Mariska Hargitay faced tragedy early in life
Mariska Hargitay was born in January 1964 to Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay. Her parents were no strangers to fame on their own, as Mickey was a former Mr. Universe championship winner, and Mansfield was a famous Hollywood actress. However, tragedy struck for Hargitay in 1967, when Mansfield died in a car accident.
Hargitay, who was also in the car, ended up with a scar but was otherwise unhurt. She was subsequently raised by Mickey and his then-wife Ellen Siano, who became the mother figure in Hargitay's life.
Hargitay also followed in her father's footsteps, becoming Miss Beverly Hills USA in 1982 and going on to compete in the Miss California USA pageant in 1983, where she was less successful. She also went to the UCLA School of Theater Film and Television, but quit before she finished her degree.
Hargitay made her acting debut in the 1985 film "Ghoulies" as Donna. She followed that up with lead roles in subsequent years: "Welcome to 18," where she played Joey, and "Jocks," where she played Nicole.
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