Mickey Hargitay Bodybuilder, actor Date of Birth: 06.01.1926 Country: USA

Biography of Mickey Hargitay

Mickey Hargitay was born in 1926 in Budapest, Hungary. From a young age, he participated in acrobatic acts with his brothers and also pursued speed skating. Coming from a sporty family, Hargitay's father encouraged his sons to engage in physical fitness. After the end of World War II, Mickey left Hungary and immigrated to the United States, settling in Cleveland, where he worked as a carpenter and plumber.

In Cleveland, Mickey met his first wife, Mary Birge, and they had a daughter named Tina in 1949. Inspired by a magazine cover featuring Steve Reeves as Hercules, Hargitay began actively pursuing bodybuilding. He quickly achieved success and in 1955, he won the prestigious Mr. Universe title.

Hargitay's career took a different path as he started appearing in films alongside his second wife, actress Jayne Mansfield. They starred together in movies such as "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?" (1957) and "Amori di Ercole, Gli" (1990), where Mickey portrayed Hercules, inspired by Steve Reeves's portrayal.

In 1964, Hargitay landed his most significant role in the Italian film "La vendetta dei gladiatori." However, his marriage with Jayne Mansfield ended in 1963, with the divorce being finalized in 1964. They had three children together. Following Mansfield's tragic death in a car accident in 1967, Hargitay took custody of their children.

In 1967, Mickey remarried Ellen Siano, who helped him raise his children. Mickey Hargitay's life was depicted in the biographical film "The Jayne Mansfield Story" (1980), where Arnold Schwarzenegger portrayed him. Interestingly, Schwarzenegger himself would go on to win the Mr. Universe title 11 years later.

Hargitay's career continued to thrive as he appeared in movies, TV shows, and became a respected figure in the world of bodybuilding. His daughter, Mariska, also became an actress and appeared alongside her father in the film "Mr. Universe" (1988), where Mickey played the lead role as himself.

Mickey Hargitay passed away on September 14, 2006, at the age of 80. He was always content with how his life and career turned out and never desired more. In 1999, he became the first recipient of the Joe Weider Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2006, he received the Muscle Beach Hall of Fame Award for his outstanding contributions to the promotion and popularization of bodybuilding.