Chevy Chase in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.Photo: Photo courtesy Warner Bros.
It’s been 34 years since the Griswold family had the “hap-hap-happiest Christmas,” and the spirit ofNational Lampoon’s Christmas Vacationlives on.In fact, in December 2023, several members of the cast, includingChevy Chase,Beverly D’Angelo,Randy Quaidand Miriam Flynn, came together atChristmas Con 2023in Edison, New Jersey, to honor the iconic film.In a 2019 interview with theLos Angeles Daily News,Chase reflected on the film, saying the love fans have for the movie “makes me feel like Jimmy Stewart inIt’s a Wonderful Life.I think the movie is terrific … From the second you hear ‘The little lights are not twinkling,’ you know it’s starting to go wrong and the next thing you have is Cousin Eddie and Clark going ‘Eddie? Is that you?’ And you just know all things are going to go awry.“Here, as families around the U.S. settle to watch the movie yet again this season, catch up with the cast, then and now.
It’s been 34 years since the Griswold family had the “hap-hap-happiest Christmas,” and the spirit ofNational Lampoon’s Christmas Vacationlives on.
In fact, in December 2023, several members of the cast, includingChevy Chase,Beverly D’Angelo,Randy Quaidand Miriam Flynn, came together atChristmas Con 2023in Edison, New Jersey, to honor the iconic film.
In a 2019 interview with theLos Angeles Daily News,Chase reflected on the film, saying the love fans have for the movie “makes me feel like Jimmy Stewart inIt’s a Wonderful Life.I think the movie is terrific … From the second you hear ‘The little lights are not twinkling,’ you know it’s starting to go wrong and the next thing you have is Cousin Eddie and Clark going ‘Eddie? Is that you?’ And you just know all things are going to go awry.”
Here, as families around the U.S. settle to watch the movie yet again this season, catch up with the cast, then and now.
01of 14Chevy Chase as Clark GriswoldChevy Chase then and now.THA/Shutterstock; Zach Hilty/BFA.com/ShutterstockChristmas Vacationwas the third in a series of 1980sVacationfilms starring Chevy Chase in the role of family patriarch Clark Griswold. “I loved all of the physical stuff in the movie,”Chase told theLos Angeles Daily Newsin 2019. “I loved the stuff on the roof, which was typical of Clark Griswold. I loved sliding down the roof and hanging on. It was all very funny.“Prior to hisNational Lampoon’swork, Chase was already a household name thanks to films likeFoul PlayandCaddyshackand his part onSaturday Night Live.In the years since, he’s been everywhere from the movieMan of the HousetoSnow Day, Brothers & Sistersand more recently,Community.He was let go from the show after using a racial slur on set,Varietyreported, and won’t return for the planned movie.Off-screen, the three-time Emmy winner, 80, has been married three times — currently to Jayni Luke, since 1982 — and has four grown children, three daughters and one son.
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Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold
Chevy Chase then and now.THA/Shutterstock; Zach Hilty/BFA.com/Shutterstock
THA/Shutterstock; Zach Hilty/BFA.com/Shutterstock
Christmas Vacationwas the third in a series of 1980sVacationfilms starring Chevy Chase in the role of family patriarch Clark Griswold. “I loved all of the physical stuff in the movie,”Chase told theLos Angeles Daily Newsin 2019. “I loved the stuff on the roof, which was typical of Clark Griswold. I loved sliding down the roof and hanging on. It was all very funny.”
Prior to hisNational Lampoon’swork, Chase was already a household name thanks to films likeFoul PlayandCaddyshackand his part onSaturday Night Live.In the years since, he’s been everywhere from the movieMan of the HousetoSnow Day, Brothers & Sistersand more recently,Community.He was let go from the show after using a racial slur on set,Varietyreported, and won’t return for the planned movie.
Off-screen, the three-time Emmy winner, 80, has been married three times — currently to Jayni Luke, since 1982 — and has four grown children, three daughters and one son.
