By Wonderwall.com Editors
5:53am PDT, Jul 25, 2018
Believe it or not, it's been 35 years since "National Lampoon's Vacation" hit theaters on July 29, 1983. To celebrate the beloved '80s comedy's big anniversary, Wonderwall.com is checking up on the cast. Keep reading to find out what the "Vacation" actors and actresses are up to today!
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Chevy Chase has continued to have a successful career since "National Lampoon's Vacation" premiered back in 1983. The "Saturday Night Live" alum went on to star in a string of blockbuster hits in the '80s including "Spies Like Us," "Three Amigos" and "Vacation" sequels "National Lampoon's European Vacation" and "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation." After a career downturn in the '90s, Chevy bounced back with prominent roles in "Hot Tub Time Machine," TV's "Community" and a cameo in the fifth "Vacation" installment, simply titled "Vacation." Next up, fans can catch him in the 2018 flick "The Last Laugh." The father of three — who's been married to third wife Jayni Luke since 1982 — has struggled with addiction issues over the decades. He checked into the Betty Ford Center for an addiction to painkillers three years after "National Lampoon's Vacation" came out and returned to rehab in 2016, entering the Hazelden Addiction Treatment Center in Minnesota to deal with an alcohol-related issue.
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Beverly D'Angelo starred as Ellen Griswold, Clark's wife, in "National Lampoon's Vacation."
Beverly D'Angelo is still an accomplished actress today, with over 60 films to her name! The Ohio native followed up her "National Lampoon Vacation" role with an Emmy-winning performance as Stella Kowalski in "A Streetcar Named Desire" in 1984. She has since appeared in all four "Vacation" sequels including 2015's "Vacation" as well as "Law & Order: SVU," "Entourage," "American History X" and 2018's "The Unicorn." In 2001 at age 49, she gave birth to twins Anton and Olivia with Al Pacino, from whom she split in 2003.
Anthony Michael Hall starred as Russell "Rusty" Griswold, Clark and Ellen's son, in "National Lampoon's Vacation."
Anthony Michael Hall has gone from child star to successful adult actor — but there have been some bumps along the way. He starred in string of classic teen movies in the '80s including "Sixteen Candles," "The Breakfast Club" and "Weird Science," earning him a coveted place amongst the Brat Pack. Eager to branch out of his typical "geek role," Anthony starred in more diverse projects in the 1990s and 2000s including "Edward Scissorhands," "Six Degrees of Separation," "Pirates of Silicon Valley" and "The Dead Zone." In 2017, he starred in "Bodied" and "War Machine." The same year, Anthony — who got sober in 1990 — was sentenced to three years of probation and community service after pleading no contest to charges that he'd assaulted his neighbor during a violent argument in 2016. He's been in a relationship with actress Lucia Oskerova since 2014 but has never married and has no children.
Dana Barron starred as Audrey Griswold, Clark and Ellen's daughter, in "National Lampoon's Vacation."
Dana Barron starred in quite a few TV shows and movies after playing Audrey Griswold but is currently on an acting hiatus. After "National Lampoon's Vacation" wrapped, the actress appeared on "One Life to Live," "The Magnificent Seven," "Beverly Hills, 90210" and the "Vacation" TV movie spin-off "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure." Dana, who won a Daytime Emmy for her work on the CBS after-school special "No Means No," hasn't appeared on-screen since 2013. She has one son, Taylor, with her former partner, filmmaker Michael Vickerman.
Imogene Coca starred as Ellen's Aunt Edna in "National Lampoon's Vacation."
Imogene Coca continued to have long and celebrated career after "National Lampoon's Vacation." The six-time Emmy nominee was already a well-known comedian and actress with numerous appearances on comedy and variety series when she was cast as Aunt Edna. She followed up her "Vacation" role with appearances in "Moonlighting," "Papa Was a Preacher," "Buy & Cell" and several plays and theater performances. Imogene's final acting job was in the 1996 film "Hollywood: The Movie." The twice-widowed actress died in June 2001 at 92 from natural causes related to Alzheimer's disease.
Christie Brinkley memorably played the woman in the red Ferrari — a blonde beauty who skinny dips with Clark — in "National Lampoon's Vacation."
Christie Brinkley is one of the most famous models in history, with over 500 magazine covers and multiple contracts with big-name brands to her name including a record 25-year deal with CoverGirl. The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover star followed up her "National Lampoon's Vacation" role — her acting debut — with appearances on still more magazine covers and the occasional acting gig, appearing in "Vegas Vacation," "Mad About You" and in Broadway and touring productions of "Chicago." In addition to her entertainment career, the supermodel is also a shrewd businesswoman and real estate investor. All together, Christie's modeling, acting, business contracts and endorsements have reportedly earned her a cool $250 million. These days, the model is happily single: After divorcing first husband Jean-François Allaux two years before "National Lampoon's Vacation" came out, she went on to marry and divorce music star Billy Joel (with whom she had daughter Alexa Ray), real estate developer Richard Taubman (with whom she had son Jack), and architect Peter Cook (with whom she had daughter Sailor).
Miriam Flynn played Ellen's cousin Catherine in "National Lampoon's Vacation."
Since her days as cousin Catherine, Miriam Flynn has continued to act and perform. She lent her voice to the "Land Before Time" film series, playing Grandma Longneck in multiple movies. She's also appeared in "Grounded for Life," "Babe," "Lonely Hearts," "About Fifty" and the "Vacation" sequels: "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," "Vegas Vacation" and "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure." Miriam is currently married to Will Aldis and has two children.
Jane Krakowski starred as cousin Vicki, Catherine's daughter, in "National Lampoon's Vacation.
Jane Krakowski has transitioned from child actress to full-blown star in the years since "National Lampoon's Vacation" hit theaters. She's appeared on a number of hit TV shows including "Ally McBeal," for which she earned a Golden Globe nod, and "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" and "30 Rock," for which she earned a combined five Emmy nominations. Jane's also enjoyed success as a musical theater star: She won a Tony Award for her performance in Broadway's "Nine" in 2003. (She also released an album in 2010.) Next up, she'll lend her voice to the animated film "The Willoughbys." In 2011, Jane welcomed a son, Bennett, with clothing designer fiancé Robert Godley, from whom she's since split.
John Candy starred as Russ Lasky, a Walley World security guard, in "National Lampoon's Vacation."
John Candy was a celebrated and beloved actor for much of the '80s and '90s. The Canadian comedian starred in a number of highly successful films after "National Lampoon's Vacation" wrapped including "Stripes," "Splash," "Cool Runnings," "Summer Rental," "Home Alone," "The Great Outdoors," "Spaceballs," "Uncle Buck," "Only the Lonely," "JFK" and the acclaimed John Hughes comedy "Planes, Trains and Automobiles." In 1994, John suffered a fatal heart attack while in Mexico filming "Wagons East!" He died at the age of 43, leaving behind his wife, Rosemary Margaret Hobor, and their two children.
Eddie Bracken starred as Roy Walley, the Walley World park owner, in "National Lampoon's Vacation."
Eddie Bracken continued to have a long and noteworthy career after wrapping up "National Lampoon's Vacation." The comedy legend, who began his career in the 1940s, appeared in "Oscar," "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" and "Rookie of the Year" before passing away from surgery complications at the age of 87 in 2002 just three months after his wife, Connie Nickerson. The couple were married for 63 years and shared five children.
