Beverly D'Angelo

Born on November 15, 1951, in Columbus, Ohio, to musical parents, Beverly D'Angelo worked as an illustrator at Hanna-Barbera Studios and sang in rock bands before making her Broadway debut in 1976 in 'Rockabye Hamlet'. She broke into major feature films with prominent roles in Woody Allen's 'Annie Hall' (1977) and Miloš Forman's film adaptation of 'Hair' (1979 as Sheila Franklin). In 1980, D'Angelo earned widespread critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of country music legend Patsy Cline in 'Coal Miner's Daughter', performing all of Cline's vocals live on set with extraordinary authenticity. In 1983, D'Angelo was cast opposite Chevy Chase in 'National Lampoon's Vacation', directed by Harold Ramis and written by John Hughes. Playing the affectionate, patient, and resilient matriarch Ellen Griswold, D'Angelo became a comedy icon, reprising the role in 'European Vacation' (1985), the beloved holiday classic 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation' (1989), 'Vegas Vacation' (1997), and 'Vacation' (2015). Beyond comedy, D'Angelo delivered powerful dramatic performances, including an Emmy-nominated turn in the 1984 television adaptation of 'A Streetcar Named Desire' as Stella Kowalski, and as Doris Vinyard in the acclaimed 1998 drama 'American History X'. With over eighty film and television credits, Beverly D'Angelo remains one of Hollywood's most enduring and versatile actresses.