If you’re a fan of the classic Christmas movie ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,’ you may be wondering who played Chevy Chase’s boss in the film. Well, wonder no more! The actor who played Frank Shirley, Clark Griswold’s stingy boss, is none other than veteran character actor Brian Doyle-Murray.
Who is Brian Doyle-Murray?
Brian Doyle-Murray is a prolific character actor who has appeared in numerous films and TV shows over the course of his career. He was born on October 31, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois and is the older brother of fellow actor Bill Murray.
Early Career
Brian Doyle-Murray began his career as a comedy writer for ‘Saturday Night Live’ during its first season in 1975. He went on to appear on the show as a cast member from 1977-1982. During this time, he also began to establish himself as a character actor, appearing in films such as ‘Caddyshack’ and ‘Stripes.’
‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’
In ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,’ Brian Doyle-Murray plays Frank Shirley, Clark Griswold’s boss at the food additive company where he works. Shirley is notoriously tight-fisted with his employees and refuses to give them their annual bonuses due to budget cuts.
Clark becomes obsessed with getting his bonus and decides to take matters into his own hands by kidnapping Shirley and forcing him to reinstate the bonuses. Of course, hilarity ensues.
Other Work
While ‘Christmas Vacation’ may be one of Brian Doyle-Murray’s most memorable roles for many viewers, he has had a long and varied career beyond that film. Some of his other notable roles include playing Noah Vanderhoff in ‘Caddyshack,’ Lou Loomis in ‘Groundhog Day,’ and Mel Sanger in ‘The Middle.’
The Bottom Line
So there you have it – the actor who played Chevy Chase’s boss in ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’ is Brian Doyle-Murray. With his long and varied career as a writer, actor, and comedian, he has brought joy and laughter to audiences for decades.