Who Was the Swimsuit Model in Christmas Vacation?

By Anna Duncan

If you’re a fan of the classic Christmas movie, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” you may have wondered who the stunning swimsuit model was in one of the film’s iconic scenes. Well, wonder no more as we dive into the identity of this mystery woman.

The Scene

In one of the movie’s most memorable scenes, Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) daydreams about his idealized Christmas celebration while lounging in the family swimming pool. As he snaps out of his reverie, he is startled to find a beautiful woman in a red swimsuit floating on an inflatable raft in front of him.

The Actress

The actress who played the coveted role of the swimsuit model is Nicolette Scorsese. Born on January 6, 1954, in Glen Cove, New York, Scorsese was a relatively unknown actress before landing her role in “Christmas Vacation.” She had only appeared in small roles on television shows such as “The A-Team” and “Charles In Charge.”

Her Career

After her memorable turn as the swimsuit model in “Christmas Vacation,” Scorsese continued to act for several years but never achieved widespread success. She appeared in a handful of TV shows and movies throughout the ’90s, including “NYPD Blue” and “Boxing Helena.” However, her last credit appears to be from 2000.

Trivia

  • The swimsuit that Scorsese wore for her role in “Christmas Vacation” was actually purchased by director Jeremiah S. Chechik at a department store.
  • Scorsese also appeared briefly with Chevy Chase again in his 1991 comedy film, “Nothing But Trouble.”
  • The song that plays during Clark Griswold’s daydream is “Mele Kalikimaka” by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters.

Conclusion

While Nicolette Scorsese may not have had a long and illustrious acting career, her role as the swimsuit model in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” has certainly made her a memorable part of movie history. And now, you can impress your friends with this knowledge the next time you watch the classic holiday film.