Jayne Mansfield (born Vera Jayne Palmer; April 19, 1933—June 29, 1967) was an American actress working both on Broadway and in Hollywood. One of the leading blonde sex symbols of the 1950s, like Marilyn Monroe, Mansfield was a Playmate of the Month in Playboy , in February 1955 (preceded by Bettie Page and succeeded by Marilyn Waltz). She appeared in the magazine several more times over the years. She won the Theatre World Award, Golden Globe and Golden Laurel. [ citation needed ] Mansfield starred in several popular Hollywood films that emphasized her platinum-blonde hair, dramatic hourglass figure and cleavage-revealing costumes. Though Jayne's career was short-lived, she had several box office successes, and as the demand for blonde bombshells declined in the 1960s, Jayne was relegated to low-budget melodramas and comedies, as were many other actresses. However, Jayne was still a hugely popular star during her time, attracting large crowds in foreign countries and performing in nightclub appearances which paid extremely well. Jayne died in an automobile accident at the age of 34.
|