In this decade, the female body ideal shifted to appreciate the slim waif-like features popularized by supermodel Twiggy, actress Audrey Hepburn, and others, demarcating the demise of the busty blonde bombshells. Not to downplay Mansfield’s death at all, or the grisliness of it, but she was not actually decapitated. Since that Jayne Mansfield fiasco, Playboy was scrutinized by the Customs Department issue-by-issue until 1967, and they found 51 issues out of 51 objectionable.

Referred to as 'the poor man's Marilyn', Jayne Mansfield attempted to distance herself from the 'dumb blonde' image that she knew she was being identified with and she made a bold move by accepting a role in The Wayward Bus, in 1957 that earned her a Golden Globe for New Star. The movie did well with both critics and box offices (earning more than Monroe's debut film, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) and won Mansfield a Golden Globe for Best New Star of the Year. Brody, musician Bobby Darin, pop singer Engelbert Humperdinck, billionaire Jorge Guinle, film director Nicholas Ray, Church of Satan founder Anton LaVey, and so many more.During a period between 1956 and 1957, there were about 122,000 lines of copy and 2,500 photographs that appeared in newspapers. Hollywood historian Andrew Nelson said that she was seen as Hollywood’s gaudiest, boldest, D-cupped, B-grade actress from 1955 until the early 1960s. Playboy was established in December 1953, and its original cover featured Mansfield’s iconic doppelganger, Marilyn Monroe. As a result of the film's success, Mansfield landed on the Top 10 list of box-office attractions for that year. Despite career setbacks, she remained a highly visible celebrity during the early 1960s through her publicity antics and stage performances.

Photos were selectively reused by Playboy in a number of other issues (December 1965, January 1979, January 1984, January 1989, January 1994, November 1996, August 1999, and January 2000). Later, Mark Seliger took a picture named Heidi Klum at Romanoff's with Heidi Klum in a reproduction of the restaurant set. Numerous show business people were dubbed "Jayne Mansfield" over the time, including Italian actress Marisa Allasio and professional wrestler Missy Hyatt. That photo shoot was so popular, it’s said to be the catalyst that truly launched Mansfield’s career. Robert Jason, Fernand Aubrey, Monte Duro, Lino Enner, Brigitte Halberg, Bob Oliver, Rocky Roberts, Lila Solh, Carolyn De Fonseca, Mickey Hargitay Jr.In Lynda Curnyn's novel Bombshell (2004), the character Grace is advised not to become a Jayne Mansfield when it is suspected that she is pregnant without a boyfriend or a husband. released in 1957, [64] reprising her role of Rita Marlowe alongside costars Tony Randall and Joan Blondell. The photo of Sophia Loren sitting next to Jayne Mansfield and regarding her cleavage inspired other photographers too. blueberry muffins with their tops cut off," making reference to the urban legend of how Mansfield died.