Cousin Eddie is one of the most memorable characters from the National Lampoon’s Vacation movies, starring Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, a hapless family man who tries to enjoy various holidays with his wife and kids, but always encounters hilarious mishaps and disasters along the way. Cousin Eddie, played by Randy Quaid, is Clark’s distant relative who often shows up uninvited and causes trouble with his crude manners, bizarre behavior and outrageous schemes. But who is Cousin Eddie related to, and what is his backstory? Here is a guide to the quirky character from the popular comedy franchise.
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Cousin Eddie’s Family Tree
According to the IMDb, Cousin Eddie is Clark’s cousin-in-law, meaning that he is married to Clark’s cousin Catherine, played by Miriam Flynn. Catherine is the daughter of Clark’s aunt Edna, who appears in the first and fourth movies of the series. Cousin Eddie and Catherine have two children, a daughter named Audrey (not to be confused with Clark’s daughter of the same name) and a son named Rocky. They also have a dog named Snots, who has a sinus condition that causes him to drool excessively.
Cousin Eddie also has a brother named Dale, who is mentioned in the second movie, European Vacation, but never seen on screen. Dale apparently lives in Germany and invites Cousin Eddie and his family to visit him, but they end up crashing at Clark’s hotel room instead. Cousin Eddie also claims to have another brother named Eddie, who he says is “holding down a leather couch in a welfare office right now”.
Cousin Eddie’s Appearances in the Movies
Cousin Eddie makes his first appearance in the original National Lampoon’s Vacation movie in 1983, where he lives in a rundown farm in Kansas with his family. He hosts Clark and his family for a night, and gives Clark some dubious advice on how to deal with a car dealer. He also asks Clark for some money, claiming that he has been laid off from his job at an asbestos factory and that the army cut his disability pension because the plate in his head wasn’t big enough.
Cousin Eddie returns in the second movie, European Vacation, where he surprises Clark and his family at their hotel room in Germany. He reveals that he won a trip to Europe on a game show called “Pig in a Poke”, where he had to dress up as a pig and catch greased pigs. He also tells Clark that he sold his house and farm to pay for the taxes on his prize. He then proceeds to annoy Clark with his loud and obnoxious behavior, such as drinking all of his beer, eating all of his food, and using all of his towels.
Cousin Eddie’s most famous appearance is in the third movie, Christmas Vacation, where he shows up at Clark’s house in Chicago with his family and an RV that he lives in. He tells Clark that he has been out of work for seven years and that he is on the “threshold of hell”. He also brings along a surprise guest: Aunt Edna’s dog Dinky, who he says bit her on the ankle and then ran away. Cousin Eddie causes all kinds of chaos at Clark’s house, such as breaking his decorations, clogging his sewer system, kidnapping his boss, and electrocuting a cat.
Cousin Eddie does not appear in the fourth movie, Vegas Vacation, but he is mentioned by Clark when he says that he left him in charge of his house while he was away. However, Cousin Eddie does appear in a spin-off movie called Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie’s Island Adventure, where he wins a trip to an island in the South Pacific on a lottery ticket. He takes his family along with him, as well as Uncle Nick (Ed Asner), who is Catherine’s father and Clark’s uncle. The movie follows their misadventures on the island, where they encounter a monkey, a nuclear bomb test site, and a tribe of cannibals.
Cousin Eddie’s Actor: Randy Quaid
Randy Quaid is an American actor who has appeared in over 90 films. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Last Detail (1973), where he played a young sailor on his way to prison. He also won a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Emmy Award for his portrayal of U.S. President Lyndon Johnson in LBJ: The Early Years (1987). He also received Emmy nominations for his roles in A Streetcar Named Desire (1984) and Elvis (2005).
Randy Quaid is also known for his roles of Russell Casse in Independence Day (1996) and Alameda Slim in the animated feature Home on the Range (2004). He is the older brother of actor Dennis Quaid and the uncle of actor Jack Quaid.
Randy Quaid has also been involved in some legal troubles and controversies in recent years. In 2009, he and his wife Evi were arrested for allegedly defrauding an innkeeper, burglary, and conspiracy. They were later released on bail, but failed to appear in court several times. In 2010, they sought asylum in Canada, claiming that they were being persecuted by a group of Hollywood “star whackers” who were responsible for the deaths of several celebrities. They were denied refugee status and faced deportation, but remained in Canada until 2015, when they were arrested at the Vermont border. They were released on bail, but their legal status remains unclear.
Conclusion
Cousin Eddie is a character who has entertained millions of viewers with his hilarious antics and outrageous personality. He is related to Clark Griswold by marriage, and often shows up unannounced and unwelcome at his holiday destinations. He is played by Randy Quaid, a veteran actor who has been nominated for several awards and has also faced some legal issues. Cousin Eddie is a character who is hard to forget, and who always makes the National Lampoon’s Vacation movies more fun and memorable.