20 Stunning Photos Of ‘Blonde Bombshell’ Jayne Mansfield That Shed New Light On Her Life
When you hear the term “blonde bombshell,” odds are Marilyn Monroe comes to mind. However, there were many other high-profile blondes working in Hollywood around the same time. One of them was Jayne Mansfield, who tragically lost her life in a horrific accident in 1967.
Here’s a look back at Mansfield’s life and career, from her early aspirations of being like Shirley Temple to her breakthrough roles and the birth of her children.
Born in Pennsylvania
Vera Jayne Palmer was born on April 19, 1933, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Her father, Herbert, was an attorney and musician, while her mother, Vera, was a former schoolteacher.
Experiencing tragedy at a young age
Palmer experienced an unimaginable tragedy when she was just three years old, when her father perished after suffering a heart attack. While some children might let such an event negatively impact them (and understandably so), Mansfield used it to drive and shape her ambition.
Moving the family to Dallas, Texas
Palmer’s mother remarried in 1939, to sales engineer Harry Lawrence Peers, and the family subsequently moved to Dallas, Texas.
Drawing inspiration from Shirley Temple
Palmer showed an early interest in the performing arts, looking up to child actor Shirley Temple. She took lessons in voila, dance and violin, and was known to perform for neighbors and passersby. Her academic prowess was also notable, with her excelling in languages and other subjects.
Becoming Jayne Mansfield
At the age of 17, Palmer married Paul Mansfield, subsequently taking his name. The couple had a daughter, Jayne Marie, in 1950, and Mansfield balanced being a new mother and taking acting classes in university.
Winning beauty pageants across Texas
While attending the University of Austin, in Texas, Mansfield participated in various beauty competitions, often taking home the grand prize.
Jayne Mansfield posed for Playboy
Jayne Mansfield’s quest for fame led her to Hollywood in 1954, where she faced rejections from major studios like Paramount and Warner Bros. Despite the setbacks, she persisted, taking on smaller roles and modeling jobs – including in Playboy magazine. She was even named Playboy of the Month in February 1955.
Breaking through with Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?
Mansfield’s breakthrough came in 1955, when she signed a contract with Warner Bros. and landed the role of Rita Marlowe in the Broadway hit, Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? – a role that catapulted her to fame. Her rise continued with roles in films like The Girl Can’t Help It (1956) and The Wayward Bus (1957), and she eventually signed to Twentieth-Century Fox.
Comparisons to Marilyn Monroe
Mansfield’s bold personality and willingness to push boundaries made her a favorite of the media, often drawing comparisons to fellow blonde actor Marilyn Monroe – in fact, she was marketed as “Marilyn Monroe King Size” by Twentieth-Century Fox. Her strategic use of publicity stunts, including wardrobe malfunctions, kept all eyes on her.
Hitting the peak of her stardom
Mansfield’s stardom reached its peak in the late 1950s and early ’60s. She became a household name, known for her voluptuous figure, platinum blonde hair and playful persona. Her movies, including Kiss Them for Me (1957) and The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw (1958), showcased her versatility as an actor.
Demand for actors like Jayne Mansfield began to wane
Despite her success, Mansfield’s career began to decline in the early 1960s. The demand for actors with her look was beginning to wane, and her excessive publicity stunts began to overshadow her talent. Nevertheless, she remained a popular figure, performing in nightclubs and making personal appearances.
Giving birth to the future Capt. Olivia Benson
Mansfield’s personal life was as tumultuous as her acting career. She married three times, each one ending in divorce. Her second marriage to Mickey Hargitay, a former Mr. Universe and actor, was highly publicized. The couple had three children, including future actor Mariska Hargitay, who today is best known for portraying Capt. Olivia Benson in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999-present).
Struggling with alcoholism
Mansfield’s third marriage to director Matt Cimber was short-lived (it lasted just under two years), but it resulted in the birth of one child, Antonio. Much of their problems came from Mansfield’s growing issues with alcohol, with the pair frequently getting into arguments.
Jayne Mansfield was a dedicated and loving mother
Despite the challenges she faced, Mansfield’s dedication to family was evident. She often involved her children in her professional endeavors, balancing her roles as a mother and a star.
Tragedy strikes on US Highway 90
In the early hours of June 29, 1967, Mansfield’s life was tragically cut short in an accident on US Highway 90, near New Orleans, Louisiana. She’d performed the previous evening at the Gus Stevens Supper Club in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Colliding with a tractor-trailer
Traveling with her attorney and partner, Sam Brody; driver Ronald B. Harrison; and three of her children (Mariska, Miklós and Zoltán), Mansfield’s car drove into the rear of a tractor-trailer. The impact sheared off the top of the vehicle, instantly killing the actor, Brody, Harrison and two of her dogs.
Miraculously, the children survived the accident
Miraculously, her children, who’d been asleep in the back of the Buick, survived with minor injuries.
Don’t believe the rumors
The accident led to widespread rumors, including the false claim that Mansfield had been decapitated. In reality, she’d suffered severe head trauma.
A life-saving regulation change comes out of a horrific tragedy
The tragic incident spurred the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to mandate the installation of rear under-ride guards on semi-trucks, known as “Mansfield bars,” to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Jayne Mansfield’s legacy
Jayne Mansfield’s impact on Hollywood and popular culture is undeniable. She was one of the original blonde bombshells, paving the way for future generations of actors. Her bold personality, comedic talent and strategic use of publicity set her apart from her contemporaries, and her willingness to embrace her sexuality and challenge societal norms made her a trailblazer of her era.
