Why Chevy Chase's documentary is a 'tough watch' for the complicated actor
- - Why Chevy Chase's documentary is a 'tough watch' for the complicated actor
Erin Jensen, USA TODAYDecember 31, 2025 at 4:01 AM
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Filmmaker Marina Zenovich's reputation preceded her when recruited to direct CNNās documentary about Chevy Chase's life.
"I've made films about complicated men," Zenovich says in an interview with USA TODAY. Her documentaries run a gamut of subjects, including comedians like Richard Pryor and Robin Williams, acclaimed director-turned fugitive Roman Polanski, and cancer survivor and blood-doping denier Lance Armstrong.
"I think in ('Lance') you could see that I was willing to kind of go toe-to-toe with someone."
In "I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not" (premiering New Year's Day, 8 ET/PT), Zenovich enters the metaphorical ring with the 82-year-old controversial comedian who coined the titular phrase on the debut season of "Saturday Night Live." Chase's wit proved winning at the box office with successes including "Caddyshack," National Lampoon's "Vacation" films and "Fletch."
But off-screen, Chase developed a reputation.
Terry Sweeney, the first openly gay cast member on "SNL," recalls Chase being "a monster" when he returned to host in 1985. He "insulted everybody," Sweeney says in the book "Live From New York" and suggested a sketch in which Sweeney contracted AIDS and is weighed weekly.
"So then he ended up having to apologize and actually coming to my office," Sweeney says. "He was really furious that he had to apologize to me."
And the behavior continued. "Home Alone" director Chris Columbus attributed his exit from the 1989 classic "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" to Chase's behavior. Dan Harmon, creator of NBC's six-season comedy "Community" (2009-2015), in which Chase was killed off in the fifth installment, told The New Yorker in 2018 that Chase was envious of his costar Donald Glover, "and the way he expressed his jealousy was to try to throw Donald off. I remember apologizing to Donald after a particularly rough night of Chevy's non-P.C. verbiageā¦"
Zenovich gets a taste of Chase's snarl mere minutes into her film when she says she's trying to figure the actor out. "It's not going to be easy for you," he warns her. "Youāre not bright enough. Howās that?" he says with a smile.
The comedian, 82, was part of the original cast of "Saturday Night Live" in 1975 and after leaving the show starred in a string of hit comedies throughout the 1980s, including "Caddyshack" and "National Lampoon's Vacation."With the documentary "Iām Chevy Chase and Youāre Not" set to premiere on CNN, scroll through for a look back at Chase's career, starting with Chase with his "Saturday Night Live" costars in 1975.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Chevy Chase is looking back on a lifetime of laughs in a new documentary about his distinguished comedy career.The comedian, 82, was part of the original cast of "Saturday Night Live" in 1975 and after leaving the show starred in a string of hit comedies throughout the 1980s, including "Caddyshack" and "National Lampoon's Vacation."With the documentary "Iām Chevy Chase and Youāre Not" set to premiere on CNN, scroll through for a look back at Chase's career, starting with Chase with his "Saturday Night Live" costars in 1975.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ZPdIYJ1Yn_2MX9sNZveCdg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NDY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ef9b3e85e9e2f9a4c80f3691ace43012 class=caas-img data-headline="From 'Caddyshack' to 'National Lampoon,' see Chevy Chase's memorable roles" data-caption="
Chevy Chase is looking back on a lifetime of laughs in a new documentary about his distinguished comedy career.The comedian, 82, was part of the original cast of "Saturday Night Live" in 1975 and after leaving the show starred in a string of hit comedies throughout the 1980s, including "Caddyshack" and "National Lampoon's Vacation."With the documentary "Iām Chevy Chase and Youāre Not" set to premiere on CNN, scroll through for a look back at Chase's career, starting with Chase with his "Saturday Night Live" costars in 1975.
