Paul Mansfield is remembered today mostly through a connection most people never expect. He was the first husband of legendary 1950s actress Jayne Mansfield, and his last name became her famous stage identity. Long before Hollywood fame entered his world, Paul Mansfield was simply a college student from Texas. This guide explains his early life, his short marriage to Jayne Mansfield, and the quieter career he built afterward.
Paul Mansfield Quick Bio Profile
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Paul James Mansfield |
| Date of Birth | November 28, 1929 |
| Birthplace | Galveston, Texas, USA |
| Date of Death | June 8, 2013 |
| Place of Death | San Angelo, Texas, USA |
| Age at Death | 83 years |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Public Relations Professional, Businessman |
| Education | Sunset High School, North Texas Agricultural College, University of Texas at Austin (BFA) |
| Military Service | U.S. Army Reserve, Military Police Corps (Korean War era) |
| First Spouse | Jayne Mansfield (married 1950, divorced 1958) |
| Second Spouse | Mary Sue Greer |
| Children | Five, including Jayne Marie Mansfield |
| Known For | First husband of actress Jayne Mansfield |
Who Is Paul Mansfield?
Paul Mansfield was an American public relations professional best known for being the first husband of actress Jayne Mansfield. He was not part of the entertainment industry himself. Instead, his name became permanently tied to Hollywood because his wife adopted “Mansfield” as her professional surname, a name she kept for the rest of her career.
Early Life and Family Background
Paul James Mansfield was born on November 28, 1929, in Galveston, Texas, to parents Norman and Virginia Ruth Pigue Mansfield. His family relocated to Dallas in 1932 while he was still a young child. Growing up in the Kessler Park area of Dallas, Paul Mansfield lived a fairly ordinary childhood compared to the fame that would later surround him.
There is little public information about his siblings or extended family during his early years. What is documented clearly is his education path, which set the stage for his later career choices.
Education and Academic Background
Paul Mansfield graduated from Sunset High School in Dallas in 1947. He then attended North Texas Agricultural College in Arlington, commuting between Oak Cliff and Arlington for several semesters. During this time, he was active in the ROTC program and was eventually promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and Battalion Commander.
In January 1950, Paul Mansfield transferred to the University of Texas at Austin as a junior. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1952, majoring in radio production, script writing, and performance, with a minor in journalism. This academic background later shaped his career in public relations and media.
Meeting Jayne Mansfield
Paul Mansfield met Vera Jayne Palmer, who would later become famous as Jayne Mansfield, at a high school Christmas party. He was twenty years old at the time, while she was a sixteen-year-old high school senior. According to multiple accounts, the two connected quickly, and their relationship moved forward at a rapid pace.
Within weeks of meeting, the couple decided to get married, despite having known each other for a very short time. This fast timeline would shape much of what followed in their relationship.
Marriage and Early Family Life
Paul Mansfield and Jayne Mansfield married in a secret ceremony in January 1950. A public wedding ceremony followed a few months later, in May 1950. Later that same year, the couple welcomed their daughter, Jayne Marie Mansfield.
Their early married life involved working odd jobs while both pursued education and performance opportunities in Texas. Jayne continued taking drama classes, while Paul balanced his studies with new responsibilities as a young husband and father.
Military Service During the Korean War
In 1952, Paul Mansfield was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Military Police Corps through his ROTC training. He served on active duty during the Korean War era, with assignments that included postings in Georgia, Korea, and Japan. During this period, Jayne lived near his training base in Georgia for part of the time before continuing her own acting pursuits.
His military service represented a structured, disciplined chapter of his life, separate from the entertainment world that would soon surround his family.
Move to Los Angeles
After completing his military service, Paul Mansfield moved with his wife and young daughter to Los Angeles in 1954. The relocation was driven mainly by Jayne’s ambition to become a movie star. Paul worked various jobs in Los Angeles, including a position as an usher at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and as editor of a local weekly newspaper.
This period marked a turning point. While Jayne’s career began accelerating rapidly, Paul Mansfield remained focused on stable, low-profile work rather than chasing fame himself.
Separation and Divorce
Tensions between the couple grew not long after their move to California. Reports describe ongoing disagreements related to Jayne’s career ambitions and other personal conflicts. The couple separated only a few months after arriving in Hollywood, around 1955.
The divorce process stretched on for several years before being finalized. Jayne filed for divorce in California, while Paul later filed separately in Texas, citing mental cruelty. Their divorce was officially completed on January 8, 1958, nearly three years after they first separated.
