History of Chevy Chase in Timeline
Chevy Chase is an American comedian, actor, and writer, best known as the breakout star of the first season of Saturday Night Live (SNL). His recurring "Weekend Update" segment became a popular fixture on the show. Chase received two Primetime Emmy Awards from four nominations for his work as a performer and writer on SNL, solidifying his status as a comedic talent.
1919: Edward Tinsley Chase's Birth
In 1919, Edward Tinsley "Ned" Chase, Chevy Chase's father, was born.
1923: Cathalene Parker's Birth
In 1923, Cathalene Parker, Chevy Chase's mother, was born.
October 8, 1943: Chevy Chase's Birth
On October 8, 1943, Cornelius Crane "Chevy" Chase was born. He later became a comedian, actor, and writer.
1962: Graduation as Valedictorian
In 1962, Chevy Chase graduated as valedictorian from the Stockbridge School.
1963: Haverford College Term
During the 1962-1963 term, Chevy Chase attended Haverford College and was known for slapstick comedy.
1967: Co-founding Channel One
In 1967, Chevy Chase co-founded an early underground comedy ensemble called Channel One.
1967: Bard College Graduation
In 1967, Chevy Chase graduated from Bard College with a Bachelor of Arts in English.
1969: Chamaeleon Church Disbanded
In 1969, the rock band Chamaeleon Church, featuring Chevy Chase, disbanded after recording one album for MGM Records.
1970: Mad Magazine Contribution
In 1970, Chevy Chase wrote a one-page spoof of Mission: Impossible for Mad magazine.
February 23, 1973: Marriage to Susan Hewitt
On February 23, 1973, Chevy Chase married Susan Hewitt in New York City.
1973: The National Lampoon Radio Hour
By 1973, Chevy Chase became a writer and cast member of The National Lampoon Radio Hour.
1974: The Groove Tube
In 1974, Chevy Chase appeared in the movie "The Groove Tube", featuring sketches from Channel One.
October 1975: Saturday Night Live Debut
In October 1975, Chevy Chase became one of the original cast members of Saturday Night Live (SNL).
1975: Saturday Night Live Start
In 1975, Chevy Chase became the breakout cast member of Saturday Night Live's first season.
1975: Smothers Brothers TV Show
In 1975, Chevy Chase was a writer for the short-lived Smothers Brothers TV show comeback.
1975: Rumors of Hosting The Tonight Show
In 1975, NBC executives saw Chevy Chase as "The first real potential successor to Johnny Carson" and claimed he would begin guest-hosting The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson within six months.
February 1, 1976: Divorce from Susan Hewitt
On February 1, 1976, Chevy Chase divorced Susan Hewitt.
December 4, 1976: Marriage to Jacqueline Carlin
On December 4, 1976, Chevy Chase married Jacqueline Carlin.
1976: Exit as a full-time cast member of SNL
In 1976, Chevy Chase exited as a full-time cast member of Saturday Night Live.
1976: Saturday Night Live Success
In 1976, Chevy Chase's Weekend Update segment became a staple of Saturday Night Live. As a performer and writer, he earned two Primetime Emmy Awards out of four nominations.
1976: Tunnel Vision Release
In 1976, Chevy Chase's early film roles included "Tunnel Vision".
1976: Departure from SNL
In late 1976, during SNL's second season, Chevy Chase became the first original cast member to leave the show, citing his girlfriend's reluctance to move to New York as the main reason.
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: SNL Hosting Debut
In 1978, Chevy Chase hosted Saturday Night Live (SNL) for the first time after leaving the show in 1976.
1978: Golden Globe Nomination for Foul Play
In 1978, Chevy Chase starred in "Foul Play" and received a Golden Globe nomination for his role.
1978: Foul Play Success
In 1978, Chevy Chase starred in "Foul Play", earning a Golden Globe nomination.
1978: Fistfight with Bill Murray
In 1978, while filming an episode of Saturday Night Live, Chevy Chase engaged in a fistfight with Bill Murray.
1980: Starring in Caddyshack after reconciliation
In 1980, Chevy Chase and Bill Murray, after a previous altercation, starred together in Caddyshack.
1980: Residency in Pacific Palisades
In 1980, Chevy Chase began residing in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, in a Tudor-style home.
1980: Near-Electrocution During Filming
In 1980, Chevy Chase narrowly escaped death by electrocution during the filming of "Modern Problems", which led to a period of deep depression.
1980: Caddyshack and Seems Like Old Times
In 1980, Chevy Chase portrayed Ty Webb in "Caddyshack" and reunited with Goldie Hawn in "Seems Like Old Times". He also released a self-titled record album.
