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Chevy Chase Through the Years: How Old He Was in His Most Iconic Films

  • Mar 31
  • 2 min read

Updated: Mar 31

Early Career: Before Fame

Before becoming a household name, Chevy Chase worked as a writer and performer in sketch comedy. He was part of National Lampoon Magazine and The National Lampoon Radio Hour (1973-1974), where he developed his signature comedic style. Though he did stand-up and minor acting work, he wasn’t widely recognized at the time.


Breakthrough: The SNL Years

Chase became a star when he joined Saturday Night Live in 1975 at age 32 as one of the original cast members. His deadpan humor, physical comedy, and catchphrase "I'm Chevy Chase, and you're not" made him a standout. He left SNL in 1976 to pursue a film career, becoming one of Hollywood’s first major comedy stars of the late ‘70s and ‘80s.


Major Roles: Age in Iconic Films

  • Foul Play – 1978 – Age 34

  • Caddyshack – 1980 – Age 36

  • Modern Problems – 1981 – Age 38

  • National Lampoon’s Vacation – 1983 – Age 39

  • Deal of the Century – 1983 – Age 40

  • Fletch – 1985 – Age 41

  • National Lampoon’s European Vacation – 1985 – Age 41

  • Spies Like Us – 1985 – Age 42

  • Three Amigos! – 1986 – Age 43

  • Funny Farm – 1988 – Age 44

  • Caddyshack II – 1988 – Age 44

  • Fletch Lives – 1989 – Age 45

  • National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – 1989 – Age 46

  • Nothing But Trouble – 1991 – Age 47

  • Memoirs of an Invisible Man – 1992 – Age 48

  • Cops & Robbersons – 1994 – Age 50

  • Man of the House – 1995 – Age 51

  • Vegas Vacation – 1997 – Age 53

  • Snow Day – 2000 – Age 56

  • Zoom – 2006 – Age 62

  • Hot Tub Time Machine – 2010 – Age 66

  • Vacation (cameo) – 2015 – Age 71


Later Career & Legacy

While Chase dominated the comedy film scene in the ‘80s and ‘90s, his career slowed in the 2000s. He made a comeback as Pierce Hawthorne in Community (2009-2014), introducing himself to a new generation of fans. Despite controversies surrounding his on-set behavior, his legacy as one of the most influential comedic actors of his era remains intact.


 

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