">Chevy Chase is looking back on a lifetime of laughs in a new documentary about his distinguished comedy career.The comedian, 82, was part of the original cast of "Saturday Night Live" in 1975 and after leaving the show starred in a string of hit comedies throughout the 1980s, including "Caddyshack" and "National Lampoon's Vacation."With the documentary "Iām Chevy Chase and Youāre Not" set to premiere on CNN, scroll through for a look back at Chase's career, starting with Chase with his "Saturday Night Live" costars in 1975.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ZPdIYJ1Yn_2MX9sNZveCdg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NDY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ef9b3e85e9e2f9a4c80f3691ace43012 class=caas-img>Chevy Chase was known for his recurring "Weekend Update" anchor role on "Saturday Night Live."
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/jE0RBgNnRvUlb0KpXHSD4Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NjQ-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b93d261c3682bbd7ca21004795c821db class=caas-img data-headline="From 'Caddyshack' to 'National Lampoon,' see Chevy Chase's memorable roles" data-caption="
Chevy Chase was known for his recurring "Weekend Update" anchor role on "Saturday Night Live."
">Chevy Chase was known for his recurring "Weekend Update" anchor role on "Saturday Night Live."
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/jE0RBgNnRvUlb0KpXHSD4Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NjQ-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b93d261c3682bbd7ca21004795c821db class=caas-img>One of Chevy Chase's iconic roles was as Clark Griswold in the 1985 film "National Lampoon's Vacation" alongside Beverly D'Angelo as his wife Ellen, Anthony Michael Hall as his son Rusty and Dana Barron as his daughter Audrey.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ZZutc.42n6hI_vHNv05YlA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MjI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4c28dcdc721730878f75f26fff8b9adc class=caas-img data-headline="From 'Caddyshack' to 'National Lampoon,' see Chevy Chase's memorable roles" data-caption="
One of Chevy Chase's iconic roles was as Clark Griswold in the 1985 film "National Lampoon's Vacation" alongside Beverly D'Angelo as his wife Ellen, Anthony Michael Hall as his son Rusty and Dana Barron as his daughter Audrey.
">One of Chevy Chase's iconic roles was as Clark Griswold in the 1985 film "National Lampoon's Vacation" alongside Beverly D'Angelo as his wife Ellen, Anthony Michael Hall as his son Rusty and Dana Barron as his daughter Audrey.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ZZutc.42n6hI_vHNv05YlA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MjI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4c28dcdc721730878f75f26fff8b9adc class=caas-img>Chevy Chase in the 1989 film "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation."
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/xhoHraAD_6vOIib3mrchQw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mzk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d1f2f8a0990f2fad91bc37b77a79c77d class=caas-img data-headline="From 'Caddyshack' to 'National Lampoon,' see Chevy Chase's memorable roles" data-caption="
Chevy Chase in the 1989 film "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation."
">Chevy Chase in the 1989 film "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation."
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/xhoHraAD_6vOIib3mrchQw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mzk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d1f2f8a0990f2fad91bc37b77a79c77d class=caas-img>Chevy Chase starred in the 1997 film "Vegas Vacation."
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/RM_d3WZCsjHSBDIg5jtwfg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/289edd828795829698f38c7c14920cdb class=caas-img data-headline="From 'Caddyshack' to 'National Lampoon,' see Chevy Chase's memorable roles" data-caption="
Chevy Chase starred in the 1997 film "Vegas Vacation."
">Chevy Chase starred in the 1997 film "Vegas Vacation."
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/RM_d3WZCsjHSBDIg5jtwfg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/289edd828795829698f38c7c14920cdb class=caas-img>Chevy Chase appeared in the 2000 film "Snow Day."
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BMjZyOBj51tC4kNnY3d1jQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4491891bb3f5daa4e8e644ec71bf05c4 class=caas-img data-headline="From 'Caddyshack' to 'National Lampoon,' see Chevy Chase's memorable roles" data-caption="
Chevy Chase appeared in the 2000 film "Snow Day."
">Chevy Chase appeared in the 2000 film "Snow Day."
