
In the National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation film, Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, is the husband of Ellen Griswold, played by Beverly D'Angelo. Clark's brother-in-law is Eddie, played by Randy Quaid. Clark's cousin, also named Eddie, is played by Quaid as well. Bill Murray's brother also played a role in the movie.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Relationship with Clark Griswold | Brother-in-law |
| Relationship with Ellen Griswold | Brother |
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What You'll Learn

Clark Griswold's brother-in-law is Eddie
Clark Griswold is the patriarch of the Griswold family in the National Lampoon's Vacation film series. He is married to Ellen (née Smith) and is the father of Audrey and Rusty. Clark is played by Chevy Chase, who has portrayed the character in every Vacation movie, including the reboot.
Ellen Griswold is played by Beverly D'Angelo, who has also appeared in every Vacation movie, including the reboot. She is the voice of reason in the family, trying to keep Clark on the right track and tempering his more outrageous behaviour.
Clark's brother-in-law is Eddie, who is Ellen's brother. Randy Quaid plays the role of Eddie, also known as Cousin Eddie, in almost every Vacation film. Quaid's character is described as the "quintessentially unsophisticated" member of the extended Griswold family. He is out of work, lives with his family in an RV, and always has a drink in his hand.
In the film National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Eddie and his family show up unplanned and start living in their camper on the Griswold property. This causes chaos for Clark, who is trying to give his family the perfect Christmas.
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Eddie is played by Randy Quaid
In the National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation film, Clark Griswold is the patriarch of the Griswold family, played by Chevy Chase. Clark is married to Ellen Griswold (née Smith), played by Beverly D'Angelo. The couple has two children, Audrey and Rusty.
The film centres around Clark's attempts to give his family the perfect Christmas, which is continually disrupted by unwelcome relatives and bad luck. One such relative is Clark's hick cousin, Eddie, played by Randy Quaid. Quaid's character is a quintessential member of the extended Griswold family, lacking sophistication, unemployed, and living with his family in an RV.
Randy Quaid is a seasoned actor who earned a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role as a wayward sailor in The Last Detail opposite Jack Nicholson. Quaid's performance in the first Vacation movie showcased his comedic talent, leading to his casting in Saturday Night Live in 1985. Quaid has since gone on to star in bigger productions, including the Roland Emmerich disaster sci-fi film Independence Day.
In National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Quaid's character, Cousin Eddie, arrives at the Griswold family's home uninvited, along with his family. They set up their camper on the Griswold property, adding to the chaos of the holiday celebrations. Quaid's portrayal of Cousin Eddie captures the essence of an unsophisticated yet lovable relative, always with a drink in his hand, providing comedic relief amidst the Griswold family's Christmas chaos.
Overall, Randy Quaid's portrayal of Cousin Eddie in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation adds a layer of humour and charm to the film, contributing to its enduring popularity as one of the greatest Christmas comedy movies.
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Quaid was nominated for best supporting actor for his role in The Last Detail
Randy Quaid is an American actor and comedian, and the older brother of actor Dennis Quaid. Quaid has appeared in over 90 films, with his first major critically acclaimed role being in The Last Detail (1973). Quaid was nominated for an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Last Detail. In the film, Quaid played Larry Meadows, a young United States Navy sailor on his way to serve a harsh sentence for petty theft. Quaid's performance in The Last Detail marked the beginning of a successful career in both serious drama and light comedy.
Quaid's performance in The Last Detail was well-received by critics and audiences alike. He portrayed Larry Meadows, a young sailor in the United States Navy who is facing a harsh sentence for a minor offence. Quaid's portrayal of Meadows captured the character's struggle and humanity, showcasing his range and talent as an actor. Quaid's nomination for Best Supporting Actor was a testament to his powerful performance and the impact it had on audiences and critics.
The Last Detail is a 1973 film directed by Hal Ashby that stars Jack Nicholson, Otis Young, and Randy Quaid. The film tells the story of a sailor assigned to transport a young Navy sailor, Larry Meadows, to prison. Quaid's performance as Meadows stood out, and his portrayal of a young man facing an unjust fate resonated with viewers. The film received positive reviews, and Quaid's performance was particularly praised for its depth and authenticity.
