Net Worth: | $55 million |
Profession/Career: | American actor, comedian, and writer |
College: | Haverford College |
Major/Degree: | BA in English |
Full/Real Name: | Cornelius Crane Chase |
Date of Birth: | October 8, 1943 |
Place of Birth: | New York City, New York |
Height: | 6 ft 4 in |
Frequently Associated With
- Saturday Night Live
- National Lampoon’s Vacation movies
Net Worth of Chevy Chase
Chevy Chase’s net worth is roughly $55 million.
Chevy Chase has made the majority of his money through his successful career as a comedian, actor, and writer. He has appeared in many popular films and television shows, and has also lent his voice to various animation projects. Additionally, Chevy Chase is still receiving residuals from a number of his most popular and enduring projects, including:
- National Lampoon’s Vacation: Chase continues to receive residuals from the “Vacation” movie franchise, which has become a beloved comedy classic.
- Saturday Night Live: Chase is still earning residuals from his time as a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy show “Saturday Night Live.”
- Fletch: Chase continues to receive residuals from his role as the titular character in the 1985 comedy “Fletch.”
- Caddyshack: Chase continues to receive residuals from his role as Ty Webb in the classic golf comedy “Caddyshack.”
- Other films: Chase is likely still receiving residuals from some of his other films, including “Three Amigos” and “Spies Like Us.”
Chevy Chase Early Life
Chevy Chase was born Cornelius Crane Chase on October 8, 1943, in Lower Manhattan, New York City. Chase showed an early interest in comedy and performed in school plays, but he initially pursued a career in medicine, enrolling at Haverford College in Pennsylvania to study pre-med. However, he soon switched his focus to English and began performing in comedy clubs.
After college, Chase moved to New York City to pursue a career in comedy. He worked as a writer for the National Lampoon magazine and made his on-screen debut in the popular off-Broadway show “The National Lampoon Show.” He also began performing stand-up comedy, which led to his being hired as one of the original cast members of the NBC sketch comedy show “Saturday Night Live.”
Chevy Chase’s Personal Struggles
Chevy Chase has faced several personal struggles throughout his life and career, including:
- Substance abuse: Chase has struggled with addiction to alcohol and drugs, and has sought treatment on several occasions. He has been open about his struggles with addiction and has advocated for greater awareness and understanding of this issue.
- Health problems: Chase has faced various health problems over the years, including a history of heart problems and several surgeries.
- Relationships: Chase has had several tumultuous relationships over the years, including a difficult and highly publicized divorce from his first wife, Jacqueline Carlin.
- Career difficulties: Despite his early success, Chevy Chase has faced several challenges in his career, including a period of declining popularity and a series of film and television projects that were not well-received by audiences or critics.
Did Chevy Chase Grow Up Rich or Poor?
Chevy Chase grew up in a wealthy family. His father, Edward Tinsley Chase, was a successful book editor and magazine writer, and his mother, Catherine Campbell (Crane), was a concert pianist and homemaker. His parents came from prominent and wealthy families and provided Chevy with a comfortable upbringing and access to some of the best schools and cultural opportunities. He attended several prestigious private schools, including Riverdale Country School in the Bronx and the Stockbridge School in Massachusetts. Chevy’s upbringing was marked by privilege and stability, and he was able to pursue his interests and develop his talents from a young age.
It’s worth noting that Chevy’s upbringing and family background played a role in shaping his comedic sensibility and informed his early work, especially his writing for the National Lampoon magazine. His upbringing also gave him the financial stability to pursue his career goals, and he was able to take risks and make bold choices in his career that might not have been possible if he had come from a different background.
Chevy Chase’s Biggest Moneymakers
- Saturday Night Live (1975-1976): Chase was a cast member on the first season of this groundbreaking sketch comedy show, which helped launch his career and establish him as one of the most talented comedians of his generation. He is widely remembered for his irreverent humor and deadpan delivery, and his contributions to the show continue to be celebrated.
- National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983): This comedy film, which was written by John Hughes and directed by Harold Ramis, starred Chase as the bumbling and hapless father of a family on a road trip to the theme park “Walley World.” The film was a critical and commercial success and has since become a classic of the genre.
- Caddyshack (1980): This comedy film, directed by Harold Ramis and co-written by Brian Doyle-Murray and Harold Ramis, starred Chase as Ty Webb, a golfing icon who teaches a young caddy (played by Michael O’Keefe) about life and golf. The film was a critical and commercial success and has since become a classic of the genre.
- Three Amigos (1986): This comedy film, directed by John Landis and co-written by Lorne Michaels and Steve Martin, starred Chase, Martin, and Martin Short as a trio of silent film actors who are mistaken for real heroes and are sent to Mexico to fight bandits. The film was a commercial success and is widely remembered for its blend of humor and action.
Chevy Chase’s Awards and Accolades
Chevy Chase has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career in film and television. Some of his most notable awards and accolades include:
- Primetime Emmy Award: Chase won the Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Program Primetime Emmy Award in 1976 for his work on Saturday Night Live.
- Golden Globe Award: In 1977, Chase won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy for his role on Saturday Night Live.
- American Comedy Award: In 1988, Chase won the American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for his role in Three Amigos.
- National Lampoon: Chase was inducted into the National Lampoon Radio Hour Hall of Fame in 2002, in recognition of his contributions to the National Lampoon and his role in helping to launch the careers of many talented comedians and writers.
Chevy Chase’s Philanthropy
Chevy Chase has been involved in a number of philanthropic efforts over the years. However, he has been known to keep his charitable activities private.
The few organizations we can confirm he has made donations to are the National Children’s Museum and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He has also been involved in supporting environmental causes, including organizations that work to protect and preserve wildlife and their habitats.