As I delve into the lives of these extraordinary actors who graced our screens in the timeless classic “Christmas Vacation“, it’s hard not to be awestruck by their incredible journeys and indelible contributions to the world of entertainment.
As the festive season unfolds, a film that’s likely to be enjoyed multiple times by many families during these holidays is “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” This movie, which marks the 35th anniversary since its release this December, remains one of the funniest and most re-watchable Christmas comedies ever made within the “Vacation” film series.
Instead of planning trips to Wally World, Europe, or Las Vegas to enjoy different cities, what makes Christmas Vacation unique is seeing the Griswold family at home in their Chicago environment during the holidays as they host numerous relatives. So, there’s nothing quite like staying updated with the Griswolds and discovering what their current members are doing in 2024 and beyond.
Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold
Chevy Chase, who was once a part of Saturday Night Live, featured prominently in several iconic ’80s comedies such as Caddyshack, Fletch, Three Amigos, among others. Nevertheless, none achieved the level of success that National Lampoon’s Vacation from 1983 did. This road trip comedy written by John Hughes and directed by Harold Ramis is considered a timeless classic. Chase’s film career experienced a decline in the 1990s, but he found a new lease on life on television when he joined the cast of Community, a popular college sitcom, in 2009.
As a die-hard film enthusiast, I’ve always been impressed by Chevy Chase’s ability to stay relevant over the past decade, despite some rumors about his challenging work ethic. From a hilarious cameo as Clark Griswold in the 2015 Vacation reboot to diverse roles in movies like Hedgehogs, The Last Movie Star, and The Last Laugh, as well as Zombie Town, Chase has demonstrated his versatility. Moreover, he’s kept the holiday spirit alive with films such as The Christmas Letter and Glisten and the Merry Mission. In the near future, fans can look forward to seeing him in the comedy The Ogilvy Fortune. For those interested, Chevy Chase’s Instagram account is filled with gems, like a recent Christmas photo featuring a baby relative.
Beverly D’Angelo as Ellen Griswold
Since 1976, Beverly D’Angelo has amassed over 130 credits in her acting career. She first gained prominence in the Hollywood adaptation of the successful stage play “Hair” in 1979 and has continued to thrive ever since. Most notably, she portrayed Ellen Griswold in all the Vacation films, a role that many believe embodies the emotional core and essence of the franchise. Other notable roles include those in “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “American History X,” “Entourage,” and many more.
2024 finds D’Angelo busier than ever, boasting at least five upcoming projects on his plate. Notably, “Violent Night,” a festive action film from 2022, showcases D’Angelo in an intriguing role as a ruthless villain for fans of the “Christmas Vacation” series to enjoy. Furthermore, he has made appearances in the recent revamp of “True Lies” and films such as “Drugstore June,” “Summer Camp,” and “The Trainer.” In the near future, D’Angelo will star in “No Address,” “The Prince,” “Masha’s Mushroom,” “Unfriendly Fire,” and “Capps Crossing: Wrong Side of Dead.” Most recently, D’Angelo paid homage to the late Kris Kristofferson on Instagram.
Juliette Lewis as Audrey Griswold
Known for working with top-tier directors in the 1990s, and making a breakthrough in Martin Scorsese’s “Cape Fear”, Juliette Lewis showcased her wide acting talent through roles in films such as “From Dusk Till Dawn”, “Natural Born Killers”, and “The Other Sister”. In the film “Christmas Vacation”, Lewis portrayed Audrey Griswold, one of four actors to take on this role across the series.
Juliette, the daughter of the great character actor Geoffrey Lewis, briefly put her Hollywood career on hold to pursue her musical career. She fronted the punk band Juliette and the Licks before refocusing on acting. Lewis has found her stride on TV in the last few years, starring in such popular shows as Yellowjackets, Welcome to Chippendales, I’m a Virgo, Queer as Folk, and It’s Florida, Man. With five upcoming projects, Lewis can be seen soon in DreamQuil, Lips Like Sugar, The Trip, By Design, and Opus.
