Who Died From National Lampoon’s Vacation?

By Alice Nichols

National Lampoon’s Vacation is a classic comedy movie that has been entertaining audiences for decades. The film follows the misadventures of the Griswold family as they embark on a road trip across America. While the movie is filled with laughs and memorable moments, one question that often arises is, who died in National Lampoon’s Vacation?

The answer to this question is not as straightforward as you might think. While there are several characters who meet unfortunate ends throughout the film, none of them actually die on-screen. However, there are a few characters whose implied deaths play a significant role in the plot.

Firstly, there is Aunt Edna, who is famously strapped to the roof of the Griswold’s car during their journey. While she does not die on-screen, it is heavily implied that she passes away during the trip. The family drops her off at her son’s house and leaves without saying goodbye, suggesting that they believe she has died.

Another character whose death plays an important role in the film is Marty Moose. Marty Moose is a fictional character from a theme park that the Griswolds visit during their trip.

After Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) loses all his money gambling, he becomes enraged and takes out his frustration on a Marty Moose statue. This moment serves to highlight Clark’s growing frustration with his failed vacation.

In addition to these characters, there are also several other moments throughout National Lampoon’s Vacation where characters come close to meeting their demise. For example, during their visit to Cousin Eddie’s house, Clark nearly electrocutes himself while attempting to turn on some Christmas lights.

Overall, while no major character dies on-screen in National Lampoon’s Vacation, there are still several moments where death plays a significant role in the plot. Whether it be Aunt Edna being left behind or Clark taking out his anger on Marty Moose, these moments help to add depth and complexity to the film’s comedic narrative.