Imagine if Mickey Hargitay Jr. had followed in the footsteps of his famous parents, Mickey Hargitay and Jayne Mansfield, and pursued a career in Hollywood. Would his life have taken a different turn? Instead, he carved his own path, finding joy and fulfillment in his plant shop, Mickey Hargitay Plants, which has been nurturing a vibrant community since 1980.
As the eldest of Mickey and Jayne’s three children, Mickey Jr. faced the tragedy of losing his mother at a young age. His father stepped up to the plate, raising him and his siblings, Mariska and Zoltan, with love and dedication. Alongside them, he shares a bond with three half-siblings from his parents’ previous relationships: Tina Hargitay, Jayne Marie Mansfield, and Tony Cimber.
Here’s a glimpse into his life and the family ties that connect all of Mickey Sr.’s children.
Early Life And Background Of Mickey Hargitay Jr.
Mickey Hargitay Jr. was born in December 1958 in Santa Monica, California, as the first child of one-time Mr. Universe and actor, Mickey Hargitay and iconic American actress Jayne Mansfield. He is now 65 years old and has journeyed through life with his two younger siblings, Zoltan Hargitay, a producer and propmaker, and Mariska Hargitay, an actress and philanthropist.
His parents, who united in marriage just a couple of months before his birth, parted ways in August 1964, closing a chapter of nearly six years together. At the tender age of six, Mickey Jr. faced this family change.
A few years later, at eight or nine, a heartbreaking tragedy befell the family with the loss of his mother in a car accident in 1967. The aftermath saw young Mickey Jr. relocate to West Hollywood and later to the scenic Doheny Estates in the Hollywood Hills. There, amidst the greenery, he took on the task of watering the plants—initially a chore he didn’t favor. Yet, over time, this routine task blossomed into a passion he cherished.
A Look At His Career: From Selling Plants On The Streets To Opening His Own Plant Shop
Mickey Hargitay Jr. never envisioned walking the same path as his famous parents. Growing up in Hollywood, he was all too familiar with its façade, yet he chose not to be a part of it.
His passion for plants led him to wander the streets of Beverly Hills and Brentwood, macramé plant hangers slung over his shoulders. At the age of 23, he and his friends launched a cozy little shop they dubbed ‘Max Macs’, a playful nod to their specialty, Maximum Macramés. As the business flourished, he introduced a range of exotic plants, sharing his expertise on their upkeep with his customers.
By 1980, the modest storefront had blossomed into ‘Mickey Hargitay Plants’. It’s been a hive of activity ever since, attracting an elite clientele that boasts names like George Clooney and Jim Carrey.
He Was Previously Married To Dana Hargitay
Mickey Hargitay Jr. and photographer Dana Hargitay got married on September 28, 2002. The details of their initial meeting or the courtship that led to their union have not been documented. Their marriage, unfortunately, did not endure and ended in divorce. The specifics surrounding the dissolution of their marriage, including the reasons and the exact date it was finalized, remain undisclosed.
The question of whether any children were born to the couple during their marriage remains unanswered. Dana frequently mentions her son, Hudson, born in October 2009. Given the lack of clarity regarding the duration of her marriage to Hargitay Jr., it is challenging to ascertain whether Hudson is the son of both or solely Dana’s child from a different relationship.
Meet His Father’s Other Children: Zoltan Hargitay, Mariska Hargitay, and Tina Hargitay
Zoltan Hargitay
Zoltan Hargitay, born on August 1, 1960, in Santa Monica, California, is the second child of Mickey Hargitay and Jayne Mansfield. His siblings include an older brother, Mickey Hargitay Jr., and a younger sister, Mariska Hargitay. He also has a half-sister, Tina Hargitay, from his father’s previous marriage to Mary Birge, as well as two half-siblings, Jayne Marie Mansfield and Tony Cimber, from his mother’s previous marriages to Paul Mansfield and Matt Cimber.
At the age of four, Zoltan experienced the end of his parents’ marriage in 1964. Two years later, at six, he endured a traumatic incident when a lion attacked him at the Jungleland Zoo in Thousand Oaks, California, resulting in a fractured skull and numerous puncture wounds that necessitated two surgeries.
Tragedy struck again when he was about seven years old, as his mother passed away in a car accident.
Regarding his education, Zoltan attended the University of Notre Dame, where he completed his studies and graduated in 1982, at the age of 22.
Professionally, Zoltan has established himself as a producer and prop maker, affiliated with IATSE Local 44 in Studio City, Los Angeles, California.
Mariska Hargitay
Mariska Magdolna Hargitay, the daughter of the glamorous duo Mickey Hargitay and Jayne Mansfield, was born on January 23, 1964. Fast forward to many years later, and Mariska has carved her own path in the limelight, following the thespian legacy of her parents.
Mariska’s journey into the arts began not on the screen, but on the stage of beauty pageants. She dazzled the judges, securing the crown of Miss Beverly Hills and charming her way to fourth place in the Miss California pageant. But the allure of the camera proved irresistible, and before long, she traded pageant sashes for scripts.
In 1984, a year shy of her acting debut, Mariska graced the music world with her presence in Ronnie Milsap’s She Loves My Car music video, a hit on MTV. Then came 1985, a pivotal year when her acting career took flight. She appeared in the horror-comedy Ghoulies (1985), wielded action in The Perfect Weapon (1991), and later lent her voice to the mystical realms of Tales From Earthsea (2006)
But it was her role in the gritty drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit that cemented her status as a television icon. Her portrayal of a tenacious detective won hearts and accolades alike, including a coveted Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.
Apart from her work, she married actor Peter Hermann in August 2004. They had a son named August in June 2006 and adopted two children, Amaya and Andrew, both born in 2011. Now, they have three children.
Tina Hargitay
Tina Hargitay is the oldest of Mickey Hargitay’s four children. She was born to him and his first wife, Mary Birge, in 1949. So, her half-siblings are Mickey, Zoltan, and Mariska.
The marriage of her parents, Hargitay Sr. and Birge, ended in 1956, when Tina was just seven years old.
As regards education, she attended Glendale High School in Glendale, California, and graduated in 1966. While the finer details of Tina’s life remain private, her Facebook bio indicates that she is a widow with 5 children: Natalie Pringle, Christopher West (deceased), Jeffrey West, Shannon Drury Eich, and Sean Drury. It is also well-known that she shares a strong connection with her three half-siblings.
