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The third installment in the National Lampoon Griswold family saga, this 1989 Christmas comedy is a modern holiday classic. Mishap after mishap slowly drives Griswold patriarch Clark insane, but in the end, the disastrous holiday is a unique family celebration.![The Griswolds]()
You’ve seen this holiday gem a bazillion times, but have you ever wondered, where is the Griswold family now? Click on to find out.![Chevy_Chase_Then]()
Chevy Chase Then Before he tackled the role of Clark Griswold, Chase was the fastest rising comedy star on the planet, thanks to “Saturday Night Live” star status and the classic comedy "Caddyshack." ("Be the ball Danny, just be the ball.") The first "Vacation" movie was Chase's break-out megahit, making him the most bankable big-screen comedian in Hollywood.![Chevy_Chase_Now]()
Chevy Chase Now “Christmas Vacation” was the last watchable "Vacation" movie, and pretty much the last watchable Chevy Chase vehicle as well. The Emmy-winning comedian, writer and actor starred in clunker after clunker (including “Vegas Vacation”) before trying his hand at talk show hosting on “The Chevy Chase Show.” Which turned out to be an even worse idea. Recently, however, Chase has had a TV resurgence with plum roles on the series “Brothers & Sisters” and “Chuck” and a starring role on the quirky comedy series “Community.” Now 68, the actor is on his third marriage, and has three daughters. (AP)![Beverly D'Angelo Then]()
Beverly D'Angelo Then Before she got into acting, D’Angelo was a cartoonist for Hanna-Barbera. From there, she became a singer, and a role in a Broadway show led to film work. Prior to playing Ellen Griswold, D’Angelo appeared in “Annie Hall,” and starred in flicks like “Every Which Way But Loose,” and “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”![Beverly D'Angelo Now]()
Beverly D'Angelo Now Through her four National Lampoon flicks, D’Angelo gained a mainstream audience. She’s since appeared in films like “American History X” and “The House Bunny,” and TV movies like “Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills” and “Sweet Temptation.” Recently, D'Angelo has had recurring roles on series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Entourage.” Now 60, D’Angelo is divorced. She had twins in 2001 with then-partner Al Pacino.![Juliette Lewis Then]()
Juliette Lewis Then Before Lewis landed the role of Griswold daughter Audrey at the age of 16, she had appeared in TV shows including “The Wonder Years” and “Home Fires.” A child actor, Lewis divorced her parents (who include actor Geoffrey Lewis) at the age of 14 and dropped out of high school in favor Hollywood fame and fortune.![Juliette_Lewis_Now]()
Juliette Lewis Now After “Christmas Vacation,” Lewis rose to prominence in 90s films like “Cape Fear,” (for which she was nominated for an Academy Award), “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” “The Other Sister,” and “Natural Born Killers.” She also became famous as Brad Pitt's girlfriend. Now known mostly as an eccentric rock singer, Lewis, 38, fronted the band Juliette Lewis and the Licks until this year. Her new band is called The New Romantiques. Uh, yeah. Recent roles include movies “Enough,” “Old School,” “Hysterical Blindness,” and “Whip It!” and “The Switch.” Once-divorced, Lewis is also a practicing Scientologist. (REUTERS)![Johnny Galecki Then]()
Johnny Galecki Then Galecki’s big break was his role as Russell “Rusty” Griswold, succeeding Anthony Michael Hall, who originated the role then got too famous to come back. Before the flick, he had appeared in TV movies like “Time Out for Dad” and the film “Prancer.”![Johnny_Galecki_Now]()
Johnny Galecki Now Galecki became even more famous playing David on “Roseanne” for five years, and then even more, more famous on the megahit series “The Big Bang Theory.” Other Galecki greatest hits include “Blossom,” “My Name is Earl,” “Hope & Faith,” and “My Boys.” The actor has films “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” “Vanilla Sky” and “Bounce” under his belt, and theater work includes “The Little Dog Laughed.” Fun Fact: Good news for National Lampoon fans! The character of Rusty Griswold has inherited the franchise: A new "Vacation" movie is reportedly in the works, featuring Rusty with a family of his own. Go, Galecki, go! (REUTERS)![Randy_Quaid_Then]()
Randy Quaid Then Before he was obnoxious cousin Eddie Johnson, Dennis Quaid’s older brother got his big break with acclaimed 70s film, “The Last Detail.” He also appeared on “Saturday Night Live” from 1985 to 1991.![Randy_Quaid_Now]()
Randy Quaid Now Since “Christmas Vacation,” Quaid, known for his National Lampoon roles, has appeared in films like “Independence Day,” “Kingpin,” and “Brokeback Mountain.” He won a Golden Globe award, and has been nominated for an Oscar and an Emmy. In 2005 he appeared in CBS miniseries “Elvis.” In 2008, Quaid, 61, was banned from the Actors’ Equity Association after allegedly abusing his fellow performers in Seattle theater production “Lone Star Love.” The actor hit the headlines again in 2009, when he was arrested with his wife for allegedly defrauding an inn-keeper, conspiracy, and burglary. In 2010, he sought protection in Canada after being arrested at the Vancouver border. He later applied for refugee status under the grounds that a group of "Hollywood star whackers" wants to kill him and his wife in the U.S. Cousin Eddie is definitely living on the edge these days! As for the rest of Eddie's “Johnson family”: Miriam Flynn (Catherine Johnson) has appeared on shows like “Grounded for Life,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and “Big Love.” Ellen Hamilton Latzen (Ruby Sue Johnson) hasn’t acted since the film, and Cody Burger (Rocky Johnson) appeared in kids’ movies like “Heavy Weights” in the 90s. Merry Christmas! (AP)Then/Now: The Cast of 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation'
"Yule crack up!" reading how life has gone for the Griswolds since their last "Vacation" hit.
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- Then/Now: The Cast of 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation'
