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Jayne Mansfield (April 19, 1933 - June 29, 1967) was an American actress and sex symbol. Born Vera Jayne Palmer in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, she moved to Dallas, Texas, then attended the University of Texas. In 1954 she moved to Los Angeles, California, and attended UCLA, taking drama classes. She had a bit part in that year in the movie Female Jungle, but the small role the following year in Pete Kelly's Blues brought her attention.

She starred in the Broadway production of Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?, and took the role back to Hollywood. But she became mired in the sterotype of the dumb blonde bimbo, and was rarely able to shake it. She was inevitably compared (usually unfavourably) with Marilyn Monroe, the most famous blonde large-breasted sex symbol of the era. Mansfield, Monroe, and Mamie Van Doren were sometimes referred to as the 3 M's.

Mansfield died in an automobile accident on the highway in rural Orleans Parish, Louisiana on the way to the city of New Orleans. She was infamously said to have been decapitated in the accident. This is an urban legend, possibly spawned by the fact that her blond wig was knocked off her head.

In the car with her was her daughter, Mariska Hargitay, who has become an actress in her own right.

Mansfield was married three times: to Paul Mansfield, to actor and bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay and to director Matt Cimber. Another daughter, Jayne Marie Mansfield was a Playboy centerfold in 1976, following in her mother's footsteps -- Jayne Mansfield herself was a centerfold in 1955.

It is said that the role of Ginger Grant in Gilligan's Island was created for her, but she turned down the part.

Some have alledged that at some point she became involved with Anton LaVey's Church Of Satan.