Is the Dad From Christmas Story in Christmas Vacation?

By Alice Nichols

If you’re a fan of classic Christmas movies, you’ve probably seen “A Christmas Story” and “Christmas Vacation” more times than you can count. Both movies have become holiday staples, each with their own unique characters and storylines.

One character that stands out in “A Christmas Story” is the father, played by Darren McGavin. But the question on many people’s minds is: Is the dad from “A Christmas Story” in “Christmas Vacation”?

The short answer is no, Darren McGavin does not appear in “Christmas Vacation.” However, there are a few similarities between his character in “A Christmas Story” and the father figure in “Christmas Vacation.”

In both movies, the father figure is portrayed as a bit of a grump who loves his family but can be easily frustrated by them. In “A Christmas Story,” McGavin’s character is obsessed with winning a prize in a radio contest and dealing with his unruly sons while trying to keep the peace with his wife. In “Christmas Vacation,” Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) wants nothing more than to give his family the perfect holiday experience, but everything seems to go wrong.

While Darren McGavin may not appear in “Christmas Vacation,” there are plenty of other familiar faces from both movies that do make an appearance. For example, Randy Quaid plays Cousin Eddie in “Christmas Vacation,” but also appears as a bartender in one scene of “A Christmas Story.” Actor Brian Doyle-Murray also appears in both films as Mr. Shirley.

Ultimately, while it would have been fun to see Darren McGavin reprise his role as a grumpy dad in “Christmas Vacation,” the movie still stands on its own as a beloved holiday classic. Whether you’re watching it for the first time or the hundredth time, there’s something about this movie that just captures the spirit of the season.

So while you may not see the dad from “A Christmas Story” in “Christmas Vacation,” there are still plenty of other reasons to watch this hilarious and heartwarming movie. From the iconic one-liners to the memorable characters, it’s no wonder that “Christmas Vacation” has become a holiday favorite for so many people.