Age, Biography, and Wiki
Nelson Sardelli was born on September 20, 1934, in São Paulo, Brazil. He is of Italian descent and has had a diverse career in entertainment, including stints as a singer, comedian, and actor in Las Vegas. Sardelli gained recognition for his roles in films like Myra Breckinridge and The Professionals, and he was also involved in notable events such as the "Starshine" fundraiser for mentally disabled children in Atlantic City.
| Occupation | Musicians |
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| Date of Birth | 20 September 1934 |
| Age | 90 Years |
| Birth Place | N/A |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
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Height, Weight & Measurements
There is currently no publicly available information on Nelson Sardelli's height, weight, or other body measurements.
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Dating & Relationship Status
Nelson Sardelli's relationship status is not widely documented, but it is known that he had a brief affair with Jayne Mansfield in 1963, which has been highlighted in connection with Mariska Hargitay's documentary My Mom Jayne, where she revealed that Sardelli is her biological father.
In 1963, Sardelli was involved with actress Jayne Mansfield and the couple almost married. In his 1992 Jayne Mansfield biography Here They Are Jayne Mansfield, former Mansfield press Raymond Strait alleged that Sardelli was the biological father of Mansfield's daughter Mariska Hargitay, whose father was publicly assumed to have been Mansfield's estranged husband Mickey Hargitay. She would finally meet Sardelli after seeing him perform in Atlantic City when she was 30 and developed a close relationship with him and his other daughters. Mariska would later gain renowned fame for her role as sex crime police officer Olivia Benson on Law and Order: SVU. In May 2025, Mariska confirmed in her HBO documentary My Mom Jayne that Sardelli was in fact her biological father. He has three other daughters with his late wife, Fledia Fay Sardelli, who died in July 2012. His eldest, Venetia, who died in 2001, and Mariska's two half-sisters, who participated in Mariska's documentary. As of September 20, 2019, (his 85th birthday), he lives in Las Vegas and is married to a woman named Lorraine.
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Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Nelson Sardelli's estimated net worth ranges between $5 million and $10 million. His wealth is attributed to his extensive career in entertainment.
Career, Business, and Investments
Sardelli's career in entertainment spans multiple decades. He has worked as a singer, comedian, and actor, with notable appearances in Las Vegas and roles in films. He was also involved in teaching dance during his time in the U.S. Army and worked at various venues before returning to Brazil briefly for a construction job. There is no specific information on his business or investment activities.
Sardelli is originally a Brazilian-Italian who came from São Paulo, Brazil. In 1956, Sardelli, who was already employed by General Motors, migrated from Brazil to Pontiac, Michigan, due to the city having numerous job openings due to massive layoffs. For much of the time between 1956 and 1958, Sardelli served in the U.S. Army, where he at one point taught soldiers how to dance at a USO at Fort Gordon, Georgia. After his stay in the Army, Sardelli returned to Pontiac to work. Not liking his job, he returned to Arthur Murray's dance school before finding a short career performing at the Old Mill Tavern in Waterford, Michigan. He returned to Brazil after his uncle got him a well-paying construction job.
Social Network
Nelson Sardelli has a presence on social media platforms, including Instagram, where he is described as a "marvelous human being" with many accomplishments. However, he does not actively share details about his personal life or achievements online.
While back in Brazil, Sardelli met a sportscaster who wrote for a prominent sport publication. This publication ran a two page story about Sardelli's burgeoning career in the United States. This story was a pivotal moment in boosting Sardelli's entertainment career, as it gave him more attention, and he soon returned to the United States. Despite initial struggles, Sardelli found success performing at the Thunderbird in Las Vegas, which also led to him serving as an opening act for Judy Garland. His career would ultimately center on performances in Las Vegas, with one of his most notable routines being that of a "gay cowboy." He became a regular at the Flamingo, and has also done various performances throughout the world.
Education
There is no detailed information available regarding Nelson Sardelli's educational background. His early career involved working for General Motors and serving in the U.S. Army, followed by various roles in the entertainment industry.
Nelson Sardelli (born September 20, 1934) is a Brazilian-born singer-comedian of Italian descent who was an entertainer in Las Vegas. On June 28, 2008, he was awarded the Golden Pillow Award from the International Entertainer School of Las Vegas. He also acted in films including Myra Breckinridge and The Professionals. His fund-raiser event for mentally disabled children "Starshine" became an annual spectacle in Atlantic City.
