Who Played the Grandma in Christmas Vacation?

By Michael Ferguson

If you’re a fan of the classic Christmas movie ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’, you might have wondered who played the role of Grandma in the movie. The character of Grandma is one of the most memorable characters in the movie, with her quirky personality and hilarious antics. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the actress who played Grandma and some interesting facts about her.

Who Played Grandma in Christmas Vacation?

Grandma in ‘Christmas Vacation’ was played by actress Mae Questel. Questel was born on September 13, 1908, in the Bronx, New York City, and began her career as a vaudeville performer at the age of 17. She is best known for providing the voice for famous cartoon characters such as Betty Boop and Olive Oyl.

Questel’s Career

Questel began her career as a vaudeville performer and later moved on to work in radio. She provided voices for various animated characters including Betty Boop and Olive Oyl. Her unique voice made her an iconic figure in the world of animation.

In addition to animation, Questel also appeared in several movies and TV shows throughout her career. She had roles in popular TV shows like ‘The Twilight Zone’ and ‘The Andy Griffith Show’, but it was her role as Grandma in ‘Christmas Vacation’ that many fans remember fondly.

Interesting Facts About Mae Questel

  • Mae Questel provided voices for both Betty Boop and Olive Oyl when those characters were owned by different studios.
  • In addition to her work as a voice actress, Questel was also an accomplished singer.
  • She made several appearances on ‘The Howard Stern Show’ during its early years.
  • The character of Grandma was not originally part of the script for ‘Christmas Vacation’. She was added to the story after director Jeremiah S. Chechik saw Questel’s audition tape.

Conclusion

Mae Questel’s portrayal of Grandma in ‘Christmas Vacation’ was one of the highlights of the movie. Her unique voice and quirky personality made her a perfect fit for the role. Despite her successful career as a voice actress, Questel is most fondly remembered by fans for her role in this classic Christmas movie.