Christmas wouldn’t be complete without the Griswolds. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation remains a holiday classic, cherished for its chaotic family humor and heartwarming moments. But what happened to the memorable Griswold Family Christmas Vacation cast after the snow settled on their hilarious holiday disaster? Let’s unwrap the present and find out where the actors who brought these iconic characters to life are today.
Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold
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Chevy Chase in his iconic role as Clark Griswold in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, alongside a recent photo of the actor.
Chevy Chase perfectly embodied the well-intentioned but disaster-prone patriarch, Clark Griswold. Christmas Vacation marked the third installment in the Vacation film series, solidifying Chase’s comedic genius. Reflecting on his role, Chase mentioned to the Los Angeles Daily News in 2019 his fondness for the physical comedy, particularly “the stuff on the roof,” which became synonymous with Clark’s character.
Before National Lampoon, Chase was already a comedy heavyweight, known for films like Foul Play and Caddyshack, and his groundbreaking work on Saturday Night Live. Post-Christmas Vacation, Chase continued to grace both the big and small screens, appearing in movies like Man of the House and Snow Day, and TV series such as Brothers & Sisters and Community. Despite a controversial exit from Community, Chase, now 80, remains a recognizable figure in comedy. In his personal life, the Emmy winner has been married three times and has four adult children.
Beverly D’Angelo as Ellen Griswold
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Beverly D’Angelo as the supportive matriarch Ellen Griswold in Christmas Vacation, contrasted with a contemporary image of the actress.
Beverly D’Angelo brought warmth and comedic timing to the role of Ellen Griswold, the matriarch trying to keep the Griswold Christmas from completely imploding. Like Chase, D’Angelo was a constant in the Vacation series, appearing in all three films. In a 2014 interview with The Wrap, she fondly recalled the “special cast” of Christmas Vacation.
Prior to the holiday classic, D’Angelo, now 72, had already established herself with roles in iconic films like Annie Hall, Coal Miner’s Daughter, and A Streetcar Named Desire. Her career continued to flourish in the ’90s and beyond with roles in American History X and High Fidelity, and a recurring part as agent Barbara “Babs” Miller in the hit series Entourage starting in 2005. D’Angelo has been married once and has twin children, Anton and Olivia, with her former partner Al Pacino.
Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie Johnson
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Randy Quaid as the unforgettable Cousin Eddie in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, alongside a recent photograph of the actor.
Randy Quaid delivered a career-defining performance as Cousin Eddie Johnson, the endearingly clueless and often inappropriate relative who unexpectedly parks his RV in the Griswold’s driveway. Quaid’s portrayal of Eddie is a major source of the film’s comedic highlights. In a 1989 interview, Quaid humorously noted that everyone likely has an “Eddie” in their family, drawing inspiration from his own experiences and relatives.
Quaid’s career started long before Christmas Vacation, with early roles in The Last Detail (earning him an Oscar nomination), Midnight Express, and Of Mice and Men. He continued with a season on SNL and films like Major League II, Brokeback Mountain, and Real Time, garnering Emmy and Golden Globe nominations and a win. In later years, Quaid faced legal troubles with his wife, Evi, but has recently rejoined some of his Christmas Vacation co-stars at a Christmas Con reunion in 2023, proving the enduring appeal of the film and its cast. Quaid is now 73 years old.
Miriam Flynn as Cousin Catherine Johnson
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Miriam Flynn as Cousin Catherine in Christmas Vacation, contrasted with a more recent image of the actress.
Miriam Flynn played Cousin Catherine, Eddie’s wife, bringing a grounded comedic presence to the chaotic Johnson family. Flynn’s association with the Vacation franchise began earlier, in 1983’s National Lampoon’s Vacation. Beyond the franchise, she appeared in Mr. Mom and lent her voice to Maa the sheep in the beloved film Babe in 1995.
Flynn continued voice acting into the 21st century and also made live-action appearances in shows like Shrinking, Call Me Kat, and The Lincoln Lawyer. The 71-year-old actress has two children with her husband, Will Aldis.
Juliette Lewis as Audrey Griswold
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Juliette Lewis as the teenage Audrey Griswold in Christmas Vacation, alongside a more current photo of the actress.
Juliette Lewis took on the role of teenage daughter Audrey Griswold, adding teenage angst to the family dynamic. Before Christmas Vacation, Lewis was known for her role in I Married Dora. Reflecting on the film’s enduring legacy, Lewis shared with Kelly Clarkson in 2023 the touching impact Christmas Vacation has had on audiences, especially those who have made it a holiday tradition after losing loved ones.
Lewis’s career skyrocketed after Christmas Vacation. She received an Oscar nomination for Cape Fear and starred in acclaimed films such as What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and Natural Born Killers, as well as comedies like Old School. Lewis also launched a successful music career in the early 2000s. Currently 50, she recently starred in the popular thriller series Yellowjackets.
Johnny Galecki as Rusty Griswold
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Johnny Galecki as Rusty Griswold in Christmas Vacation, contrasted with a recent image of the actor.
Johnny Galecki played Rusty Griswold, the son, in Christmas Vacation, marking his sole appearance in the Vacation series. Galecki, then a young actor, recalled his audition experience in a 2019 interview, remembering being “terrified” but ultimately impressing Chevy Chase enough to land the role on the spot. He mentioned his background was primarily in musical theater before transitioning to film.
Galecki achieved widespread fame for his roles in Roseanne and The Big Bang Theory, becoming a household name. He also appeared in films like Hancock and In Time and made guest appearances on Entourage and the Roseanne reboot. Now 48, Galecki has a son, Avery, born in 2019, although he and his son’s mother, Alaina Meyer, are no longer together.
