Chevy Chase is an American comedian and actor who became famous for being one of the first to cast on Saturday Night Live and for his role in the National Lampoon films. He has also appeared as a guest on many television shows and starred in several films.
Born in 1943 in Lower Manhattan (New York, USA), he grew up in Connecticut and attended the prestigious prep school Hotchkiss. Chase was admitted to Yale University, but instead chose to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. It was there that he met fellow classmates Michael O’Donoghue and Gilda Radner (both would later join Saturday Night Live).
After finishing college Chase moved out to San Francisco where he lived with comedian Richard Pryor for a time while trying his hand at stand-up comedy. In 1970 Chase returned to New York to continue pursuing a career as an actor. He became involved with National Lampoon magazine, collaborating with other comedians to create crude spoofs of real-life topics. This led to Chase being cast as one of the first members of Saturday Night Live, alongside fellow newcomers Radner and O’Donoghue.
Chase’s first role on the show was as a cold-hearted salesman in “The New York City Store” (SNL, October 22, 1975), followed by appearances as an underaged driver who sees his passenger (Pierce Brosnan) killed by his girlfriend (Kathy Griffin), and then tells her his opinion about her actions (SNL, December 1, 1976). During the show’s early years he also parodied George C.
Chevy Chase began appearing on the Saturday Night Live segment Weekend Update in 1975. He soon won Emmy’s for his acting and his writing.
His father was a writer and literary editor, his mother was a musician and composer.
Chevy left Saturday Night Live after one season to pursue a career in film.
His paternal grandfather and great uncle were both artists, and his grandmother was a classical vocalist.
In 1980 Chevy Chase appeared in the movie Caddyshack, which became a hit and made him even more well-known as a comedian.
His mother was an heir to the Crane Plumbing fortune.
Chevy Chase appeared in National Lampoon’s Vacation in 1983. It became very popular. European Vacation was released in 1985, followed by Christmas Vacation in 1989 and Vegas Vacation in 1997.
Chase is a talented musician as well as an actor and writer.
In 1985 Chevy Chase starred in the movie Fletch, as a newspaper reporter. His role as I.M. Fletcher is considered by many to be his best performance as a comedian. The sequel Fletch Lives was released in 1989.
While at Bard College, he played drums and keyboards in what he’s described as “a bad jazz band” called the Leather Canary.
Chevy continued to appear in comedies such as Spies Like Us (1985), The Amigos! (1986), Nothing But Trouble (1991), Cops and Robbersons (1994), Man of the House (1995), and Snow Day (2000).
Chase was also a member of the Boston-based pop group the Chamaeleon Church, who scored a record deal with MGM Records in 1969.
Chevy Chase has appeared in several cameos and on TV shows including Law and Order, and Brothers and Sisters.
Chevy Chase has been married three times.
Chevy Chase was once one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood due to the success of his comedy film roles.
Chevy was offered the leading role in Paul Schrader’s sexy 1980 thriller “American Gigolo,” but the actor was wary of the erotic content of the film and turned it down.
Chevy Chase has been married three times. His first wife was Susan Hewitt (married in 1973); his second was Jaqueline Carlin (married in 1976); his third wife is Jayni Luke (married in 1981). Chevy has three daughters with Jayni and they are still married.
Chevy Chase turned down the chance to play Dr. Venkman in “Ghostbusters,” the role that later went to Bill Murray.
Chevy Chase was the first person to say ‘Live from New York – It’s Saturday Night!’
Chevy Chase has hosted the Academy Awards twice, in 1987 and 1988.
Chevy Chase is considered to be the first breakout star from Saturday Night Live.
In 1990, Chase returned to Bard College as a distinguished alumnus to deliver the graduating class’s commencement address.
Chevy Chase was offered the lead role in American Gigolo but turned it down because the content was too racy. Richard Gere took the role and became famous as a result.
Chase was offered the title role in 1994’s Oscar winner “Forrest Gump” and turned it down, which for the third time paved the way for Tom Hanks to land a male lead, and in this case play one of his best-loved roles.
Due to his roles on Saturday Night Live Chevy Chase suffered from back pain and developed a low level issue with pain killers in the 1980s. He was admitted to the Betty Ford Clinic for treatment.
Chevy Chase loves to play poker, and has a long-standing weekly game with friends who get together to have dinner and play cards.
Chevy Chase is involved with charity fundraising, active environmentalism, and politics. He raised money for Bill Clinton in the 90s.
Chevy Chase also turned down the lead role in “American Beauty.”
In 2015 Chevy Chase appeared as Clark Griswold in the fifth National Lampoon Vacation movie.
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