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BMjZyOBj51tC4kNnY3d1jQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4491891bb3f5daa4e8e644ec71bf05c4 class=caas-img>Chevy Chase, seen here with Gillian Jacobs, starred on the NBC sitcom "Community."
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/3PwgLr9mruFCgM2rHgZxfA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MjY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/47e5e6c145530b53ab95cc8ddf0b9816 class=caas-img data-headline="From 'Caddyshack' to 'National Lampoon,' see Chevy Chase's memorable roles" data-caption="
Chevy Chase, seen here with Gillian Jacobs, starred on the NBC sitcom "Community."
">Chevy Chase, seen here with Gillian Jacobs, starred on the NBC sitcom "Community."
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/3PwgLr9mruFCgM2rHgZxfA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MjY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/47e5e6c145530b53ab95cc8ddf0b9816 class=caas-img>Chevy Chase appeared in the 2010 comedy film "Hot Tub Time Machine."
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/3PVSgJWBqUjomwTVmniLeg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4edd3d4c725308c802cc24f6085b81af class=caas-img data-headline="From 'Caddyshack' to 'National Lampoon,' see Chevy Chase's memorable roles" data-caption="
Chevy Chase appeared in the 2010 comedy film "Hot Tub Time Machine."
">Chevy Chase appeared in the 2010 comedy film "Hot Tub Time Machine."
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/3PVSgJWBqUjomwTVmniLeg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4edd3d4c725308c802cc24f6085b81af class=caas-img>Chevy Chase returned as Clark Griswold in the 2015 film "Vacation" with Beverly D'angelo. Ed Helms starred as Rusty Griswold with Christina Applegate as Rusty's wife Debbie Griswold, along with Skyler Gisondo and Steele Stebbins as their kids.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/HMUN.LxFecXn2ZYww_JJ3w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MzA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/935ffe3241c4a3d9a204d3137342a848 class=caas-img data-headline="From 'Caddyshack' to 'National Lampoon,' see Chevy Chase's memorable roles" data-caption="
Chevy Chase returned as Clark Griswold in the 2015 film "Vacation" with Beverly D'angelo. Ed Helms starred as Rusty Griswold with Christina Applegate as Rusty's wife Debbie Griswold, along with Skyler Gisondo and Steele Stebbins as their kids.
">Chevy Chase returned as Clark Griswold in the 2015 film "Vacation" with Beverly D'angelo. Ed Helms starred as Rusty Griswold with Christina Applegate as Rusty's wife Debbie Griswold, along with Skyler Gisondo and Steele Stebbins as their kids.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/HMUN.LxFecXn2ZYww_JJ3w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MzA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/935ffe3241c4a3d9a204d3137342a848 class=caas-img>Chevy Chase poses for a portrait during the People's Choice Awards 2010 held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Jan. 6, 2010, in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ybaMzLbc40mHKwlnSzr_Dw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODY4/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5a6172055f03d1fc3d9712e748ee30cc class=caas-img data-headline="From 'Caddyshack' to 'National Lampoon,' see Chevy Chase's memorable roles" data-caption="
Chevy Chase poses for a portrait during the People's Choice Awards 2010 held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Jan. 6, 2010, in Los Angeles.
">Chevy Chase poses for a portrait during the People's Choice Awards 2010 held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Jan. 6, 2010, in Los Angeles.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ybaMzLbc40mHKwlnSzr_Dw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODY4/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5a6172055f03d1fc3d9712e748ee30cc class=caas-img>
1 / 10From 'Caddyshack' to 'National Lampoon,' see Chevy Chase's memorable roles
Chevy Chase is looking back on a lifetime of laughs in a new documentary about his distinguished comedy career.The comedian, 82, was part of the original cast of "Saturday Night Live" in 1975 and after leaving the show starred in a string of hit comedies throughout the 1980s, including "Caddyshack" and "National Lampoon's Vacation."With the documentary "Iām Chevy Chase and Youāre Not" set to premiere on CNN, scroll through for a look back at Chase's career, starting with Chase with his "Saturday Night Live" costars in 1975.