Diane Ladd as Nora Griswold
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Diane Ladd as Grandma Nora Griswold in Christmas Vacation, alongside a more recent photograph of the actress.
Diane Ladd played Nora Griswold, Clark’s mother, bringing her established acting talent to the comedic family dynamic. Ladd initially hesitated about playing Chevy Chase’s mother, given their close ages. In a 2019 interview, she recounted aging herself up for the audition and playfully calling Chase “Sonny boy!” to secure the part.
Ladd was already a respected actress before Christmas Vacation, with a BAFTA and Golden Globe for Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore and Alice. Her career continued to flourish with Oscar nominations for Rambling Rose and Wild at Heart, and roles in Kingdom Hospital, Enlightened, and Chesapeake Shores. Married three times, the 88-year-old is also the mother of actress Laura Dern.
John Randolph as Clark Griswold Sr.
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John Randolph as Grandpa Clark Griswold Sr. in Christmas Vacation, contrasted with a later image of the actor.
John Randolph portrayed Clark Griswold Sr., Clark’s father, adding another layer of comedic family interaction. Randolph was a veteran actor with a rich filmography including Of Mice and Men, King Kong, and Inherit the Wind, as well as numerous television appearances. After Christmas Vacation, he continued to work in series like Annie McGuire and Grand and in films such as You’ve Got Mail.
Randolph, who had two children with his wife, actress Sarah Cunningham, passed away in 2004 at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances.
E.G. Marshall as Art Smith
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E.G. Marshall as Grandpa Art Smith in Christmas Vacation, alongside a later image of the actor.
E.G. Marshall played Ellen’s father, Art Smith, bringing his gravitas to the role of the somewhat grumpy grandfather. Marshall was a distinguished actor with a career spanning Broadway, film, and television. He was renowned for his role as a juror in 12 Angry Men and as the President in Superman II (1980).
In the years following Christmas Vacation, Marshall took on supporting roles in films like Consenting Adults (1992) and Nixon (1995). He also appeared in TV series such as Chicago Hope and various TV movies. Married twice, Marshall had five children before his death in 1998 at the age of 84.
Doris Roberts as Frances Smith
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Doris Roberts as Grandma Frances Smith in Christmas Vacation, contrasted with a later photo of the actress.
Doris Roberts portrayed Frances Smith, Ellen’s mother, completing the quartet of grandparents in the Griswold and Smith families. Roberts was an Emmy-winning actress even before Christmas Vacation, with a career dating back to the 1960s. She had roles in Little Murders and Rabbit Test and a major TV role in Remington Steele from 1983 to 1987.
After Christmas Vacation, Roberts achieved even greater fame and won four more Emmys for her iconic role as Marie Barone in Everybody Loves Raymond. Roberts passed away in 2016 at the age of 90, leaving behind a legacy as one of television’s most beloved mothers. She was married twice and had one son.
Ellen Latzen as Ruby Sue Johnson
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Ellen Latzen as Ruby Sue Johnson in Christmas Vacation, alongside a more recent image.
Ellen Latzen played Ruby Sue Johnson, the youngest of Cousin Eddie’s children, delivering memorable lines with childlike innocence. Even at the young age of 9 during Christmas Vacation, Latzen had prior acting experience in Fatal Attraction and guest roles in Family Ties and The Equalizer.
Latzen stepped away from the spotlight as she grew older. According to her Instagram profile, she became a mother in April 2023, marking a new chapter in her life away from acting.
William Hickey as Uncle Lewis
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William Hickey as Uncle Lewis in Christmas Vacation, contrasted with a photo of the actor in 1995.
William Hickey brought his distinct presence to the role of Uncle Lewis, the cantankerous and accident-prone uncle who inadvertently sets the Christmas tree ablaze. Hickey was a seasoned actor known for his stage work and his Oscar-nominated performance in Prizzi’s Honor (1985).
Beyond Christmas Vacation, Hickey took on another memorable holiday-related role, voicing Dr. Finkelstein in The Nightmare Before Christmas. He also appeared in My Blue Heaven. Sadly, William Hickey passed away in 1997 at the age of 69 while filming Better Than Ever, leaving behind a legacy of character roles.
Mae Questel as Aunt Bethany
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Mae Questel as Aunt Bethany in Christmas Vacation, alongside a photo of the actress in 1989.
Mae Questel, best known as the voice of Betty Boop and Olive Oyl, charmed audiences as Aunt Bethany, the elderly and slightly confused aunt. Questel primarily worked as a voice actress but made occasional on-screen appearances, including in Funny Girl (1961) and The Corner Bar.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation was Mae Questel’s final role before her death in 1998 at the age of 89. She is remembered for her iconic voice work and her endearing portrayal of Aunt Bethany. Questel was married twice and had two sons.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Margo Chester
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Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Margo Chester in Christmas Vacation, contrasted with a current image of the actress.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus played Margo Chester, the Griswolds’ sophisticated and increasingly exasperated neighbor. Christmas Vacation was one of Louis-Dreyfus’s early film roles, arriving just before her career-defining role in Seinfeld. Prior to this, she was a cast member on Saturday Night Live.
Louis-Dreyfus achieved phenomenal success in television, winning multiple Emmys for The New Adventures of Old Christine and Veep. She has also appeared in Arrested Development, 30 Rock, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. In film, she starred in Father’s Day (1997), Enough Said (2013), and You People (2023), and even joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The 62-year-old actress has two sons, Henry and Charlie, who are also actors, with her husband Brad Hall.
