Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Chevy Chase
Discover the career path of Chevy Chase, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Chevy Chase, born Cornelius Crane Chase, is a celebrated American comedian, actor, and writer. His career took off as a cast member on the inaugural season of Saturday Night Live (1975–1976). Chase's 'Weekend Update' segment became a popular feature, solidifying his status as a breakout star. His contributions as a performer and writer on SNL earned him two Primetime Emmy Awards from four nominations, highlighting his comedic talent and influence on the show.
1967: Co-founding Channel One
In 1967, Chevy Chase co-founded an early underground comedy ensemble called Channel One.
1970: Mad Magazine Contribution
In 1970, Chevy Chase wrote a one-page spoof of Mission: Impossible for Mad magazine.
1973: The National Lampoon Radio Hour
In 1973, Chevy Chase became a writer and cast member of The National Lampoon Radio Hour.
1974: The Groove Tube Movie Appearance
In 1974, Chevy Chase appeared in the movie "The Groove Tube", which was directed by Ken Shapiro, another co-founder of Channel One.
October 1975: Saturday Night Live Premiere
In October 1975, Chevy Chase became one of the original cast members of Saturday Night Live (SNL).
1975: Writing for The Smothers Brothers TV Show
In the spring of 1975, Chevy Chase was a writer for the short-lived Smothers Brothers TV show comeback.
1976: Departure from SNL
In 1976, Chevy Chase departed from Saturday Night Live as a full-time cast member, later returning as a host, where a fistfight with Bill Murray occurred.
1976: Weekend Update and Emmy Wins
In 1976, Chevy Chase's Weekend Update segment became a staple of Saturday Night Live, earning him two Primetime Emmy Awards.
1976: Tunnel Vision Release
In 1976, Chevy Chase's early film roles included Tunnel Vision.
1976: Departure from Saturday Night Live
In late 1976, Chevy Chase left Saturday Night Live to move to Los Angeles with his girlfriend, Jacqueline Carlin, becoming the first original cast member to leave the show.
May 4, 1977: The Tonight Show Appearance
On May 4, 1977, Chevy Chase appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson to promote a prime-time special for NBC.
1978: First SNL Hosting Gig
In 1978, Chevy Chase hosted Saturday Night Live for the first time after leaving the show.
1978: Foul Play Release
In 1978, Chevy Chase starred in "Foul Play", a box-office hit that earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
1980: Caddyshack and Seems Like Old Times Release
In 1980, Chevy Chase portrayed Ty Webb in "Caddyshack" and starred in "Seems Like Old Times" with Goldie Hawn.
1980: Caddyshack and Seems Like Old Times Success and Record Album
In 1980, Chevy Chase portrayed Ty Webb in Caddyshack, reunited with Goldie Hawn for Seems Like Old Times, and released a self-titled record album.
1980: Oh! Heavenly Dog Release
In 1980, Chevy Chase starred in "Oh! Heavenly Dog".
1983: National Lampoon's Vacation Release
In 1983, Chevy Chase played Clark Griswold in "National Lampoon's Vacation", his most successful movie at the time.
1985: Fletch and European Vacation
In 1985, Chevy Chase starred in "Fletch" and appeared in "National Lampoon's European Vacation".
1985: Fletch and Spies Like Us Release
In 1985, Chevy Chase starred in "Fletch" as Irwin "Fletch" Fletcher and appeared in "Spies Like Us" with Dan Aykroyd.
1986: ¡Three Amigos! Release
In 1986, Chevy Chase starred in "¡Three Amigos!" alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short.
1986: ¡Three Amigos! Release and Music Video Appearance
In 1986, Chevy Chase starred in "¡Three Amigos!" and appeared in Paul Simon's "You Can Call Me Al" music video, lip-syncing all the lyrics.
1987: Warner Bros. Deal and Academy Awards Hosting
In 1987, Chase's company, Cornelius Productions, signed a deal with Warner Bros. to develop feature projects and he hosted the Academy Awards.
1987: Academy Awards Hosting
In 1987, Chevy Chase hosted the Academy Awards.
1988: Academy Awards Hosting
In 1988, Chevy Chase hosted the Academy Awards for a second time.
1988: Academy Awards Hosting and Film Releases
In 1988, Chevy Chase hosted the Academy Awards for the second consecutive year and starred in the movie "Funny Farm", which was a box office success. He also appeared in "Caddyshack II", which was considered a flop.
