The Other Blonde: 17 Atomic Facts About Jayne Mansfield

The name of sizzling screen siren Jayne Mansfield is synonymous with a number of things: sex appeal, shapely curves, and enough sass to render an entire room speechless.  Although she was often billed as "the other dumb blonde," Jayne was a star in her own right who knew how to snatch the spotlight by any means necessary.  Check out these 17 facts about Jayne Mansfield, the atomic blonde bombshell who took the world by storm.

Despite how most attempted to depict her (and how she portrayed herself), Jayne had an IQ estimated to be 163. She also spoke five languages. How’s that for “dumb blonde?”

In her prime, Jayne purchased a 40-room mansion. She painted the outside pink, outfitted the interior with pink lighting fixtures, and owned a fountain that spouted pink champagne.

Early in her career, Jayne was cut from a General Electric commercial by the photographer as she was deemed “too sexy for 1954 viewers.”

Before photobombing and publicity stunts were a thing, Jayne mastered every Hollywood trick in the book to be noticed. And it worked.

Jayne got married at the tender age of 17, and gave birth to her first child soon after getting hitched.

Jayne Mansfield recorded a pair of songs with a then unknown Jimi Hendrix in 1965 that were never released. He played bass and guitar on the tracks.

Jayne had a famous (sometimes infamous) gaggle of ex-husbands, including: Mr. Universe Mickey Hargitay and director Matt Climber. She was also romantically linked to John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Anton LaVey—founder of the Church of Satan.

Jayne was offered the role of Ginger on the iconic series Gilligan’s Island, but she turned it down as she found it a stereotypical role to portray.

Jayne appeared in Playboy an astounding 30 times throughout her life, first reigning supreme on the cover in 1955.

In an attempt to gain exposure by any means necessary, Mansfield routinely entered into a range of beauty pageants. She was crowned Miss Freeway, Miss 100% Pure Maple Syrup, and Miss Fire Prevention Week, but turned down the title of Miss Roquefort Cheese because it sounded cheesy.

Jayne learned to play the violin by the age of 7, and gave impromptu concerts in the driveway of her family’s home.

Jayne’s first job was working at a movie theatre as a candy girl. Soon after, she began booking modeling jobs.

Jayne studied drama at the University of Dallas, and the University of Texas at Austin.

At the peak of her fame, Jayne sold her used bath water for $10 a bottle.

Jayne famously made Mr. Blackwell’s Worst-Dressed List in 1961 alongside Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, and Shirley MacLaine.

Jayne was arrested in 1963 for her nightclub act in Burlington, Vermont.

Throughout the late ‘50s, a number of American cars were manufactured with bumper extensions that resembled breasts. They were quickly dubbed “Jayne Mansfields” in honor of the shapely starlet.