Nicolette Scorsese is best known for playing Mary in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989).
After a short acting career in the late 1980s and 1990s, she quietly retired from Hollywood.
As of 2026, her estimated net worth is around $300,000 to $1 million, primarily earned from acting roles and modeling work during her active years.
There is no verified public financial disclosure, and estimates vary across outlets. According to Celebrity Net Worth, her fortune is approximately $500,000..
Profile Summary table
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Nicolette Scorsese |
| Date of Birth | January 6, 1954 |
| Age (2025) | ~71 years |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Former Actress & Model |
| Known For | National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Boxing Helena, NYPD Blue |
| Career Active | Mainly 1980s–1990s |
| Estimated Net Worth (2025) | $300,000–$3,000,000 (widely varied estimates) (omenr.co.uk) |
| Common Estimate Range | $300,000 to $1 million (popular listings |
| Primary Income Sources | Acting roles, modeling, residuals/royalties, commercials |
| Marital Status | Unmarried / Private lifestyle |
| Current Status | Retired from acting, private life |
Nicolette Scorsese Net Worth in 2026
Based on multiple estimates, Nicolette Scorsese’s net worth sits somewhere between $300,000 to $1 million
The wide range exists because she has stayed almost completely off the radar for the past two decades, and no verified financial records have been made public.
Most credible estimates land around $4 to $5 million, reflecting income from acting and modeling during her active years in the late 1980s and 1990s.
She retired from acting around 2000, so her income has not grown significantly through ongoing Hollywood work.
Nicolette Scorsese: Physical Appearance
| Attribute | Details |
| Height | 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) |
| Weight (approx.) | 60–65 kg (132–143 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Body Type | Slim |
| Skin Tone | Fair |
| Distinct Features | Tall frame, sharp facial features, classic 1980s glamour look |
| Public Image Era | Late 1980s – Early 1990s |
Who Is Nicolette Scorsese?
Nicolette Scorsese is an American actress born on January 6, 1954, in California. Despite sharing a last name with legendary director Martin Scorsese, the two are not related.
It is purely a coincidence, though it has certainly made her name more memorable over the years.
She grew up with a natural interest in fashion and entertainment, eventually starting her career as a model in the early 1980s.
Fashion and bikini shoots throughout the decade helped her build a profile before she transitioned into acting.
Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall, she fit the look of the era perfectly and Hollywood noticed.
Her Acting Career: The Roles That Paid the Bills
Nicolette made her television debut in 1985 with a small role in the classic action series The A-Team, playing a character named Cindy.
That small opportunity opened doors, and she kept working steadily throughout the late 80s and 90s.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
This is the role that defined her public image. She played Mary, the department store checkout girl who distracts Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) in a daydream sequence.
The movie was a massive commercial success and became one of the most-watched Christmas comedies in American history.
The film grossed over $71 million at the domestic box office and has continued generating revenue through holiday reruns and streaming ever since (Box Office Mojo).
Scorsese’s role, while brief, remains one of the most talked-about moments in the film.
Boxing Helena (1993) and Aspen Extreme (1993)
After Christmas Vacation, Nicolette took on more diverse roles. In Boxing Helena, she played a nurse and fantasy lover in a darker psychological thriller directed by Jennifer Lynch.
The same year, she appeared in Aspen Extreme as Tina. These roles showed she could handle material beyond light comedy.
Television Work: NYPD Blue, ER, and More
Nicolette appeared in several well-known television series throughout the 1990s. Her credits include NYPD Blue (1993, 1994), The Santa Clause (1994), L.A. Law (1994), ER (1995), and The Ultimate Lie (1996).
These were not lead roles, but steady guest appearances in hit shows meant consistent income during a competitive era of television.
Her final credited role was in NYPD Blue, where she played a character named Francine. After that, she retired from acting entirely around 2000.
Why Her Net Worth Is Not Higher
Here’s the honest truth: a 15-year acting career with no lead film roles and no long-running series work simply does not produce the kind of wealth most people associate with Hollywood.
Supporting and guest roles in the late 1980s and 1990s were paid well by everyday standards, but they are nowhere near the multi-million dollar contracts that lead actors and producers command.
Residual income from films and shows adds some ongoing revenue, but it is a small fraction compared to active work.
She also did not transition into producing, directing, or any other industry role that could have compounded her earnings over time.
Once she stepped away from the spotlight, her financial growth in entertainment effectively stopped.
This is actually pretty common for actors of her era who had a strong but short run. Think of it this way: a successful decade in Hollywood can set you up comfortably, but it rarely builds generational wealth unless you are at the very top of the call sheet.
Nicolette Scorsese’s Personal Life
Her personal life was as interesting as her career. She had several notable relationships during her time in the spotlight, including with DJ and music producer Jellybean Benitez in 1988, Italian-American actor Antonio Sabato Jr., and Academy Award-winning actor Sean Penn in the early 1990s.
She also dated English rock musician Billy Duffy, the guitarist for The Cult. Together they have a daughter. Duffy has kept a low profile about his personal life, and Nicolette has done the same.
Since retiring from acting, she has stayed almost entirely out of public view. No verified social media presence, no interviews, and no public appearances.
For someone who appeared in one of the most popular holiday films ever made, that level of privacy is actually quite rare.
The Martin Scorsese Question: Are They Related?
No. Nicolette Scorsese and Martin Scorsese share a last name but no family connection.
This comes up constantly because of how well-known the director is, but multiple sources have confirmed there is no relationship between them. It is simply a shared Italian surname.
Where Is Nicolette Scorsese Now?
As of 2025, Nicolette Scorsese is 71 years old and living privately. There is no confirmed information about her current location or activities.
She has not given interviews or made public appearances in years. This is entirely her choice, and she has been consistent about it.
The internet keeps her memory alive, largely because National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation airs every single holiday season and introduces her to new audiences. So while she has moved on, pop culture has not quite let her go.
Legacy: More Than One Memorable Scene
It is easy to reduce Nicolette Scorsese’s career to that one famous scene in Christmas Vacation.
But her actual filmography shows a working actress who appeared in a solid variety of films and television shows over 15 years.
She was a recognized model in the 1980s before most people ever saw her face in a movie. She took on darker, more complex material in films like Boxing Helena.
She held her own in competitive TV dramas like NYPD Blue and ER.
That is not a shallow career. It is a real one, even if it was shorter than many of her peers.
Final Word on Nicolette Scorsese Net Worth
Nicolette Scorsese’s net worth is estimated at around $300,000 to $1 million, built through acting and modeling work from 1985 to 2000.
It is a modest figure by Hollywood standards, but it reflects a real career with genuine accomplishments.
She was not a blockbuster lead actress. She was a working professional who made memorable contributions to film and television during a specific era.
And unlike many people who chase fame indefinitely, she chose to step away on her own terms.
That is actually worth something.
FAQs
Is Nicolette Scorsese still acting?
Nicolette Scorsese is no longer acting and has been retired from Hollywood since the late 1990s.
How rich is Scorsese?
Her estimated net worth is around $500,000, based on publicly available reports.
How old was Nicolette Scorsese in Christmas Vacation?
She was about 35 years old when National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation was released in 1989.
What is Nicolette Scorsese known for?
She is best known for playing Mary, the lingerie clerk, in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989).
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