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Mariska Hargitay Reveals The Sweet Link She Sees Between Law And Order: SVU’s Olivia Benson And Her Late Mother Jayne Mansfield

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Mariska Hargitay is a cherished actress who is renowned for portraying a memorable role, specifically Law & Order: SVU’s resilient detective Olivia Benson. This character has paved the way for female characters on television, embodying strength, autonomy, intelligence, and complexity that revolutionized the way women are portrayed on screen. Hargitay takes pride in her work on the show, and over time, she has noticed similarities between her iconic character and her late mother, Jayne Mansfield.

In a recent conversation with Entertainment Weekly, Hargitay shared insights about her upcoming HBO documentary named “My Mom Jayne“. Scheduled for television in June 2025 and accessible through Max streaming service, the film she directed explores Mansfield’s life as a renowned actress and sex symbol before her untimely death at age 34. The production also touches upon Hargitay’s connection to her mother’s enduring legacy.

It’s difficult to picture someone drawing instant parallels between “L&O’s” Olivia Benson and a Golden Age star like Mansfield, but Hargitay has pondered over this resemblance quite a bit throughout the years. Interestingly enough, she finds some commonalities between her character and her mother, as she confided in Entertainment Weekly that they both possess a striking similarity: a particular characteristic.

Her heart holds deep compassion. I can attest to the fact that [my mother] was a profoundly kind, compassionate, and empathetic individual who embodied love. However, Olivia is bold and unflinching when it comes to confrontation. She forges her own path and adheres to a unique set of principles.

Despite Benson’s bold and hardened demeanor, it’s her unwavering empathy for the victims in the series that captivates viewers. Benson tirelessly pursues justice for these victims, ensuring that wrongdoers face the maximum penalties prescribed by law. Similarly, Jayne Mansfield, though not a police detective, was deeply caring and affectionate towards her daughter and those close to her, as Hargitay recounts. This tender side of her is heartwarming, and it’s beautiful that Hargitay is preserving her mother’s legacy even after all these years.

Yet, Hargitay emphasized the disparities between Benson and her mother’s public persona. In the character of Olivia Benson, the Emmy-winning actress found a platform to portray female strength and unyielding resilience against injustice. She acknowledged that her mother didn’t have this chance because of societal constraints during her time and the “bombshell” image that confined her. Hargitay suggested these limitations might have shaped her mother into who she became, and possibly influenced her affinity for the Benson character. In her own words:

Olivia Benson sets her own guidelines, refusing to be bossed around by others. She and I share an unconventional strength and approach problems in unique ways, rejecting societal norms or expectations imposed by patriarchal structures, which are often limiting. My mother’s experiences have influenced my perspective on how I navigate the world.

It’s evident that Mansfield played a significant role in shaping Hargitay’s method for portraying her renowned TV character. Initially, Hargitay might not have realized it, but she has absorbed the profound impact of embodying her mother’s cultural influence within media. Whether it’s challenging or investigating it, Mansfield’s enduring legacy has become a crucial factor in Hargitay’s perspective on stardom as a “female powerhouse” and her portrayal of Olivia Benson.

Watch Mariska Hargitay’s documentary titled “My Mom Jayne” by streaming it on HBO or HBO Max. Fans of the actress can additionally catch her portrayal as Olivia Benson in “Law & Order: SVU,” which is currently available for streaming with a Peacock subscription.

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2025-07-02 21:38

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