Quaid's nomination for Best Supporting Actor for The Last Detail was a significant milestone in his career. It not only recognised his talent and performance in the film but also opened doors to new opportunities. After The Last Detail, Quaid went on to star in several notable films, including Midnight Express (1978), The Missouri Breaks (1976), and National Lampoon's Vacation (1983). Quaid has also received recognition for his comedic roles, such as his portrayal of Cousin Eddie in the National Lampoon's Vacation film series.
In addition to his nomination for The Last Detail, Quaid has received numerous other accolades throughout his career. He won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of U.S. President Lyndon Johnson in LBJ: The Early Years (1987) and was nominated for Emmy Awards for his roles in A Streetcar Named Desire (1984) and Elvis (2005). Quaid's talent and versatility have earned him a place in Hollywood, and he continues to be a respected and admired actor.
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Quaid played Cousin Eddie in almost every Vacation film
Randy Quaid played the role of Cousin Eddie in almost every Vacation film. Quaid first portrayed Cousin Eddie in the 1983 film National Lampoon's Vacation. He appeared in four of the seven films in the National Lampoon's Vacation film series as the jovial redneck cousin (through marriage) to Beverly D'Angelo, who plays Ellen Griswold, wife of Chevy Chase's Clark Griswold.
Quaid's character is the quintessentially unsophisticated member of the extended Griswold family—out of work, living with his family in their RV, and always with a drink in his hand. Quaid's performance in the first Vacation movie helped him land a role in Saturday Night Live in 1985, where he stayed until the 1991 season.
Quaid reprised the role of Cousin Eddie in the third installment of the series, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989). He also appeared in the fourth installment, Vegas Vacation (1997). Quaid's final appearance in the franchise to date was in the spin-off National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure (2003).
In the 2015 Vacation film, Quaid was not asked to reprise his role as Cousin Eddie, although the character is verbally referenced.
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Eddie is described as a hick cousin
In the National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation movie, Clark Griswold's hick cousin Eddie, played by Randy Quaid, shows up unplanned with his family and starts living in their camper on the Griswold property. Eddie is described as a hick cousin, and his character is portrayed as being out of work, living with his family in their RV, and always having a drink in his hand. He is the quintessentially unsophisticated member of the extended Griswold family.
In the movie, Clark is the patriarch of the Griswold family, played by Chevy Chase. He is married to Ellen Griswold, played by Beverly D'Angelo, and they have two children, Audrey and Rusty. Clark is a well-meaning but flawed father figure who tries his best to give his family the perfect Christmas. However, his attempts are often sabotaged by unwelcome relatives and unlucky circumstances.
Cousin Eddie, played by Randy Quaid, is one of these unwelcome relatives who shows up unplanned and lives in their camper on the Griswold property. Quaid's performance as Cousin Eddie is notable, as he portrays the character as quintessentially unsophisticated, adding to the comedic chaos of the Griswold family's Christmas celebrations.
The Griswold family tree can be a bit confusing, as there are many relatives introduced in the Christmas Vacation movie, including Clark's parents, Ellen's parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. However, Cousin Eddie is a notable character due to his unsophisticated and unwelcome presence at the Griswold family's Christmas celebrations.
Overall, Eddie is described as a hick cousin, and his character embodies the quintessential unsophisticated relative who creates comedic chaos during the Griswold family's Christmas vacation.
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Frequently asked questions
Clark Griswold is the patriarch of the Griswold family in the National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation film. He is played by Chevy Chase.
Ellen Griswold (née Smith) is Clark's wife and the mother of Rusty and Audrey. She is played by Beverly D'Angelo.
Cousin Eddie is played by Randy Quaid. He is a hick and an "unsophisticated" member of the extended Griswold family.
Rusty Griswold is the son of Clark and Ellen Griswold and the brother of Audrey Griswold. In National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, he is played by Johnny Galecki.
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