Mariska Hargitay has won two Emmy Awards for My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay at the 78th Creative Arts Emmys. The documentary, which explores the life and legacy of her mother, Hollywood star Jayne Mansfield, took home Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special, while Hargitay also won Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program.
The wins add another major achievement to a project that has been deeply personal for Hargitay. The Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star directed the film as her feature directorial debut, using previously unseen photographs and home footage to examine Mansfield’s career, family and lasting impact on her daughter.
My Mom Jayne Earns Hargitay Major Emmy Recognition
Hargitay’s documentary premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and Tribeca Festival in 2025 before becoming available to audiences on HBO Max. The film looks beyond Mansfield’s status as a Hollywood icon, with Hargitay using the filmmaking process to better understand a mother she lost when she was only three years old.
During her acceptance speech, Hargitay reflected on the importance of telling personal stories. Quoting Gloria Steinem, she said,
“Please tell your own story. The most important thing that we can do for each other is to know each other through stories.”
Hargitay added that making the documentary allowed her to get to know her mother in a way she had not been able to before.
The documentary competed against projects including John Candy: I Like Me, Marty, Life Is Short, Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! and Ocean with David Attenborough.
The double victory comes at an especially significant moment for Hargitay. She is also preparing to host the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards on September 14, marking another major milestone in a career that has been closely associated with Law & Order: SVU.
Hargitay previously won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for playing Olivia Benson in Law & Order: SVU. She has portrayed the character since 1999 and remains one of the show’s longest-running stars.
With My Mom Jayne, Hargitay has now added documentary filmmaking to her long-running acting career while receiving Emmy recognition for both the film itself and her direction.
