What to Know About Chevy Chase's Health
Chevy Chase
Chevy Chase's health is top of mind after he took a tumble at a National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation talk in December 2023—and it wasn't a bit.
Chase previously told Parade that while he loved physical comedy, he steered away from it as he aged.
"I believe comedy is physical in every sense, from the way you say things or lift an eyebrow to falling down. I grew up loving Chaplin, W.C. Fields, Buster Keaton and the Marx Brothers," he said. "I figured out I wasn't cut out to be a romantic leading man and losing hair in my 40s helped me right along. But you don't see me doing a lot of pratfalls lately. I'm getting up there. Sometimes, it just happens even on the TV show. And if it surprises you, it'll surprise the audience, and I can still get a laugh."
Find out what's going on with Chevy Chase's health and how he's doing now.
Related: See Chevy Chase Recreate the Iconic National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Light Scene
How old is Chevy Chase today?
Born Oct. 8, 1943, Chase is 80 years old as of this writing in December 2023.
How old was Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation?
Chase was 46 years old when he played Clark Griswold in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. The character was supposed to be in his early 40s, and to Chase's credit, that man barely has any wrinkles to this day!
Related: Chevy Chase Gets the Last Laugh
What happened to Chevy Chase's health?
Chase was hospitalized in early 2021. He told Page Six that March after he returned home, "I can only say how happy I am to now be back with my family. I'm feeling good. I was in the hospital five weeks. A heart issue. So, for now, I'm around the house." He added at the time, "I used to go out and do anything. I'd do slapstick in front of 3,000 people. But at this moment I have no need to go out and meet COVID." He later revealed he suffered near-fatal heart failure.
In early December 2023, Chase, who was wheeled onto the stage in a wheelchair, worried fans when he stood up and fell off of the stage at a National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation talk in Buffalo, New York. The startling moment was caught on camera, but Chase's team said it was nothing to be concerned about.
His rep told PEOPLE at the time, "He took a fall at the part of the stage that was not lit well but thanks to all his falls on SNL, it was like riding a bike again. Just a little boo boo. All good." His reps also explained to The Daily Mail, "He sometimes uses the chair due to all the airport travel—even at 80 years young. He does not need rest. His tour is extensive during the holiday season."
Days later, Chase appeared fine at a reunion with Christmas Vacation co-stars Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid and Miriam Flynn at Christmas Con 2023 in Edison, New Jersey.
Related: 100 Best Christmas Vacation Quotes
Does Chevy Chase have memory issues?
In an October 2022 episode of the Fly On the Wall podcast with Dana Carvey and David Spade, it was revealed that Chase was suffering from memory loss following his hospitalization for heart failure in 2021. The severity of his memory loss isn't publicly known, nor whether it's permanent. He's still got his signature sense of humor and is even active on Instagram.
What's the matter with Chevy Chase?
Chase suffered from nearly fatal heart failure in 2021, and he's since revealed that he suffers from memory loss in his recovery. He's still in great spirits and enjoying his tour and loves working!
Next, Why We Still Love National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Today
