The Griswold Family Forever: What The Christmas Vacation Cast Is Doing Now In 2025

Thirty-six years after its theatrical release, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation remains the undisputed champion of holiday chaos cinema, a perennial favorite that defines the festive season for millions. Even as we approach the end of 2025, the film’s unique blend of slapstick humor, heartwarming moments, and the sheer disaster of Clark Griswold’s pursuit of the "perfect Christmas" ensures its enduring legacy. But what has the beloved, and often chaotic, cast of this 1989 classic been up to since Clark first lit up 25,000 twinkle lights? This deep dive provides the most current updates, biographical profiles, and little-known trivia about the Griswold family and their neighbors.

The enduring popularity of the film is a testament to the chemistry between its stars, particularly Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo. Their recent appearances at fan conventions, sometimes alongside Randy Quaid and Juliette Lewis, prove that the Griswold family bond is still strong, giving fans fresh updates to celebrate every holiday season.

The Complete Griswold Family and Supporting Cast Biography Profile

The core of the movie’s success lies in its perfectly cast ensemble. Before diving into their 2025 activities, here is a complete profile of the main actors who brought the Griswold Christmas disaster to life.

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• Chevy Chase (Clark W. Griswold Jr.)
  • Full Name: Cornelius Crane Chase
  • Born: October 8, 1943, in New York, New York, U.S.
  • Career Highlights: An original cast member and breakout star of NBC’s Saturday Night Live (1975–1976). Known for the National Lampoon's Vacation film series, Caddyshack (1980), and the NBC sitcom Community (2009–2014).
• Beverly D'Angelo (Ellen Griswold)
  • Full Name: Beverly Heather D'Angelo
  • Born: November 15, 1951, in Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
  • Career Highlights: Starred in every National Lampoon's Vacation film. Received a Golden Globe nomination for her role as Patsy Cline in Coal Miner's Daughter (1980).
• Juliette Lewis (Audrey Griswold)
  • Full Name: Juliette Lake Lewis
  • Born: June 21, 1973, in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
  • Career Highlights: Received an Academy Award nomination for her role in Cape Fear (1991). Known for films like Natural Born Killers (1994) and From Dusk till Dawn (1996), and the TV series Yellowjackets.
• Johnny Galecki (Rusty Griswold)
  • Full Name: John Mark Galecki
  • Born: April 30, 1975, in Bree, Belgium
  • Career Highlights: Best known for his long-running roles as David Healy on Roseanne (1992–1997) and Leonard Hofstadter on the massively successful sitcom The Big Bang Theory (2007–2019).
• Randy Quaid (Cousin Eddie Johnson)
  • Full Name: Randy Randall Rudy Quaid
  • Born: October 1, 1950, in Houston, Texas, U.S.
  • Career Highlights: Received an Academy Award nomination for The Last Detail (1973). Reprised his role as Cousin Eddie in four Vacation films and the TV movie Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure (2003).
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Margo Chester)
  • Full Name: Julia Scarlett Elizabeth Louis-Dreyfus
  • Born: January 13, 1961, in New York, New York, U.S.
  • Career Highlights: One of the most decorated comedic actresses in history, known for her iconic roles as Elaine Benes on Seinfeld, Christine Campbell on The New Adventures of Old Christine, and Selina Meyer on Veep.

Where Are They Now? The Cast's Latest 2025 Updates

The cast of Christmas Vacation has remained incredibly active in Hollywood, though some have embraced a quieter life. Here is what the major players have been up to recently, with news extending into 2025.

Chevy Chase (Clark Griswold)

In his 80s, Chevy Chase continues to embrace the legacy of Clark Griswold. He has been a frequent guest at fan events, including Christmas Con, where he often reunites with his on-screen wife, Beverly D'Angelo. Chase also continues to take on film roles, having recently appeared in the 2024 low-budget comedy The Christmas Letter, which saw him reunite with Randy Quaid.

