Anthony Michael Hall recalls a pivotal moment from National Lampoon’s Vacation that changed how the ending was shot, all during a recent cast reunion at Fan Expo Chicago. Hall was just 14 years old and had only a handful of professional acting credits when he played Rusty Griswold in the 1983 comedy about a family road trip that spirals into chaos.
Test audiences wanted a different ending, and Hall explains that reshooting the finale was a challenge because puberty had already kicked in. “Puberty kicked in for me. I was a foot taller and like a different kid,” he said. The memory is still vivid, with Hall noting Chevy Chase – who played his dad, Clark Griswold – didn’t miss the opportunity to tease him. Hall shared that Chase signed an autograph for him early on that read, “To Anthony, you’re a regular Robby Benson,” a playful jab referencing the actor who would voice Beauty and the Beast in 1991, followed by the quip, “No mas, no mas.” The jokes continued, including the line, “If you’re going blind, you’re doing it right.”
The reunion shed light on the film’s enduring cast dynamics. Beverly D’Angelo portrayed Ellen Griswold, while the movie, written by John Hughes and directed by Harold Ramis, became a touchstone of 1980s comedy and led to several sequels in which Rusty and Audrey—originally played by Dana Barron—were recast. Barron recalled the family’s iconic station wagon as almost a character in its own right, expressing that it “should have been first billed.” She also reminisced about the moment Hall’s on-screen sibling was seen eating food that stuck in his braces, while adding with a wink that Chase had once highlighted all of Hall’s pimples to the cast.
The conversation also revisited Hall’s later roles in the same Hughes universe. He rose to popularity as the scene-stealing “Geek” in Sixteen Candles (1984) and as the brainy Brian Johnson in The Breakfast Club (1985). Both films helped cement Hall’s status as a standout figure in a generation-defining era of teen movies, though today some elements are viewed through a more critical lens.
What the reunion underscored is the lasting bond among a group that defined an era of comedy. Hall’s reflections reveal not only the pressures of growing up in the glare of a big-screen career but also the warmth of longtime camaraderie with Chase and the rest of the cast. The nostalgia surrounding Vacation speaks to its enduring appeal and the way its ensemble helped launch a wave of beloved 80s classics.
Takeaway: The story behind a beloved ending and a young actor’s growth offers a window into how studios, audiences, and a tight-knit cast navigated the inevitable changes that come with growing up on screen. The Vacation legacy continues to resonate with fans who remember the misadventures of the Griswold family and the playful, resilient humor that defined a decade.
Summary: Anthony Michael Hall discusses reshooting the ending of National Lampoon’s Vacation after puberty altered his appearance, recounts Chevy Chase’s teasing, and reflects on the film’s enduring cast dynamics and Hughes-Ramis era. The reunion highlights the movie’s lasting influence on 80s cinema and Hall’s subsequent iconic roles in Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club, while acknowledging the evolving perspectives on some elements of the era’s comedies. Positive and nostalgic, the piece celebrates enduring friendships and the film’s place in pop culture history.