Judd Nelson, you might recall, shot to stardom in the mid‑’80s with The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo’s Fire, two movies that basically cemented his “rebel with a cause” image.
But while everyone’s been busy dissecting those on‑screen performances, folks have been equally curious about what’s going on off camera.
Believe it or not, the guy’s never walked down the aisle and surprisingly, he’s still single as of 2025.
Here’s a rundown on what his personal life looked like which hopefully answers all those “Judd Nelson wife,” “Judd Nelson girlfriend,” and “is Judd Nelson married” searches, without any wild guesses.
Judd Nelson Quick Facts
| Wiki and Bio | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Judd Asher Nelson |
| Nick Name | Judd |
| Profession | Actor, Writer, Producer |
| Famous as | John Bender in The Breakfast Club |
| Age | 65 years old |
| Date of Birth | November 28, 1959 |
| Birthplace/Hometown | Portland, Maine, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Gender | Male |
| Ethnicity | White (Jewish descent) |
| Religion | Jewish (non-observant upbringing) |
| Sun Sign (Zodiac Sign) | Sagittarius |
| Height (in feet) | 5′10″ |
| Height (in centimeters) | 178 cm |
| Weight (in pounds) | 163 lbs |
| Weight (in kilograms) | 74 kg |
| Body Measurements (in inches) | 40-32-14 |
| Body Measurements (in centimeters) | 102-81-36 |
| Shoe Size in US | 10 |
| Tattoo Details | No known tattoos |
| Eye Color | Hazel |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Parents | Leonard Nelson (father), Merle Nelson (mother) |
| Siblings | Eve Nelson, Julie Nelson |
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Dating History | Loree Rodkin, Shannen Doherty, Kelly Stafford, Sheila Lussier, rumored others |
| Partner | None |
| Children | None |
| Highest Qualification | Studied Philosophy (did not graduate) |
| School | Waynflete School, St. Paul’s School |
| Alma Mater | Haverford College (left), Stella Adler Conservatory |
| Hobbies & Favorites | Literature, Theater, Motorcycle Collecting, Rare Books |
| Favorite Celebrities | Michelle Obama (via Loree Rodkin), Muhammad Ali (collectibles) |
| Dream Holiday | Quiet artsy coastal towns, NYC bookstore haunts |
| Favorite Color | Black |
| Interests | Acting, Writing, Politics, Memorabilia Collecting |
| Net Worth | $4 million as of 2025 |
| Salary & Earnings | Earned from acting, royalties, indie films, voice work, writing |
Is Judd Nelson Married?
Judd Nelson’s kept his love life pretty under wraps. Most folks know him best as the tough‑talking John Bender in The Breakfast Club or his turn in St. Elmo’s Fire, but off‑screen, he’s never tied the knot.
Yes, you read that right. Judd Nelson never married anyone, nor does he have any kids.
However, he’s had his fair share of relationships in the past.
| Year | Partner | Duration | Key Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985–1988 | Loree Rodkin | 3 years | Brat Pack era romance, red‑carpet moments |
| 1993 | Shannen Doherty | Less than 1 year | Met on Blindfold set, spotted together at events |
| 1998 | Kelly Stafford | Brief | Paparazzi snapshots |
| 1999 | Tracy Dali | Encounter | Rumored link, little concrete evidence |
| 2003–2005 | Sheila Lussier | 2 years | Quiet Hollywood romance, remembered fondly in a 2022 X post |
Judd Nelson Girlfriends and Partners
Loree Rodkin (1985–1988)
Born: February 25, 1949, Chicago, Illinois
Age: 76 years old
Profession: Jewelry designer, former talent manager
Relationship Period: 1985–1988
Loree and Judd got together right when he was riding high on that Brat Pack buzz.
They spent three years as Hollywood’s it‑couple and appeared plenty times at premieres, parties, before going their separate ways in 1988.
Fun fact: Loree later designed jewelry for Michelle Obama and Elton John, but back then she was already linked to big names like Richard Gere and Don Henley.
Their split more or less coincided with Judd moving beyond teenage rebel roles.
