Who Is Cousin Eddie Related to in Vacation?

By Michael Ferguson

If you’re a fan of the classic comedy movie “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” you’re probably familiar with Cousin Eddie. Played by Randy Quaid, Cousin Eddie is a lovable yet eccentric character who always manages to steal the scene.

But who is Cousin Eddie related to in “Vacation”? Let’s take a closer look.

Who Is Cousin Eddie?

Before we dive into his family tree, let’s briefly discuss who Cousin Eddie is. In the “Vacation” franchise, he is the husband of Catherine Johnson and the father of at least three children: Rocky, Ruby Sue, and an unnamed daughter.

Eddie first appears in the original “Vacation” movie as the country bumpkin cousin of Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase). He later appears in “Christmas Vacation,” “Vegas Vacation,” and “Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie’s Island Adventure.”

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s get back to our main question: who is Cousin Eddie related to?

The Johnson Family

In “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” we learn that Catherine Johnson is Clark’s wife Ellen Griswold’s cousin. This means that Cousin Eddie and his family are related to the Griswolds by marriage.

However, it’s unclear whether Catherine has any siblings or other living relatives. We never see any other members of her family in the movies.

But Wait, There’s More..

While we can’t say for certain who else Cousin Eddie might be related to, there is a fun fan theory that suggests he could actually be related to another beloved movie character: Carl Spackler from “Caddyshack.”

The theory goes like this: both characters are played by Randy Quaid, and they share some similar mannerisms and quirks. Additionally, Carl mentions in “Caddyshack” that he has a brother who is in the military – could this be Cousin Eddie?

While there’s no official confirmation of this theory, it’s a fun idea to entertain.

In Conclusion

So, who is Cousin Eddie related to in “Vacation”? Technically, he’s related to the Griswolds through his wife Catherine. But beyond that, we’re not entirely sure.

Regardless of his family ties, Cousin Eddie remains one of the most memorable characters in the “Vacation” franchise. With his outlandish wardrobe, quirky personality, and memorable one-liners, he continues to make us laugh even decades after his first appearance on screen.