Zenovich is stunned at his bluntness. "Well, you asked," Chase says. "I know youāre not going to put that on the air, and I hope not. But my answer is I'm complex, and I'm deep, and I can be hurt easily, and I react spontaneously to people who want to figure me out, as it were. As somebody who will hold up my guard, Iām not going to let anybody figure me out, per se."
"The minute he asked me that, I was like, 'Oh my God, I have an in,'" Zenovich says. "You know, 'People think you're an a--hole.' And he was like, 'What?'ā¦ He was not aware."
Zenovich reveals to USA TODAY what it was like interviewing Chase, his thoughts on the film, and whether the director felt she got to the heart of the man.
Chevy Chase is the subject of a CNN documentary premiering New Year's Day.
Question: What was challenging about making this documentary?
Answer: I felt like Chevy was willing to go there. But because he protects himself, because of his years of trauma, he'll only go so far. He'll go there. There are some people who won't go there at all, but he wants to go there. He wants to try to understand himself, but we all have limits for self-preservation.
In the press notes, you say, "I had to have a thick skin interviewing (Chase), and it certainly wasn't easy at times. He can be kind and gracious, but he's also a self-confessed 'angry child' in an 80-something year old body." What was your experience interviewing him?
He called me a b---- at a certain point, [but] everything with him is a joke. I have to have a thick skin, but when it's over, I'm like eating a burger and fries because it's not easy! It's not freakin' easy! You're just completely depletedā¦ You're on, so it's exhausting! You have to turn them on.
So that's why he's opening up, but he's deflecting and trying to shut down because he's protecting himself, but he wants to open up! So it's this dance, and that's the beauty of making these films. It's just trying to get at the humanity and trying to understand people. But it is hard.
Actor Chevy Chase and filmmaker Marina Zenovich attend the premiere of CNN's "I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not" on Dec. 4, 2025 in New York City.
Do you think you were able to figure Chevy out even while he was so guarded?
I feel like I was because we get into his backstory, and the key to Chevy is what happened to him as a kid. (As a child, Chase was abused by his mother and stepfather.) I've ended up using the word trauma so much, and the word trauma is so overused that it's almost lost its potency. But I think he was quite traumatized as a kid, and he did the best he could with what he had.
I love that line by his friend Peter Aaron, who says, "Chevy, you're not using your God-given talents." It gives you chills. Heās very cocky and confident, but I don't think he really believed it himself. So he was this interesting package of a gorgeous, talented young man who was kind of broken inside.
Chevy Chase appeared in the inaugural cast of "Saturday Night Live" in 1975.
When you ask Chevy about interacting with Terry Sweeney, he's very insistent that things did not happen as Sweeney described. But his daughter, Caley, says his memory is affected by his health issues. Do you feel like that influences his denial at all?
It does influence his denial. I think it explains it. I think it's twofold. He has a hard time apologizing ā although everyone around him would say he's the first person to apologize. So it's a bit of a mixed message. But I think what happened with his memory loss plays a huge part. The circuitry kind of stopped and restarted again, and maybe some things got lost. Especially those things you don't want to remember.
What does Chevy think of the film?
At the premiere, he was very vulnerable and talking about being insecure and having anxiety (after the film played), and it was fascinating because it really opened up people to be more honest about their own insecurities and how they feel. I think the film really humanizes him, and that's what I'm proud of.
It's a tough watch for him. I mean, his wife talks about waking him up still, and he remembers his mother hitting him. We didn't sugarcoat anything.
At the end of your film, Chevy offers you an apology ājust for being who I am.ā Do you feel like you were owed an apology? Did it catch you off guard when he said that?
It did. It was a little vulnerable moment where he, instead of doing a bit, he kind of opened his heart, and I appreciated it.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and length.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chevy Chase documentary is 'a tough watch' for complicated actor
Source: āAOL Entertainmentā
