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Jayne Mansfield

Acting

Born April 19, 1933 · Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, USA

Died June 29, 1967

Also known as Vera Jayne Palmer

Biography

Jayne Mansfield (April 19, 1933 – June 29, 1967) was an American actress working both on Broadway and in Hollywood. One of the leading blonde sex symbols of the 1950s, Mansfield starred in several popular Hollywood films that emphasized her platinum-blonde hair, hourglass figure and cleavage-revealing costumes. While Mansfield's film career was short-lived, she had several box office successes. She won the Theatre World Award, a Golden Globe and a Golden Laurel. As the demand for blonde bombshells declined in the 1960s, Mansfield was relegated to low-budget film melodramas and comedies, but remained a popular celebrity. In her later career she continued to attract large crowds in foreign countries and in lucrative and successful nightclub tours. Mansfield had been a Playboy Playmate of the Month and appeared in the magazine several additional times. She died in an automobile accident at age 34.

Awards & recognition

  • Golden Globe AwardNew Star of the Year – Actress · 1957
  • Theatre World Award · 1956
  • Playboy Playmate of the Month · 1955
  • star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Filmography28 titles

My Mom Jayne

2025as Self (archive footage)

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour

1962as Marion

Bettie Page: The Girl in the Leopard Print Bikini

2004

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1962as Self

I Am Divine

2013as Self (archive)

What's My Line?

1950as Self - Mystery Guest

Death In Hollywood

1990

Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?

1957as Rita Marlowe

The Ed Sullivan Show

1948as Self

Lux Video Theatre

as Girl at Piano

The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw

1958as Kate

Illegal

1955as Angel O'Hara

Pete Kelly's Blues

1955as Cigarette Girl

The George Raft Story

1961as Lisa Lang

The Burglar

1957as Gladden

The Challenge

1960as Billy

The Wayward Bus

1957as Camille Oakes

Female Jungle

1956as Candy Price

Hollywood Uncensored

1987as Self (archive footage)

The James Dean Story

1957as Self

Dog Eat Dog!

1964as Darlene / Mrs. Smithopolis

Promises! Promises!

1963as Sandy Brooks

Too Hot to Handle

1960as Midnight Franklin

People, Hopes, Medals

1960as Self

The Wild, Wild World of Jayne Mansfield

1968as Self (archive footage)

Las Vegas Hillbillys

1966as Tawny

The Loves of Hercules

1960as Queen Deianira / Hippolyta

The Fat Spy

1966as Junior Wellington