Who Is the Old Lady in Christmas Vacation?

By Alice Nichols

If you’re a fan of the holiday classic “Christmas Vacation,” you might have wondered about the identity of the old lady who appears in several scenes throughout the movie. She’s not given a name in the credits, but she’s a memorable character nonetheless.

Who is the Old Lady in Christmas Vacation?

The old lady in “Christmas Vacation” is actually actress Mae Questel. She was born on September 13, 1908, in New York City and passed away on January 4, 1998, at the age of 89.

Questel was known for her work as a voice actress and comedienne. She provided the voice of Betty Boop and Olive Oyl in many cartoons throughout the 1930s and ’40s. She also appeared in several movies and TV shows over the years.

In “Christmas Vacation,” Questel plays Aunt Bethany, an elderly relative of Clark Griswold’s wife Ellen. Aunt Bethany is known for her quirky behavior and forgetfulness. She brings her cat as a gift to the Griswold family Christmas dinner and later leads everyone in reciting grace before the meal – but she recites the Pledge of Allegiance instead.

Aunt Bethany’s Most Memorable Scenes

One of Aunt Bethany’s most memorable scenes is when she arrives at the Griswold house for Christmas Eve dinner. As soon as she walks through the door, she starts singing “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Everyone looks confused until Uncle Lewis whispers to Clark that Aunt Bethany “wraps up her damn cat” every night so it doesn’t freeze.

Another scene that stands out is when Aunt Bethany wraps up her cat as a present for Clark and Ellen. When Ellen asks what it is, Aunt Bethany replies, “Oh, I don’t know what it is. It looks like a big, dumb, stupid cat.”

Questel’s Other Roles

Aside from her role as Aunt Bethany in “Christmas Vacation,” Mae Questel had a long and varied career. She began working as a vaudeville performer in the 1920s and later transitioned to radio. In addition to her work as a voice actress, she also appeared in several movies and TV shows.

Some of Questel’s notable roles include:

  • Betty Boop in numerous cartoons
  • Olive Oyl in several Popeye cartoons
  • Aunt Bethany in “Christmas Vacation”
  • Granny in “The Bugs Bunny Show”
  • Various voices on “The Woody Woodpecker Show”

Conclusion

Now that you know who the old lady in “Christmas Vacation” is, you can appreciate her performance all the more. Mae Questel brought Aunt Bethany to life with her unique blend of humor and heart – and she’ll always be remembered for it.