Guide Note

Chevy Chase is a television and film actor, writer, and comedian. He was a cast member of the first season of Saturday Night Live and played Clark Griswold in four of the National Lampoon Vacation movies.

Fast Facts

1. Real name: Cornelius Crane Chase
2. Born: October 8, 1943
3. Birthplace: New York, New York
4. Three-time Emmy award winner
5. Starred in several of National Lampoon's Vacation movies
6. Original member of the Saturday Night Live cast
7. Guest starred on the ABC tv show Brothers & Sisters

Chase was one of the original cast members on Saturday Night Live in 1975. He was the first to anchor the show's Weekend Update segment, creating numerous catch phrase and memorable moments. Despite his success on the show, Chase would leave Saturday Night Live in 1976 due to rivalries with cast member John Belushi and show creator Lorne Michaels. Chase has continued to make occasional cameo appearances on the show and has hosted SNL nine times, most recently in 1997. Chase has admitted to regretting leaving SNL as soon as he did.

Chase starred in Harold Ramis' Caddyshack in 1980, which was a big success. In 1983, Chase starred in his most famous role as Clark Griswold in National Lampoon's Vacation. He would also play the role in the film's three sequals.