Quick Facts — Tony Cimber
| Real Name | Antonio Raphael Ottaviano Cimber |
| Birthday | October 18, 1965 (age 60) |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California |
| Height | 183 cm (6’0″) |
| Occupation | Former Actor, Director |
| Net Worth | $400,000 |
| Mother | Jayne Mansfield |
| Father | Matt Cimber (Matteo Ottaviano Cimber) |
| Half-Sister | Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: SVU) |
Who Is Tony Cimber?
Tony Cimber — born Antonio Raphael Ottaviano Cimber on October 18, 1965 — is the son of 1950s Hollywood icon Jayne Mansfield and Italian-American filmmaker Matt Cimber. He’s a former actor and director who worked on projects like GLOW: Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling before stepping away from the entertainment industry.
Tony was only 21 months old when his mother died in a car accident on June 29, 1967. Despite growing up without her, he’s remained connected to his large and famous family — which includes half-sister Mariska Hargitay, the Emmy-winning star of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Today, Tony lives a quiet, private life outside of Hollywood. Here’s everything we know about him.
Early Life and Background
Tony was born on October 18, 1965, in Los Angeles, California. His full legal name, Antonio Raphael Ottaviano Cimber, reflects his Italian heritage from his father’s side. Matt Cimber (born Matteo Ottaviano Cimber) was an Italian-American director, screenwriter, and producer who had already made a name for himself in film and theater by the time Tony arrived.
Tony’s early childhood wasn’t easy. His parents’ marriage had already broken down — Matt and Jayne separated in July 1965, just months before Tony was born. And before Tony turned two, his mother was killed in an accident that shook the entertainment world.
After Jayne’s death, Tony was raised primarily by his father, Matt Cimber. Matt kept working in Hollywood, directing films and television throughout the 1970s and 1980s, which meant Tony grew up around the industry — even if he wasn’t always in the spotlight himself.
His Famous Mother: Jayne Mansfield
Jayne Mansfield (born Vera Jayne Palmer on April 19, 1933) was one of the biggest sex symbols of the 1950s and 1960s. She was a 20th Century Fox contract star often called the “Working Man’s Monroe” — a blonde bombshell who rivaled Marilyn Monroe in popularity during the late 1950s.
But Jayne was far more than her image suggested. She reportedly had an IQ of 163 and spoke five languages — English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian. She played violin, was a classically trained pianist, and studied drama at the University of Texas at Austin and UCLA. The press dubbed her the “smartest dumb blonde” in Hollywood.
Jayne became Playboy‘s Playmate of the Month in February 1955, and her career took off from there. She starred in films like The Girl Can’t Help It (1956), Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957), and Kiss Them for Me (1957). She was also a successful nightclub performer and stage actress.
By the early 1960s, Jayne’s film career had slowed. She turned to international films and nightclub tours to keep working. In 1964, she married Tony’s father, Matt Cimber, after he directed her in a stage production of Bus Stop in New York.
His Father: Matt Cimber
Matt Cimber (born Matteo Ottaviano Cimber, also known as Thomas Vitale Ottaviano) was an Italian-American filmmaker who worked as a director, producer, and screenwriter across several decades. He directed Jayne Mansfield in theater before they married in September 1964 in Mexico.
Matt managed Jayne’s career during their brief marriage. After their separation in 1965 and Jayne’s death in 1967, Matt continued directing films and TV, including the blaxploitation film The Black Six (1973) and the cult film Butterfly (1982) starring Pia Zadora. He’s also credited with creating GLOW: Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, the 1986 syndicated TV show that later inspired the Netflix series of the same name.
Matt raised Tony after Jayne’s passing and remained active in the entertainment business until later in life.
Jayne Mansfield’s Tragic Death
On June 29, 1967, Jayne Mansfield was killed in a car accident on U.S. Route 90 near New Orleans, Louisiana. She was 34 years old.
Jayne had been traveling from a nightclub appearance in Biloxi, Mississippi, to New Orleans for a television interview. She was in the front seat of a 1966 Buick Electra with her driver, Ronnie Harrison, and her boyfriend, Sam Brody. Three of her children — Miklós, Zoltán, and Mariska Hargitay — were asleep in the back seat.
The car struck the rear of a tractor-trailer that had slowed due to a mosquito-fogging truck ahead. Jayne, Ronnie Harrison, and Sam Brody all died at the scene. The three children in the back survived with minor injuries.
Tony wasn’t in the car that night. He was just 21 months old at the time, and he’d been left at home. He’d grow up knowing his mother only through photos, films, and the stories told by his father and half-siblings.
Jayne’s death had a lasting impact on auto safety in the United States. The Mansfield bar — the steel underride guard now required on the rear of semi-trailers — was named after her, though the NHTSA had already been developing the regulation before the accident.
Tony Cimber’s Siblings
Tony comes from a large, blended family. Jayne Mansfield was married three times and had five children with three different men. Tony also has half-siblings from his father Matt Cimber’s other relationships.
Here’s the full sibling breakdown:
Through Jayne Mansfield
- Jayne Marie Mansfield (born 1950) — Jayne’s eldest daughter from her first marriage to Paul Mansfield. Jayne Marie has spoken publicly about her complicated relationship with her famous mother.
- Miklós (Mickey) Hargitay Jr. (born 1958) — Actor and filmmaker, son of Jayne and bodybuilder-turned-actor Mickey Hargitay. He’s appeared in films and has worked as a producer.
- Zoltán Hargitay (born 1960) — Son of Jayne and Mickey Hargitay. Zoltán survived a childhood lion attack in 1966 and the 1967 car crash that killed his mother.
- Mariska Hargitay (born January 23, 1964) — The most famous of Tony’s siblings. She’s an Emmy-winning actress best known for playing Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit since 1999. Mariska was just three years old when she survived the car accident that killed Jayne. She founded the Joyful Heart Foundation to support survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse.
Through Matt Cimber
- Jianni Cimber — Tony’s half-sibling through his father Matt Cimber.
Despite coming from a fractured family tree, Tony and his siblings have maintained connections over the years. Mariska Hargitay has shared photos with Tony and his family on social media, and the Hargitay-Mansfield-Cimber extended family has come together for various events and remembrances.
Career in Entertainment
Tony followed his parents into the entertainment industry, though on a much smaller scale. He worked as both an actor and director, primarily in the late 1980s.
His most notable work was on GLOW: Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, the syndicated wrestling/entertainment show created by his father Matt Cimber. Tony appeared on-screen as “Nature Boy” in at least one episode, and he also directed two episodes of the series. The original GLOW ran from 1986 to 1990 and became a cult favorite — it later inspired the critically acclaimed Netflix series GLOW (2017–2019) starring Alison Brie.
Tony also worked on Houses of Mystery: Mysteries of the Cathedrals, a documentary project.
At some point, Tony stepped away from acting and directing entirely. He hasn’t taken on any new public projects in decades, and he doesn’t appear to have pursued a long-term career in Hollywood. Given the weight of his family name and the shadow cast by his mother’s legacy, it’s understandable that Tony chose a different path.
Personal Life
Tony Cimber keeps his personal life extremely private. He’s married, though his wife’s name hasn’t been made public. The couple has a daughter, Jianni (Janni) Cimber, born in August 1998.
In May 2014, Mariska Hargitay posted a photo of Tony and his daughter on Facebook, giving fans a rare glimpse into the family’s private life. Beyond that, Tony doesn’t appear to have any public social media accounts — no Instagram, no Facebook, no X (formerly Twitter).
Tony’s estimated net worth is around $400,000. For context, his mother Jayne Mansfield had an estimated net worth of about $2 million at the time of her death in 1967 — a significant sum for that era.
Today, Tony lives a quiet life away from the cameras. While his half-sister Mariska Hargitay is one of the most recognizable faces on television, Tony has chosen to stay out of the public eye — a decision that seems to suit him well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tony Cimber related to Mariska Hargitay?
Yes. Tony and Mariska are half-siblings. They share the same mother, Jayne Mansfield. Tony’s father is Matt Cimber, while Mariska’s father is Mickey Hargitay.
Was Tony Cimber in the car crash that killed Jayne Mansfield?
No. Tony was only 21 months old at the time and wasn’t in the car. His half-siblings Miklós, Zoltán, and Mariska Hargitay were in the back seat and survived the crash with minor injuries.
What does Tony Cimber do for a living?
Tony is a retired actor and director. He previously worked on GLOW: Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling as both a performer and director. He now lives a private life outside of the entertainment industry.
How old is Tony Cimber?
Tony Cimber was born on October 18, 1965. He’s currently 60 years old.
Who raised Tony Cimber after Jayne Mansfield died?
Tony was raised by his father, Matt Cimber. Matt and Jayne had already separated before Tony was born, and after Jayne’s death in 1967, Matt took primary responsibility for raising his son while continuing to work as a filmmaker.
