Why Beverly D'Angelo Almost Passed On Her National Lampoon Ellen Griswold Role

While Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) is the comedic backbone of the National Lampoon’s Vacation series, it wouldn’t be as funny without Beverly D’Angelo’s straight-laced pillar of the family, but the actress almost past on the iconic role. Central to the beloved franchise is the Griswold family, whose misadventures on their vacation odysseys have cracked audiences up for generations. Ellen Griswold, played with heartfelt warmth and comedic brilliance by Beverly D’Angelo, is the “straight man” of the franchise, offering a steady hand amid the chaos spurred by her husband Clark’s well-intentioned but often misguided plans.

Ellen Griswold has become synonymous with the enduring appeal of the series, showcasing D’Angelo’s ability to balance humor with genuine emotion. However, the story of how D’Angelo came to embody the quintessential all-American wife and mother is filled with hesitations and what-ifs. Prior to taking on the role, D’Angelo’s career was marked by a variety of performances that showcased her versatility as an actress, though comedy was a path less traveled. While Ellen Griswold ultimately defined a significant chapter of her acting career and contributed to the enduring success of National Lampoon, Beverly D’Angelo almost passed on the movie.

Beverly D’Angelo Almost Didn’t Play National Lampoon’s Ellen Griswold Because She Hadn’t Done Many Comedies

The Actor Had A Mostly Drama & Musical Background

Before Beverly D’Angelo graced the screen as Ellen Griswold in the National Lampoon’s Vacation series, her career trajectory seemed to be leading her away from the comedic landscapes she would later come to dominate. D’Angelo’s early roles highlighted her range and depth as an actress, showcasing her talents in drama, musicals, and even horror genres, which established her as a versatile and dynamic performer in Hollywood.

Her breakthrough came with her portrayal of Patsy Cline in Coal Miner’s Daughter. This performance highlighted D’Angelo’s exceptional singing voice and her ability to bring complex, real-life figures to the screen with nuance and empathy. Following this critically acclaimed role, D’Angelo continued to explore diverse genres. She starred in Hair, a film adaptation of the classic Broadway musical, where she again showcased her vocal talents and danced her way into the hearts of audiences with her spirited performance. These roles cemented her status as a multi-talented actress capable of tackling both dramatic and musical roles with ease.

However, despite these accolades and her proven talent, comedy was a territory D’Angelo had scarcely ventured into. Her filmography up to that point was devoid of the comic roles that would later define her career. This lack of experience in comedy contributed to her initial reluctance to take on the role of Ellen Griswold. D’Angelo’s apprehensions were rooted in a concern that she might not be able to deliver the comedic performance the role demanded, a fear exacerbated by the stark contrast between her previous roles and the light-hearted, chaotic world of the National Lampoon franchise. D’Angelo explained (via People):

“I was so sure that I wasn’t the right person. I really didn’t know what my direction was going to be.”

D’Angelo’s success in dramatic and musical films had established a career path that seemed far removed from the slapstick humor and absurdity characteristic of the Vacation series. Her identity as an actress had been shaped by roles that demanded depth, emotional resonance, and a strong presence—traits that, while invaluable, did not directly translate to the comedic timing and light touch often required in comedy. As a result, D’Angelo considered passing on the role of Ellen Griswold if not for her agent. D’Angelo recalled:

“I even suggested somebody else to my agent and he went, ‘No, no, no. Really, take a look at the script.’”

If Beverly D’Angelo did pass on National Lampoon’s Vacation, it would have altered the course of her career and the dynamic of the beloved Griswold family. But ​​​​​​her leap of faith into the comedy genre was met with resounding success. D’Angelo’s portrayal of Ellen Griswold was not just great; it was iconic, adding a layer of sincerity and warmth to the series that balanced its outlandish humor and Vacation‘s law-breaking Clark.

D’Angelo Had Instant Chemistry With Chevy Chase On The National Lampoon Set

This Contrasts The Heavily-Reported Clashes Chase Has Had With Previous Co-Stars

The on-set chemistry between Beverly D’Angelo and Chevy Chase in the National Lampoon’s Vacation series is legendary, serving as a bedrock for the films’ enduring appeal. This natural rapport was pivotal in making National Lampoon’s Vacation and Christmas Vacation a success. The duo went on to feature in five Vacation films, and there’s only one Vacation movie they don’t appear in. D’Angelo’s own reflections on their working relationship highlight a rare and spontaneous connection that translated into one of the most beloved on-screen marriages in comedic cinema. D’Angelo revealed:

“Great chemistry… It was like meeting my brother.”

