The Griswold Family Reunion: 5 Shocking New Details About The Christmas Vacation Cast's Latest Projects And 2025 Movie

The enduring magic of the Griswold family’s disastrous holiday season in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation remains an annual tradition for millions, but fans have always dreamed of a true, official reunion. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, that dream is closer to reality than ever, not just with recent cast meetups, but with a confirmed new festive film that sees some of the most beloved—and chaotic—members of the cast back on screen together. This is the definitive, up-to-the-minute breakdown of the latest Griswold-related news.

The 1989 classic, which cemented Clark W. Griswold's quest for the "most sparkling, joyous Christmas" into cinematic history, is celebrating its 35th anniversary, prompting a flurry of activity. From major convention appearances to a surprise new movie project, the cast is proving that the spirit of the season—and the chaos of the Griswolds—is still alive and well in the current year, 2025.

The Griswold Family Tree: A Quick Cast Biography Update

The core cast members of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation have remained busy in the decades since the film's release, with several recent projects and appearances bringing them back into the spotlight. This list provides a snapshot of their careers and their latest activities.

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• Chevy Chase (Clark Griswold):
  • Born: October 8, 1943, in New York City.
  • Career Highlights: Original cast member of Saturday Night Live, star of the National Lampoon's Vacation film series, and the sitcom Community.
  • Latest Update (2025): Stars in the new holiday comedy film, The Christmas Letter, reuniting him with a key Christmas Vacation co-star. He has also been active with fan conventions and special screenings of the classic film.
• Beverly D'Angelo (Ellen Griswold):
  • Born: November 15, 1951, in Columbus, Ohio.
  • Career Highlights: Nominated for a Golden Globe for her role in Coal Miner's Daughter, and played the long-suffering wife Ellen Griswold across four *Vacation* films.
  • Latest Update (2025): Continues to appear at major fan conventions alongside Chevy Chase, celebrating their iconic on-screen chemistry. She recently appeared in the film Violent Night.
• Randy Quaid (Cousin Eddie Johnson):
  • Born: October 1, 1950, in Houston, Texas.
  • Career Highlights: Oscar-nominated for The Last Detail, played the unforgettable Cousin Eddie in three Vacation films and the spin-off Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure.
  • Latest Update (2025): Reunites with Chevy Chase in the new film, The Christmas Letter, reprising his comedic partnership with the Clark Griswold actor.
• Juliette Lewis (Audrey Griswold):
  • Born: June 21, 1973, in Los Angeles, California.
  • Career Highlights: Oscar-nominated for Cape Fear, star of films like Natural Born Killers and TV series like Yellowjackets.
  • Latest Update (2025): Continues a highly successful acting career and has participated in recent cast reunion photos, showcasing her transition from the moody teenage Audrey to a major Hollywood star.
• Johnny Galecki (Rusty Griswold):
  • Born: April 30, 1975, in Bree, Belgium.
  • Career Highlights: Played the final "Rusty" in the original series, and is best known for his long-running role as Leonard Hofstadter on The Big Bang Theory.
  • Latest Update (2025): While not part of the recent major convention reunions, he maintains a strong presence in television and film production after his massive sitcom success.
• Miriam Flynn (Aunt Bethany):
  • Born: June 18, 1952, in Cleveland, Ohio.
  • Career Highlights: Known for her voice work and her role as the eccentric Aunt Bethany, who wraps up her cat and brings the infamous Jell-O mold.
  • Latest Update (2025): Has been a consistent presence at recent Christmas Vacation cast reunions, including Christmas Con, delighting fans with her stories about the film.

1. The Ultimate Reunion: Chevy Chase and Randy Quaid Star in a Brand New 2025 Holiday Movie

The biggest news for Griswold-heads is not a sequel, but a fresh, original Christmas movie that brings back the dynamic duo of Clark and Eddie—or at least, the actors who played them. Chevy Chase and Randy Quaid are reuniting to star in a new holiday comedy titled The Christmas Letter.

This is the first major collaboration for the pair in a new holiday film since Christmas Vacation was released 35 years ago. The trailer for The Christmas Letter has already been released, confirming a digital release date of November 10, 2025.

