10 Interesting Facts About Chevy Chase

There is no one who was as famous for being a comic actor as Chevy Chase. This comedian and actor have starred in many films and TV shows such as, “Fletch,” “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” and “Caddyshack.” His acting has won him two Golden Globe awards in his career. Chase also hosted the game show “The Match Game” from 1962 to 1967. Chase has been married three times and has four children. In 2002, he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his role on the sitcom, “NewsRadio.” Here are some interesting facts about this iconic comedian.

10 Interesting Facts About Chevy Chase

Chevy Chase was born in government housing on the property of a General Motors plant in Gary, Indiana. He attended Culver Military Academy and graduated from Oak Park High School. Chevy Chase’s father was an executive for GM and his mother worked at a bank. Chase’s first acting experience was as part of an act called “The Wild Boys” in which he dressed up like a hobo, who would then be interviewed. In 1955, he won the role of Rusty Griswold in the TV show “Fletch.” Chevy Chase has had many roles in film including, “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” “Caddyshack,” and “Wedding Crashers.” His acting has been nominated for two Golden Globes with one win to his name. The comedian is married three times and has four children. The actor also hosted the game show “The Match Game” from 1962 to 1967, where he won two Emmy Awards as host.

The Road to Stardom

Chase’s road to stardom started when he was a child. He began comedy as an on-air personality for the radio station KDKA in Pittsburgh. Chase later made his film debut in 1969, starring in “The Producers” with Gene Wilder. After that, Chase became known for his role of Oliver Hardy in the classic comedy film “The Three Stooges.” At age 63, Chase retired from acting and focused on his charity work instead.

Chevy Chase is one of the most famous actors and comedians of all time. His career spans over 70 years and he has starred in many popular films such as, “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” “Caddyshack,” and “Fletch.” The comedian is also well-known for hosting one of television’s longest-running game shows, “The Match Game.” With three marriages and four children, this comedic legend has been through a lot throughout his life. From humble beginnings to becoming a household name worldwide, Chase has accomplished an impressive amount throughout his life.

Career of A Comic Actor

Chevy Chase started his career as a stand-up comic in Capitol City, California. He later left for New York City to become a part of the “Second City” theater. He has starred in many films and TV shows such as, “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” “Fletch,” “Caddyshack,” “The Last Boy Scout,” and others which have won him two Golden Globe awards. This comedian-actor was married three times and has four children. In 2002, he was nominated for an Emmy award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his role on the sitcom, NewsRadio.

How Did Chevy Chase Start His Career? 

As a kid, Chevy Chase loved to make funny faces. When he graduated from high school, he attended the University of Washington and studied drama. After graduating from college in 1961, he started his acting career doing stand-up comedy. This is where Chevy Chase made his name as a comic actor and later on starred in films such as “National Lampoon’s Vacation.”

His Family Life And Childhood

Chevy Chase grew up in a family with six children. He has four sons and two daughters. His eldest son, Kevin, is a filmmaker and actor as well. Chase’s youngest son is named Chet Chase. He also has an older daughter named Debbie, who went on to become a stand-up comedian and actress.

Chase was born into entertainment as his father was a singer and his grandfather was a vaudeville performer. After graduating from Yale, he studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City for two years before moving to California to study under the master of comedy, Stanislavski.

The best advice that Chevy Chase ever received was from Stanislavski when he said, “Live your life well.” That’s what led him to be open about what he had gone through with drugs and alcohol addiction in his lifetime which made him realize how important it is not to hide from your problems but address them head-on.

His Early Days of Struggling for Work in Hollywood

Chase was known to have been a comedian who struggled for work in Hollywood and had to go on many auditions before finally being cast in the comedy, “Fletch.”

In the early days of his career, he had to take any job that came his way. One of those jobs was playing a butcher on the TV show, “The Phil Silvers Show.” Chase was also an extra in “Gone With the Wind” in 1939. Chase also played small roles on TV shows such as, “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis,” and “Get Smart.”

How Did He Move From Stand-up Comedy to Acting? 

Chase used to be a stand-up comedian and started doing acting in the late 1970s. He became famous after starring in “Fletch,” which was his first film. Chase has been nominated for four Golden Globes and one Primetime Emmy Award.

What Are Some Movies That Chevy Chase Has Starred in? 

Some of his most famous films include, “Fletch,” “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” and “Caddyshack.”

What Are Some TV Shows That Chevy Chase Has Starred on? 

“Fletch,” “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” and “Caddyshack.”

Career of A Game Show Hosting Icon

Chevy Chase is a game show host who has won two Golden Globe awards. He hosted the game show, “The Match Game,” from 1962 to 1967 and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in 2002 in the category of Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his role on NewsRadio.

In his career, Chase has also starred in films such as, “Fletch,” “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” and “Caddyshack.” 

He has four children with three different wives. The first wife he was married to was Patricia O’Brien from 1966-1976; the second wife he married was Bonnie Bartlett from 1979-1981, and the third wife he married is Sally Kirkland from 1990 until the present.

He is one of five actors who has played Uncle Fester on the hit TV series, “The Addams Family.”