Mariska Hargitay has revealed a family secret she kept hidden for over 30 years in her emotional new documentary *My Mom Jayne*, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 17.

Known for her role in *Law & Order: SVU*, Hargitay disclosed that her biological father is not bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay, who raised her, but rather Nelson Sardelli, a former Las Vegas entertainer.

She discovered the truth at age 25 and confronted Mickey, who denied it, and they never discussed it again. Though she continued to see Mickey as her true father, the revelation left her with deep questions about her identity.

Years later, at 30, Mariska met Sardelli after attending one of his performances. He was moved to tears, telling her he had waited 30 years for that moment. Still, she was guarded, telling him she wanted nothing from him — out of loyalty to Mickey.

Now 61, Mariska says she felt it was time to let go of the secret.

In the documentary, Sardelli and his other daughters — Mariska’s half-sisters — appear, and together they reflect on lost time, emotional wounds, and newfound connections. Mariska described the moment they watched the film together in Las Vegas, all breaking into tears.

She calls the film a love letter to Mickey Hargitay, acknowledging his role in shaping her life. With her husband Peter Hermann and their children by her side at Cannes, the premiere ended with a powerful five-minute standing ovation.