1980: Starring in Caddyshack and Oh! Heavenly Dog
In 1980, Chevy Chase portrayed Ty Webb in "Caddyshack" and starred in "Oh! Heavenly Dog".
1980: Oh! Heavenly Dog Release
In 1980, Chevy Chase starred in "Oh! Heavenly Dog".
1981: Starring in Modern Problems
In 1981, Chevy Chase starred in the film "Modern Problems".
June 19, 1982: Marriage to Jayni Luke
On June 19, 1982, Chevy Chase married his third wife, Jayni Luke, in Pacific Palisades.
1982: Ernie Kovacs Documentary
In 1982, Chevy Chase spoke of Ernie Kovacs's influence on his work in an appearance in the documentary "Ernie Kovacs: Television's Original Genius."
1983: National Lampoon's Vacation Release
In 1983, Chevy Chase played Clark Griswold in "National Lampoon's Vacation", directed by Harold Ramis and written by John Hughes.
1985: Fletch and Other Films
In 1985, Chevy Chase played Irwin "Fletch" Fletcher in "Fletch", appeared in "National Lampoon's European Vacation", and co-starred in "Spies Like Us".
1985: Starring in Fletch
In 1985, Chevy Chase starred as Irwin "Fletch" Fletcher in "Fletch".
1986: Honorary Mayor of Pacific Palisades
In 1986, Chevy Chase became the Honorary Mayor of Pacific Palisades.
1986: ¡Three Amigos! Release
In 1986, Chevy Chase starred in "¡Three Amigos!"
1986: ¡Three Amigos! and You Can Call Me Al Video
In 1986, Chevy Chase starred in "¡Three Amigos!" with SNL veterans Steve Martin and Martin Short. He also appeared in Paul Simon's video for "You Can Call Me Al".
1986: Admission to Betty Ford Center
In 1986, Chevy Chase was admitted to the Betty Ford Center for treatment of a prescription painkiller addiction.
1987: Academy Awards Hosting
In 1987, Chevy Chase hosted the Academy Awards.
1987: Cornelius Productions signs deal with Warner Bros.
In 1987, Cornelius Productions, Chevy Chase's company, signed a non-exclusive deal with Warner Bros. to develop feature projects. Also in 1987, he hosted the Academy Awards.
1988: Second Time Hosting Academy Awards
In 1988, Chevy Chase hosted the Academy Awards for the second time.
1988: Caddyshack II Release
In 1988, Chevy Chase reprised his role as Ty Webb in "Caddyshack II".
1988: Starring in Funny Farm and Caddyshack II
In 1988, Chevy Chase starred in "Funny Farm," which was a box office success. In 1988, he also appeared in "Caddyshack II," which was not as successful.
1988: End of term as Honorary Mayor of Pacific Palisades
In 1988, Chevy Chase's term as Honorary Mayor of Pacific Palisades ended.
January 1989: Draft Avoidance
In January 1989, Chevy Chase, on "The Pat Sajak Show", stated he avoided the military draft by falsely claiming homosexual tendencies.
1989: Fletch Lives Release
In 1989, Chevy Chase starred in "Fletch Lives", continuing his role as Irwin "Fletch" Fletcher.
1989: Starring in Fletch Lives and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
In 1989, Chevy Chase starred in "Fletch Lives," and "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," which became one of his more durable films.
1991: Simon's free concert and recording 'Voices That Care'
In 1991, Chevy Chase played saxophone onstage at Simon's free concert in Central Park. Later in 1991, he helped record "Voices That Care" to support U.S. troops.
1992: Starring in Memoirs of an Invisible Man
In 1992, Chase starred in "Memoirs of an Invisible Man", a film that flopped at the box office.
September 1993: Hosting The Chevy Chase Show
In September 1993, Chevy Chase hosted "The Chevy Chase Show" for Fox, which was cancelled after five weeks despite high expectations.
September 23, 1993: Receiving a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
On September 23, 1993, Chevy Chase received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1993: Hasty Pudding Man of the Year and Star on Walk of Fame
In 1993, Chase was named Hasty Pudding's Man of the Year, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1993: The Chevy Chase Show
In 1993, Chevy Chase briefly had his own late-night talk show, "The Chevy Chase Show".
1994: Starring in Cops & Robbersons
In 1994, Chase starred in "Cops & Robbersons", another film that flopped at the box office, adding to a string of unsuccessful releases.
1995: Starring in Man of the House
In 1995, Chase starred in "Man of the House", which proved to be a relatively successful movie.
1995: End of Residency in Pacific Palisades
In 1995, Chevy Chase's residency in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles ended after living in a Tudor-style home.
