Chevy Chase's 32 Most Jerky Movie Moments

In various roles such as the bumbling character in the National Lampoon’s Vacation films or the intimidating antagonist on Community, Chevy Chase consistently demonstrates an extraordinary talent for playing the most arrogant and obnoxious person in any given setting. Leaving aside any reports of off-screen behavior, this veteran of Saturday Night Live and longtime comedian has provided us with numerous moments that are awkward, uncomfortable, and downright mean over the years. Here’s a compilation of 32 of the funniest instances…

The Time Clark Griswold Left Aunt Edna’s Corpse In Her Son’s Backyard (National Lampoon’s Vacation)

In the timeless comedy “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” Clark Griswold establishes the essence of his character, as portrayed by Chevy Chase, for future installments. One particularly uncaring act he performs in this iconic ’80s film involves Aunt Edna’s remains. Instead of entrusting them to a caring relative, Clark chooses to abandon her in the son’s backyard… amidst the rain.

The KFC Space Simulator Incident (Community)

At Greendale Community College, it doesn’t take much time for chaos to erupt upon arrival of a KFC space simulator. After being trapped in the confined environment for too long, Pierce Hawthorne, played by Chevy Chase, starts acting irrationally inside the capsule. This strange behavior resembles “space madness,” which occurs on Earth. He lashes out at his fellow crew members while confined, and continues to behave erratically once freed. It’s quite a spectacle!

Clark Griswold Kidnaps His Boss (National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation)

Certainly, Frank Shirley’s decision not to distribute a Christmas bonus can be seen as utterly malicious, reminiscent of the desperate actions taken by a frustrated Clark Griswold. With his holiday cheer and financial stability at stake, Clark’s reaction spirals into an extraordinary outburst that culminates in his cousin, Eddie, taking drastic measures such as kidnapping his boss.

The Countless Times Clark Griswold Unknowingly Offended European Cultures (National Lampoon’s European Vacation)

In the movie “National Lampoon’s European Vacation,” Clark Griswold frequently manages to upset someone or unintentionally mock various European cultures within just a few minutes. This shows that he often doesn’t realize he’s being insensitive, but his actions make him come across as rude nonetheless.

‘Do You Have Anything Besides Mexican Food?’ (Three Amigos)

In the film “Three Amigos”, although Dusty Bottoms is portrayed as a character who is mistaken for a genuine hero, there’s no question that he’s an outright jerk in this ’80s comedy. This is clearly shown in a scene where, after being given hospitality, Dusty rudely inquires if they offer anything other than Mexican food. It’s worth noting that this movie unfolds south of the border.

Oh, The Time He Took A Hostage To Enter An Amusement Park (National Lampoon’s Vacation)

On a typical day as a security guard at a temporarily shut Walley World, Russ Lasky (John Candy) was simply trying to pass the time peacefully. However, his tranquility was disrupted when he became unexpectedly taken hostage by an unbalanced traveler. The culprit behind this strange incident? None other than Clark Griswold, who, unable to accept the park’s closure, acted out in a most irrational way. What a wild outburst from this seemingly endearing nuisance!

The Time Fletch Acted Like A Doctor (Fletch)

Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher, portrayed by Chevy Chase, is well-known for his intriguing character. He’s not just a regular guy; he goes to extraordinary lengths to uncover the truth. However, along the way, he can be quite rude and difficult. This is particularly evident in the movie “Fletch,” where Fletch poses as a doctor in a hospital, causing some unfortunate medical incidents, both for the living and the deceased.

Emmett Fitz-Hume Cheats (And Farts) During The Exam (Spies Like Us)

In the movie “Spies Like Us,” Emmett Fitz-Hume, Chevy Chase’s character, will go to any length, no matter how questionable, to advance in life. This includes dishonesty, such as cheating on the foreign service exam. Although his actions may have led to a challenging mission that could be seen as retribution for his misconduct, it is important to note that Emmett’s obvious efforts to improve his test score (like wearing an eye patch, faking an arm sling, or devising bribery schemes) are not excusable.

The Dog Situation (National Lampoon’s Vacation)

The scene featuring “The Tough Little Mutt” in “National Lampoon’s Vacation” is undeniably one of the film’s most humorous moments, but it’s essential to remember that Clark Griswold, with his obliviousness and rude behavior, ultimately resulted in Aunt Edna’s cherished dog Dinky’s passing. Despite being known for its aggression, Dinky didn’t need to meet such an unfortunate end, especially under those circumstances.

