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Chevy Chase

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Chevy Chase BIO

Actor and comedian Chevy Chase was born Cornelius Crane Chase on October 8, 1943, in New York City. His grandmother nicknamed him Chevy Chase after the wealthy Maryland community. After being named valedictorian of his high school class, Chase went on to Bard College, where he earned a B.A. in English.

Chase spent his 20s at various odd jobs with the hope of pursuing a career in comedy. During this time, he wrote for the Smothers Brothers and National Lampoon, the latter of which eventually led to a lucrative franchise of Vacation movies. Chase's first stint as a performer was with the New York comedy video workshop Channel One, which evolved into the 1974 film Groove Tube. After seeing the film, producer Lorne Michaels hired Chase for the first season of Saturday Night Live in 1975.

Though hired as a writer, Chase soon began appearing in front of the camera as the anchor of the show's popular Weekend Update segment. With the catchphrase opening "Good evening, I'm Chevy Chase and you're not," and a bumbling impersonation of President Gerald Ford, the actor quickly assumed breakout status, earning Emmys for both his writing and acting. He left after a single season to pursue film opportunities, but didn't strike gold until Caddyshack in 1980, in which he played a golf pro who oozed confidence and deadpan humor. These would become Chase's trademarks.

In 1983, Chase starred in National Lampoon's Vacation, the first of four popular films chronicling the comic misadventures of the Griswold family, which included European Vacation in 1985, Christmas Vacation in 1989 and Vegas Vacation in 1997.

Chase's next box-office hit came in 1985, when he starred in the cult classic Fletch, a film widely considered to be the actor's best. As undercover newspaper reporter I.M. Fletcher, Chase created a classic comic hero with a genius for confusing his adversaries. He reprised the role in 1989 with Fletch Lives.

Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Chase achieved success in such films as Spies Like Us (1985) and Three Amigos! (1986).
In recent years, Chase has chosen to work in family films, such as Man of the House (1995), Snow Day (2000), Dirty Work (1998) and Orange County (2002).

In 2009 he appeared as a regular cast member on the popular series Community. The show was well-received by audiences and critics alike, based on it's ragtag of cast members, including Donald Glover and Joel McHale, which made for an interesting and funny combination.

Chevy Chase STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1973
Performer

Writing

Bookwriter

Chevy Chase Videos

Chevy Chase News


Chevy Chase & NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION Stars To Attend FAN EXPO Philadelphia


Join Chevy Chase and the cast of NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION at FAN EXPO Philadelphia for photo ops, autographs, and Q&As. Learn how to attend the event!

Chaunté Wayans, Adam Ray & Alignon Mitra Are Coming To The Den Theatre


The Den Theatre will present upcoming appearances by Chaunté Wayans, Adam Ray, and Alignon Mitra. Learn more about these performers and see how to purchase tickets.

Andrew Keenan-Bolger & More to Star in SCARLETT DREAMS World Premiere at Greenwich House Theatre


The world premiere of a new play Scarlett Dreams, written and directed by S. Asher Gelman, will open at Greenwich House Theatre in the spring. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Review: A CHRISTMAS STORY at Ahmanson


Lenz’s production is solid family stuff, a little bit cock-eyed, and easy on the treacle. Knowledge of the original movie is by no means a prerequisite to enjoyment of ACS: TM. If you’re craving certain iconic moments from the movie, rest assured you’ll find them, possibly even amped up or with a musical number built around them.

NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME A New Play To Have Private Industry Readings In Nyc On December 7 & 8


'NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME' is a new play that will have private industry readings in NYC on December 7 & 8. Find out more about this exciting production.

SCARLETT DREAMS, A New Play From S. Asher Gelman, Holds Industry Presentation in NYC


Scarlett Dreams, the new play by S. Asher Gelman, held an industry presentation in NYC.

Pianist Haskell Small Continues CELEBRATION OF HEALING Concert Tour in Chicago


Pianist Haskell Small's 'Celebration of Healing' concert tour comes to Chicago's Epiphany Hall on November 16, featuring a free program of Beethoven's Diabelli variations. Check out all the details here!

Pianist Haskell Small Performs Beethoven's Diabelli Variations in Philadelphia


Pianist Haskell Small will tour nine key cities in the US with his program Celebration of Healing, performing Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations. His first official out-of-town stop will be at the American Philosophical Society’s Benjamin Franklin Hall in Philadelphia on Nov. 4th. Learn more about the upcoming show here!

