Mickey Hargitay
Encyclopedia
Miklós "Mickey" Hargitay (January 6, 1926 – September 14, 2006) was an actor and Mr. Universe
1955. Born in Budapest
, Hungary, he was married to Jayne Mansfield
, and the father of actress Mariska Hargitay
. During their marriage, Hargitay and Mansfield made four movies together, Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?
(1957), The Loves of Hercules
(1960), Promises! Promises!
(1963), and L'Amore Primitivo
(1964).
. An underground fighter during World War II
, Hargitay fled Hungary after the war and moved to the United States. He settled in Cleveland, where he met and married his first wife, Mary Birge (with whom he also had an acrobatic act and one child, Tina, who was born in 1949), and worked as a plumber and carpenter. He was inspired to begin bodybuilding
after seeing a magazine cover of Steve Reeves
, famed for playing Hercules
. He became NABBA Mr. Universe in 1955. After winning Mr. Universe, he joined Mae West
's muscleman revue at New York's The Latin Quarter
, where he met Jayne Mansfield, his wife from 1958 to 1964. He is the first recipient of the Joe Weider
Lifetime Achievement Award. In May 2006, he received the Muscle Beach Hall of Fame Award from the Muscle Beach Historical Committee.
demanded he be cast in her newest film, Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?
(1957). The two met the year before at The Mae West
Show at the Latin Quarter. When Jayne noticed Mickey performing, she told the waiter, "I’ll have a steak and that tall man on the left." The two fell head over heels in love and were never seen apart. 20th Century Fox
didn't want Hargitay in Rock Hunter, because they hated that Mansfield saw Hargitay as her "only" lover. Fox liked their sex symbol
s single. But when Jayne told the studio that she would turn the film down, they gave in and allowed Hargitay to appear in a bit part
.
In 1960, Jayne and Mickey would have the lead roles in The Loves of Hercules
. The film was shot in Italy, and to this day hasn't been released in US movie theaters. Over the next few years Mickey and Jayne, together, would appear in, Promises! Promises!
(1963) and L'Amore Primitivo
(1964). In 1965, Mickey, only, would have the lead role in Bloody Pit of Horror
. There was a part in the film written for Mansfield, but, the two divorced before filming on the feature began.
He also acted in Hungarian director György Szomjas' 1988 film, Mr. Universe.
Hargitay's final acting appearance was in an episode of his daughter Mariska's series, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
. In the episode "Control", Hargitay played a man on a subway station escalator who witnesses the aftermath of a brutal assault. Mariska's character, Olivia Benson
, is later seen interviewing him.
Hargitay and Mansfield married on January 13, 1958. They had three children: Miklós Jeffrey Palmer Hargitay (b. December, 21 1958), Zoltán Anthony Hargitay (b. August 1, 1960), Mariska Magdolna Hargitay
(called Maria, b. January 23, 1964). Mickey Hargitay remodeled much of his and Mansfield's Beverly Hills
mansion, "The Pink Palace", building its famous heart-shaped swimming pool. In November 2002, the house was razed by developers. Its previous owner had been Engelbert Humperdinck
.
In May 1963, they divorced in Juarez
, Mexico. The divorce was ruled invalid, and the two reconciled in October 1963. After the birth of Mariska, Mansfield sued for the Juarez divorce to be declared legal and won. The divorce was recognised in the United States on August 26, 1964. After Mansfield's death in a car crash on June 29, 1967, Hargitay sued her estate for over $275,000 to support the children; in their divorce decree, she had agreed to pay child support and to give him approximately $70,000 in cash and property.
Hargitay married again in September 1967 to Ellen Siano, his wife until his death. Arnold Schwarzenegger
played the role of Mickey Hargitay in the 1980 TV-movie The Jayne Mansfield Story
. Hargitay's nephew and godson Eddie Hargitay
is also an actor.
on September 14, 2006, aged 80, from multiple myeloma
. The Los Angeles Times
noted in Hargitay's obituary:
Universe Championships
The Universe Championships are an annual bodybuilding event organised by the National Amateur Bodybuilders Association . It has a number of competitions: NABBA Amateur Mr. Universe, Miss Figure, and Miss Toned Figure....
1955. Born in Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
, Hungary, he was married to Jayne Mansfield
Jayne Mansfield
Jayne Mansfield was an American actress working both in Hollywood and on the Broadway theatre...
, and the father of actress Mariska Hargitay
Mariska Hargitay
Mariska Hargitay is an American actress, best known for her role as New York City sex crimes Detective Olivia Benson on the NBC television drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, a role that has earned her multiple awards and nominations, including an Emmy and Golden Globe.The daughter of actress...
. During their marriage, Hargitay and Mansfield made four movies together, Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?
Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?
Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? is a 1957 American satiric comedy film starring Jayne Mansfield and Tony Randall, with Betsy Drake, Joan Blondell, John Williams, Henry Jones, Lili Gentle, Mickey Hargitay, and a cameo by Groucho Marx...
(1957), The Loves of Hercules
The Loves of Hercules
The Loves of Hercules is a 1960 Italian-epic fantasy-feature film starring Jayne Mansfield and husband Mickey Hargitay.-Alternative titles:*Hercules vs...
(1960), Promises! Promises!
Promises! Promises!
Promises! Promises! is a 1963 unrated sex comedy film, released after the demise of the Hays code and before the MPAA film rating system became effective, produced by Tommy Noonan . It was the first Hollywood motion picture release of the sound era to feature a mainstream star—Jayne Mansfield—in...
(1963), and L'Amore Primitivo
L'Amore Primitivo
L'Amore Primitivo is a 1964 Italian comedy film that starred Jayne Mansfield, Mickey Hargitay, Franco Franchi, Ciccio Ingrassia, and Carlo Kechler.-Release dates:*Italy ... August 17, 1964...
(1964).
Early life and sports career
Growing up in Hungary, he performed in an acrobatic act with his brothers. He also played soccer and became a champion speed skaterSpeed skating
Speed skating, or speedskating is a competitive form of ice skating in which the competitors race each other in traveling a certain distance on skates. Types of speed skating are long track speed skating, short track speed skating, and marathon speed skating...
. An underground fighter during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Hargitay fled Hungary after the war and moved to the United States. He settled in Cleveland, where he met and married his first wife, Mary Birge (with whom he also had an acrobatic act and one child, Tina, who was born in 1949), and worked as a plumber and carpenter. He was inspired to begin bodybuilding
Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
after seeing a magazine cover of Steve Reeves
Steve Reeves
Stephen L. Reeves was an American bodybuilder and actor. At the peak of his career, he was the highest-paid actor in Europe.-Childhood:...
, famed for playing Hercules
Hercules
Hercules is the Roman name for Greek demigod Heracles, son of Zeus , and the mortal Alcmene...
. He became NABBA Mr. Universe in 1955. After winning Mr. Universe, he joined Mae West
Mae West
Mae West was an American actress, playwright, screenwriter and sex symbol whose entertainment career spanned seven decades....
's muscleman revue at New York's The Latin Quarter
Latin Quarter (nightclub)
Latin Quarter is a nightclub in New York City.The Club which originally opened in 1942 featured big name acts. In recent years it has been a focus of hip hop, reggaeton, and salsa music....
, where he met Jayne Mansfield, his wife from 1958 to 1964. He is the first recipient of the Joe Weider
Joe Weider
Josef E. "Joe" Weider is co-founder of the International Federation of BodyBuilders along with brother Ben Weider and creator of the Mr. Olympia, the Ms. Olympia, and the now-defunct Masters Olympia bodybuilding contests...
Lifetime Achievement Award. In May 2006, he received the Muscle Beach Hall of Fame Award from the Muscle Beach Historical Committee.
Acting career
Hargitay's first film role came when Jayne MansfieldJayne Mansfield
Jayne Mansfield was an American actress working both in Hollywood and on the Broadway theatre...
demanded he be cast in her newest film, Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?
Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?
Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? is a 1957 American satiric comedy film starring Jayne Mansfield and Tony Randall, with Betsy Drake, Joan Blondell, John Williams, Henry Jones, Lili Gentle, Mickey Hargitay, and a cameo by Groucho Marx...
(1957). The two met the year before at The Mae West
Mae West
Mae West was an American actress, playwright, screenwriter and sex symbol whose entertainment career spanned seven decades....
Show at the Latin Quarter. When Jayne noticed Mickey performing, she told the waiter, "I’ll have a steak and that tall man on the left." The two fell head over heels in love and were never seen apart. 20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
didn't want Hargitay in Rock Hunter, because they hated that Mansfield saw Hargitay as her "only" lover. Fox liked their sex symbol
Sex symbol
A sex symbol is a celebrity of either gender, typically an actor, musician, supermodel, teen idol, or sports star, noted for their sex appeal. The term was first used in the mid 1950s in relation to the popularity of certain Hollywood stars, especially Marilyn Monroe and Brigitte...
s single. But when Jayne told the studio that she would turn the film down, they gave in and allowed Hargitay to appear in a bit part
Bit part
A bit part is a supporting acting role with at least one line of dialogue . In British television, bit parts are referred to as under sixes...
