How Much Did Chevy Chase Get Paid for National Lampoon’s Vacation?

By Robert Palmer

If you’re a fan of National Lampoon’s Vacation, you may have wondered how much Chevy Chase was paid for his role as Clark Griswold in the 1983 film. The answer is not straightforward and involves various factors that influenced his compensation.

Why Chevy Chase Was Paid More Than Other Actors

Firstly, it’s important to note that Chevy Chase was already a well-established comedian and actor before he landed the role of Clark Griswold. He had previously starred in movies like Caddyshack and Foul Play, as well as being a cast member on Saturday Night Live. This previous success likely played a significant role in negotiating his payment for National Lampoon’s Vacation.

Additionally, Chevy Chase was considered the lead actor of the film, which also contributed to his higher salary. His character, Clark Griswold, is central to the plot and has more screen time than any other character in the movie.

The Amount Chevy Chase Was Paid

The exact amount that Chevy Chase received for National Lampoon’s Vacation is not publicly known. However, it is estimated that he earned around $1 million for his role in the film. This amount was significantly higher than what other actors received for their roles.

For example, Beverly D’Angelo, who played Clark’s wife Ellen Griswold, reportedly earned only $250,000 for her role. Meanwhile, Randy Quaid received $50,000 to play Cousin Eddie.

Other Factors That Influenced Payment

Apart from being an established actor and playing the lead role in the film, there were other factors that influenced Chevy Chase’s payment for National Lampoon’s Vacation.

One such factor was his involvement in writing the script. Although John Hughes wrote the original screenplay for the movie, Chevy Chase reportedly contributed to improvising scenes during filming and adding his own comedic touches to the script.

Additionally, Chevy Chase was one of the executive producers of the film. This meant that he had a say in various aspects of the movie, such as casting and location choices. As a result, he likely received a percentage of the film’s profits in addition to his base salary.

Conclusion

Overall, Chevy Chase’s payment for National Lampoon’s Vacation was influenced by several factors. His previous success as a comedian and actor, lead role in the film, involvement in writing the script, and role as an executive producer all likely contributed to his higher salary. Although we may never know the exact amount he received for his role as Clark Griswold, it is clear that he was one of the highest-paid actors in the film.