Chevy Chase, a cornerstone of American comedy, has had a career filled with highs and lows, and his working relationship with Beverly D’Angelo is one of the few that isn’t filled with clashes. Chase’s tenure on Saturday Night Live in the 1970s catapulted him to fame, establishing him as a household name in comedy. However, alongside his comedic genius, stories of Chase’s difficult behavior on set have surfaced over the years. His time on Community is perhaps the most publicized example, where reports of clashes with fellow cast members and the show’s creator, Dan Harmon, made headlines.

Chase’s disagreements with Harmon on Community were well-documented, culminating in a voicemail leak that revealed a deep rift between the actor and the showrunner. As a result, despite being a fan-favorite character, Chase’s Pierce Hawthorne was written off Community. These incidents painted a picture of Chase as challenging to work with, a reputation that contrasted sharply with the seamless collaboration he enjoyed with D’Angelo on the Vacation films.

Considering Chase’s past clashes, it becomes even more apparent how remarkable the working relationship between him and D’Angelo was.

Despite these challenges, the synergy between Chase and D’Angelo in the Vacation series was undeniable. Their ability to play off each other’s comedic timing and embody the loving yet comically flawed Griswold parents was central to the franchise’s success. This chemistry is a testament to their professionalism and perhaps a shared understanding of the characters and narrative they were building together. Considering Chase’s past clashes, it becomes even more apparent how remarkable the working relationship between him and D’Angelo was.

Source

10 Best Clark Griswold Quotes From National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Clark Griswold faced down the worst Christmas ever in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and he left a bunch of hilarious quotes talking about it.

D’Angelo Revealed That Ellen & Clark Almost Got Divorced

A Scrapped Vacation Sequel Would Have Marked A Significant Change To The Franchise

In an intriguing revelation about the beloved Griswold family from the National Lampoon’s Vacation series, Beverly D’Angelo shared that there was a point at which Ellen and Clark Griswold were scripted to go through a divorce. This canceled Vacation sequel, had it come to fruition, would have marked a significant departure from the series’ established themes of familial unity and resilience through comedic mishaps. D’Angelo’s insights into a scrapped sequel offer a fascinating glimpse into the potential direction the franchise could have taken. She noted:

“I think the script by Michael [Rosenbaum] and Chris [Sullivan] started with Ellen and Clark outside of a courthouse where they’ve just gotten divorced! But their daughter is getting married, and she’s adamant that they show up in Arizona or wherever she’s living, so they have to go across the country and get back together.”

The storyline of Ellen and Clark starting off in a state of divorce is an unexpected twist for characters known for their enduring, if occasionally tested, partnership. This narrative choice would have placed the Griswolds in a context far removed from their previous adventures, focusing on them navigating the challenges of their separation while being drawn back together by a family obligation. However, the idea of having the couple reunite for the sake of attending their daughter’s wedding across the country is a plot that blends the franchise’s trademark road trip motif with a deeper exploration of relationship dynamics.

D’Angelo also hinted at demographic considerations possibly influencing the decision to scrap this direction and that the studio might have thought she and Chase were too old. She explained:

“And what’s odd is: isn’t that kind of the movie that George Clooney just made? Something like that? We saw it as, ‘Hey, it’s about Clark and Ellen and that family. Don’t we want to follow their story?’ But there’s something about demographics, and I think they didn’t want old people in it or something.”

There’s an implication that there was a desire to maintain a focus on younger characters or perhaps to avoid alienating audiences who cherished the Griswold family dynamic as previously depicted. The decision not to pursue the divorce storyline speaks to the delicate balance creators must strike between character development and audience expectations. The Griswolds, with their imperfections and absurdities, represent a form of idealized family cohesion that resonates with National Lampoon’s Vacation fans. Introducing a divorce could have risked undermining the fundamental appeal of the series by disrupting the familiar, albeit chaotic, family unity that fans had come to love.

Sources: People

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

The third installment in the National Lampoon’s Vacation series, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, stars Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, father of the Griswold family whose intentions to have a good Christmas with his family face several setbacks. Between his arguing parents, the uncooperative decorations, and the unexpected arrival of some unwanted distant relatives, Clark’s dreams for a wonderful Christmas seem to be fading, forcing him to take some comedically drastic measures.

Director

Jeremiah S. Chechik

Release Date

December 1, 1989

Cast

Chevy Chase , Beverly D’Angelo , Randy Quaid , Juliette Lewis , Johnny Galecki , John Randolph , Diane Ladd , E.G. Marshall , Miriam Flynn

Runtime

97 minutes