Editor’s note: This show has been rescheduled from Dec. 10 to Dec. 29. A message from Altria Theater on its website reads: “Due to an unforeseen scheduling conflict, “A Live Conversation with Chevy Chase Following A Screening of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” at Altria Theater has been rescheduled for Dec. 29, 2025. All current tickets will be valid for the new date. Buyers who have purchased their tickets via Etix, Altria Theater’s authorized ticketing provider, have been emailed directly with additional information. Please note, any ticket buyers who purchased through third party ticket sellers must reach out to their original point of sale for service.”
If you grew up in the ‘70s and ‘80s, Chevy Chase was almost unavoidable.
The original breakout star from “Saturday Night Live,” he left after one full season to become a movie star. Among his popular Hollywood comedies are “Caddyshack,” the “National Lampoon’s Vacation” movies, “Fletch,” “Three Amigos,” and let’s face it, there are plenty of duds, too; though I remember liking “Modern Problems” as a kid. Fewer people may know that Chase hails from an old American family filled with notable artists, or that his father was a major Manhattan book editor, or that young Chevy played drums at Bard College in a band called Leather Canary with Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, who later formed Steely Dan; and that he also sang, played drums and keyboards for a Boston psych band that was on MGM Records. Music, radio, TV and movies, he did it all.
In his prime, Chase was a goofball master of sarcasm, yet handsome enough to play a leading man in Hollywood. Known for his physical comedy, performing pratfalls led to back injuries and a serious dependency on painkillers (throw in some cocaine and alcohol, too) which would inspire comedian Greg Giraldo to remark during a New York Friars Club roast that while Chase was a comedy icon, he was also “living proof that you could actually snort the funniness right out of yourself.” More recently, there have been widely publicized reports of him being difficult to work with, mostly from cast members at his last big TV show, “Community.” One of my own co-workers said she used to regularly wait on him years ago at The Buttery on Newton Lane in East Hampton, New York, and that he was “the absolute sweetest” and “hilarious.” Another former Richmonder told me on social media that she worked with him in her duties at the Newport Jazz Festival, and that “his wife [Jayni] is a terrific person” and “Chevy was fun and respectful.”
His history of offensive comments is disappointing, and he seems to maintain an old-fashioned sense of humor, but plenty of people still love his movies; which is why Chase and his wife will be in Richmond next Wednesday, Dec. 10, for a screening of one of his most beloved comedies, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” at Altria Theater, followed by a conversation with Chase. Last week, I had the opportunity for a brief phone interview with him, maybe 12 minutes. (My sister and I used to joke that our dad was like Clark Griswold, with his checklists of things to do and places to see on family vacations; that was enough reason for me to want to chat with the guy who brought Griswold to life.)
Having turned 82 in October, Chase is no spring chicken — though he only fell down once during our interview, after I brought up his old psych rock band from Boston. I had somewhat expected him to be rude, but you could tell by his constant joking around that he still craves laughter, which was endearing. Apparently, he still has some of the old “Sparky” left. Or as he would probably put it, he’s still Chevy Chase and you’re still not.
The following transcription has been lightly edited for space and clarity.
Chevy Chase: Hi Brent, it’s Chevy Chase, how are you doing?
Brent Baldwin: Great, how are you?
Just fine. Did you just wake up?
No, I didn’t (laughs). Just a little raspy, I guess. It’s nice to talk to you, I feel like I grew up on your movies back in the ‘80s. Learned everything I know about social interaction from them.
Well, I’m sorry to hear that (laughs).
Since I’m in Richmond, I wondered if you have any memories of playing trumpet in a poncho here, with Steve Martin for the video for “Proof” by Paul Simon? You guys rode in a parade around downtown in 1990. Did you have a good time?
Yeah, I do. That’s right, we were standing on a tank or something, I don’t know what we were standing on. Yeah, of course, I had a good time. I love Steve and Marty. Sure, it was fun. I just recall being up there … by the way, I didn’t actually play that thing.
