Hargitay made his first film appearance with Mansfield in a bit part in "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?". The couple became a popular publicity and performing team who toured widely in stage shows, where Mansfield's leopard-spot bikini became a topic of discussion and newspaper coverage. As a highlight, Hargitay tossed her around his waist and spun her in wide circles as her shows made more headlines. On screen, he was Mansfield's male lead in her Italian ventures – "The Loves of Hercules" and "L'Amore Primitivo", and a major supporting character in "Promises! Promises!". On stage, he was the male lead in "The Tropicana Holiday", "The House of Love", "French Dressing", and other nightclub acts.