Chevy Chase
“The first Update, the fall, Clark Griswold — then a long life next to the first year.”
As the breakout star of 'Saturday Night Live's' first season in 1975, Chase made 'Weekend Update' a staple and won Emmys with his catchphrase, 'I'm Chevy Chase, and you're not.' That fame propelled him into film stardom with 'Caddyshack' and the 'National Lampoon's Vacation' series.
An Ivy-Trained Cut-Up
Cornelius Crane 'Chevy' Chase was born in 1943 into a prominent New York family. A high-school valedictorian and Bard College graduate, he channeled his sharp wit into comedy writing and performance.
The Original SNL Star
Chase was the first breakout of 'Saturday Night Live' in 1975, anchoring 'Weekend Update' and skewering President Ford. He won two Emmys before leaving after one season for a film career.
Griswolds and Beyond
Chase became a top film comedian with 'Caddyshack,' 'Fletch,' and the 'Vacation' series as bumbling dad Clark Griswold. Decades later he found a new audience playing Pierce Hawthorne on the sitcom 'Community.'
Career Timeline
- 1943Born Cornelius Crane Chase in New York.
- 1975Saturday Night Live. Weekend Update.
- 1976Leaves after one season.
- 1983National Lampoon's Vacation.
- 1985Fletch.
- 2012Walks off Community.
Biggest Hits
- Chase was valedictorian of his high school class and earned an English degree from Bard College.
- His bumbling impersonations of President Gerald Ford on 'SNL' helped make political satire a show staple.
Portrait: David Shankbone · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons