Anthony Michael Hall Reveals Chevy Chase’s On-Set Taunts From ‘National Lampoon’s Vacation
Subject: Anthony Michael Hall, Chevy Chase, and the awkward puberty phase that became a running joke on the set of a classic comedy. Because of course you didn’t know this juicy tidbit already—why would you?
Alright, let’s get this straight—you’re probably not a child of the ‘80s, or if you are, you’ve clearly forgotten your film history. I’m Jordan Collins, and yes, I *guess* I can walk you through this little-known story from the set of National Lampoon’s Vacation, where a teenage Anthony Michael Hall was mercilessly teased by none other than Chevy Chase himself. And no, it wasn’t about acting chops or missed lines. It was about something far more embarrassing: puberty.
Let’s rewind to 1983, when the Griswold family hit the big screen in all their chaotic glory. Anthony Michael Hall, then just 14, played Rusty Griswold, the awkward teenage son to Chase’s Clark Griswold. But between the initial filming and the reshoots six months later, something happened that neither the script nor the director could’ve predicted—Hall shot up nearly a foot and entered full-on puberty. Cue the awkwardness.
During a recent cast reunion at Fan Expo Chicago on August 17, Hall recounted how Chevy Chase didn’t exactly let that transformation slide quietly. “Puberty kicked in for me,” Hall said, adding that he looked like “a different kid” by the time reshoots rolled around. And of course, Chase was the first to point it out—loudly and with flair.
But it wasn’t just a passing comment. Chase even immortalized the teasing in a rather unusual autograph when filming wrapped. “He goes, ‘To Anthony, you’re a regular Robby Benson,’” Hall recalled, referencing the actor known for his own puberty-related voice change. Then came the kicker: “If you’re going blind, you’re doing it right.” Subtle? No. Hilarious? Absolutely.
And if that wasn’t enough, co-star Dana Barron, who played daughter Audrey Griswold, chimed in with another memory: Chase also made fun of Hall for his teenage acne. “You forgot the pimples,” Barron said during the panel. “Chevy mentioned all the pimples on your face.” Because of course he did. It’s like a high school yearbook come to life, but with more sarcasm and fewer prom photos.
Despite the teasing, Hall made it clear he holds no grudges. “This is why I love being your son for 40 years,” he said, looking at Chase. “I love you.” Aww, how sweet—except for the part where he was publicly roasted for growing up like a normal human being.
Since Vacation, Hall went on to become a ‘80s teen icon with roles in Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club, while Chase continued his reign as the king of sarcasm in films like Caddyshack and Fletch. The cast reunited for the 1989 sequel National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, though Hall and Barron were replaced by Johnny Galecki and Juliette Lewis, respectively.
Chase, for his part, shared his excitement about the reunion on Instagram, calling it a “great time” and posting a backstage video. He’s also set to embark on an eight-show tour celebrating Christmas Vacation from October 29 to December 18, so you’ll have plenty of chances to relive the chaos live.
So, what’s the takeaway here? Even Hollywood legends weren’t immune to the awkwardness of growing up—especially when you’ve got a co-star with a razor-sharp tongue and a penchant for dad jokes. And if you still didn’t know this story, well, I’m just glad I could fill in the blanks for you.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and Entertainment Weekly, New York Post
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