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Beverly D’Angelo as Ellen Griswold
Beverly D’Angelo then and now.Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection; Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty
Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection; Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty
Like Chase, Beverly D’Angelo appeared in all threeVacationfilms, as matriarch Ellen Griswold. “The thing that amazes me was the cast,” she recalled toThe Wrapin2014. “That was really a special cast.”
Married once in the ’80s, she has two grown children — twins Anton and Olivia —with ex Al Pacino.
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Randy Quaid as Eddie Johnson
Randy Quaid then and now.Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection; Daniel Boczarski/Getty
Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection; Daniel Boczarski/Getty
As the off-kilter husband to Ellen’s cousin Catherine,Randy Quaidbrought many of the laughs (and much of the mischief!) as Eddie Johnson.
“I know some people like Eddie, unfortunately including some of my relatives down in Texas. Everybody must have an Eddie in their family somewhere. I worked in an ice cream store when I was in high school and my boss was a lot like Eddie,” Quaidshared in a 1989 interview with UPI. “Now my relatives are wondering who I’m talking about.”
Quaid and his wife, Evi,faced fugitive charges in the 2010safter they were arrested in Canadafollowing burglary charges in California. The charges were ultimatelydismissed, and Quaid, now 73, recently joined someChristmas Vacationcostars fora Christmas Con reunion in New Jersey.
04of 14Miriam Flynn as Catherine JohnsonMiriam Flynn then and now.Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection; Kevin Winter/GettyMiriam Flynnplayed Cousin Catherine several times throughout the franchise, beginning with 1983’sNational Lampoon’s Vacation. She then expanded her movie career as Annette inMr. Momand in 1995, Flynn voiced Maa the sheep in the heartfelt classicBabe. She continued voice acting as the century turned, with live-action cameos in various shows and films, most recently episodes ofShrinking, Call Me KatandThe Lincoln Lawyer.The 71-year-old has two children with husband Will Aldis.
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Miriam Flynn as Catherine Johnson
Miriam Flynn then and now.Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection; Kevin Winter/Getty
Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection; Kevin Winter/Getty
Miriam Flynnplayed Cousin Catherine several times throughout the franchise, beginning with 1983’sNational Lampoon’s Vacation. She then expanded her movie career as Annette inMr. Momand in 1995, Flynn voiced Maa the sheep in the heartfelt classicBabe. She continued voice acting as the century turned, with live-action cameos in various shows and films, most recently episodes ofShrinking, Call Me KatandThe Lincoln Lawyer.
The 71-year-old has two children with husband Will Aldis.
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Juliette Lewis as Audrey Griswold
Juliette Lewis then and now.Warner Bros/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock; Araya Doheny/Getty
Warner Bros/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock; Araya Doheny/Getty
“Christmas Vacationis so, it’s so touching that every year … people who have lost their parents, or whatever, what it meant to them,“Lewis recalled to Kelly Clarksonearlier in 2023. “It’s a tradition. You can never imagine that is ever going to happen in a film you do.”
Lewis stayed quite busy in the years following, earning an Oscar nomination forCape Fearand starring in films likeWhat’s Eating Gilbert Grape andNatural Born Killers,plus comedy favorites likeOld School.She launched a successful music career in the early 2000s, too. Most recently, the 50-year-old starred on the Showtime thrillerYellowjackets.
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Johnny Galecki as Rusty Griswold
Johnny Galecki then and now.Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection; Presley Ann/FilmMagic
Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection; Presley Ann/FilmMagic
A youngJohnny Galeckiplayed the Griswold’s son Rusty, marking his only appearance in theVacationfranchise.
He would go on to gain fame onRoseanneandThe Big Bang Theory,plus films likeHancockandIn Time.He also made guest appearances on television shows likeEntourageand the 2018Roseannereboot, which he reflected on asa very emotional experience.
Galecki, now 48, began datingAlaina Meyerin 2018, and the couple welcomed a son,Avery, in 2019. In 2020, PEOPLE reported thetwo had broken up.
