Christmas Vacation Griswold Family Tree Explained

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation expanded the Vacation franchise set, introducing audiences to the larger Griswold family tree. John Hughes, who wrote the first Vacation film and co-wrote the second (and also wrote the original Satirize story on which the franchise is based), returned to write the script for Christmas Vacation. This holiday-themed trio imagines a disastrous Griswold family Christmas with a burned tree, an overcooked turkey, and pesky lights that don’t turn on when Clark wants them to.

The previous Vacation the films focused entirely on Clark, Ellen and their children, but Christmas Vacation introduced the public to the larger Griswold clan. This includes Clark’s parents, Ellen’s parents, an aunt, an uncle, and a cousin with a family of his own. However, it can be a little confusing figuring out which side of the family each set of in-laws are on, whose uncle unintentionally blows up the Christmas decorations, and how Cousin Eddie comes into the equation.

Clark W. “Sparky” Griswold, Jr.

Patriarch Griswold

Griswold patriarch Clark Griswold – also known by his wife’s nickname, “Sparky” – is played by Chevy Chase (who played the character in all Vacation filmincluding reboot). Clark is Ellen’s husband and Audrey and Rusty’s father. Since everyone else Vacation films revolve around family trips, Christmas Vacation is the first to show Clark in the office; he works at a food additives company. Clark is known for losing control and doing reckless and extreme things, like kidnapping people in the name of family fun.

Christmas Vacation sees Clark wanting to have the perfect vacation, which includes the big reveal that with the Christmas bonus he hopes to receive, he will build a new pool for his family. Like most Vacation films, Clark’s excessive anxiety causes some problems. However, many of the obstacles that ruin your perfect Christmas vacation come from your extended family.

Ellen Griswold

Clark’s loving wife

Ellen Griswold (née Smith), Clark’s wife and Audrey and Rusty’s mother, is played by Beverly D’Angelo. Along with Chase, D’Angelo has been the other consistent part of this franchiseappearing in everyone Vacation movie including the reboot. Since Clark is the unhinged father who starts complaining and takes a chainsaw to the loose stair railing, it’s up to Ellen to be the voice of reason. She’s the one who keeps everyone’s Christmas spirits up while Christmas celebrations fall apart.

She tries to calm Clark’s more outrageous behavior, such as when she tries to temper his road rage on the way to pick up a Christmas tree. She also tends to find easy solutions to the things that frustrate Clark the most, like pushing the button needed to make the Christmas lights work. However, Christmas Vacation it also sees her succumbing to holiday stress, including escaping to the kitchen to smoke.

Audrey Griswold

Clark and Ellen’s daughter

Clark and Ellen’s daughter, Audrey Griswold, is played by Juliette Lewis in Christmas Vacation. Audrey was previously played by Dana Barron and Dana Hill in the last two films, and later by Marisol Nichols in Las Vegas Vacation and Leslie Mann in the reboot. Lewis is one of the most famous actors to play the role of Aubrey, as she would have her breakout role in Martin Scorsese’s film. Cape Fear a few years later, then starring in films like Natural Born Killers, From Dusk Till Dawnand Yellow Jackets.

THE Christmas Vacation Audrey’s incarnation is a typical rebellious teenager who rolls her eyes at her father’s crazy antics. With the events of this film set in the same year as the original, Vacation film, Audrey is 14 years old after being seen as an older teenager in European Vacationwhich could add to the confusion of the timeline and casting choices.

Russell “Rusty” Griswold

Son of Clark and Ellen

Clark and Ellen’s son Russell Griswold – better known by his nickname “Rusty” – is played by The Big Bang TheoryIt’s Johnny Galecki. Rusty was previously played by Anthony Michael Hall and Jason Lively in the last two films, and later by Ethan Embry in Las Vegas Vacation and Ed Helms in the reboot. Like Aubrey in this film, Rusty is younger than when he appeared in the previous Vacation film, European Vacation.

However, there are still some discrepancies with the Griswold children in this Vacation film. Christmas Vacation and the only Vacation movie where Rusty and Audrey are not the same age. This film shows Audrey a few years older than Rusty (and much taller than him). This adds a fun sibling dynamic between them, as Aubrey is constantly irritated about having to share a room with her younger brother. Regardless of his young age, Rusty still appears to be more mature and sensible than his father at times.

Clark Griswold, Sr.

Clark’s father

For the first time in the series, Clark Griswold, Sr., Clark’s father, is introduced in Christmas Vacationplayed by John Randolph. Randolph was almost another iconic comedy father, as he was originally cast as Frank Costanza in Seinfeld before the role was recast with Jerry Stiller. As a jerk of a father who wants the best for his family, Clark Sr. is like an older version of Clark. The only difference between father and son is that Clark Sr. doesn’t throw a tantrum when things don’t go his way, while Clark Jr. does not throw a tantrum when things don’t go his way.

He is a supportive father, and although many other family members add stress to this time of year, Clark Sr. proves to be a calm and quite friendly man. It’s also easy to see where Clark gets his energy from, as his father is constantly finding any excuse to encourage his grand attempts at making Christmas ideal.

Nora Griswold

Clark’s mother

Clark’s mother and Clark Sr.’s wife, Nora Griswold, are played by Diane Ladd. Ladd is one of cinema’s most talented actors, earning three Oscar nominations throughout his career, which includes films such as Wild at heart and Alice doesn’t live here anymore. As Clark Sr. This is the first and only time that Nora appears in the Vacation franchise.

Nora is a classic overbearing mother who smothers her son with affection as soon as he walks through the door. As with Clark’s father, it’s clear that some of his traits come from Nora, who shares his strong love for family. Unlike some other relatives, Nora wants to help. However, she tends to worry about various illnesses, making Clark obsessively check a mole on her neck that she thinks is changing color and offering Rusty “a whole room” to rub her feet.