The film, directed by Tori Hunter, centers on an unemployed copywriter named Joe who is struggling to make ends meet for his family. It promises to deliver the kind of chaotic, feel-good holiday humor that fans of the Vacation series cherish. The excitement for this project is palpable, as it taps directly into the nostalgia for Clark Griswold and Cousin Eddie Johnson’s on-screen chemistry.

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Adding to the reunion is the appearance of another familiar face: Brian Doyle-Murray, who played Clark's notoriously cheap boss, Frank Shirley, in Christmas Vacation. Seeing three key actors from the beloved Christmas classic in a new project is an unexpected gift that will undoubtedly become a new tradition for many families.

2. The Convention Circuit: Clark, Ellen, Eddie, and Audrey's Recent Public Gatherings

While the new movie is the major headline, the cast has also been consistently celebrating their legacy at fan events, providing fans with countless photo opportunities and a sense of a true Griswold family reunion.

In late 2023, several key members of the cast—Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid, and Miriam Flynn (Aunt Bethany)—came together at Christmas Con, a major fan event. These appearances are crucial for topical authority, showing that the cast is actively embracing the film's status as a holiday staple.

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Another notable reunion included Chase, D'Angelo, Quaid, and Juliette Lewis (Audrey Griswold) at a comic convention, which resulted in a widely shared "family picture." These events allow the actors to share behind-the-scenes stories about the making of the movie, from Clark's ambitious 25,000 Christmas lights display to the search for the perfect Griswold Family Christmas Tree.

The Enduring Chemistry of Clark and Ellen Griswold

The heart of the Vacation series has always been the relationship between Clark and Ellen Griswold. The recent public appearances of Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo have highlighted their enduring friendship and on-screen spark. They often share cozy selfies and pose together, proving their chemistry is just as strong as when they were navigating the chaos of Cousin Eddie's RV or the disastrous family dinner.

3. Debunking the Rumor of 'Christmas Vacation Redux'

In the age of viral content, rumors of a direct sequel or reboot frequently circulate. One title that has popped up is "National Lampoon Christmas Vacation Redux," which some reports suggested would see Clark and Ellen Griswold return as the main characters.

While the idea of a true Christmas Vacation 2 is appealing, the "Redux" movie turned out to be a rumor, or possibly a spoof concept, according to fact-checking sources. A true, officially recognized sequel was actually released in 2003, titled Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure, which focused on Randy Quaid's character and his family.

The excitement generated by the "Redux" rumors, however, underscores the massive demand for new Griswold content, a demand that The Christmas Letter seems perfectly poised to satisfy by reuniting the core comedic talents of Chase, Quaid, and Doyle-Murray.

4. The Status of Rusty and Audrey Griswold

The roles of Rusty and Audrey Griswold were famously recast throughout the series. For Christmas Vacation, the roles were played by Johnny Galecki and Juliette Lewis, respectively. While Juliette Lewis has been an active participant in the recent cast reunions, Johnny Galecki has been less visible at these events.

Lewis has enjoyed a critically acclaimed career, moving far beyond her teenage role as the moody Audrey. Galecki, of course, became a global star thanks to his long run on The Big Bang Theory. The absence of a full "four Griswolds" reunion photo with Clark, Ellen, Rusty, and Audrey remains a coveted goal for fans, but the recent participation of Lewis keeps the hope alive.

5. The LSI Entities: The Legacy That Lives On

The true "reunion" for fans happens every time they rewatch the movie and recall its iconic moments. The film's topical authority is built on these unforgettable entities, which are frequently referenced in pop culture and at the cast's convention appearances:

• The Jelly of the Month Club: Clark's infamous "gift" that is truly the gift that keeps on giving.
• Snot the Dog: Cousin Eddie’s slobbering, lovable dog, whose presence adds to the suburban chaos.
• The Squirrel: The unexpected, high-energy climax of the indoor Christmas Tree disaster.
• Walley World: The original destination of the Griswold family's first trip, often referenced in the context of Clark's over-the-top schemes.
• The Cat Under the Chair: Aunt Bethany's unfortunate pet, a moment of dark humor that defines the film's edge.

While a direct sequel to the 1989 masterpiece seems unlikely, the upcoming release of The Christmas Letter in 2025, coupled with the frequent and public reunions of Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid, and Miriam Flynn, confirms that the spirit of the Griswold family Christmas is not just surviving—it's thriving.