Ty Webb’s ‘Be The Ball’ Lessons (Caddyshack)

The film “Caddyshack,” which you can enjoy repeatedly, boasts an array of memorable characters, including Chevy Chase’s character Ty Webb. Despite this, it’s hard to argue that Ty isn’t more often than not a rude individual, particularly in his interactions with Danny Noonan, the caddy who assists him on the golf course. To put it mildly, the supposed wisdom behind Ty’s “Be the ball” advice seems questionable, wouldn’t you agree?

When Clark Griswold Lost His Family’s Savings At The Casino (Vegas Vacation)

It seems everyone enjoys watching Clark Griswold descend into chaos, don’t they? That’s exactly what happens in the movie “Vegas Vacation“. After several disappointing games in “Sin City”, Clark doesn’t just deplete his own savings; he empties out the family’s reserves, leaving them financially stranded and without a means to return home.

Andy Farmer Has A Nuclear Reaction To Elizabeth’s Critique Of His Manuscript (Funny Farm)

As a fan, I must admit that Andy Farmer, the sports-writer-turned-aspiring-author from Chevy Chase’s “Funny Farm,” isn’t exactly a charming character, even by the actor’s usual standards. Yet, it’s one of those early scenes in the movie that truly irks you. After receiving an honest critique on his manuscript from his wife, Farmer explodes with anger, slams around, shouts, and hurls the document into the fireplace – where it promptly burns to ashes.

Fletch Acts Like A Televangelist And Mocks A Congregation (Fletch Lives)

Absolutely, Fletch’s diverse undercover characters in his films are quite entertaining, but there’s an unsettling quality to his portrayal of a televangelist. It’s not just that he satirizes the preacher (if we can even call him one), but he also ridicules his followers and those who seek salvation through financial means.

Ty Webb’s ‘Thank You Very Little’ Comment (Caddyshack)

In the movie “Caddyshack”, Ty Webb, played by Ted Knight, delivers memorable one-liners, even when his character, the esteemed golfer, appears rather rude or inconsiderate at times. One of his best zingers is the brief and bitingly sarcastic line, “Thank you very little,” which makes it an effective and memorable insult.

The Time Pierce Hawthorne Acted Like He Found Jeff’s Dad (Community)

Eager for some minor retaliation against the community members who had belittled him during his hospital stay, Pierce Hawthorne devised a plan to take revenge on all of them. Among those targeted was Jeff Winger, who was tricked into believing that his long-lost father had been located. Sadly for Jeff, this wasn’t true.

Clark Griswold Ruins Christmas Eve (National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation)

In a classic twist, the lengthy meltdown at the climax of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” has become legendary and ranks among the film’s most hilarious scenes. However, Clark Griswold pushes boundaries with his excessively detailed critique of the holiday season, an act that likely makes his parents, in-laws (and possibly his children) consider leaving a day early, even before Christmas arrives.

Not-So Subtly Mixes Two Bottles Of Club Soda To Impress A Date (Caddyshack)

In the sports comedy film “Caddyshack,” the romance between Ty Webb and Lacey Underall is considered one of the best, but it’s important to note that Chevy Chase’s character exhibits a fair share of jerkiness throughout their story. For instance, when Lacey visits Ty at his place, the self-absorbed wealthy man concocts a drink for his love interest. However, instead of mixing a new drink, he carelessly combines two half-finished bottles, causing quite a mess in the process.

When Clark Pretty Much Tried To Cheat On Ellen… The First Time (National Lampoon’s Vacation)

In some manner or other, Clark Griswold remains the star of the Vacation series, even with his angry outbursts, flawed strategies, and wandering gaze. This assessment is accurate in the 1983 original film where the Griswold family head, played by Chevy Chase, comes close to making a regrettable move, flirting with a young blonde (Christie Brinkley). He may have shown restraint, but his actions were certainly questionable at best.

When Pierce Hawthorne Tormented ‘Fat Neil’ (Community)

It’s not right for Pierce Hawthorne to bully “Fat Neil” just because he didn’t get included in the fun activities like Dungeons & Dragons on an episode of Community. Despite feeling excluded, that doesn’t justify his harsh treatment towards poor Neil.

Andy Farmer Tries To Trick Someone Into Buying His House (Funny Farm)

In the story “Funny Farm,” Andy Farmer resorts to a grand and excessive scheme to deceive two potential homebuyers into believing the town appears as a tranquil Norman Rockwell painting instead of a chilling Stephen King novel setting. Despite his desire to depart, this elaborate trick is taking things too far.

Emmett Fitz-Hume Tries To Trade His Sister For Freedom When Facing Ninjas (Spies Like Us)

Looking for an effective method to flunk a test? Just follow the example set by Emmett Fitz-Hume in the movie “Spies Like Us” who attempted to barter his sister for freedom when he met a group of ninjas. Definitely a contender for the title “Brother of the Year”!

