What Is Chevy Chase's Net Worth?
Chevy Chase is an American writer, comedian, film, and television actor with a net worth of $50 million. Rising to fame in the 1970s as a key member of the original cast of "Saturday Night Live" ("SNL"), he became known for his unique brand of physical comedy and deadpan humor.
Chase's career took off with "SNL," where he became one of the show's first breakout stars. His iconic catchphrase, "I'm Chevy Chase, and you're not," on the "Weekend Update" segment set a comedic tone that helped propel "SNL" to national acclaim. He won three Primetime Emmy Awards during his brief but impactful tenure.
After his success on "SNL," Chevy transitioned to film, starring in a series of hit comedies in the 1980s like Caddyshack (1980), National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) and its sequels. He became widely recognized for his role as Clark Griswold, blending physical comedy with sharp wit. His performances in Fletch (1985) and its sequel solidified his reputation as a leading man in Hollywood.
Chase also returned to television, most notably as Pierce Hawthorne in the comedy series "Community," introducing him to a new generation of fans. Throughout his career, Chevy has been recognized and honored for his contributions to comedy, including receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Despite facing personal and professional challenges, his impact on American comedy remains significant.
Early Life
Cornelius Crane Chase, known as Chevy Chase, was born on October 8, 1943, in New York City. His mother, Cathalene Parker, was a concert pianist and librettist adopted by Cornelius Vanderbilt Crane. His paternal grandfather, Edward Leigh Chase, was an artist and illustrator, and his great-uncle, Frank Swift Chase, was a painter.
After his parents divorced when he was four, his mother remarried twice, and his father joined the Folgers coffee family. Chevy graduated from the Stockbridge School in 1962, attended Haverford College briefly, and later graduated from Bard College in 1967 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Before fame, Chase held various jobs, including cab driver, truck driver, and audio engineer.
Career
In 1967, Chase co-founded the underground comedy ensemble Channel One. By 1973, he pursued comedy full-time, joining the syndicated radio series "The National Lampoon Radio Hour." In 1975, he joined "Saturday Night Live" as an original cast member, becoming the original anchor for the "Weekend Update" segment with his famous catchphrase, "I'm Chevy Chase, and you're not."
Leaving "SNL" in 1976, Chase hosted the show eight times through 1997 while transitioning to film. His early roles included Foul Play (1978) and Caddyshack (1980). He starred in a series of successful comedies throughout the 1980s, like National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) and Fletch (1985), earning $7 million per film at his career's peak.
![Chevy Chase](https://vz.cnwimg.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Chevy-Chase-1.jpg)
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The 1990s saw a series of film flops like Nothing but Trouble (1991) and Memoirs of an Invisible Man (1992). His talk show, "The Chevy Chase Show," also failed, canceled after five weeks. Recent works include his role in "Community" and movies like Hot Tub Time Machine (2010) and The Last Laugh (2019).
Notable Salaries
At his career's height, Chevy earned $7 million per movie. For example, for "Fletch" and "Fletch Lives," he made at least $7 million each. He earned $6 million for "Christmas Vacation" (1989) and another $6 million for "Memoirs of an Invisible Man" (1992). His other notable earnings include $4 million for "Cops and Robbersons" (1994) and "Vegas Vacation" (1997).
Personal Life
Chase was first married to Susan Hewitt from 1973 to 1976 and then to Jacqueline Carlin from 1976 to 1980. He married Jayni Luke in 1982, and they have three daughters together. Chevy also has a son, Bryan Perkins, with an unidentified woman.
In 1986, Chase entered the Betty Ford Clinic for a prescription painkiller addiction and sought treatment for alcoholism in 2016 at the Hazelden Clinic.
Real Estate
From 1990 to 2005, Chase lived in Pacific Palisades, LA, in a home on five acres. Despite investing $1.2 million in improvements, they sold it in 2005. Currently, he primarily resides in upstate New York.