Jayne's Early
Years
She was the only
child of Herbert and Vera Palmer and grew up in a pampered
household. Herbert was a very successful lawyer, who had
political aspirations. Herbert died of a fatal heart attack
when Jayne was only three. Her mother met and married a
man by the name of Harry Peers within a year of Herbert's
death, and they moved from Phillipsburg, NJ to Harry's home
in Dallas.
Her early years
were fondly remembered as her family being fairly well off,
having what normal kids have while growing up. Until she
discovered movie fan magazines. From then on she wanted
to become an actress. Her mother, while supportive of Jayne,
had no idea how ferocious Jayne's aspirations were.
On May 6, 1950
at the age of seventeen, Jayne married Paul Mansfield after
learning she was pregnant. She referred to Paul as being
the most handsome boy in her crowd at school, and having
the most gorgeous eyes. She graduated from high school and
gave birth to Jayne Marie Mansfield on November 8, 1950.
That fall Paul
entered college, and shortly after the birth of Jayne Marie
she joined him. They rented a small apartment off campus,
and because the couple were not able to afford a baby sitter
Jayne would bring her daughter with her to her classes.
She worked a grueling schedule, working at a receptionist
at an Austin Dance studio from 7 - 11 every night, sold
books and family photo albums door to door to help pay her
way, modeled and slept on four hours a night.
The next summer,
Paul went off for his ROTC training while Jayne ventured
west to Los Angeles to enroll in UCLA to take special dramatic
courses. While there she reached the finals of the Miss
Southern California of 1951 contest. Paul, back home read
accounts of the event and sent Jayne a disapproving letter,
and she resigned from the competition. She headed back east
to Dallas. Jayne at this time, began to blossom into her
own persona, and Paul did not like what he saw.
Paul was drafted
early in 1952, and Jayne joined him is Augusta, Georgia.
During this time, she was awarded with the Miss Photoflash
award. She provided much entertainment for the drill teams,
and much dismay for their wives, on the base as she practiced
ballet exercises on the front lawn and showed up at the
base swimming pool in velvet bikinis. She also participated
in some shows on the base.
Jayne
Makes Her Debut ->
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