The Time Pierce Hawthorne Faked A Terminal Illness (Community)

In the TV series “Community”, Pierce Hawthorne elevated his actions significantly by feigning a critical illness following a drug overdose on a park bench. Rather than simply eliciting empathy from his fellow characters, this malicious figure employed the situation for mental torment instead.

The Time Clark Griswold Flirted With The Sales Clerk (National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation)

I can’t help but admire Clark Griswold’s endearing portrayal in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” Particularly memorable is the scene where he, in a rather clumsy yet charming fashion, tries to flirt with the underwear sales clerk in downtown Chicago. In that moment, he seems to forget his role as a father, husband, and upstanding citizen, acting more like the lovable but hapless wolf from an old Tex Avery cartoon.

When He Uses His New Invisibility For Unsavory Actions (Memoirs Of An Invisible Man)

Despite not ranking among John Carpenter’s top films, Memoirs of an Invisible Man remains a thrilling ride. One of Chevy Chase’s less frequently discussed characters, Nick Halloway, the corporate man transformed following a life-altering accident, holds its own alongside his other performances. This is particularly evident in his portrayal of a jerk, as he misuses his new abilities to engage in some questionable behavior.

The Whole 20,000 Christmas Lights Situation (National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation)

It’s understood that Christmas is essentially Clark Griswold’s tradition, and he enjoys going overboard with decorations. Yet, it’s rather inconsiderate to adorn your house with 20,000 lights during the holidays, as this led to the town needing backup power, left neighbors squinting, and likely caused harm to local bird populations.

Max Fiedler Uses Telekinesis To Win Back His Girl (Modern Problems)

The movie “Modern Problems” by Chevy Chase isn’t frequently mentioned in conversations, possibly due to the dislikeable character Max Fiedler portrayed by him. Once endowed with telekinetic abilities, Max employs these powers for various purposes, such as making a guy bleed from the nose as a desperate attempt to win back his girlfriend.

When Mitch Carroll Tried To Abandon His Son After Being Arrested (Law & Order)

Mitch Carroll, a controversial character from Law & Order, played by Chevy Chase, was planning to let his son face prison time for a violent murder, seemingly trying to distance himself from the crime. In essence, Mitch appeared complicit in his son’s involvement in the homicide and would eventually be charged, tried, and convicted for accessory murder. Later on, he served his sentence in prison.

Clark Griswold Sprays A Man Using The Bathroom (Vacation)

In the movie Vacation, Clark Griswold shares some nostalgic memories of family road trips with his grown-up son Rusty. As he imparts fatherly wisdom, he’s found in an unconventional setting – spraying a man in the face with Lysol, while the man is trying to use the restroom.

Principal Harbert Dismisses The Idea Of Toni Morrison Being The Commencement Speaker (Orange County)

As a cinephile, I’d say that Chevy Chase’s character, Principal Harbert in “Orange County,” is undeniably one of his most lackadaisical and nonchalant portrayals ever. Yet, despite his laid-back demeanor, he managed to serve up a side dish of humor laced with prickliness that left us chuckling throughout the early 2000s flick. A prime example? The moment when he flat-out rejected the notion of Toni Morrison gracing our screens with her commencement address – classic Harbert!

The Time Pierce Hawthorne Refused To Admit He Didn’t Have Magical Powers (Community)

On the TV show “Community,” Pierce Hawthorne, played by Chevy Chase, portrays one of the most spiteful and mischievous characters yet manages to keep viewers laughing. In an episode where he is the target of a prank, Pierce takes things further when he believes he has magical powers due to being tricked. Although this scenario isn’t problematic on its face, it becomes uncomfortable as the prickly character stubbornly refuses to acknowledge that he doesn’t possess any extraordinary abilities.

When Clark Griswold Destroyed Stonehenge (National Lampoon’s European Vacation)

In National Lampoon’s European Vacation, Clark Griswold unintentionally caused damage to the famous Stonehenge monument when he accidentally backed into it. Though this incident might not be as extreme as some of his other blunders, his obliviousness to the consequences of his actions makes him an insensitive character.

The Time Pierce Hawthorne Wasn’t Invited To The D&D Game But Still Took It Over (Community)

Beyond the whole “Fat Neil” predicament, Pierce Hawthorne escalated his bitterness to unprecedented heights on the TV show Community, by seizing control of the Dungeons & Dragons game and transforming himself into an all-powerful antagonist. That’s really pushing it, isn’t it?

2025-04-23 20:40

Chevy Chase’s 32 Most Jerky Movie Moments