Ray Manzella was a “Playboy” executive who later married Sondra Theodore, Hugh Hefner’s ex-girlfriend. A&E’s Secrets of Playboy touched on some aspects of his life but did not fully capture his behind-the-scenes persona.
So, we present “Ray Manzella Biography” for those curious about Sondra’s husband.
Meet Ray Manzella, Sondra Theodore’s Husband
Ray Manzella managed many Playboy stars such as Pamela Anderson and Jenny McCarthy and was good friends with Hugh. Even after Ray married Hugh’s ex-girlfriend Sondra Theodore in 1985, the two remained on good terms.
In fact, for Ray and Sondra’s wedding, Hugh let them use his infamous Playboy mansion and generously gave the couple $25,000.
Unfortunately, the couple filed for divorce nearly 11 years later.
Hugh reportedly lent Sondra some money at the time so she could hire a divorce attorney.
Speaking of Sondra, she was a gorgeous blonde who was featured as “Playmate of the Month” in the July 1977 issue of Playboy magazine. A former Sunday school teacher, Sondra later dated and lived with Hugh at his Playboy Mansion.
Her popularity with the magazine even helped Sondra appear in many television shows and movies including — The Man Who Loved Women (1983), The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1981), Barnaby Jones (1978), Stingray (1978), Skateboard (1978), and several others.
In Secrets of Playboy, Sondra spoke out about how Hugh treated her and every other woman she knew poorly.
Did you know: Sondra was just 19 when she started dating Hugh Hefner, who was then 50.
Ray Manzella And Sondra Theodore Children
Ray Manzella has two children with Sondra Theodore.
Their son Taylor moved to another city, changed jobs, and married his longtime girlfriend after the 2020 pandemic.
As for their daughter, Katie works as a Crystal and Reiki Healer at the Ojai Valley Inn. She is also an actress and the founder of Illuminate by Katie.
Ray also has another daughter, April Manzella-Hugh, from his marriage to Bonnie Lutz (September 3, 1966 – 1973).
His daughter, April, graduated with a degree in Aquatic Biology from UCSB and later founded April Hugh4 Homes Real Estate. As of 2022, April lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband Nathan Hugh (married May 22, 1993).
In case you didn’t know, April’s mother Bonnie is Ray’s third ex-wife. He was married to actress Robin Mattson from May 27, 1978 to December 26, 1984, after Sondra.
Ray’s second ex-wife, Robin, was born on June 1, 1956 and was only 15 years old when she performed nude in Bonnie’s Children (1972) and was 17 when she appeared nude in Candy Striped Nurse (1974). Since then, she has starred in over 50 films and television shows including — General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, All My Children, Santa Barbara and Ryan’s Hope.
Additionally, in 1997, she wrote her own cookbook called Soap Opera Cafe: the Skinny on Food From a Daytime Star.
What is Ray Manzella doing today?
These days, Ray Manzella has managed to stay out of the spotlight.
However, in an October 2020 podcast, his friend Jillian Barberie, aka Ask Jillian, shared a little about him and said he had so many great Hollywood stories that she didn’t even know the half of.
According to her, Ray worked with a lot of stars and was always a great friend to everyone, including her. Some of his “friends” included Vanna White, Pamela Anderson, Jenny McCarthy, Suzanne Somers and Kim Alexis. “The crazy business deals he had with Liz and I or maybe just me were crazy!” she recalled.
Ray Manzella’s Age
Ray Manzella was born on February 24, 1948. That means he is 74 years old in 2022; nine years older than his first wife, Sondra Theodore.
According to his date of birth, Ray belongs to the Pisces sign.
Ray Manzella Net Worth
Ray Manzella boasts a net worth of over $10 million in 2022.
A Hollywood executive, businessman, inventor and entrepreneur, Ray pursued a career as a salesman in the Finance industry, gradually working his way to Hollywood and then the Playboy Mansion.
In January 1985, Ray opened Manzella Entertainment LLC, where he managed celebrities and introduced them to products sold worldwide, generating over $6 billion in revenue.
His company operated as a talent agency based in Burbank, California and initially had fewer than 25 employees.
Ray also entered the entertainment industry as an actor in Masquerade (1984), a producer in Barb Wire (1996) and Goddess of Love (1988).
Is Ray Manzella on Instagram?
No, Ray doesn’t appear to be on Instagram. The IG @ray_manzella may be a fan account, in case you happen to see it.
But find Ray on Facebook at @ray.manzella.9.
This is Sondra’s IG account @revamped4you.
Related FAQs
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Where does Ray Manzella live now?
As of 2022, Ray resides in Pacific Palisades, CA.
But his original roots are from the San Fernando Valley.
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How tall is Ray Manzella?
Ray stands 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall.
Speaking of his district’s characteristics, Ray has a square face and a round chin.