Quick Facts About Mickey Hargitay Jr.
- Full Name: Miklós Jeffrey Palmer Hargitay
- Date of Birth: December 21, 1958 (Age 67)
- Birthplace: Hollywood, California
- Occupation: Actor, Plant Shop Owner
- Known For: Son of Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay; Half-brother of Mariska Hargitay
Mickey Hargitay Jr. is the eldest son of two of Hollywood’s most recognizable figures from the 1950s and 1960s — actress Jayne Mansfield and bodybuilder-turned-actor Mickey Hargitay. Born Miklós Jeffrey Palmer Hargitay on December 21, 1958, in Hollywood, California, he grew up in the spotlight before family tragedy changed everything. Today, at 67, he’s carved out a quieter life far removed from the fame that once surrounded his parents.
Early Life in Hollywood
Mickey Jr. was born into a household that attracted constant media attention. His mother, Jayne Mansfield, was one of the biggest blonde bombshells in Hollywood, and his father, Mickey Hargitay Sr., was a Hungarian-born bodybuilder who’d won the Mr. Universe title in 1955 before transitioning to acting. The couple’s glamorous lifestyle and high-profile marriage made headlines throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Growing up, Mickey Jr. shared the household with his brother Zoltan Hargitay and their older half-sister Jayne Marie Mansfield, who was Jayne’s daughter from her first marriage to Paul Mansfield. The Hargitay home in the “Pink Palace” — Jayne Mansfield’s famous pink mansion on Sunset Boulevard — was a fixture in celebrity culture at the time.
His parents’ marriage didn’t last, however. Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay Sr. divorced in 1964, when Mickey Jr. was just five years old. His mother went on to marry film director Matt Cimber, with whom she had another son, Tony Cimber. Meanwhile, his father remarried as well, and that union produced Mickey Jr.’s most famous sibling — half-sister Mariska Hargitay.
His Mother Jayne Mansfield
A 1950s Icon
Jayne Mansfield was one of the most prominent actresses of the 1950s, often compared to Marilyn Monroe for her platinum blonde hair, hourglass figure, and comedic talent. She earned a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer in 1957 and starred in films like The Girl Can’t Help It (1956) and Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957). Beyond film, she was a savvy self-promoter and Broadway performer who understood how to keep herself in the public eye.
By the mid-1960s, however, her career had started to slow, and she increasingly relied on nightclub appearances and smaller film roles to make a living.
The 1967 Tragedy
On June 29, 1967, Jayne Mansfield was killed in a car accident on a highway outside New Orleans. She was just 34 years old. She’d been traveling to a television appearance with her driver and her attorney when their car struck the rear of a tractor-trailer that had slowed in the road.
Mickey Jr. was eight years old at the time. He, along with his brother Zoltan and baby half-sister Mariska (who was only three), were asleep in the back seat of the car. All three children survived the crash. The loss of their mother at such young ages left a lasting mark on the entire family. Mariska Hargitay has spoken publicly over the years about how their mother’s death shaped her and her siblings, and the experience has remained a deeply personal subject for the family.
His Father Mickey Hargitay Sr.
Mickey Hargitay Sr. was born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1926 and came to the United States as an immigrant. He built a career as a bodybuilder, winning the Mr. Universe title in 1955, which opened doors to Hollywood. He appeared in several films — often in roles that showcased his physique — and met Jayne Mansfield in 1956 while performing in Mae West’s stage show. The two married in 1958, the same year Mickey Jr. was born.
After his divorce from Mansfield, Mickey Sr. remarried and had daughter Mariska in 1964. He remained involved in his children’s lives and eventually settled into a quieter existence. Mickey Hargitay Sr. passed away on September 14, 2006, at the age of 80, in Los Angeles. His children, including Mickey Jr., were at his side.
His Half-Sister Mariska Hargitay
Of all the Mansfield-Hargitay siblings, Mariska Hargitay became the most famous in her own right. She’s best known for playing Detective (and later Captain) Olivia Benson on NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, a role she’s held since the show premiered in 1999. She’s won an Emmy and multiple Screen Actors Guild Awards for the part.
Mariska is Mickey Jr.’s half-sister through their father — they share Mickey Hargitay Sr. as a parent, but Mariska’s mother is Ellen Siano, their father’s second wife. Despite the “half” distinction, the siblings have remained close. Mariska has frequently talked about her bond with her brothers and the shared experience of losing their mother at a young age. In 2004, she founded the Joyful Heart Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse — work that’s deeply connected to her role on SVU and her own life experiences.
Career and Life Today
Unlike his famous half-sister, Mickey Hargitay Jr. chose a much lower-profile path. He did pursue some acting work earlier in his life, following in both of his parents’ footsteps, but he never sought major stardom.
In more recent years, Mickey Jr. has become known for running a plant shop — a far cry from the glitz of Hollywood that defined his childhood. It’s a business that reflects his long-standing interest in nature and horticulture. He’s largely stayed out of the public eye, preferring a private life over red carpets and interviews.
At 67, Mickey Jr. lives quietly. He’s maintained connections with his siblings while keeping his personal life off the record. For someone who grew up in one of Hollywood’s most photographed families, it’s a deliberate and understandable choice.
The Mansfield-Hargitay Family
The Mansfield-Hargitay family tree is complex, shaped by multiple marriages and blended households. Here’s how the siblings connect:
Jayne Mansfield’s children:
- Jayne Marie Mansfield — daughter with first husband Paul Mansfield
- Mickey Hargitay Jr. — son with Mickey Hargitay Sr.
- Zoltan Hargitay — son with Mickey Hargitay Sr.
- Tony Cimber — son with third husband Matt Cimber
Mickey Hargitay Sr.’s children:
- Mickey Hargitay Jr. — son with Jayne Mansfield
- Zoltan Hargitay — son with Jayne Mansfield
- Mariska Hargitay — daughter with second wife Ellen Siano
This blended family — connected through Hollywood fame, personal loss, and shared resilience — remains one of the more notable family stories in entertainment history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mickey Hargitay Jr.?
Mickey Hargitay Jr. (born Miklós Jeffrey Palmer Hargitay) is the son of actress Jayne Mansfield and bodybuilder/actor Mickey Hargitay Sr. He was born on December 21, 1958, in Hollywood, California. He’s an actor and plant shop owner.
Is Mickey Hargitay Jr. related to Mariska Hargitay?
Yes. Mariska Hargitay is Mickey Jr.’s half-sister. They share the same father, Mickey Hargitay Sr. Mariska’s mother is Ellen Siano, while Mickey Jr.’s mother is Jayne Mansfield.
Was Mickey Hargitay Jr. in the car when Jayne Mansfield died?
Yes. Mickey Jr., his brother Zoltan, and baby half-sister Mariska were in the back seat of the car during the June 29, 1967 accident that killed their mother. All three children survived.
What does Mickey Hargitay Jr. do now?
Mickey Jr. owns a plant shop and lives a private life away from Hollywood. He did some acting work earlier in his career but has largely stayed out of the public spotlight.
How old is Mickey Hargitay Jr.?
Mickey Hargitay Jr. was born on December 21, 1958, making him 67 years old.
Related Celebrities
- Jayne Marie Mansfield — Half-sister (Jayne Mansfield’s eldest daughter)
- Zoltan Hargitay — Brother (son of Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay Sr.)
- Tony Cimber — Half-brother (Jayne Mansfield’s son with Matt Cimber)
- Jianni Cimber — Related through the Mansfield family
