Chevy Chase

Chevy Chase – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Chevy Chase (born October 8, 1943) is an iconic American comedian, actor, and writer. From Saturday Night Live beginnings to Caddyshack, Vacation, Fletch, and Community, explore his life, influence, and memorable lines.

Introduction

Chevy Chase (born Cornelius Crane Chase, October 8, 1943) is an American comedian, actor, writer, and entertainer whose career has spanned more than five decades. He was one of the original cast members of Saturday Night Live and became known for his physical comedy, pratfalls, and deadpan delivery. Over the years, he starred in classic comedies like Caddyshack, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Fletch, Spies Like Us, and later appeared in television shows such as Community. Chase’s style, though sometimes divisive, left an indelible mark on American comedy.

Early Life and Education

Chevy Chase was born in Manhattan, New York City.

Chevy Chase attended Riverdale Country School in the Bronx, New York, though he was expelled from that school.

During his college years, Chase also played in some musical groups: he was in a band named The Leather Canary, which included future Steely Dan founders Becker and Fagen. Chamaeleon Church which released one album before disbanding.

Comedy Career & Rise to Fame

Early Writing & Comedy

After college, Chase gravitated toward comedy. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, he was part of underground comedy and variety ensembles; for example, he co-founded Channel One around 1967. Mad Magazine (a spoof of Mission: Impossible) in 1970. The National Lampoon Radio Hour as a writer and performer, alongside John Belushi, Gilda Radner, and others who would later be part of SNL. Lemmings, a satirical revue.

Saturday Night Live

In October 1975, Saturday Night Live (SNL) debuted, and Chevy Chase was one of the original cast members (known as the “Not Ready for Prime Time Players”). Weekend Update segment, delivering news parody in a deadpan style. His signature opening was:

“I’m Chevy Chase… and you’re not.”
And he frequently signaled the end of his Weekend Update with: “That’s the news… good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow.”

His physical comedy—pratfalls, exaggerated movement, and the occasional clumsy persona—became a trademark.

Chase left SNL in the early part of season two (1976) to pursue film and television roles.

Film Stardom

After departing SNL, Chevy Chase successfully transitioned to films. Some highlights include:

• Foul Play (1978) — Chase’s early film role which earned attention.

• Caddyshack (1980) — as Ty Webb. This film became a cult classic and is often cited among his best-known pieces.

• National Lampoon’s Vacation series — as Clark Griswold, spanning several films in that franchise.

• Fletch (1985) & Fletch Lives (1989) — he played investigative reporter Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher. Fletch in particular has been praised for allowing Chase freedom to ad-lib.

• Spies Like Us (1985) — a spy comedy with Dan Aykroyd and others.

• ¡Three Amigos! (1986), Funny Farm (1989), and other comedic films.

At his height in the 1980s, Chase was a major box office draw.

Later Television & Community

In 2009, Chevy Chase joined the NBC sitcom Community, playing the character Pierce Hawthorne. Community through 2014 (though his role and presence on the show were sometimes contentious).

He also had a brief late-night talk show: The Chevy Chase Show in 1993, though it was canceled after a short run.

Personal Life & Challenges

Chevy Chase has been married three times. Jayni Luke, began in 1982 and has lasted for many years; they have three daughters: Cydney, Caley, and Emily.

Chase has openly discussed struggles with substance use—particularly with prescription painkillers—at various points in his life.

In his memoir I'm Chevy Chase… and You're Not (2007), he detailed aspects of his upbringing, including periods of physical abuse from his mother and stepfather.

There have also been controversies associated with his behavior on sets, interpersonal conflicts with colleagues, and remarks made in public or private that drew backlash. (For example, his exit from Community was marred by criticism and reports about on-set conduct.)

Style, Influence & Legacy

Chevy Chase has left a multifaceted legacy:

• He helped codify a style of physical comedy and pratfalls in modern American humor—melding slapstick with a sardonic deadpan.

• His Weekend Update persona and catchphrase “I’m Chevy Chase… and you’re not” became part of comedic lore and influenced many subsequent SNL anchors.

• His transition from sketch comedy to film demonstrated a career path many comedians would follow.

• His roles in ensemble comedies and franchise comedies (like Vacation) gave rise to enduring holiday and pop culture staples.

• Despite ups and downs, his name remains iconic in American comedy, recognized even by those who may not know all of his work.

However, his legacy is complicated by critiques of his interpersonal behavior and professional reputation. Nonetheless, his impact on comedy and entertainment is undeniable.

Famous Quotes by Chevy Chase

Here are some entertaining, insightful, and characteristic quotes attributed to Chevy Chase:

• “I’m Chevy Chase… and you’re not.” (His Weekend Update signature.)

• “Every Vacation movie didn’t just make the studio money. They each made the studio a lot of money.”

• “I made about 28 movies, and I think about five of them were good.”

• “I was a young, new, hot star, and I had this unbelievable arrogance. As time went on, the strident narcissism and arrogance slowly diminished. But I was definitely there. I’m older now. And a big crybaby.”

• “You could knock my teeth out and break my nose, and there’d be something funny about it to me.”

• “Most of the films I’ve done were ruined in the postproduction, not during filming.”

• “The idea of trying to write sketches the same way we did on Saturday Night Live every day would be damn near impossible.”

• “I don’t know if my looks will ever get any better, but my pratfalls sure won’t.”

These lines reflect his self-deprecating humor, blunt honesty, and comedic sensibility.

Lessons from Chevy Chase

1. Comedy can be gutsy and physical. Chase’s willingness to fall, make mistakes, and take risks on stage or screen showed that humor often lies in imperfection.

2. Signature style matters. Whether it was Weekend Update, pratfalls, or the “unassuming klutz” persona, carving a distinct comedic voice can endure.

3. Adaptation is essential. From sketch to film to TV, Chase evolved to stay relevant across formats.

4. Humility over time. Some of his more candid quotes reflect that early arrogance can soften, and self-awareness is an asset.

5. Creative control has limits. His remark that many films were “ruined in postproduction” suggests the importance (and challenge) of preserving one’s vision in collaborative art.

Conclusion

Chevy Chase remains a complex figure: a comedian who helped define modern American humor, a film star with iconic roles, and a public personality whose career includes both celebrated moments and controversies. His style—mixing physical comedy, deadpan delivery, and self-aware quips—left an enduring influence. For anyone exploring the arc of American comedy from the 1970s through today, Chase’s work is a landmark.