Jayne Mansfield
Biography
Jayne Mansfield was an American actress, singer, and Playboy Playmate who became a 1950s and early 1960s sex symbol. Born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, she started out in beauty contests and small movie roles before appearing in Pete Kelly's Blues (1955) and Illegal (1955). On Broadway she played the fictional star Rita Marlowe in Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?, earning a Theatre World Award, and she reprised the part in the 1957 film version. Her performance in The Girl Can't Help It (1956) won her a Golden Globe for New Star. Later credits included Too Hot to Handle (1960), the western comedy The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw (1958), and Promises! Promises! (1963), where she was the earliest mainstream American leading lady to appear unclothed in a starring part. She also worked in television, nightclubs, and music, and died in 1967.
34years old at death
- Born Bryn Mawr
- Died Slidell
- Star sign: AriesLast day of the sign, on the Taurus cusp
- Also credited as Vera Jean Peers
Movie Career
- Films
- 12
- Career span
- 70 years1955 to 2025
Genres
- Comedy50%, 6 films
- Crime33%, 4 films
- Drama33%, 4 films
- Romance25%, 3 films
- Documentary17%, 2 films
First and latest
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A role that slipped away
Mansfield turned down the part of Ginger Grant on Gilligan's Island in 1964. She rejected the role because it stood for the stereotype she wanted to leave behind, and Tina Louise got the part.
Big break
Mansfield's agent William Shiffrin signed her for the Broadway play Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?, where she played fictional film star Rita Marlowe alongside Orson Bean and Walter Matthau. Mamie Van Doren had turned the part down before it went to Mansfield.
First role
On October 22, 1953, Mansfield took on her first major stage role, appearing in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman with the Knox Street Theater players, a group led by Sidney Lumet.
Jayne Mansfield movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Frank Tashlin directed two of these films. Mickey Hargitay appears in four of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Mickey Hargitay's page
Edmond O'Brien's page
Henry Jones's page
Groucho Marx's page
Frank TashlinDirector, 2 films, 1956 to 1957
All films by Frank Tashlin
Awards
Three awards and honors from 1956 to 1957, one of them major.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Globes | |||
| 1957 | New Star of the Year – Actress | Won | |
| Other honors | |||
| 1956 | Theatre World Award | Won | |
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.