Jane Mansfield, who achieved similar levels of fame as Marilyn Monroe, was initially cast as a substitute for Hollywood’s top blonde. Although her films may not be as well-known as her contemporaries, she was still a prominent figure in the industry. Despite being highly intelligent, with an IQ of 163, and possessing genuine talent and determination, Mansfield faced criticism from those who deemed her too controversial and accused her of exploiting her sexuality for personal gain.
Little Miss Palmer

Jane Mansfield, a well-known Hollywood star, was born Vera Jane Palmer in the small town of Phillipsburg, New Jersey. Despite being called Vera at birth, she was always referred to by her middle name. She was the only child of her attorney father Herbert William Palmer and his wife Vera Jeffrey. Tragedy struck the family when Jane was just three years old, as her father passed away due to a heart attack, leaving her mother devastated. The inheritance that Jane and her mother received after her father’s death provided some relief from the pain of their loss. However, Jane was accustomed to a lavish lifestyle from an early age, and her pursuit of high standards would continue throughout her life. Jane’s mother eventually remarried an engineer named Harry Pearce, and the family moved to Texas. From a young age, Jane demonstrated exceptional talent in a variety of areas. She excelled in school, took dance lessons, and played several musical instruments, including the violin, viola, and piano. Jane was also gifted in foreign languages, speaking five fluently. Her beauty was also apparent from a young age, as she was considered the most beautiful girl in her neighbourhood, and was frequently entered in beauty pageants.
Early marriage, a child and the start of the journey

Jane’s high school romance with Paul Mansfield resulted in an unexpected pregnancy, which led to a hasty marriage. The young couple soon found themselves struggling to make ends meet, despite their privileged upbringings. To help her daughter, Jane’s mother paid for her to attend university in Los Angeles, but Jane still had to support herself and her child. She took on odd jobs like teaching dance and selling popcorn, and even did some small-time modeling to make ends meet. Despite her financial struggles, Jane remained determined to pursue her passion for acting. She auditioned tirelessly for any and every role she could find, regardless of the size or prestige of the project.
 Despite their three-year-long fight for custody of their daughter, Jane’s first marriage was doomed due to constant infidelity and disagreements about pets. After the separation, Mansfield became a single mother and realized that she could only rely on herself to make a career in Hollywood. She quickly came up with a plan to stand out from other actresses, dyeing her hair platinum blonde and wearing revealing clothing. Initially, her sexy image was not popular on TV, but she eventually landed her first film role in “The Female Jungle,” earning $150 for her performance.

The second Marilyn Monroe

When 20th Century Fox had a falling out with Marilyn Monroe in 1956, it created an opportunity for aspiring actress Jane Mansfield to make her mark. The studio was urgently searching for a seductive, voluptuous blonde to replace Monroe, and Mansfield fit the bill perfectly. Fortunately for Mansfield, the studio had already developed a script and needed to begin filming immediately. Despite her relatively modest filmography, Mansfield was cast in the lead role. The resulting film, “The Girl Can’t Help It,” was a big hit with audiences in the U.S., and Mansfield quickly became a rising star.

After her breakout role in “The Girl Can’t Help It,” Mansfield’s career skyrocketed with numerous offers pouring in. While the roles were often similar, she accepted anything that came her way. In 1957, Mansfield received critical acclaim for her performance in the film “The Wayward Bus,” and was awarded the Golden Globe for New Star of the Year. Despite her failed first marriage, Jane Mansfield never lacked for male attention, and it wasn’t long before she found love again. Her second husband was Mickey Hargitay, a bodybuilder, actor, and Mr. Universe winner. Hargitay’s ambition and grand gestures won over the actress. As a symbol of his love, he gave her a $5,000 ring with a 10-carat diamond (worth approximately $200,000 in today’s currency).
The wedding of Jane Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay was a grand affair that took place shortly after Jane’s divorce from her first husband. The couple invited numerous guests and held the ceremony at a glass church to accommodate the crowds of people who wanted to witness the event and take pictures. Their marriage was not only a loving union, but also a fruitful collaboration. Jane and Mickey often appeared together in films and even developed a steamy touring show that showcased their undeniable chemistry on stage.Their partnership wasn’t just limited to acting and performing. Jane and Mickey had multiple businesses together, and even co-authored an autobiography. They were also loving parents to three children. One of their most memorable performances was a risqué show, in which Hargitay would wear leopard shorts and spin his wife around before tossing her, all while both were scantily clad.
Divorcees and lovers
Despite having a packed schedule, Mansfield appeared to have the time and energy for everything, including extramarital affairs. Her infidelities were widely known, which did not help her reputation. For instance, in 1962 she had an almost public romance with Italian producer Enrico Bomba, and in 1963 she left her husband for Brazilian performer Nelson Sardelli. Despite her infidelities, Mansfield continued to have a physical relationship with her husband even while seeing other men. When the couple eventually divorced, Mansfield discovered that she was pregnant with her ex-husband’s child. To protect his reputation and preserve the image of a happy family, they pretended to be together for a while.Despite the end of her previous relationships, Mansfield quickly found a new partner in the form of director and producer Matt Simber. The two were married in the fall of 1964, but it was clear that the actress was not suited for a quiet domestic life. The couple separated just 10 months later and were divorced a year after that. Jane’s infidelities were no longer hidden, and her love of alcohol was beginning to turn into an addiction. It is worth noting that at the time of her separation from her third husband, she was pregnant once again.
Jane Mansfield was known for her attraction to wealthy and powerful men, and her list of lovers included several high-profile names. Among them were President John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert, French restaurateur Claude Terrale, and Brazilian billionaire Jorge Guinle. Mansfield seemed to prefer men of high status and fortune, and they were more than willing to oblige her.The actress’s final romantic relationship was with her lawyer, Sam Brody. The two began an affair about a year before her tragic death.
Career decline and new earningsAs the 1950s came to a close, Mansfield’s career began to suffer. Despite her efforts, she was unable to achieve the same level of fame and success as Marilyn Monroe. Unfortunately, Jane was unable to fill the void left by Marilyn’s troubled life. Her studio, 20th Century Fox, no longer viewed her as a major player and instead sent her to Europe to star in second-rate films, some of which were not even released.Jane Mansfield’s acting career was on the decline by the late 1950s, and she was struggling to achieve the same level of fame and importance as Marilyn Monroe. Despite her best efforts, she was unable to replace Monroe. Her studio, 20th Century Fox, began to invest less in her and sent her to Europe to star in second-rate films, some of which were not even released.
Mansfield’s last notable film role was in the 1963 film “Promises! Promises!” where she made history as the first American actress to appear completely naked in a film. However, by the end of her career, Mansfield was reduced to making money through personal appearances and nightclub performances. Her iconic, curvy figure was no longer in demand, as the trend in the 1960s was for a more lean and sophisticated look epitomized by actresses like Audrey Hepburn.
How the blonde has changed the culture
Jane Mansfield was a trailblazer for the ditzy blonde stereotype, proving that a curvy figure was all that was needed to captivate audiences. However, she was also a pioneer in recognizing the media as a valuable asset rather than a hindrance. Jane adhered to one principle throughout her career – to be as candid as possible. She never turned down a commercial opportunity, photoshoot, or interview. Her strategy paid off, and in 1960 she was named the most photographed celebrity in the world, with none of her competitors receiving as much press coverage as she did.
Jane Mansfield was known for her constant appearances in the news, often due to her scandalous affairs, marriages, divorces, and pregnancies. However, another reason why she was constantly in the spotlight was her fashion choices. Mansfield was known for her daring outfits that often caused a stir in the media. Her outfits would sometimes tear or malfunction in public, which would always draw a large crowd of photographers. This constant attention to her wardrobe only added to her reputation as a glamorous and scandalous Hollywood star.

A real BarbieThere has been speculation that Jane Mansfield served as the inspiration for the creation of Barbie, the iconic doll. Despite the differences between the two, Mansfield shared a love of one thing with the doll: the color pink. The actress was known for her fondness for the hue, as evidenced by her pink wedding dress, pink Cadillac (the only one of its kind in Hollywood), and even a pink mansion where she resided.

Jane Mansfield’s home was a sight to behold, resembling a real-life version of a Barbie Dream House. It boasted a stunning 40 rooms and even featured a pink champagne fountain in the foyer. Mansfield’s love for the color pink was evident in every corner of the house, with bathroom walls that were upholstered in pink fur, and a heart-shaped bathtub.
Tragic departureIn June of 1967, tragic news spread across the media that Jane Mansfield had been involved in a fatal accident. The incident was devastating and irreversible. Before her untimely death, the actress had just finished performing two shows at a club in Biloxi, Mississippi with her then-boyfriend, Sam Brody. Accompanying them were her three children and their driver. They got into a car to travel to New Orleans where Mansfield was due to attend an event the following day.In the early morning hours of June 29, 1967, tragedy struck when a Buick carrying six people, including Jane Mansfield and her boyfriend Sam Brody, collided with a truck at full speed. The accident was so severe that the three individuals sitting in the front seat of the car were killed instantly. Mansfield, Brody, and the driver all suffered severe head injuries. During the impact, Mansfield’s wig flew off, leading the truck driver to mistake it for her head. The accident was a devastating and irreversible loss for Mansfield’s family, friends, and fans.The children who were in the back seat of the car miraculously survived the accident. When the truck driver found them, they were crying but relatively unharmed. Jane’s ex-husband Mickey rushed in from out of state to take them away and raise them with his new wife. The six-month-old baby, Tony, who was not in the car at the time of the accident, was raised by his father. However, only the eldest daughter, who was already 16 years old at the time of the tragedy and living with her paternal aunt and uncle, was allowed to attend the funeral.