Ed Helms Enjoyed Working With Chase & D’Angelo In ‘Vacation’
Description
<figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-171406">Image Source: Warner Bros.</figcaption></figure>Since 1983, the National Lampoon’s Vacation franchise has remained a comedic cornerstone of American pop culture. It all began with a hilariously chaotic road trip from Chicago to a fictional Los Angeles amusement park, led by the bumbling but lovable Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, and his ever patient wife Ellen, played by Beverly D’Angelo. Ed Helms enjoyed the opportunity to step into this legacy. The film became an instant classic, spawning four sequels including the beloved National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and cementing Chase and D’Angelo as the reigning king and queen of dysfunctional family comedy. Decades later, Ed Helms, stepping into this legacy, found much about it to be enjoyable when the franchise returned to the big screen.
Ed Helms Reflects on the Vacation Movie Franchise
The Vacation franchise began in 1983 with National Lampoon’s Vacation, written by John Hughes and directed by Harold Ramis. The film quickly became one of Hollywood’s most beloved comedies, chronicling the chaotic road trips of the Griswold family, led by Clark and Ellen. Its success sparked a string of sequels, including National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985), Christmas Vacation (1989), Vegas Vacation (1997), and the 2015 reboot, Vacation.
Ed Helms, who starred in the reboot, embraced the opportunity to carry on this iconic comedy legacy, bringing a fresh generation of Griswolds to the screen. Each installment captures a unique slice of Americana, combining slapstick humor with genuine family moments. Over the years, the franchise has built a loyal fan base, proving that no matter the destination, family road trips rarely go according to plan.
Ed Helms Enjoyed Leading a New Generation of Griswolds
After a long hiatus, the Griswold family returned to the big screen in 2015 when the franchise was rebooted with a new generation of Griswolds in a film simply titled Vacation (2015). Ed Helms enjoyed stepping into the Griswold legacy, playing Rusty Griswold, Clark’s grown-up son, now taking the wheel and determined to recreate his childhood road trip with his own family. Christina Applegate joined the cast as his wife Debbie, and fans got a nostalgic surprise when Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo reprised their iconic roles in a memorable cameo, a passing of the torch filled with humor, warmth, and pure Griswold chaos. The film performed moderately well at the box office, earning over $100 million worldwide.
At the time of the film’s release, Helms spoke about what it meant to step into such an iconic comedy legacy and to work alongside the original Griswold stars. Ed Helms reflected on how meaningful and enjoyable it was to be part of a franchise that has entertained audiences for generations.
Why the Griswolds Still Matter
Helms’ affection for the original cast mirrors the feelings of longtime fans. The Griswolds aren’t just movie characters, they’re cultural icons. The 2015 reboot brought fresh comedic energy and a new ensemble, but the emotional high point remains the return of Chase and D’Angelo, bridging generations and reminding audiences why the franchise still resonates more than 40 years later. Fans also know that Ed Helms enjoyed contributing to this cherished series.
Where to Watch
The 2015 Vacation reboot is now streaming on Netflix and is also available on DVD, Blu-ray, and digital platforms. For fans old and new, it’s proof that family chaos, when done right, never goes out of style. Viewers will also see how much Ed Helms enjoyed his role.
Watch the Trailer
Check out the official trailer for Vacation (2015) below.
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