Film and TV Acting Intensive Workshops Coming to Santa Paula Theater Center


The Santa Paula Theater Center will present a FILM/TELEVISION ACTING INTENSIVE taught by local award winning actor/writer/director, Travis Greer, on Saturday September 16th and Saturday September 23rd from 1:00 - 4:00 PM on the Main Stage.

Traveling Players Presents ROMEO & JULIET


Traveling Players presents William Shakespeare's tale of star-crossed lovers, Romeo & Juliet.  The play will tour from July 27 – August 2. 

Chevy Chase Will Appear in Conversation at NJPAC Following Screening of CHRISTMAS VACATION


Join in for an unforgettable evening of holiday cheer and laughs. This special screening of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation includes a live conversation with none other than “Clark Griswold” himself. Chevy Chase and his wife Jayni share behind-the-scenes anecdotes about the making of the movie, and answer your questions about Chevy's storied career, including SNL and Caddyshack.

Review: THE ANDREWS BROTHERS Blends Farce and Revue at Saint Vincent Summer Theatre


The summer institution's season opener effortlessly blends the two genres the venue is most famous for.

Arts Garage To Present LOVING AVERY: A Musical Salute To Avery Sommers, July 23


Marjorie Waldo, President & CEO of Arts Garage, today announced a very special upcoming concert: LOVING AVERY: A Musical Salute to Avery Sommers to be headlined by singers Rob Russell and Anthony Nunziata—along with special guests Copeland Davis, Patty Chamberlain, Tony Siders, and Meri Ziev, backed by Music Director Phil Hinton (piano) with Frank Derrick on drums and Val Shaffer on bass.

Anthony Nunziata Comes To Arts Garage In March


Anthony Nunziata comes to Arts Garage on Saturday, March 4, at 8 pm, with Love Songs from Broadway & Beyond.

Jason Graae and David Turner Will Lead MAX AND WILLY'S LAST LAUGH Reading at Mosaic Theater's Catalyst New Play Festival


Co-authored by Conor Duffy and Jake Broder, Max & Willy’s Last Laugh is based on the true story of entertainers Max Ehrlich and Willy Rosen, who for 18 months performed the funniest cabaret in Europe to ensure their safety at the Westerbork Transit Camp during World War II.

Congressman Gerry Connolly and Supervisor Dalia Palchick Join Student Actors on Stage in Traveling Players' COMMEDIA CHRISTMAS CAROL


​​​​​​​Traveling Players Ensemble performs Commedia Christmas Carol with special guest appearances by Congressman Gerry Connolly (11-D) and Fairfax County Supervisor Dalia Palchick (Providence-D), on Saturday, December 10 at the Traveling Players Studio in Tysons Corner Center. 

Traveling Players Presents COMMEDIA CHRISTMAS CAROL Next Month


Tickets are now available for Commedia Christmas Carol, which runs Fridays–Sundays, Dec. 2- Dec. 11  at Traveling Players Studio in Tysons Corner Center.  Performed by Traveling Players middle and high school students, the play is a new imagining of Dickens' classic ghost story, a perfect holiday treat for the whole family! 

Nathan Lane to Moderate Live Evening With Steve Martin and Harry Bliss at The Town Hall


The Town Hall has announced that stage and screen star Nathan Lane will moderate a special evening with Hollywood icon Steve Martin and artist Harry Bliss, as they reflect on their new book Number One Is Walking - My Life In the Movies and Other Diversions (Celadon Books). The live evening will take place on November 15 at 8pm at The Town Hall.

Steve Martin & Harry Bliss to Discuss Their Book NUMBER ONE IS WALKING at The Town Hall in November


The Town Hall will present a special evening with Hollywood icon Steve Martin and artist Harry Bliss, as they reflect on their new book Number One Is Walking. The live evening will take place on November 15 at 8pm at The Town Hall. Audience members will receive a signed copy of the book, courtesy of Strand Bookstore.

New Trustees From Across U.S. Appointed To Jewish Museum Board


The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History (The Weitzman), the only museum in the nation dedicated exclusively to exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience, welcomes seven new members to its Board of Trustees.

Chevy Chase FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Chevy Chase written?

Chevy Chase has written 2 shows including Lemmings (Bookwriter), National Lampoon's Class of ‘86 (Sketches).

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