January 18, 2005

'Forty-nine years ago, my mother stood on this stage and accepted a Golden Globe, and my father was with her. How wonderful for me that my father is still here for this ... you are my inspiration by example ... I love you!"

This was Mariska Hargitay, the all-too-human face of a sex-crimes detective in "Law & Order: SVU," accepting her award Sunday night. Hargitay's mother was, of course, the iconic '50s sex bomb Jayne Mansfield, and I have always had a soft spot for Mariska, having gone to college at the University of Texas with her mother. Mariska's father is and was the hunky bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay. He wept throughout her remarks.

Although she may not have intended it, Mariska's gown was on the deep pink side, and pink was Mama Jayne's favorite color. An audience-friendly win, and well deserved.


NOTE: *The beginning of this article states the "quote" that Mariska said while accepting her Golden Globe. In THIS article it is miswritten but this was how it appeared in the magazine.*