Shannen Doherty (1993)
Born: April 12, 1971, Memphis, Tennessee
Died: July 13, 2024
Profession: Actress (Beverly Hills, 90210)
Relationship Period: 1993
Judd and Shannen hit it off on the set of the thriller Blindfold: Acts of Obsession.
Their fling was brief but caught a lot of attention as the couple appeared at red‑carpet events, and Judd later called her “funny as hell.”
By year’s end, they’d both moved on. He was shaking off that Brat Pack label, she was cementing her teen‑drama queen status.
Kelly Stafford (1998–2000)
Partner: Kelly Stafford
Profession: Model
Relationship Period: 1998–2000
In ’98, Judd started seeing model Kelly Stafford. They were spotted together at an LA hat‑show event which was very niche but still caught public attention.
Unfortunately, things took a dark turn when a 2000 National Enquirer story claimed Judd physically assaulted her, leaving her injured and scrambling to Cedars Sinai for treatment.
Word is those allegations came from a single tabloid source with a reputation for sensationalism, and they weren’t backed up by other outlets. Either way, their relationship ended not long after.
Sheila Lussier (2003–2005)
Partner: Sheila Lussier
Profession: Actress (Strange Wilderness)
Relationship Period: 2003–2005
Sheila and Judd met at the Rainbow Bar & Grill in Hollywood and kept things pretty low‑key for two years.
In 2022, Sheila even posted a sweet throwback about their time together, so it sounds like it was a genuinely good chapter for both of them.
This stretch lined up with Judd’s quieter phase, when he was exploring TV gigs and indie films.
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Other Rumored Relationships
These names have popped up here and there, but there’s no solid proof or dates to go with most of them:
Sharise Neil: Designer and former mud‑wrestler; rumor has it they dated, but no pics or specifics.
Faye Resnick: TV personality/designer; whispers of involvement, yet details are sketchy.
Samantha Phillips: Actress and radio DJ; they’ve shared photos together since 2014, but nobody’s clear on what that means.
Tabitha Stevens: Ex‑adult film actress; linked briefly.
Tracy Dali (1999): Actress; reported encounter.
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Judd Nelson Early Life, Age, and Childhood
So, Judd was born on November 28, 1959, in Portland, Maine, a place that, if you ask us, has this charming coastal‑town vibe mixed with a surprising artsy streak.
As of today, Nelson is 65 years old.
His folks weren’t hardcore about kosher rules, but they were big on politics and civic stuff.
Growing up in that tight‑knit, he was always politically aware environment with father working as a lawyer, mother who worked as a mediator and legislator.
He started at Waynflete School in Portland, then headed off to St. Paul’s School, that fancy boarding school in New Hampshire.
Both spots fed his love for ideas and got him intrigued by philosophy at Haverford College.
But here’s the kicker: while tagging along with a friend to an audition, he realized acting was his jam.
Two years in, he bailed on Haverford and bounced to New York City, enrolling at the Stella Adler Conservatory to get serious about drama.
Literature and theater were his childhood comfort zones, so diving into acting really clicked for him once New Hollywood was in full swing.
| Timeline Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Born | November 28, 1959 | Portland, Maine |
| Attended Waynflete School | 1970s | Private school days in Maine |
| Enrolled at St. Paul’s | Mid‑1970s | Boarding school in Concord, NH |
| Started at Haverford | 1978 | Philosophy major, but left early for acting |
| Moved to NYC | 1980 | Studied at Stella Adler Conservatory. |
Parents and Siblings
Judd comes from a pretty accomplished clan.
His dad, Leonard Nelson, was a corporate lawyer who also made history as the first Jewish president of the Portland Symphony Orchestra.
His mom, Merle (née Royte), was a court mediator who even served in the Maine House of Representatives.
He’s got two sisters, Eve and Julie, who keep things low‑key, so there’s not a ton of public chatter about them.