Custody Dispute Over Jayne Marie
During the lengthy divorce proceedings, Paul Mansfield sought custody of their daughter, Jayne Marie, in 1956. His argument centered on concerns about Jayne’s public image, including her appearance in Playboy magazine. The custody attempt was ultimately unsuccessful, and Jayne Marie remained primarily under her mother’s care.
This dispute highlighted the growing distance between Paul Mansfield’s private, traditional values and the public, image-driven world his former wife was entering.
Career in Public Relations
Following the divorce, Paul Mansfield built a long-term career in public relations and business roles, eventually working with the Southern Pacific railroad company. He moved away from the entertainment industry entirely, choosing professional stability over public visibility.
Unlike his former wife, Jayne Mansfield remained a highly publicized figure throughout the late 1950s and 1960s. Paul Mansfield, by contrast, kept a notably low profile for the rest of his life.
Second Marriage and Later Children
Paul Mansfield later remarried, this time to Mary Sue Greer. Together, they had four children: Robert Greer Mansfield, Paul James Mansfield Jr., Jennifer Suzanne Mansfield Peal, and Amy Foster Mansfield Babinski. This brought his total number of children to five, including Jayne Marie from his first marriage.
His second marriage appears to have provided long-term stability. Reports describe a settled family life built around home, travel, and shared activities with his second wife.
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Comparing Jayne Mansfield’s Husbands
Jayne Mansfield married three times during her life. The table below compares Paul Mansfield to her later husbands for added context.
| Detail | Paul Mansfield | Mickey Hargitay | Matt Cimber |
| Marriage Years | 1950 to 1958 | 1958 to 1963 | 1964 to 1966 |
| Profession | PR professional, businessman | Bodybuilder, actor | Film director |
| Children With Jayne | 1 (Jayne Marie) | 3 (Miklós, Zoltan, Mariska) | 1 (Antonio) |
| Public Visibility | Low, stayed private | High, performed together publicly | Moderate |
| Order of Marriage | First husband | Second husband | Third husband |
This comparison shows that Paul Mansfield’s marriage was the only one where he remained largely outside the public eye, unlike Jayne’s later husbands who were more directly involved in her entertainment career.
Documentary Appearances
Later in life, Paul Mansfield appeared in a small number of documentaries and television specials discussing his former marriage to Jayne Mansfield. These include productions such as “Arena,” “Blond in Hollywood,” and “Living Famously.” In these appearances, he offered brief reflections on their early relationship rather than detailed personal commentary.
These appearances remain the primary record of his own voice discussing the marriage, since he rarely gave interviews otherwise.
Community and Church Involvement
In his later years, Paul Mansfield became active in church and volunteer work, particularly through the First Baptist Church in San Angelo, Texas. He created a bus ministry program that provided meals to families traveling through the area. He also volunteered consistently with Baptist Memorials in the same community.
This community focus reflected the quieter, faith-centered lifestyle he maintained long after his brief connection to Hollywood fame had faded from public attention.
Death and Legacy
Paul Mansfield passed away on June 8, 2013, in San Angelo, Texas, at the age of 83. He was survived by his wife, Mary Sue, along with his children and several grandchildren. His obituary described a life centered on family, faith, and steady professional work.
Although his name remains tied to one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars, Paul Mansfield’s own life followed a very different path, built on privacy rather than publicity.
Conclusion
Paul Mansfield’s story begins with a fast teenage romance and ends with decades of quiet, private living far from Hollywood’s spotlight. He married young, served during the Korean War, and later built a stable career and family life after his marriage to Jayne Mansfield ended. While his former wife became a lasting cultural icon, Paul Mansfield chose a steady, low-profile life that still draws curiosity from those exploring her early history today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Paul Mansfield?
Paul Mansfield was an American public relations professional best known as the first husband of actress Jayne Mansfield.
How did Paul Mansfield meet Jayne Mansfield?
They met at a high school Christmas party in Texas, where he was twenty years old and she was a sixteen-year-old senior.
Did Paul Mansfield and Jayne Mansfield have children?
Yes, they had one daughter together, Jayne Marie Mansfield, born in 1950.
Why did Paul Mansfield and Jayne Mansfield divorce?
The couple separated due to ongoing personal conflicts after moving to Hollywood, with their divorce finalized in January 1958.
What did Paul Mansfield do for a living?
He worked in public relations and later held roles with the Southern Pacific railroad company.
Did Paul Mansfield remarry after his divorce?
Yes, he remarried Mary Sue Greer and had four more children with her.
When did Paul Mansfield die?
Paul Mansfield died on June 8, 2013, in San Angelo, Texas, at the age of 83.
Did Jayne Mansfield keep her married name after the divorce?
Yes, Jayne Mansfield kept “Mansfield” as her professional name for the rest of her career.
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