Arthur “Arte” Smith

Ellen’s father

Ellen’s father, Arthur Smith, often shortened to “Art,” is played by EG Marshall. Marshall is another talented actor in the ensemble, having appeared in films such as 12 Angry Men, Superman IIand Log! Log! Log! Unfortunately, the actor passed away in 1998. As with the older generation of the extended family This is the only film in the Vacation franchise in which Art appears.

Christmas Vacation plays into the trope of in-laws not getting along. Once Clark’s parents and Ellen’s parents are under the same roof, the fight begins. Ellen’s parents contrast with Clark’s, as they do not have the same supportive attitude. Art is particularly bad-tempered, wanting to take control of every situation and even pressuring the family to leave Clark behind when they all go shopping.

Francisca Smith

Ellen’s mother

Ellen’s mother, Frances Smith, is played by Doris Roberts. Roberts is most famous for her Emmy-winning role as Marie Barone in the cast of Everybody loves Raymond. Roberts passed away in 2016. Along with Art, Frances makes her debut in Vacation franchise in this film and has not appeared in the franchise since..

Frances is a master at micromanagement, constantly criticizing Ellen and her family. She always finds reasons to complain and seems determined to convince everyone that this is a terrible Christmas. Like her husband, Frances also seems to enjoy watching Clark fail, laughing drunkenly when his Christmas lights don’t come on. In fact, she is rarely seen without a glass in her hand throughout the entire film.

Catarina Johnson

Ellen’s cousin

Catherine Johnson (née Smith), played by Miriam Flynn, is Ellen’s cousin who comes to visit us at Christmas, unannounced. She also brings her pet Rottweiler, Snots. Catherine and her family live in rural Kansas, while the Griswolds live in the urban metropolis of Chicago – or rather, on the outskirts of the urban metropolis, in the suburbs. Flynn is another recurring figure in the Vacation franchisefirst appearing as Catherine in the original Vacation and also reprising his role in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie’s Island Adventure.

Like Ellen, Catherine is the relatively normal voice of reason alongside her crazy husband. She is much more soft-spoken and reserved than the obnoxious and loud Eddie. She also wants to contribute to Christmas dinner by making the turkey. Unfortunately, her cooking skills are not good as she cooks too much.

Eddie Johnson

Catherine’s husband

Catherine’s husband, Eddie Johnson – commonly referred to as “Cousin Eddie” – is played by Randy Quaid. Quaid is a talented comedic actor, having appeared as a cast member of Saturday night live and maintained a strong acting career with performances in Independence Day, Brokeback Mountain, and The last detail, for which he received an Oscar nomination. Quaid first played the role of Eddie in the original Vacation and was the lead in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie’s Island Adventure.

Eddie is the classic comedy character of the well-meaning buffoon. He empties the toilet of his trailer onto the street, stinking up the entire block; he brings his dog into the house and he immediately destroys Christmas dinner; and he kidnaps Clark’s boss to fulfill an absurd Christmas wish that was made in anger.

Rocky Johnson

Son of Catherine and Eddie

Catherine and Eddie bring their son, Rocky Johnson, played by Cody Burger, to join in the holiday celebrations. Burger is a child actor who has also appeared in films such as Heavyweights and Forever young. Although Eddie and Catherine have one child in each of their Vacation appearances, this is the first and only time that Rocky appears in the franchise. In the original Vacationthe son’s name is Dale, while he is Clark in Christmas Vacation 2.

Rocky doesn’t have a single line Christmas Vacation; he communicates nonverbally. Perhaps the most memorable joke involving Rocky’s character is his problem with lip fungus.

Ruby Sue Johnson

Daughter of Catherine and Eddie

Catherine and Eddie also bring their daughter, Ruby Sue Johnson, played by Ellen Hamilton Latzen. She’s another quiet child, but she provides one of the film’s most touching moments when she tells Clark that she didn’t get anything from Santa last year, despite being well-behaved. It’s a moment that stimulates Clark’s Christmas spirit even more and leads him to make this Christmas special for Ruby Sue too.

Rocky and Ruby Sue aren’t Catherine and Eddie’s only children; they are just two of the youngest. Vicki, who appears in the original film, is also mentioned in Christmas Vacation as being in rehabilitation. However, This is the only time Ruby Sue appears in the franchiselike the original Vacation included cousin Daisy Mabel Johnson as the other daughter, who was born without a tongue. As Ruby Sue stays quiet, she speaks, confirming that it is not the same child.

Uncle Lewis

Clark’s uncle

Clark’s Uncle Lewis is played by William Hickey. Hickey is also part of another holiday favorite as he voices Dr. Finkelstein in the cast of The Nightmare Before Christmas. Uncle Lewis is another character who makes his only appearance in the franchise in this film. He also enters the film quite late, only appearing at Christmas dinner.

Uncle Lewis fits the archetype of the grumpy older relative who complains about everything. Throughout the film, Uncle Lewis smokes cigars nonstop, which leads to a hilarious payoff when he throws a match that causes a gas explosion that launches Santa’s sleigh decorations into the sky.

Aunt Bethany

Uncle Lewis’s wife

Clark’s aunt and Uncle Lewis’ wife, Aunt Bethany, is played by Mae Questel. Christmas Vacation marked Questel’s last film appearance before his death in 1998. Aunt Bethany displays symptoms of dementia throughout the film; she doesn’t even seem to realize it’s Christmas. She is also heard because the family basically has to yell at her to do the Christmas dinner blessing.

Like Uncle Lewis, Aunt Bethany is a late addition to the film but quickly steals the show with her cheerful energy but total obliviousness. She also gets one of the biggest laughs as the film ends as flaming Christmas decorations fly across the sky. Aunt Bethany leads the family in a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”