Celebrating The Life Of Jayne Mansfield!
She was one of the first “Sex Kittens” in Hollywood, a trailblazer whose incredible career was tragically cut short…today would have been her 89th birthday!
She was stunningly beautiful, looking every bit the “Hollywood Star” – but she also was much more…bursting onto the scene with this candid photo seen around the world:
This image cemented her reputation as Hollywood’s newest Star – and another shot from an Awards show became a pop culture phenomenon, when Italian Sex Siren Sophia Loren was captured eyeing Mansfield as well:
Iconic Sex Symbol Jayne Mansfield!
My “2022 Sex Kitten Countdown” has the fascinating story of one of Hollywood’s greatest Icons – a great career and tragic death…
She was born Vera Jayne Palmer on April 19, 1933 – today would have been her 89th birthday…let’s look at her iconic career…
Jayne Mansfield was an Actress, Nightclub Singer, and one of the earliest Playboy Playmates as well, in an era when Marilyn Monroe was also becoming famous, she used her sexuality to build a great career….
Jayne Mansfield was a major Hollywood sex symbol of the ’50s and early 1960s – known as a “sexy alternative” to Marilyn Monroe – in fact, she was known as the “Working Man’s Monroe”.
According to her biography on wikipedia, Mansfield was also known for “her well-publicized personal life and publicity stunts, such as wardrobe malfunctions.” Yes, she sure knew how to take a candid photo!
Mansfield is one of the most enduring sex kittens in Hollywood history. She was a huge star who had lots of big star friends. Here she is hanging out with John Lennon…
Mansfield starred in a number of popular films in the 50’s and won a Theatre World Award and a Golden Globe.
She built a successful career with her looks and her acting ability!

She starred in the 1957 smash hit “Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?” Her other major movie performances were for “The Girl Can’t Help It” and “Too Hot to Handle”.
She posed nude at a time when very few Actresses did, but it only made her more popular…
Mansfield also launched a nightclub act and toured the world. However, many remember her for a much more “candid” performance!
“Promises! Promises!”
In 1963, Mansfield starred in the sexploitation film “Promises! Promises!”
Mansfield was the first major American actress to have a nude starring role in a Hollywood motion picture!
Mansfield appeared nude in the June 1963 issue of Playboy, further cementing her reputation as Hollywood’s sexy movie star…
This was an era when posing nude – and appearing nude in a movie – was a shocking and controversial decision – but it only cemented her reputation as the world’s sexiest woman…
Mansfield was married several times during this period, and she was the mother of four children, including Actress Mariska Hargitay, who has had a big career of her own…
A Tragic End…
The Jayne Mansfield story has a tragic end. On June 29, 1967, Mansfield and her Attorney Sam Brody were driving home from a nightclub performance in Mississippi when they crashed into a semi-truck, instantly killing both of them. Jayne Mansfield was only 34 years old at the time of her death…
Hollywood Babylon!
As you can see, Mansfield’s legendary sex kitten pose was used as the cover to Kenneth Anger’s blockbuster book “Hollywood Babylon”, which looked at some of entertainment’s most scintillating stories…

Mansfield remains one of Hollywood’s most iconic sex symbols, and her tragic death has only made her life that much more fascinating…
There have been other sex symbols in Hollywood, including one known as “The Queen Of Softcore!”
You can see all of Marsha Jordan’s sexiest hits by clicking on my story here:
And if you want to see who else was one of America’s most popular sex kittens of the 70’s, look no further than here:

Claudia Jennings was one of our great Cult Movie Queens, but she also died in a car accident…see that story by clicking here:
Here’s another Icon, in this case still going strong:
Mamie Van doren also had an incredible career, and is still active today – click here for her story:
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Categories: Artsploitation, Books / Media, Camp Cult Classics, Exploitation Films, JRsploitation, Nudity, sex kittens, Sexploitation Films, Talent / Celebrites
Great tribute. Jayne was killed just 15 miles from where I live. It was a horrific crash. chuq
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Such a shame…she was so young! Thanks for sharing that!
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Jayne was my ‘dream girl’ when I was young, and remained so for many years. Even now, I think ‘The Girl Can’t Help It’ is a great film because she was in it.
Best wishes, Pete.
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