Let me tell you about Jayne Mansfield, a Hollywood legend who made waves in the '50s and early '60s. Beyond the glitz and glamour, she was more than just a screen icon. Behind closed doors, Jayne was an incredible mom who genuinely cared about her kids. Her youngest son, Tony Cimber, opened up exclusively to Closer Weekly about how much she cherished her family. While she dazzled audiences on stage and in nightclubs, Jayne's true passion was raising her children and being the best mom she could be.
The Night Jayne Met Marilyn Monroe
Imagine this: It's 1955, and the place is New York's Hotel Astor. Two of the biggest blonde bombshells of the era are in the same room. Jayne Mansfield, fresh off her success in the Broadway hit Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?, is standing on one side. Across the room, the legendary Marilyn Monroe sits at a table, her back turned to Jayne. Biographer Frank Ferruccio recounts the moment in Closer's latest issue, revealing that Jayne was eager to meet her idol but was met with a cold shoulder. For someone as confident as Jayne, being snubbed by Marilyn was a real blow. Yet, it didn't stop her from continuing to shine in her own unique way.
Now, let's talk about what made Jayne stand out. Sure, her 40-21-36 figure turned heads, but there was so much more to her. She was a gifted actress and nightclub singer, boasting an impressive IQ of 163. Her knack for generating publicity was unmatched. Tony Cimber shares that Jayne had a magnetic personality, always craving the spotlight. Yet, it wasn't just her career that set her apart. She was also deeply committed to being a fantastic mother, balancing her Hollywood stardom with family life.
Read also:When Savannah Guthrie Asked Tom Hanks To Coanchor On Today
Jayne's Balancing Act: Career and Family
Long before women were told they could "have it all," Jayne was living proof that it was possible. Born Vera Jayne Palmer in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, she became a mother of five, including Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay. Mariska reflects on her mom, saying, "She was an inspiration. She had this insatiable appetite for life." Jayne didn't just want to be a star; she wanted to be present in her children's lives. From a young age, Jayne dreamed of being Shirley Temple, taking dance, piano, violin, and viola lessons. She even mastered five languages. Frank Ferruccio, author of Diamonds to Dust: The Life and Death of Jayne Mansfield and Did Success Spoil Jayne Mansfield?, highlights her multifaceted talents.
When Jayne hit the Broadway stage in 1955, Hollywood came knocking. She signed with 20th Century Fox, coincidentally the same studio Marilyn Monroe was contracted with. Ferruccio notes that Jayne earned $2,500 a week, double what Marilyn initially made. The studio strategically pitted Jayne against Marilyn, as Marilyn resisted playing the typical dumb blonde roles. Unlike Marilyn, Jayne embraced publicity, always willing to pose for photos. "She was a driven woman," Ferruccio explains. "It was in her blood."
