• Faith: Non-Religious
• Career: Actor
• Birthday:  October 08, 1943

Chevy Chase is an American actor, comedian and writer best known as an original cast member of “Saturday Night Live” and for starring in comedies including “Caddyshack,” “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” “Fletch” and “Three Amigos!”

Chase was born Oct. 8, 1943, in Lower Manhattan, New York. His father, Edward Tinsley “Ned” Chase, was a book editor and writer, while his mother, Cathalene Parker Browning, was a concert pianist and librettist. His paternal grandmother gave him the nickname “Chevy” when he was a child.

Chase grew up primarily in New York. His parents divorced when he was four, and both later remarried. Despite coming from a prominent family, Chase has described his childhood as difficult. He has said he suffered physical and psychological abuse from his mother and stepfather, experiences he discussed publicly as an adult.

After attending several schools, Chase graduated as valedictorian from the Stockbridge School in Massachusetts in 1962. He briefly attended Haverford College before transferring to Bard College in New York, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in English. While at Bard, he played drums in a band that included Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, who later founded Steely Dan.

Before finding success in entertainment, Chase held a variety of jobs while pursuing comedy and writing. He became involved with the underground comedy group Channel One and appeared in the 1974 comedy film “The Groove Tube.” He also worked with National Lampoon and wrote for “The Smothers Brothers Show.”

Chase’s breakthrough came in 1975 when he joined the original cast of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” Initially hired as a writer, he quickly became one of the show’s most recognizable performers. His deadpan delivery, physical comedy and role as the original anchor of “Weekend Update” helped make him an early breakout star. His signature introduction, “I’m Chevy Chase, and you’re not,” became one of the show’s best-known catchphrases.

Chase won two Primetime Emmy Awards in 1976 for his work on “Saturday Night Live.” He left the series after its first season and moved into movies, becoming one of Hollywood’s leading comedy stars.

His early film roles included “Foul Play” in 1978, followed by “Caddyshack” in 1980. In 1983, he debuted as Clark Griswold in “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” a role he reprised in “European Vacation,” “Christmas Vacation” and “Vegas Vacation.” Other notable films included “Fletch,” “Spies Like Us,” “Three Amigos!” and “Funny Farm.”

After his movie career slowed during the 1990s, Chase continued appearing in film and television. He returned to a prominent television role in 2009 as Pierce Hawthorne on NBC’s “Community,” remaining a regular cast member through the show’s fourth season. As a member of the original “Saturday Night Live” cast, he was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2017.

Chase has been married three times. His first two marriages, to Susan Hewitt and Jacqueline Carlin, ended in divorce. He married Jayni Luke in 1982, and the couple have three daughters: Cydney, Caley and Emily. Chase has spoken frequently about the importance of his wife and children in his life.

Is Chevy Chase Religious?

Chase is generally described as non-religious and has been characterized as atheist or agnostic, although he has not consistently attached a formal label to his beliefs in major public interviews. He has not publicly identified with an organized religion, and accounts of his upbringing do not indicate that religion played a significant role in his childhood.

Chase has also reportedly expressed skepticism toward Christianity and the Bible when discussing religion, indicating that religious scripture does not shape his personal worldview. Public speculation about his background has sometimes included claims that he is Jewish, but Chase is not Jewish. During a 2026 interview about his life and reputation, he jokingly referenced the misconception while making clear that it was not his religious or cultural identity.

Overall, Chase’s public comments and biographical record point to a secular outlook rather than an affiliation with a particular faith tradition.