1996: Receiving Harvard Lampoon's Lifetime Achievement Award
In 1996, Chase received The Harvard Lampoon's Lifetime Achievement Award.
1997: Starring in Vegas Vacation
In 1997, Chase starred in "Vegas Vacation", which was a box office success.
1997: Last SNL Hosting
In 1997, Chevy Chase hosted SNL for the eighth time. Despite rumors, Lorne Michaels denied banning him from the show.
1998: Golden Palm Star on Palm Springs Walk of Stars
In 1998, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs, California, Walk of Stars was dedicated to Chevy Chase.
1999: 25th Anniversary Special
In 1999, Chevy Chase appeared on SNL's 25th anniversary special.
2000: Appearance in Snow Day
In 2000, Chase appeared in "Snow Day", which was a box office success.
2001: SNL Cameo as Land Shark
In 2001, Chevy Chase made a cameo appearance on SNL as the Land Shark in a Weekend Update segment.
2002: Appearance in Orange County
In 2002, Chase appeared in "Orange County", which was a box office success.
2002: Roasted by the New York Friars Club
In 2002, Chevy Chase was roasted by the New York Friars Club for a Comedy Central special, noted for its vitriolic nature.
2003: Roommate Interview
In a 2003 interview, Chevy Chase's former roommate asserted that Chase left Haverford College for academic reasons, disputing the urban legend.
2004: Campaigning for John Kerry
In 2004, Chevy Chase campaigned for John Kerry in the presidential election, continuing his involvement in political activities.
2004: Mocking President George W. Bush
In 2004, Chevy Chase made controversial remarks about President George W. Bush during a speech at a People for the American Way benefit.
2005: NBC Special on First Five Years of SNL
In 2005, Chevy Chase was interviewed for a NBC special on the first five years of SNL.
2005: Death of Parents
In 2005, Chevy Chase's father, Edward Tinsley Chase, and his mother, Cathalene Parker Chase, both passed away.
November 3, 2006: Guest-starred on Law & Order
On November 3, 2006, Chevy Chase guest-starred as an anti-Semitic murder suspect on an episode of Law & Order.
2007: Weekend Update Segment
In 2007, Chevy Chase appeared in another Weekend Update segment on SNL.
2007: Abuse Revelations
In 2007, in a biography, Chevy Chase stated he was physically and psychologically abused as a child by his mother and stepfather.
2009: Cow Expulsion Story
During a 2009 interview on the Today show, Chevy Chase ostensibly verified the urban legend that he was expelled from college for harboring a cow in his room.
2009: Community Role
In 2009, Chevy Chase began his role as Pierce Hawthorne on the NBC sitcom "Community".
2009: Starring in Community
In 2009, Chevy Chase began starring in the NBC sitcom "Community" as Pierce Hawthorne. The show received critical acclaim.
2009: Voicing Himself in Family Guy
In 2009, Chevy Chase voiced himself in the Family Guy episode "Spies Reminiscent of Us" along with Dan Aykroyd.
2010: Appearances in Vacation short film and Presidential Reunion
In 2010, Chase appeared in an online "Vacation" short film and in the "Presidential Reunion" comedy sketch.
2010: Statement on Drug Abuse
In 2010, Chevy Chase stated that his drug abuse had been "low level."
2012: Departure from Community
In 2012, Chevy Chase left the show Community due to disagreements with the show's direction and his character, leading to his character being written out of the fourth season.
2013: Five-Timers Club Appearance
In 2013, Chevy Chase appeared in Justin Timberlake's monologue as a member of the Five-Timers Club, reuniting with Steve Martin and Martin Short.
2014: Community Role Ends
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 SNL's 40th anniversary special.
February 2015: SNL Cast Ranking
In February 2015, Rolling Stone ranked Chevy Chase tenth in overall importance of all 141 SNL cast members to date.
2015: Reprising Role in Vacation
In 2015, Chase reprised his role as Clark Griswold in the fifth "Vacation" installment, which was a financial success despite negative reviews.
September 2016: Entered Hazelden Clinic
In September 2016, Chevy Chase entered the Hazelden Clinic to receive treatment for alcoholism.
2019: Starring in The Last Laugh
In 2019, Chevy Chase starred in the Netflix movie "The Last Laugh" alongside Richard Dreyfuss.
2021: Newman's comments on the altercation
In 2021, Laraine Newman described the 1978 altercation between Chase and Murray as sad and painful.
2024: Acting in The Christmas Letter
In 2024, Chase appeared in the film "The Christmas Letter" alongside Randy Quaid and Brian Doyle-Murray.
