 Glamour Women of the Year Awards, he said about her, “I have been trusted with one task tonight: introduce someone who needs no introduction, who I've been working with for 13 years, and been friends with for 22.
Who is Mariska Hargitay best friend? ›For over 10 years, Debra Messing and Mariska Hargitay have forged a touching friendship that's become a favorite amongst Hollywood BFFs.
Does Mariska Hargitay have a nanny? ›“I was so worried about going back to work,” says Hargitay, who brings her son and nanny to the set with her every day. “I don't leave home without him!
How many kids does Olivia Benson have in real life? ›To most people, Mariska Hargitay is known as Olivia Benson, the badass police detective-turned-captain in Law & Order: SVU. But at home, the 57-year-old actress is simply known as “Mom” to her three kids, whom she shares with husband Peter Hermann.
Is Barba in love with Benson? ›
While they do not part as friends, however, they admit that they miss each other. Showrunner Julie Martin, in an interview for Today, said that she did not want the last scene between Barba and Benson to imply a romantic connection between Benson and Barba but a deep love as friends.
What is the necklace Olivia Benson wears? ›Me&Ro Pendant Worn by Mariska Hargitay as Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU.
Who blew up Stabler's wife? ›Sacha Lenski was a mobster-for-hire who murdered Elliot Stabler's wife, Kathy Stabler under the orders of Richard Wheatley.
How old was Mariska Hargitay when she had her last child? ›"Law & Order: SVU" star Mariska Hargitay and husband Peter Hermann are parents to three kids: August, 16, Amaya, 11, and Andrew, 10. In 2006, Hargitay, 58, and Hermann, 55, welcomed August, and adopted Amaya and Andrew months apart in 2011.
Who is Olivia Benson married to in real life? ›Law & Order: SVU fans have been loving Mariska Hargitay (Olivia Benson) since she debuted on the show in fall 1999. The show has been pivotal to Hargitay's life, both professionally and personally. Proof of the latter category is in the fact Hargitay actually met her IRL husband, Peter Hermann, on the set of the show.
Who is the highest paid actor on Law and Order SVU? ›Considering that Mariska Hargitay is the longest-running cast member on Law & Order: SVU, having started on the show with its premiere and continuing into its 24th season, it's no surprise that Hargitay is the highest-paid actor on the show. She earns a reported $500,000 per episode.
How much does Angela Bassett make per episode? ›Angela Bassett Makes a Huge Amount for 9-1-1 on FOX
In 2021, Deadline reported that she inked a new deal ahead of season 5 earning her north of $450,000 an episode. This content is imported from Giphy.
Meloni told the magazine that he asked NBC for a more pay, but when network couldn't give him the salary that he wanted, he tried to negotiate the number of the episodes he was in, which the creators of SVU also couldn't approve either.
How many adopted children does Mariska Hagerty have? ›Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann have three children. The Law & Order: SVU actress has one biological son and adopted another son and daughter.
Did Mariska Hargitay adopt all her children? ›Mariska Hargitay Has 2 Adopted Kids—Meet Her Sweet Family With Husband Peter Hermann. She may be Detective Olivia Benson to Law & Order fans, but to Mariska Hargitay's kids, she's just known as mom.
How many children does Mariska Hargitay and her husband have? ›
'Law and Order: SVU' Star Mariska Hargitay Draws Major Attention With Rare Family Photos. The NBC actress and her husband Peter Hermann have three children together.
How much does Mariska Hargitay make per episode? ›How much does Mariska Hargitay make per episode? Mariska Hargitay reportedly earns $500,000 per episode for her role as Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU, putting her in the top tier of actor salaries on TV.
How much does Mariska Hagerty make a year? ›And yes, Mariska makes money from them. Celebrity Net Worth reports that she can make anywhere from $2 million to $4 million extra per year thanks to bonuses and syndications—meaning she's usually earning up to $15 million total from SVU every year.
Are Mariska Hargitay and Ice T friends in real life? ›Ice-T revealed he and Mariska Hargitay are just as good of friends IRL as they are on Law & Order: SVU. Plus, the rapper weighs in on whether Benson and Stabler will ever get together.
How old is Mariska Hargitay and what is her net worth? ›At the end of the day, Hartigay is worth a repoted $100 million. This is information taken from Fortune and Forbes. At 59 years of age, Mariska Hartigay will eventually retire as one of the highest-paid actresses in television history.
What ethnicity is Mariska Hargitay? ›Her father was the Hungarian-born former Mr. Universe, Mickey Hargitay. Her first and middle names are Hungarian and refer to Mary Magdalene (Mariska is a diminutive of Mary).