Hargitay and Jayne Mansfield, Around the time of their 1958 marriage
Posted on 09/18/2006 7:50:16 PM PDT by Borges
LOS ANGELES - Mickey Hargitay, the actor and world champion bodybuilder who was married to 1950s sex siren Jayne Mansfield and whose daughter is Emmy-winning winning actress Mariska Hargitay, has died. He was 80.
Hargitay died Thursday in Los Angeles, according to a family statement issued Monday through publicist Gary Mantoosh. The cause of death was not released.
"Words cannot express how saddened we are by the loss of Mickey," the statement said. "At the same time, we are so grateful for who he was and is to all of us, and for the love he gave us in our lives. He will continue to be our source of inspiration and strength."
Born Miklos Hargitay in 1926, he emigrated from his native Hungary to the United States after World War II. He became interested in bodybuilding in the 1950s and was named Mr. Universe, Mr. America and Mr. Olympia in 1955.
"My dad's a bit of a superhero," Mariska Hargitay told the National Public Radio show "Fresh Air" last year.
He parlayed his perfect physique into a performing career when Mae West tapped him to be one of the musclemen in her stage show.
It was there that Hargitay met Mansfield, whom he married in 1957. That same year, he made his big-screen debut in "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue." He went on to star opposite his wife in three films: "The Loves of Hercules," "Promises! Promises!" and "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?"
The couple had three children together, including Mariska, before divorcing in 1964. Mansfield died in a car crash in 1967.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who played Hargitay in the 1982 TV movie "The Jayne Mansfield Story," offered his condolences and called Hargitay "a magnificent individual."
"Mickey was such an inspiration and always had such a positive attitude," Schwarzenegger said in a statement. "He was a role model of mine for being a successful immigrant who came to this country and pursued his dreams."
Hargitay's career continued after his divorce with appearances in a half-dozen Italian films and horror flicks. He even guest-starred in a 2003 episode of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," the show in which his daughter Mariska plays a leading role.
When she won an Emmy for her work last month, Mariska tearfully thanked her father, "because he is the reason I'm standing here today."
Besides Mariska, survivors include his wife, Ellen, sons Mickey Jr. and Zoltan, and another daughter, Tina.
Age 80, dated Jane Mansfield, Mr Universe and America sounds like he had a good long life. Prayers for the family. I never knew Mariska was the daughter of Jane Mansfield. Good genes I guess she can look forward to a long life.
IIRC, Mariska has no memory of the accident but does have a scar on her head from the crash.
It is visible in a lot of episodes.
Hey sevenofNine, long time no see. Hope all's well with you. Welcome back...
I just read today that the rumor came from the fact her wig was thrown onto the dashboard from the force of the accident.
The car crash happened on HWY 90 between Biloxi, MS and New Orleans, La if I remember correctly..
It's Hollywood.
He probably changed his name to that.
Well, it was the kindest word to use for a family website...
First saw her on ER (before it went all left, all the time). Hubba hubba dooba dooba!
She looked great with short hair, IMO
It was sold in 2002 and torn down.:(
Where on Sunset? Do you know the cross streets?
10100 Sunset Boulevard, in Beverly Hills.
It was torn down in November 2002. There are some lovely pics at the link.
May he rest in peace. He had what seems a wonderful life.
I would have guessed he was past age 80.
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