Honestly, it isn't Christmas until Chevy Chase is weeping over a tangled ball of 25,000 Italian imported twinkle lights. We’ve all seen it. You’ve probably seen it fifty times. But as we settle into 2026, looking back at that 1989 suburban nightmare feels a bit different. The cast from christmas vacation has scattered in ways nobody could have predicted when Aunt Bethany was wrapping up the family cat.
Some of them became sitcom royalty. Others basically vanished into the woods of Vermont or Canada. A few, sadly, are no longer with us to grace the screen.
The movie works because it’s relatable. Everyone has a Cousin Eddie. Everyone has an Uncle Lewis who might accidentally burn the tree down with a stray cigar. But the real-life trajectories of these actors? That’s where the story gets weird.
Chevy Chase: The Man Who is Still Clark Griswold (For Better or Worse)
Chevy Chase is 82 now. Let that sink in.
He’s spent the last year or so leaning hard into the nostalgia. In late 2025, he hit the road for a massive screening tour of the film across the U.S. He’s been showing up in places like Newark and Austin, sitting on stage with his wife Jayni, and telling the same old stories about falling off the roof. He still loves it. He told the Los Angeles Daily News that the physical comedy—the sliding, the hanging from gutters—was his favorite part.
But it hasn't all been eggnog and smiles. Most people remember the Community drama. He was written off the show in 2012 after some pretty ugly behind-the-scenes clashes. Since then, he’s been a bit of a polarizing figure. You either love the legend or you’re tired of the "difficult" reputation.
✨ Don't miss: Temuera Morrison as Boba Fett: Why Fans Are Still Divided Over the Daimyo of Tatooine
Watch out for New Year’s Day 2026, though. CNN is dropping a documentary called I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not. It’s supposed to be the definitive look at his career, and hopefully, it addresses the sharp edges alongside the pratfalls.
The Kids Who Grew Up (And Got Replaced)
One of the longest-running jokes in the Vacation franchise is that the kids, Rusty and Audrey, never look the same. They’re like Time Lords.
Johnny Galecki (Rusty)
Back then, he was just a kid with a bowl cut trying to help his dad with the lights. Today? He’s probably the most successful of the bunch, financially speaking. Starring in The Big Bang Theory for twelve seasons tends to do that. Galecki has mostly stepped back from the camera lately to focus on being a dad—he welcomed a daughter in 2024—and working as a producer. He doesn't need the work. He’s got that "syndication money."
Juliette Lewis (Audrey)
She’s the one who really "broke out" in a Hollywood sense. Shortly after playing the freezing Audrey, she was nominated for an Oscar for Cape Fear. She’s lived a hundred lives since 1989: punk rock singer, indie film darling, and most recently, a standout in the hit series Yellowjackets.
Interestingly, Lewis and Galecki actually reunited on screen recently. In the Roseanne spinoff The Conners, Galecki reprised his role as David, and Lewis showed up as his girlfriend. It was a weirdly full-circle moment for two actors who started as siblings in a station wagon.
🔗 Read more: Why Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Actors Still Define the Modern Spy Thriller
The Cousin Eddie Enigma: Randy Quaid
We have to talk about Randy Quaid.
In the movie, Eddie is the lovable, gross intruder. In real life, Randy’s story turned into a plot even John Hughes couldn't have written. For years, he and his wife Evi were essentially on the run, claiming "Star Whackers" were out to get them. They fled to Canada, lived off the grid, and made some... let's call them interesting YouTube videos.
But things have cooled down slightly. In 2024, he actually worked with Chevy Chase again in a low-budget indie called The Christmas Letter. It was his first real movie in years. However, if you were hoping to see him at a convention this year, don't hold your breath. He recently canceled a 2026 appearance at the Tampa Bay Comic Convention citing "scheduling conflicts." He’s still active on social media, often leaning into his political views, but the days of him being a Hollywood mainstay are likely over.
The Support System: Beverly D'Angelo and Diane Ladd
Beverly D'Angelo (Ellen Griswold) is the glue. She’s stayed incredibly busy. If you haven't seen her in the 2022 movie Violent Night, go watch it. She plays a hardened, foul-mouthed matriarch that is the polar opposite of sweet Ellen. She’s also a regular at the fan conventions, often appearing alongside Chevy to keep the Griswold spirit alive.
Then there’s Diane Ladd (Nora Griswold). She’s a legend. At 90 years old, she’s still working. She recently did an indie film called Isle of Hope. She remains one of the most respected actresses in the business, and her daughter, Laura Dern, is keeping the family legacy going strong.
💡 You might also like: The Entire History of You: What Most People Get Wrong About the Grain
Those We’ve Lost
It’s the sad part of any "where are they now" look. A huge chunk of the senior cast is gone:
- John Randolph (Clark Sr.) passed in 2004.
- E.G. Marshall (Art) died in 1998.
- Doris Roberts (Frances), who most know from Everybody Loves Raymond, left us in 2016.
- William Hickey (Uncle Lewis) passed in 1997.
- Mae Questel (Aunt Bethany), the voice of Betty Boop, died in 1998. Christmas Vacation was her final film.
When you watch the movie now, the scenes with the grandparents feel a bit more poignant. They represented a generation of character actors that just doesn't exist anymore.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus: The Neighbor You Forgot Was There
Before Seinfeld really exploded, Julia Louis-Dreyfus was Margo Chester, the yuppie neighbor who gets hit by a stray Christmas tree and attacked by a squirrel.
It’s almost funny to see her in such a small, reactive role now. She’s since become the queen of the Emmys thanks to Veep. She’s currently a major player in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Seeing her go from "Who are you and why is your house wet?" to a global power player is arguably the biggest career jump of the entire cast.
What to Do Next with Your Griswold Obsession
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of the cast from christmas vacation, here are a few actual steps you can take:
- Check out the 2026 CNN Documentary: I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not provides the most honest look yet at the man behind Clark.
- Watch 'Violent Night': See Beverly D'Angelo in her modern, gritty Christmas element.
- Follow the Official Socials: Chevy Chase and Juliette Lewis are surprisingly active on Instagram, often posting behind-the-scenes throwbacks that aren't in the "official" press kits.
- Look for the HBO Max Spinoff: There has been talk of a Griswolds series in development. While it’s been in "development hell" for a bit, 2026 rumors suggest it might finally be moving toward a concrete production date.
The movie isn't just a film anymore; it’s a ritual. Seeing where the actors ended up just adds another layer to the chaos we watch every December. It's a beaut, Clark. A real beaut.