Johnny Galecki as Rusty Griswold
Johnny Galecki played Rusty Griswold in Christmas Vacation, adding to the legacy left by Anthony Michael Hall and Jason Lively. While he has his moments in the movie, Galecki will likely always be recognized the most for playing David Heally in Roseanne and Leonard Hofstadter in The Big Bang Theory, two of the biggest sitcoms of the 1990s and 2000s. Galecki continued to play David in The Conners in 2018 and 2019.
In the year 2021, you might remember Galecki as the voice of Fee-Fo the Giant in the animated children’s movie “The Cinnamon Bear: A Holiday Adventure”. Now, it seems he’s working on a new medical drama for ABC. As per Deadline, this series is inspired by J.D. Kleinke’s book titled “Catching Babies”. With over 3.2 million followers on Instagram, Galecki has recently shared posts suggesting he voted and hinting at friendship with Taylor Swift. In the year 2024, Galecki became a father to a daughter along with his wife, Morgan Galecki.
Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie
The franchise’s unsung hero, Randy Quaid, was notably absent from European Vacation yet wisely returned from the original as Cousin Eddie in Christmas Vacation. Equally adept at comedy and drama, Quaid’s notable credits include The Last Detail, Kingpin, Independence Day, Brokeback Mountain, and the atrocious Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie’s Island Adventure. Fans of Quaid’s comedy must watch Moving opposite Richard Pryor and Quick Change opposite Bill Murray.
Since 2018, Quaid has only had one acting credit to his name. However, he recently starred opposite Chevy Chase in the 2024 holiday film titled “The Christmas Letter“. In this movie, a copywriter grows weary of reading his wealthy friend’s extravagant Christmas wishlist and decides to create his own fortune. Quaid portrays Rich, the Postman From GGT. Apart from appearing in one film over the past six years, Quaid has also emerged as a vocal political figure, backing the MAGA movement.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Margo Chester
Julia Louis-Dreyfus portrayed Margo Chester, the strict neighbor of the Griswolds, in the movie “Christmas Vacation” back in 1989. Interestingly, this was the same year she joined the cast of “Seinfeld,” a legendary sitcom that continues to be well-loved today. Since “Seinfeld” concluded, Louis-Dreyfus has been a familiar face on TV, notably starring as Christine Platt in “The New Adventures of Old Christine” and Selina Meyer, the Vice President, in “Veep,” both on HBO.
Louis-Dreyfus recently joined the MCU, playing Valentina Allegra de Fontaine in The Falcon and the Winter Solider, Black Widow, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Although absent from the screen in 2024, Louis-Dreyfus recently appeared in such movies as You People, You Hurt My Feelings, and Tuesday. In 2025, Louis-Dreyfus can be seen in Thunderbolts, and Tangles: A Story About Alzheimer’s, My Mother, and Me. With 2 million Instagram followers, Louis-Dreyfus recently posted an elegant Christmas photo.
In Memoriam
As Christmas Vacation reaches its 35th anniversary in 2024, it’s a poignant reminder that several talented actors who were part of the film have sadly passed away. In tribute and with deep respect, we bid farewell to these departed stars. Among those we lost are John Randolph (Clark Griswold Sr.), E.G. Marshall (Ellen’s father, Art Smith), Doris Roberts (Ellen’s mother, Frances Smith), William Hickey (Clark’s uncle, Lewis), and Mae Questel (Clark’s Aunt Bethany).
In the movie “Christmas Vacation,” Clark and Ellen’s family members bring about immense laughter and cherished memories, making it a must-watch every holiday season. Luckily, Diane Ladd, who portrays Clark’s mother, Nora Griswold, celebrated her 89th birthday in November 2024. Remarkably, Ladd is still an active actress and will appear in the upcoming drama “Blue Champagne.” You can stream “Christmas Vacation” on Max & Hulu.
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2024-12-14 22:02