.
In 1960, Jayne and Mickey would have the lead roles in The Loves of Hercules
The Loves of Hercules
The Loves of Hercules is a 1960 Italian-epic fantasy-feature film starring Jayne Mansfield and husband Mickey Hargitay.-Alternative titles:*Hercules vs...
. The film was shot in Italy, and to this day hasn't been released in US movie theaters. Over the next few years Mickey and Jayne, together, would appear in, Promises! Promises!
Promises! Promises!
Promises! Promises! is a 1963 unrated sex comedy film, released after the demise of the Hays code and before the MPAA film rating system became effective, produced by Tommy Noonan . It was the first Hollywood motion picture release of the sound era to feature a mainstream star—Jayne Mansfield—in...
(1963) and L'Amore Primitivo
L'Amore Primitivo
L'Amore Primitivo is a 1964 Italian comedy film that starred Jayne Mansfield, Mickey Hargitay, Franco Franchi, Ciccio Ingrassia, and Carlo Kechler.-Release dates:*Italy ... August 17, 1964...
(1964). In 1965, Mickey, only, would have the lead role in Bloody Pit of Horror
Bloody Pit of Horror
Bloody Pit of Horror is a 1965 Italian gothic horror film based on the writings of Marquis de Sade and directed by Massimo Pupillo...
. There was a part in the film written for Mansfield, but, the two divorced before filming on the feature began.
He also acted in Hungarian director György Szomjas' 1988 film, Mr. Universe.
Hargitay's final acting appearance was in an episode of his daughter Mariska's series, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is an American police procedural television drama series set in New York City, where it is also primarily produced...
. In the episode "Control", Hargitay played a man on a subway station escalator who witnesses the aftermath of a brutal assault. Mariska's character, Olivia Benson
Olivia Benson
Det. Olivia "Liv" Benson is a fictional character on the NBC police procedural drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, portrayed by Mariska Hargitay. She is the former partner of Elliot Stabler. In Season 13, her partner will be Nick Amaro...
, is later seen interviewing him.
Personal life
His first marriage was to Mary Birge. Together they had a daughter Tina Hargitay (b. 1949). They divorced on September 6, 1956.Hargitay and Mansfield married on January 13, 1958. They had three children: Miklós Jeffrey Palmer Hargitay (b. December, 21 1958), Zoltán Anthony Hargitay (b. August 1, 1960), Mariska Magdolna Hargitay
Mariska Hargitay
Mariska Hargitay is an American actress, best known for her role as New York City sex crimes Detective Olivia Benson on the NBC television drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, a role that has earned her multiple awards and nominations, including an Emmy and Golden Globe.The daughter of actress...
(called Maria, b. January 23, 1964). Mickey Hargitay remodeled much of his and Mansfield's Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills, California
Beverly Hills is an affluent city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. With a population of 34,109 at the 2010 census, up from 33,784 as of the 2000 census, it is home to numerous Hollywood celebrities. Beverly Hills and the neighboring city of West Hollywood are together...
mansion, "The Pink Palace", building its famous heart-shaped swimming pool. In November 2002, the house was razed by developers. Its previous owner had been Engelbert Humperdinck
Engelbert Humperdinck (singer)
Engelbert Humperdinck is a British pop singer, best known for his hits including "Release Me " and "After the Lovin'" as well as "The Last Waltz" .-Early life:...
.
In May 1963, they divorced in Juarez
Ciudad Juárez
Ciudad Juárez , officially known today as Heroica Ciudad Juárez, but abbreviated Juárez and formerly known as El Paso del Norte, is a city and seat of the municipality of Juárez in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Juárez's estimated population is 1.5 million people. The city lies on the Rio Grande...
, Mexico. The divorce was ruled invalid, and the two reconciled in October 1963. After the birth of Mariska, Mansfield sued for the Juarez divorce to be declared legal and won. The divorce was recognised in the United States on August 26, 1964. After Mansfield's death in a car crash on June 29, 1967, Hargitay sued her estate for over $275,000 to support the children; in their divorce decree, she had agreed to pay child support and to give him approximately $70,000 in cash and property.
Hargitay married again in September 1967 to Ellen Siano, his wife until his death. Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
played the role of Mickey Hargitay in the 1980 TV-movie The Jayne Mansfield Story
The Jayne Mansfield Story
The Jayne Mansfield Story is 1980 television film directed by Dick Lowry and starring Loni Anderson, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, based on the life of Jayne Mansfield.The film was originally titled Jayne Mansfield: A Symbol of the '50s....