The YouTube video is still available … While on the music topic though, I have to ask about your old psychedelic band, Chamaeleon Church, from the 1960s. Doesn’t seem like you’ve ever talked about them much. I’ve been told that vinyl album is highly sought by collectors. Does that bring up any memories?
Oh yeah! I remember that band well, The Chamaeleon Church. Everybody had strange, funny names back then, that was the one we chose. Geez, I don’t even remember the names of everybody in the band. That was a time … way back you’re talkin.’ When was that?
1967, I think? It’s pretty trippy stuff. Does it cause flashbacks when you hear it today? Or do you ever even listen to it?
I’m sorry, I fell down. (Laughs) … Yeah, that was in Boston. We were sitting on what-do-you-call-it hill, Boston Hill. No, I don’t listen to it. It’s pretty bad, if you think about it.
Guys from your band went on to be in Ultimate Spinach, I believe, which was a band that my college friends in Sexual Milkshake used to cover.
Actually, Ultimate Spinach was a band already.
I think the Chamaeleon guys joined them later, maybe …
Oh! Okay, well I don’t know about that. Ultimate Spinach is a pretty funny name, too, isn’t it?
The song my friends recorded of theirs is called “(Ballad of) The Hip Death Goddess.”
(Chase laughs hard at this). Jesus!
Always nice to warm up with some weird questions … You’re coming here to show the Christmas Vacation movie. It feels like that movie has arguably usurped “A Christmas Story” as the most popular American holiday movie, the one they show on a loop, basically, on cable. Do you have any theories as to why there was such a delayed popularity for that film? It came out in December of 1989, I remember seeing it [at the Ridge Cinema] while in high school.
No, I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I became more famous or something … no, I don’t really know why. All I know is, I’m coming [to Richmond] on the 10th of December and I’m gonna raise hell. It’s going to be fun, Brent.
Is your wife going to join you?
My wife’s name is Baldwin, actually. Did you know that?
No, I did not.
Actually, I just made that up. (Laughs). But yes, she is. Jayni is going to be there, too. She’s something to look at, I’m telling you. Jayni’s going to answer all the questions, I’m just going to sit there and look good (laughs).
When you do these events, I’m sure it opens up the question of whether there will ever be another “Vacation” sequel, maybe another holiday one? Have you ever closed that door?
No, no, I have not closed the door. But nobody’s made an offer yet, so. You know, I’m getting older now. I’m about 98 (laughs). That’s the way I feel, anyway.
I hear ya. I just turned 54 and I feel 98.
54! Oh, my God!
Do you have any personal holiday traditions we can talk about, maybe stuff you like to watch?
I like going out and looking for the Easter eggs.
(Laughs) Ok.
I’m a little behind. No, there’s no traditions. It’s just like you, probably. Spend time with family.
You all get together and watch “Christmas Vacation” for the 900th time? I bet if I turned my TV on right now, it would be on. It never stops.
Oh my God, I feel sorry for people (laughs). No, no, it’s a fun movie, it is.
If I were pitching a sequel. I’d want the three most successful ingredients from all the “Vacation” movies: You, Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) and Rusty [who would probably be working in AI porn or something] but you gotta bring back Anthony Michael Hall. So Eddie gets a nice settlement, after getting his pants leg stuck in an escalator, and takes the three of you on a big Christmas cruise [where Eddie discovers his estranged daughter, the one “born without a tongue,” sings in the lounge band] … You’re all traveling to Turkey, to the island where the original St. Nicholas is from. Shenanigans ensue and one of you almost starts a Middle East war or something … it’d be good.
Yeah (laughs)… I can’t say I would look forward to that.
No? (Laughs) You don’t want to go to Turkey? … Well, there is a new documentary about your life coming out on CNN in January. Do you think people will learn a lot that they don’t already know?
