Randy Quaid
Known for
A Houston native from a famous acting family, Randy Quaid earned an Oscar nomination early on for 'The Last Detail' (1973) and impressed in 'Midnight Express' (1978). But comedy made him a household face: as Cousin Eddie in 'National Lampoon's Vacation' (1983) and 'Christmas Vacation' (1989), he created one of American film's great oblivious freeloaders. He later stole scenes as the drunken crop-duster hero of 'Independence Day' (1996) and the hard-bitten rancher in 'Brokeback Mountain' (2005). His specialty: big, unpolished men who veer between buffoonery and pathos.
Randy Quaid
74 Movies
14 Series
A Houston native from a famous acting family, Randy Quaid earned an Oscar nomination early on for 'The Last Detail' (1973) and impressed in 'Midnight Express' (1978). But comedy made him a household face: as Cousin Eddie in 'National Lampoon's Vacation' (1983) and 'Christmas Vacation' (1989), he created one of American film's great oblivious freeloaders. He later stole scenes as the drunken crop-duster hero of 'Independence Day' (1996) and the hard-bitten rancher in 'Brokeback Mountain' (2005). His specialty: big, unpolished men who veer between buffoonery and pathos.
Movies
Plays Russell Casse
Independence Day
1996
Plays Cousin Eddie
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
1989
Plays Joe Aguirre
Brokeback Mountain
2005
Plays Cousin Eddie
National Lampoon's Vacation
1983
Plays Mr. Briggs
Not Another Teen Movie
2001
Plays Alameda Slim (voice)
Home on the Range
2004
Plays Tim Dalander
Days of Thunder
1990
Plays Jimmy Booth
Midnight Express
1978
Plays Sheriff Mike Collins
Hard Rain
1998
Plays Michael McDougal
The Paper
1994
Plays Sheriff Loomis
The Wraith
1986
Plays Lester Marlow
The Last Picture Show
1971
Plays Loomis
Quick Change
1990
Plays Leroy
Paper Moon
1973
Plays Cousin Eddie
Vegas Vacation
1997
Plays Ishmael Boorg
Kingpin
1996
Plays Cappy von Trapment
The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle
2000
Plays Bruno
The Adventures of Pluto Nash
2002
Plays Clell Miller
The Long Riders
1980
Plays Johnny (ucredited)
Major League II
1994
Plays Laurence M. 'Larry' Meadows
The Last Detail
1973
Plays Tittle Tod
The Missouri Breaks
1976
Plays Lieutenant Vincent Bracey
No Man's Land
1987
Plays King Carlos IV
Goya's Ghosts
2006
Plays Sam Burns
Last Dance
1996
Plays Jock Jensen
Grind
2003
Plays Peter Blunt
Caddyshack II
1988
Plays Hawk Hawkins
Breakout
1975
Plays Professor Hosquith
What's Up, Doc?
1972
Plays Coach Lew Tuttle
Balls Out: Gary the Tennis Coach
2009
Plays Bill Guerrard
The Ice Harvest
2005
Plays Frank / Cornall Crawford
Moving
1988
Plays Elijah C. Skuggs
Freaked
1993
Plays Eddie Johnson
Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure
2003
Plays Nick Laemle
Parents
1989
Plays Feet Samuels
Bloodhounds of Broadway
1989
Plays Madman McKlusky
Frank McKlusky, C.I.
2002
Plays Charlie
The Wild Life
1984
Plays General George S. Merlin
Bug Buster
1998
Plays Lester
Out Cold
1989
Plays Vic Damico
Bye Bye Love
1995
Plays Ted Mirabeau
Carolina
2003
Plays Finch Feather
Lolly-Madonna XXX
1973
Plays Jay
Foxes
1980
Plays Dean Proust
The Choirboys
1977
Plays Luther Johnson
Bound for Glory
1976
Plays Dr. Michael McCann
The Day the World Ended
2001
Plays Lester Marlow
Texasville
1990
Plays Vic Davies
Kart Racer
2003
Plays Martin
Fool for Love
1985
TV Shows
Plays Dwight Davis
Davis Rules
1991
Plays Irwin Sikorski
5ive Days to Midnight
2004
Plays John Wesley Hardin
Streets of Laredo
1995
Plays 'Colonel' Tom Parker
Elvis
2005
Plays Jack Woods
The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns
1999
Plays Clayton Ritchie
Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones
1980
Plays Elmer Scheele
Murder in the Heartland
1993
Plays Tornado Tommy Dixon
Category 7: The End of the World
2005
Plays Tornado Tommy Dixon
Category 6: Day of Destruction
2004
Plays Putzi Hanfstaengel
Inside the Third Reich
1982
Plays Randy Weaver
The Siege at Ruby Ridge
1996
Plays Michael Doyle (segment "After Life")
Night Visions
2001
Plays Feet Samuels
American Playhouse
1982
Plays Bill
Gun
1997
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
The Christmas Letter
Full Filmography
The Christmas Letter
Postman
2024
Film
All You Can Eat
Gordon
2018
Film
Star Whackers
Randy Quaid
2011
Film
Balls Out: Gary the Tennis Coach
Coach Lew Tuttle
2009
Film
Real Time
Reuben
2008
Film
Goya's Ghosts
King Carlos IV
2006
Film
Stanley's Dinosaur Round-Up
Rockin' Rory (voice)
2006
Film
Treasure Island Kids: The Battle of Treasure Island
Captain Flint
2006
Film
Elvis
'Colonel' Tom Parker · 2 episodes
2005
TV
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Randy Quaid and where are they from?
Randy Quaid is 75 years old, born on October 1, 1950 in Houston, Texas, USA.
What are the most famous roles of Randy Quaid?
Randy Quaid is best known for roles in Independence Day, Brokeback Mountain, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.
How many movies has Randy Quaid been in?
Over a 55-year career (since 1971), Randy Quaid has appeared in 74 movies and 14 TV shows.
What was Randy Quaid's first movie?
The career of Randy Quaid began with The Last Picture Show (1971).
What is Randy Quaid's most recent movie or series?
Randy Quaid's most recent release is The Christmas Letter, which premiered on November 9, 2024.
What TV shows has Randy Quaid appeared in?
On television, Randy Quaid has appeared in Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Night Gallery, The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns.
Randy Quaid
1950-10-01 · Houston, Texas, USA
Randall Rudy "Randy" Quaid (born October 1, 1950) is a European-American businessman, entrepreneur, actor, producer, writer and musician perhaps best known for his role as Cousin Eddie in the National Lampoon's Vacation movies, as well as his numerous supporting roles in films such as The Last Detail, Independence Day, Kingpin and Brokeback Mountain. He has won a Golden Globe Award, and has been nominated for an Academy Award, an Emmy Award and a BAFTA Award.