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Beverly D'Angelo (Ellen Griswold)

Beverly D'Angelo is arguably the most active member of the core Griswold family. She has had a busy schedule in 2024, appearing in several projects, including the film Drugstore June. Looking ahead, D'Angelo has at least one confirmed project for 2025, the film No Address, showing she has no plans to slow down her acting career.

Johnny Galecki (Rusty Griswold)

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Following the conclusion of The Big Bang Theory in 2019, Johnny Galecki has maintained a lower profile, focusing on his personal life and production work. A significant personal update came in 2024 when it was reported that he married Morgan Galecki, with whom he shares a daughter. While he has expressed interest in exploring new genres, his focus remains on selective projects outside of major network television.

Juliette Lewis (Audrey Griswold)

Juliette Lewis has cemented her status as a critically acclaimed actress, moving far beyond the role of the moody teenage Audrey. She has been a major presence on television in recent years, most notably starring in the hit Showtime series Yellowjackets. She also continues to pursue her passion for music, often performing with her band, Juliette and the Licks.

Randy Quaid (Cousin Eddie)

Randy Quaid's career has been more tumultuous than his co-stars, marked by legal issues and a temporary move to Canada. However, he has begun to return to acting, reuniting with Chevy Chase in the 2024 film The Christmas Letter. He also occasionally joins his co-stars at fan conventions, keeping the spirit of Cousin Eddie alive for dedicated fans.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Margo Chester)

Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s career exploded immediately after Christmas Vacation with her iconic role on Seinfeld. She remains a major star, with recent film appearances in You People, You Hurt My Feelings, and Tuesday. Her momentum continues into 2025 with an anticipated role in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film Thunderbolts*, where she is set to reprise her role as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.

Behind the Chaos: Little-Known Facts and Filming Trivia

The film’s production was just as chaotic as the Griswold family's holiday. These behind-the-scenes facts add another layer of appreciation for this holiday classic.

The Griswold House is Not a Real House

The iconic, snow-covered house where Clark Griswold attempts to string 25,000 lights is not a real residence in Chicago. The exterior shots of the Griswold house, as well as the neighbors' homes (Margo and Todd Chester), were filmed on the Warner Bros. Ranch backlot in Burbank, California. The entire neighborhood is a permanent set located on Blondie Street, the same street used for other classic TV shows and movies.

Director Chris Columbus Left the Project

Before Jeremiah S. Chechik took over, the film was initially set to be directed by Chris Columbus (who would later direct Home Alone and Harry Potter). Columbus reportedly left the project due to creative differences, specifically clashing with star Chevy Chase.

The Snowy Scenes Were Filmed in the Summer

Despite being a quintessential winter movie, principal photography took place in the spring and summer. The production team had to use a massive amount of artificial snow, including a combination of foam, cotton, and salt, to create the winter wonderland look.

Real-Life Filming Locations

While the house was a set, the opening scene where the Griswolds get their tree was filmed in a remote area of Colorado. Other location shooting took place in Summit County, Colorado, including the towns of Breckenridge, Silverthorne, and Frisco.

The Evolution of Rusty and Audrey Griswold

The roles of Rusty and Audrey Griswold were recast in every one of the four original Vacation films. This film marked the third pair of actors to play the kids, with Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki taking on the roles. This constant recasting became a running gag and a quirky tradition of the film series.

The Broader Vacation Film Series Timeline

Christmas Vacation is the third installment in the original National Lampoon's Vacation film series, which follows the misadventures of the Griswold family. The full series includes:

• National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)
• National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985)
• National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
• Vegas Vacation (1997)
• Vacation (2015) - A soft reboot starring Ed Helms as an adult Rusty Griswold.

From Chevy Chase's return to the screen in The Christmas Letter to Beverly D'Angelo's upcoming 2025 project No Address, the cast of this holiday classic continues to entertain audiences. Their recent reunions and ongoing careers ensure that the spirit of the Griswold family, in all its chaotic glory, will continue to shine brighter than Clark's 25,000 imported Italian twinkle lights for many Christmases to come.