Signed as recording artist with MGM Records

Wrote for MAD magazine

While still at school, teamed with Kenny Shapiro and Lane Sarasohn to write underground TV show which became off-off Broadway show and later movie, "The Groove Tube" (1974)

TV acting debut in "The Great American Dream Machine"

Was a writer and actor with the National Lampoon "Lemmings" Theatre Company

Screen acting debut in "The Groove Tube"

Wrote for "The Smothers Brothers Show"

Was a regular on NBC latenight variety show, "Saturday Night Live"; also was a contibuting writer

First film in a leading role, "Foul Play", co-starring opposite Goldie Hawn

Again played opposite Hawn in the Neil Simon-scripted "Seems Like Old Times"

Starred in the comedy "Caddyshack" opposite Rodney Dangerfield, Bill Murray and Michael O'Keefe

Played a man who is exposed to toxic waste and develops telekinesis in the comedy "Modern Problems"

First played Clark Griswold in "National Lampoon's Vacation"; went on to appear in several sequels

Had title role in "Fletch" as a Los Angeles journalist

Revised role as Clark Griswold in "European Vacation"

Co-starred with Dan Aykroyd in "Spies Like Us" as government employees who think they are U.S. spies, only to discover that they are actually decoys

Film producing debut, "The Funny Farm"

Hosted the telecast of "The 60th Annual Academy Awards"

Revised role as Ty Webb in "Caddyshack II"

Returned to play Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher in "Fletch Lives"

Starred opposite Dan Aykroyd, John Candy and Demi Moore in "Nothing But Trouble" written and directed by Dan Aykroyd

Debuted on the Fox-TV network with his own latenight chat show, "The Chevy Chase Show", on September 7; Final airing of "The Chevy Chase Show", October 15

Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Co-starred in "The Man of the House"

Reprised Clark Griswold for "Vegas Vacation"

Portrayed a weatherman in the surprise hit "Snow Day"

Hosted several "The Great American History Quiz" specials on The History Channel

Cast as Principal Harbert in the teen comedy "Orange County"

Played the head scientist in "Zoom," based on Jason Lethcoe's graphic novel "Zoom's Academy for the Super Gifted"

Guest-starred as a murder suspect on "Law & Order" (NBC), which was inspired by actor/director Mel Gibson's notorious arrest for drunk driving in 2006