Actress Mariska Hargitay lost her father on Thursday to multiple myeloma. Mickey Hargitay, the 1955 Mr. Universe, Mr. America, Mr. Olympia, and one-time husband of late sex symbol Jayne Mansfield died at the age of 80 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.Born Miklos Hargitay in Hungary, Mickey emigrated to the United States after World War II. Here he entered the world of bodybuilding and then landed a role in Mae West's Las Vegas Revue. Mansfield, who saw the show in 1956, married Hargitay in 1958 -- and the two later had daughter Mariska and two other children. Mansfield and Hargitay divorced in 1964 -- and Mansfield died in a car crash in 1967.
Family members shared in a statement to the media, "words cannot express how saddened we are by the loss of Mickey. At the same time, we are so grateful for who he was and is to all of us, and for the love he gave us in our lives. He will continue to be our source of inspiration and strength."
Hargitay, also know for a few Hercules-style movies, is survived by his wife of 38 years, Ellen, a daughter, a stepdaughter, two sons, a brother, a sister, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
1. I was hoping to get this note to Mairska personally my thoughts have been with her as 10 years ago I lost my father to Multiple Miloma after only a 7 month battle. We were unfortunately living in Monterey California while my husband was assigned to the Naval Post Graduate school. He was diagnosed the day before our twins were born at level four with six weeks to live. It was a difficult time for the whole family. He was stalwart and brave in his battle and stayed confidant through the whole seven months until he could not regain his strength after having a marrow transplant. Mother ran him to the hospital one day as he stopped breathing. He died two weeks later after battling pnuemonia. He is greatly missed as my sons become teenagers, boy scouts getting their Eagles. He is a missed influence in the lives of our children. My heart is with you Mariska, we share a great loss and I morn with you. Hold your son a little tighter, and remember your father as he is a part of your son a will carry on in your self each day of your life.
Posted at 10:52PM on Sep 25th 2006 by Kelly Morrill