Who is Mariska Hargitay’s biological father, Nelson Sardelli?

Mariska Hargitay had made headlines when she revealed her biological father Mickey Hargitay – but it was, instead, Nelson sardelli.

Mariska was born in 1964 to the late actress Jayne Mansfieldwho died in a car accident June 1967. The incident left the Law and order: SVU starWas 3 at the time, with serious injuries.

Documentary 2025 My mother jayne Exploring Jayne’s life before and after the car accident, including Mariska’s mother’s division of Mickey and a short romance with Nelson. Jayne called he quit with Mickey and reunited with Nelson before the birth of Mariska in 1964. The pair divorced that year.

Mickey raised Mariska and siblings Mickey Jr and Zoltán, unveiling the truth about the identity of her biological father In his 20s when he saw a picture of Nelson. When he brought her to Mickey, he denied that. (Jayne was the mother of daughter Jayne Marie, born in 1950 with her first husband Paul Mansfield and his son Tony, born in 1965 with the third husband Cimber Matte.)

Mariska went on to meet Nelson when she was 30 and claimed to have gone “Olivia Benson on him,” referring to her beloved character. “I was like, ‘I don’t want anything, I don’t need anything from you … I have a dad,’” Mariska remembered. “There was something about loyalty. I wanted to be loyal to Mickey.”

Mariska eventually changed her mind, deciding that she “grew up where (she) was supposed to be.” He added, “I know everyone made the best choice for me. I Mickey Hargitay’s daughter – That’s not a lie. “

So who is Nelson? Scroll down to learn more about Mariska’s biological father:

Nelson has other daughters

Mariska told Vanity fair In 2025 she and two other daughters Nelson, who appeared in the documentary My mother jayneAfter a private show for my mother Jayne.

“They wept and weeping and weeping,” Hargitay told the outlet as emotional. “These two women I love so much – I made secrets to them! It’s so heartbreaking to me.”

Mariska explained that she was referring to her sisters as “family friends,” adding, “I am not good with lies. So I also did this film to disassemble all of us.”

Nelson served in the army

Vegas Norm Diary Clarke He reported that Nelson served in the army for most from 1965 and until 1958. He went on to work in building before landing a gig singing in an open mic place and pursuing a career in the entertainment industry.

When Mariska was 30, he went to watch Nelson perform at Atlantic City. He claimed that Vanity Fair in 2025 had become emotional, telling her, “I’ve been waiting 30 years for this moment.”

Related: Mariska Hargitay reveals the identity of her biological father

Mariska Hargitay revealed her biological father’s identity after “living lies” for 30 years. Law and order confirmed: Star of a special victim unit, 61, to Vanity Fair in an interview announced on Saturday, May 17, that her biological father is Italian singer and comedian Nelson Sardelli – not a bodybuilder and actor, Mickey Hargitay, (…)

Nelson lives in Las Vegas

Vegas Norm Diary Clarke He reported in 2019 that Nelson had been in Las Vegas since 1965, nearly a decade after immigration from Brazil. “I came to the United States in 1956, to Pontiac, Michigan, because in Brazil he worked for General Motors, but they dismissed people throughout Michigan,” he explained to the outlet.

Nelson followed acting

Nelson appeared in movies including the 1970s Myra Breckinridge, 1982’s Fake out and 2001’s Cold dogs.

Nelson is active in philanthropy

The Las Vegas Sun It was reported in 1998 that Nelson organized “Star Shine” fundraisers, with celebrities shining shoes in exchange for charitable donations.