Nicolette Scorsese: You’ve Seen Her on Christmas Vacation – But Who Exactly Is She?

If you’re the type of person who can’t imagine December without watching the Christmas classics, then you likely know Nicolette Scorsese. Her one scene on National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation never fails to stand out.
Yet, despite her permanent spot in pop culture, Nicolette Scorsese always seems to slip away from the spotlight.
Who is Nicolette Scorsese, and where is she today? Find out about her surprising past in this article!
Who Is Nicolette Scorsese?
Nicolette Scorsese is an American actress and model who appeared on various shows from 1985 to 2000. Her most memorable film is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, where she acted as Mary the department store clerk.
Nicolette Scorsese only has two scenes in Christmas Vacation. Still, her appearance in the movie has cemented her position as a ‘90s icon. You can even find memes of Nicolette Scorsese to this day!
Nicolette Scorsese’s Background
Nicolette Scorsese was born on January 6, 1954, in the United States. She had a passion for fashion growing up, and she decided to pursue a career in modeling.
As you may have guessed, Nicolette’s modeling career was a successful one. She appeared in various magazines before attracting Hollywood’s attention.
Nicolette Scorsese’s Early Acting Career
Nicolette first gained a small role in the 1985 series The A-Team. Afterward, she appeared on several episodes of The Last Precinct and Charles in Charge from 1986 to 1987.
Next came her first movie, the R-rated thriller Perfect Victims, in 1988. Although her role was minor, it opened an opportunity for her to star in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation!
What Was Nicolette Scorsese’s Role In National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation?
Nicolette Scorsese is remembered by fans as the lingerie girl from Christmas Vacation. She acts alongside Chevy Chase in arguably the funniest scene of the film.
In the movie, Mary, played by Nicolette, is an attractive clerk at the department store where Clark Griswold is shopping. Mary approaches Clark as he is browsing the lingerie counter, and Clark becomes visibly flustered.
Clark tries to act cool, but his nervousness results in a string of hilarious (and embarrassingly awkward) comments. The amused Mary plays along and teases Clark.
In a later scene, Clark fantasizes about his backyard pool, enjoying a good life with his family. Suddenly, a gorgeous woman in a red swimsuit appears. It’s Mary, the department store clerk, once again!
Although her scenes are short, the way Nicolette Scorsese appears adds absurdity, making the movie even funnier.

Image source: Google
Does Nicolette Scorsese Have Other Movies?
Yes. Not many people know this, but Nicolette Scorsese was in several movies after her appearance on Christmas Vacation. These include Boxing Helena, Aspen Extreme, and Girls in Prison.
Nicolette Scorsese was also in TV serieses like ER, Rebel Highway, and L.A. Law. Her last project was NYPD Blue, a series that ended in 2000.
Is Nicolette Scorsese Related to Martin Scorsese?
Scorsese is a rare surname, so I was surprised to find out that Nicolette Scorsese isn’t related to Martin Scorsese. It’s just a coincidence that both Scorseses are in the entertainment industry!
If you didn’t know, Martin Scorsese is an award-winning filmmaker responsible for movies like The Wolf of Wall Street and Goodfellas.

Image source: Google
Nicolette Scorsese’s Relationships
While Nicolette doesn’t have blood relations to Martin Scorsese, she did see other famous men. Below are Nicolette Scorsese’s past relationships.
1. Antonio Sabato Jr.
Nicolette Scorsese and Antonio Sabato Jr. briefly dated back when Nicolette was still working as a model.
Sabato is an Italian actor, producer, and director. You may have seen him in The Three Stooges, The Big Hit, and Trail Blazers.
2. Sean Penn
Nicolette also dated Sean Penn, the Oscar-winning actor who played Jimmy Markum in Mystic River. The couple debuted their relationship at the first annual International Rock Awards.
However, the relationship only lasted a year before they split.
3. Billy Duffy
In the 1990s, rumors spread that Nicolette Scorsese was dating Billy Duffy. Duffy is the composer for the Buffy the Vampire Slayer soundtrack, Zap City.
Yet, both Nicolette and Billy Duffy preferred to keep their life private. They never confirmed nor denied this rumor.

Image source: Google
What Is Nicolette Scorsese’s Net Worth?
CEO Column estimates Nicolette Scorsese’s net worth to be around $500,000 to $1 million. The estimated amount is due to Nicolette’s secrecy about her personal life.
That said, she likely gets royalties for the films she’s been in. Plus, she may be earning extra from any investments she made while working as an actress and model.
Where Is Nicolette Scorsese Now?
Nicolette Scorsese retired from the entertainment industry after her final appearance on NYPD Blue. The series ended in 2000 when she was only 46 years old.
Nicolette Scorsese never returned to acting. However, I did make an interesting find as I was researching this article!
ARCollectibles Store on Etsy is selling what they claim to be authentic signed photos from Nicolette herself. The listing says the autographed photos are from an exclusive private signing.
While I can’t confirm if these photos are real, Nicolette Scorsese did sign a lot of memorabilia before her retirement.

Image source: Google
She just turned 71 this year. So, I like to imagine an elderly Nicolette somewhere out there, still signing photos for fans who remember her role in Christmas Vacation.
Conclusion
Nicolette Scorsese may have retired early from the entertainment industry, but she has captured the hearts of many. She’s truly charming and talented, as she can achieve this with only a few minutes of screen time.
From the autographs she’s selling online, it’s clear that people still love and remember her rendition of Mary in Christmas Vacation!
Featured image source: Google