Yeah, I do. I think they probably will learn a lot about me. I’ve done the documentary and a lot of stuff that people don’t know will come out. The fact that I’m a woman is unfortunate, but –
Some media have already latched on to something you say in the doc, for the first time, about how leaving “SNL” early was probably a mistake.
Well, I did feel that way. It’s funny that you bring that up. Is that in the movie? I felt it soon after I left, but I had so many things to do at that point, after getting famous from “SNL” that, you know … I had to do that stuff. But I would love to go back on “SNL.”
An old friend of mine from Richmond [Bryan Tucker], who I’ve known since we were born, he’s been a writer at SNL for over 20 years now, he’s still there. I’ve gone up to 30 Rock to visit him and hang out in the writers’ room during the show. Pretty chaotic, but awesome.
Yeah, yeah, yeah! Lorne Michaels and I are still very close friends. I love the guy. I love the show. You know, basically Lorne and I put it together. That’s how it came about.
Were you surprised that Lorne didn’t hang it up after 50 seasons?
He tried to hang it up earlier, but he didn’t like it. And, you know, actually I was there at one point, when Jean Doumanian, another writer and producer [took over] after he quit for awhile – and he wanted to come back … So I don’t blame him. It’s hard work, but it’s fun. For Lorne, he gets a new cast every couple years. I think it’s the best thing for him. I love Lorne. We’ve been very close friends ever since we started it.
There have been a lot of depictions in movies and books of that early “SNL” period, is there one that you think nails it the best?
Oh, geez. Hmmm. “To Sir with Love.” (Laughs) No, I don’t have any idea. I can’t remember, man. I’m just sitting here in my bathtub, trying to have a bath … and drowning.
Well, only a couple more questions then …
(Gurgling underwater noises)
(Laughs) Have you ever been able to pinpoint anything in your childhood that led to you becoming a comedian?
Well, that’s the kind of question I’m answering in my documentary. But yeah, I had a rough childhood. I had a mother and father and all of that, but they were divorced. And there was some abuse from my mother and stepfather, particularly. I think I’ve found that other comedians too, seem to have come from childhoods that were amiss, or something went wrong in the family, or this or that or the other. That seems to lead you toward wanting to make people laugh. I’m just trying to guess here …
Sure, in my experience, a lot successful artists have had tough childhoods.
Yeah, I think so.
I never did ask you how your health was – I know you had some serious heart trouble a few years ago, how are you feeling? Has dealing with that experience changed your outlook on life in any fundamental ways?
We removed my heart … pretty much I don’t give a crap anymore (Laughs). No, that was a long time ago. I’ve been very fine since then, thanks for asking. And thanks for asking on the radio, you big bastard (laughs).
Oh no (laughs) yeah, we’re not on the radio … [Back to “Vacation”] I feel like so many people relate to the character of Clark Griswold because they compare him to their own dads [The father so excited he drives the family hours out of the way to see “the second largest ball of twine on the face of the earth.”] Was your take on Clark influenced by your own dad?
No! Not remotely (laughs). He was a widely sought after publisher and editor in New York, extremely funny man, so I got a lot of my humor from him.
Didn’t he used to hang with Truman Capote and Norman Mailer?
Oh my God, how’d you know that?
I read it somewhere. I mean, you’re pretty famous, had to do a little research. Did you absorb anything from being around Truman as a kid?
He was their editor. Yeah, Truman, suuuure. Now there’s a funny guy (he does a spot-on, high-pitched imitation of Capote saying his own name).
That’s pretty good. OK, time’s running low. Any other upcoming projects?
Right now, no. I’ll let you know though, when I’m there. I’ll probably have stuff to tell you about.
Anything else you want to get out there?
Just that it’s Dec. 10 and it’s going to be fun. And now you owe me $40.
An Evening with Chevy Chase following a live screening of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” takes place on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at the Altria Theater. Please read the new bag policy on the Altria Theater website, tickets are available here.