1989: Starring in Sequels and High Earnings
In 1989, Chase starred in "Fletch Lives", a sequel to Fletch, and "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation", another installment in the Vacation film series. By this point in his career, Chase was earning around $7 million per film.
1989: Fletch Lives Release
In 1989, Chevy Chase starred in "Fletch Lives", continuing his role as Irwin "Fletch" Fletcher.
1991: Central Park Concert and Film Releases
In 1991, Chase played saxophone at Paul Simon's free concert in Central Park and appeared in the music video "Voices That Care." In the same year, his film "Nothing but Trouble" was released, receiving a Razzie Award nomination.
1992: Film Release: Memoirs of an Invisible Man
In 1992, Chevy Chase's film, "Memoirs of an Invisible Man", was released, contributing to a string of film flops.
September 1993: The Chevy Chase Show Launch and Cancellation
In September 1993, Chevy Chase hosted "The Chevy Chase Show" on Fox, which was canceled after only five weeks, despite high expectations.
1993: The Chevy Chase Show
In 1993, Chevy Chase briefly had his own late-night talk show, "The Chevy Chase Show".
1994: Film Release: Cops & Robbersons
In 1994, the movie "Cops & Robbersons", starring Chevy Chase, was released, and was considered a flop.
1995: Man of the House Release
In 1995, Chevy Chase starred in "Man of the House", which was relatively successful at the box office.
1997: Vegas Vacation Release
In 1997, "Vegas Vacation", the fourth installment in the Vacation film series starring Chevy Chase, was a box office success.
1997: SNL Hosting
In 1997, Chevy Chase hosted SNL. Lorne Michaels disputed reports of banning Chase from the show following this appearance.
1999: 25th Anniversary Special
In 1999, Chevy Chase appeared on Saturday Night Live's 25th anniversary special.
2000: Snow Day Release
In 2000, Chase appeared in "Snow Day", which was a successful movie.
2001: Land Shark Appearance on SNL
In 2001, Chevy Chase appeared as the Land Shark in a Weekend Update segment on Saturday Night Live.
2002: Orange County Release
In 2002, Chevy Chase appeared in "Orange County", which grossed over $40 million.
2002: New York Friars Club Roast
In 2002, Chevy Chase was roasted by the New York Friars Club for a Comedy Central special, noted for being unusually vitriolic.
2004: Campaigning for John Kerry
In 2004, Chevy Chase campaigned for Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry.
2005: NBC Special on SNL's First Five Years
In 2005, Chevy Chase was interviewed for an NBC special on the first five years of Saturday Night Live.
November 3, 2006: Law & Order Guest Appearance
On November 3, 2006, Chase guest-starred in "In Vino Veritas", an episode of "Law & Order", as an anti-Semitic murder suspect.
2007: Weekend Update Segment
In 2007, Chevy Chase appeared in another Weekend Update segment on Saturday Night Live.
2008: Endorsement of Hillary Clinton's Presidential Campaign
In 2008, Chevy Chase endorsed Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.
2009: Family Guy Voice Acting
In 2009, Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd voiced themselves in the "Spies Reminiscent of Us" episode of "Family Guy".
2009: Community Sitcom Role
In 2009, Chevy Chase began his role as Pierce Hawthorne on the NBC sitcom Community.
2010: Vacation Short Film and Presidential Reunion
In 2010, Chevy Chase appeared in the online "Vacation" short film "Hotel Hell Vacation" and the Funny or Die sketch "Presidential Reunion."
2013: Five-Timers Club Appearance
In 2013, Chevy Chase appeared in Justin Timberlake's monologue on Saturday Night Live as a member of the Five-Timers Club, reuniting with his Three Amigos co-stars.
2014: Community Sitcom Role Concludes
In 2014, Chevy Chase concluded his role as Pierce Hawthorne on the NBC sitcom Community.
February 2015: 40th Anniversary Special
In February 2015, Chevy Chase participated in Saturday Night Live's 40th anniversary special.
2015: Vacation Cameo
In 2015, Chase reprised his role as Clark Griswold in "Vacation", the fifth installment in the "Vacation" series, with a brief cameo appearance.
2019: The Last Laugh Netflix Movie
In 2019, Chevy Chase starred in "The Last Laugh" on Netflix alongside Richard Dreyfuss.
2024: The Christmas Letter film
In 2024, Chevy Chase appeared in the film "The Christmas Letter" with Randy Quaid and Brian Doyle-Murray.
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