Word is the family’s pretty tight, and that supportive vibe no doubt helped Judd chase his big city dreams.
| Family Member | Role/Occupation | Notable Details |
|---|---|---|
| Leonard Nelson | Corporate Lawyer | First Jewish president of the Portland Symphony Orchestra |
| Merle Nelson | Court Mediator, Ex‑Assemblywoman | Active in Maine politics and mediation |
| Eve Nelson | Private Individual | Keeps a low profile |
| Julie Nelson | Private Individual | Also pretty out of the spotlight |
Career and Achievements
Even though we’re all about the personal life here, we can’t ignore the career that put him on the map:
- Making the Grade (1984): His film debut—small role, big impact
- The Breakfast Club (1985)
- St. Elmo’s Fire (1985): Cemented that Brat Pack status
- Golden Globe nod (1987): For Billionaire Boys Club.
- Suddenly Susan (1996–2000)
- Voice Work: Hot Rod in The Transformers: The Movie and later reunion projects
Recent Cameos: Empire, Dante’s Hotel (2023), South of Hope Street (2024), and a Breakfast Club reunion at C2E2 in April 2025.
| Career Milestone | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Film Debut | 1984 | Making the Grade |
| Breakthrough Role | 1985 | The Breakfast Club |
| Golden Globe Nomination | 1987 | Billionaire Boys Club |
| TV Success | 1996–2000 | Suddenly Susan |
| Recent Reunion | 2025 | Brat Pack get‑together at C2E2 |
Judd Nelson Trivia
Judd’s kept it surprisingly drama‑free compared to some of his peers:
His intensity on The Breakfast Club set apparently ruffled a few feathers.
He bowed out of Andrew McCarthy’s 2024 documentary BRATS, not much into revisiting that label.
He’s an avid supporter of Children Uniting Nations.
Rumor has it he was browsing books at Book Soup in 2018 and went totally incognito.
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Net Worth
As of 2025, Judd Nelson has a net worth of $4 million fortune, built over a career that’s spanned everything from big‑ticket studio films to indie and direct‑to‑video gigs. All this topped off with a bit of writing and producing on the side.
His earnings reflect both the heady Brat Pack years and his later pivot into smaller, more niche projects.
Judd Nelson Income Sources
Back in the mid‑’80s, roles in The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo’s Fire didn’t just make his name.
He also did a voice over job in Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime in Transformers: The Movie (1986) and its follow‑ups, from where he earns good royalty.
In the ’90s, he became a regular on Suddenly Susan (1996–1999) with Brooke Shields, and popped up on hit shows like CSI, Psych, and Two and a Half Men.
Once the 2000s hit, Judd leaned into direct‑to‑video and indie flicks and has done over 50 of those, from Dead Water (2019) to Girl in the Basement (2021).
Sure, they don’t pay like a studio blockbuster, but they’ve kept his bank account pretty chunky.
Plus, he’s dabbled in writing with four Kindle books so far, including The Power of Speech (2013) and even co‑produced the thriller Every Breath back in ’94.
His Income Over the Years
His fat‑wallet era was definitely the ’80s and ’90s, when studio films like New Jack City (1991) meant big paychecks.
But unlike some of his Brat Pack buddies like think Demi Moore or Rob Lowe, rolling in $100 million‑plus, Judd never really jumped into blockbuster producing or big endorsement deals.
He stuck with acting, which means his financial climb has been steadier and more modest.
Today, his $4 million net worth puts him in the same ballpark as Anthony Michael Hall and Ally Sheedy, stars who also saw their mainstream spotlight dim after the ’80s glow faded.
Assets and Lifestyle
Judd’s lifestyle reads low‑key: no yacht‑and‑jet tantrums here.
He’s got a home in West Hollywood and once snagged a Manhattan pad for $3 million in 2018.
Nelson’s a collector at heart with collections like Muhammad Ali memorabilia, vintage motorcycles, rare books and more.
He’s never been big on Instagram sponsorships or flashing designer logos, which keeps his public profile low-key and his finances…well, unshockingly stable.
He doesn’t chase tabloid headlines, but he’s quietly supported Children Uniting Nations over the years, turning up at their fundraisers when he can.
So, while he may not headline Forbes’ richest‑of‑Hollywood list, his diversified income and career staying power have him comfortably cruising through his sixties.