07of 14Diane Ladd as Nora GriswoldWarner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock; Slaven Vlasic/GettyAfter leaving Hollywood for a time,Diane Laddfound out she had an audition — to play Chevy Chase’s mom. “I said, I’m only about six years older than Chevy,” Laddrecalled in a chat for the Oscars in 2019. She aged herself with clothes and makeup for the audition, then, “I walked in, and Chevy was over there … and I said, ‘Sonny boy! That’s my sonny boy!’ … And I got the job.“Like many of her costars, Ladd was already a Hollywood icon when theVacationfilms dropped: she had a BAFTA and Golden Globe Award to her name forAlice Doesn’t Live Here AnymoreandAlice, respectively.In the years since, she’s earned Oscar nominations forRambling RoseandWild at Heartand appeared onKingdom Hospital, EnlightenedandChesapeake Shores.Married three times, the 88-year-old is a mother of two;Laura Dernis one of her daughters.
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Diane Ladd as Nora Griswold
Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock; Slaven Vlasic/Getty
After leaving Hollywood for a time,Diane Laddfound out she had an audition — to play Chevy Chase’s mom. “I said, I’m only about six years older than Chevy,” Laddrecalled in a chat for the Oscars in 2019. She aged herself with clothes and makeup for the audition, then, “I walked in, and Chevy was over there … and I said, ‘Sonny boy! That’s my sonny boy!’ … And I got the job.”
Like many of her costars, Ladd was already a Hollywood icon when theVacationfilms dropped: she had a BAFTA and Golden Globe Award to her name forAlice Doesn’t Live Here AnymoreandAlice, respectively.
In the years since, she’s earned Oscar nominations forRambling RoseandWild at Heartand appeared onKingdom Hospital, EnlightenedandChesapeake Shores.Married three times, the 88-year-old is a mother of two;Laura Dernis one of her daughters.
08of 14John Randolph as Clark Griswold Sr.Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock; Albert L. Ortega/WireImageAnother Hollywood icon rounding out the cast, John Randolph came into the series as Clark’s dad with films likeOf Mice and Men, King KongandInherit the Windto his name, not to mention countless television appearances. He moved on to parts on series includingAnnie McGuireandGrand,plus films likeYou’ve Got Mail.Randolph, who had two children with his wife, actress Sarah Cunningham, died at the age of 88 in 2004.
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John Randolph as Clark Griswold Sr.
Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock; Albert L. Ortega/WireImage
Another Hollywood icon rounding out the cast, John Randolph came into the series as Clark’s dad with films likeOf Mice and Men, King KongandInherit the Windto his name, not to mention countless television appearances. He moved on to parts on series includingAnnie McGuireandGrand,plus films likeYou’ve Got Mail.
Randolph, who had two children with his wife, actress Sarah Cunningham, died at the age of 88 in 2004.
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E.G. Marshall as Art Smith
Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock; Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Before playing Ellen’s cantankerous father Art Smith in John Hughes’ holiday classic, E.G. Marshall made his name on Broadway and on screens, notably as a juror in12 Angry Menand as the president in 1980’sSuperman II.
Married twice, he had five children.
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Doris Roberts as Frances Smith
Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock; Jason Merritt/Getty
Post-National Lampoon, Roberts — whodied in 2016at age 90 — took home four more Emmy wins playing Ray Romano’s on-screen mother in the beloved CBS comedyEverybody Loves Raymond.
Married twice, she had one son.
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Ellen Latzen then and now.Priscilla Grant/Everett Collection/Alamy
Priscilla Grant/Everett Collection/Alamy
Latzen has since steered away from life in the spotlight and, per her Instagram profile,became a momin April 2023.
12of 14William Hickey as LewisWilliam Hickey then and in 1995.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicBeforeWilliam Hickey’s Uncle Lewis set the Griswold family’s Christmas décor aflame, the actor established himself as a distinguished performer, from his early years on stage to his Oscar-nominated role as Don Corrado Prizzi in John Huston’s 1985 flickPrizzi’s Honor.Hickey picked up another holiday-themed voice role as Dr. Finkelstein inThe Nightmare Before Christmas. He also shared the screen with Steve Martin, Rick Moranis and Joan Cusack in Nora Ephron’sMy Blue Heaven.In 1997, Hickey died at age 69 while filming the movieBetter Than Ever.
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William Hickey as Lewis
William Hickey then and in 1995.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
BeforeWilliam Hickey’s Uncle Lewis set the Griswold family’s Christmas décor aflame, the actor established himself as a distinguished performer, from his early years on stage to his Oscar-nominated role as Don Corrado Prizzi in John Huston’s 1985 flickPrizzi’s Honor.
Hickey picked up another holiday-themed voice role as Dr. Finkelstein inThe Nightmare Before Christmas. He also shared the screen with Steve Martin, Rick Moranis and Joan Cusack in Nora Ephron’sMy Blue Heaven.
In 1997, Hickey died at age 69 while filming the movieBetter Than Ever.
13of 14Mae Questel as BethanyMae Questel then and in 1989.Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock; Photo 12/Alamy Stock PhotoMae Questel is primarily remembered as the voice actress behind Betty Boop and Olive Oyl. She stepped in front of the camera only a few times, with notable appearances in 1961’sFunny Girland on the short-lived sitcomThe Corner Barin 1973.Questel took on her final role as Aunt Bethany inNational Lampoon’s Christmas Vacationbefore her death at age 89 in 1998.Married twice, she had two sons.
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Mae Questel as Bethany
Mae Questel then and in 1989.Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock; Photo 12/Alamy Stock Photo
Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock; Photo 12/Alamy Stock Photo
Mae Questel is primarily remembered as the voice actress behind Betty Boop and Olive Oyl. She stepped in front of the camera only a few times, with notable appearances in 1961’sFunny Girland on the short-lived sitcomThe Corner Barin 1973.
Questel took on her final role as Aunt Bethany inNational Lampoon’s Christmas Vacationbefore her death at age 89 in 1998.
Married twice, she had two sons.
14of 14Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Margo ChesterJulia Louis-Dreyfus then and now.Dimitrios Kambouris/GettyJust before her career-defining start onSeinfeld,Julia Louis-Dreyfusplayed the Griswolds’ neighbor Margo Chester. The role marked one of her earliest film appearances, coming just a few years after her start onSaturday Night Live.Louis-Dreyfus flourished on television, winning Emmys for her starring performances inThe New Adventures of Old ChristineandVeep. The sitcom star can also be seen on episodes ofArrested Development,30 RockandCurb Your Enthusiasm.As a movie star, Louis-Dreyfus shared the screen with Robin Williams and Billy Crystal in 1997’sFather’s Day, and she starred inEnough Saidin 2013 andYou Peoplein 2023. The decorated actress has also appeared in Marvel’s award-winningBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever.The 62-year-old has two sons,actors Henry and Charlie, with husband Brad Hall.
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Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Margo Chester
Julia Louis-Dreyfus then and now.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
Just before her career-defining start onSeinfeld,Julia Louis-Dreyfusplayed the Griswolds’ neighbor Margo Chester. The role marked one of her earliest film appearances, coming just a few years after her start onSaturday Night Live.
Louis-Dreyfus flourished on television, winning Emmys for her starring performances inThe New Adventures of Old ChristineandVeep. The sitcom star can also be seen on episodes ofArrested Development,30 RockandCurb Your Enthusiasm.
As a movie star, Louis-Dreyfus shared the screen with Robin Williams and Billy Crystal in 1997’sFather’s Day, and she starred inEnough Saidin 2013 andYou Peoplein 2023. The decorated actress has also appeared in Marvel’s award-winningBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever.
The 62-year-old has two sons,actors Henry and Charlie, with husband Brad Hall.
source: people.com
