Hargitay Wins Dual Emmys for 'My Mom Jayne' Ahead of Hosting Duties

Key points

• Hargitay won Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special and Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program for 'My Mom Jayne' at the 78th Creative Arts Emmys.
• The documentary, which explores her late mother Jayne Mansfield's life and a mystery regarding Hargitay's biological father, is her first win in the Primetime categories since 2006.
• Hargitay is set to host the main Primetime Emmy Awards on September 14, utilizing a writing team from 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.'
• The film previously won the Producers Guild Award and Best First Documentary Feature at the Critics Choice Documentary Awards, despite missing the Oscar documentary lineup.
• Hargitay dedicated her acceptance speech to the late Gloria Steinem, emphasizing the importance of women telling their own stories.

Background

Hargitay has been expanding her career beyond her 28th season of 'Law & Order: SVU,' which premieres October 8. She recently made her Broadway debut in 'Every Brilliant Thing' and previously won a News & Documentary Emmy in 2019 for 'I Am Evidence.'

How outlets are covering it

All three outlets (The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, and Gold Derby) confirm the two wins and Hargitay's upcoming hosting role. The Hollywood Reporter emphasizes Hargitay's personal mindset of 'saying yes' to new opportunities, while Deadline highlights her tribute to Gloria Steinem and the specific competitors she defeated. Gold Derby notes the film's prior snub at the Oscars and its success at the Producers Guild Awards, framing the Emmy wins as a significant validation after that exclusion.

Why it matters

The dual wins mark a significant career pivot for Hargitay, transitioning her from a long-running television star to an acclaimed documentary filmmaker. Her subsequent hosting of the main ceremony further cements her status as a major figure in the entertainment industry's 'third act.'

What to watch

Hargitay will host the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards on September 14. The main ceremony will air on NBC and the Peacock streaming platform, following the Creative Arts broadcasts.