How Much Did Chevy Chase Get Paid for Vegas Vacation?

By Robert Palmer

Chevy Chase is a well-known American actor, comedian, and writer who has been in the entertainment industry for decades. One of his most iconic roles was as Clark Griswold in the National Lampoon’s Vacation series.

In 1997, he reprised this role in Vegas Vacation, which was the fourth installment of the series. Many fans have wondered how much Chevy Chase got paid for this movie.

After researching various sources, it appears that Chevy Chase was paid $6 million for his role in Vegas Vacation. This amount may seem like a lot, but it’s important to consider the context of the film industry at that time.

During the late 90s, Chevy Chase was a highly sought-after actor and had established himself as a comedic legend with his work on Saturday Night Live and movies like Caddyshack and Fletch. Additionally, Vegas Vacation was expected to be a box office success due to the popularity of its predecessors.

Now let’s dive into some more details about Chevy Chase’s salary for Vegas Vacation.

How Much Did Other Cast Members Get Paid?

While $6 million is an impressive amount, it’s worth noting that other cast members did not receive nearly as much. According to reports, Randy Quaid (who played Cousin Eddie) was paid $500,000 for his role. Beverly D’Angelo (who played Ellen Griswold) reportedly received $1 million.

Chase’s Salary Compared to Other Actors

So how does Chevy Chase’s salary for Vegas Vacation compare to other actors? It’s difficult to make direct comparisons since salaries can vary greatly depending on factors like an actor’s popularity at the time and their previous box office success.

However, it’s worth noting that some actors were making significantly more than Chevy Chase around this time period. For example, Jim Carrey reportedly received $20 million for his role in The Cable Guy, which was released the same year as Vegas Vacation.

The Impact of Salaries on Movie Budgets

It’s also important to consider the impact that salaries have on movie budgets. The more money that is spent on actor salaries, the less money there is for other aspects of production like special effects and marketing.

In the case of Vegas Vacation, the film had a budget of $25 million. While Chevy Chase’s salary was a significant portion of this budget, it’s likely that his involvement helped attract audiences and ultimately contributed to the film’s success.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Chevy Chase was reportedly paid $6 million for his role in Vegas Vacation. While this may seem like a lot, it’s important to consider the context of the film industry at that time and Chevy Chase’s established status as a comedic legend. Ultimately, his involvement likely played a role in the success of the film.