. Hargitay's nephew and godson Eddie Hargitay
Eddie Hargitay
Eddie Hargitay Hargitay is an American actor, born in Hollywood, California. His godfather and great uncle was actor and former Mr. Universe Mickey Hargitay...
is also an actor.
Death
He died in Los AngelesLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
on September 14, 2006, aged 80, from multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma , also known as plasma cell myeloma or Kahler's disease , is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell normally responsible for the production of antibodies...
. The Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
noted in Hargitay's obituary:
Filmography
| Year | Movie Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? is a 1957 American satiric comedy film starring Jayne Mansfield and Tony Randall, with Betsy Drake, Joan Blondell, John Williams, Henry Jones, Lili Gentle, Mickey Hargitay, and a cameo by Groucho Marx... |
Bobo Branigansky | Film Debut; First Film with wife, Jayne Mansfield Jayne Mansfield Jayne Mansfield was an American actress working both in Hollywood and on the Broadway theatre... |
| 1957 | Slaughter on Tenth Avenue Slaughter on Tenth Avenue Slaughter on Tenth Avenue is a ballet with music by Richard Rodgers and choreography by George Balanchine. It occurs near the end of Rodgers and Hart's 1936 Broadway musical comedy On Your Toes. Slaughter is the story of a hoofer who falls in love with a dance hall girl who is then shot and killed... |
Big John | |
| 1960 | The Loves of Hercules The Loves of Hercules The Loves of Hercules is a 1960 Italian-epic fantasy-feature film starring Jayne Mansfield and husband Mickey Hargitay.-Alternative titles:*Hercules vs... |
Hercules Hercules Hercules is the Roman name for Greek demigod Heracles, son of Zeus , and the mortal Alcmene... |
Co-starring Mansfield; Aka: Gli amori di Ercole (Italy; original title) |
| 1963 | Promises! Promises! Promises! Promises! Promises! Promises! is a 1963 unrated sex comedy film, released after the demise of the Hays code and before the MPAA film rating system became effective, produced by Tommy Noonan . It was the first Hollywood motion picture release of the sound era to feature a mainstream star—Jayne Mansfield—in... |
King Banner | Co-starring Mansfield |
| 1964 | L'Amore Primitivo L'Amore Primitivo L'Amore Primitivo is a 1964 Italian comedy film that starred Jayne Mansfield, Mickey Hargitay, Franco Franchi, Ciccio Ingrassia, and Carlo Kechler.-Release dates:*Italy ... August 17, 1964... |
Hotel Bell Captain | Last film co-starring Mansfield; Aka: Primitive Love (US); not released in the US until 1966 |
| 1964 | La vendetta dei gladiatori | Fabius | |
| 1965 | Uno straniero a Sacramento Uno straniero a Sacramento Stranger in Sacramento or Uno straniero a Sacramento is a 1965 Italian Spaghetti Western film directed by Sergio Bergonzelli.-Cast:*Mickey Hargitay ... Mike Jordan*Enrico Bomba *Mario Lanfranchi... |
Mike Jordan | Aka: Stranger in Sacramento (US) |
| 1965 | Sheriff Won't Shoot Sheriff Won't Shoot Sheriff Won't Shoot or Lo sceriffo che non spara is a 1965 Italian and Spanish Spaghetti Western film.-Cast:*Mickey Hargitay ... Allan*Vincenzo Cascino ... Barone Vermont *Dan Clark... |
Allan | |
| 1965 | Bloody Pit of Horror Bloody Pit of Horror Bloody Pit of Horror is a 1965 Italian gothic horror film based on the writings of Marquis de Sade and directed by Massimo Pupillo... |
Travis Anderson | Was to co-star with Mansfield, but the two divorced before filming began |
| 1966 | Three Graves for a Winchester | Ringo Carson | |
| 1966 | 7 Golden Women Against Two 07 | Mark Davis | Aka: Sette donne d'oro contro due 07 (Italy; original title) |
| 1967 | Cjamango Cjamango Cjamango is a 1967 Italian spaghetti western starring Sean Todd. The film was released in Germany as Django Kreuze im Blutigen Sand, another unofficial sequel to the 1966 film Django-Plot:... |
Clinton | |
| 1970 | Ringo, It's Massacre Time | Mike Wood | |
| 1971 | Lady Frankenstein Lady Frankenstein Lady Frankenstein is a 1971 Italian horror film directed by Mel Welles. It stars Joseph Cotten, Rosalba Neri , Mickey Hargitay and Paul Müller... |
Captain Harris | |
| 1972 | Delirio caldo | Herbert Lyutak | |
| 1973 | Riti, magie nere e segrete orge nel trecento... | Jack Nelson | Final film appearance |