Chevy Chase recently made a guest appearance on the talk show hosted by David Letterman, and boy, did he have some stories to tell! As we all know, Chase started his career on “Saturday Night Live” and went on to star in many beloved blockbuster motion pictures. The interview started off with some playful banter between Letterman and Chase, with the latter joking about how his glasses make him look heavy.
In true Letterman style, the host asked Chase about his friendship with the late Gerald Ford, the former President of the United States. Chase recalled a lunch he had with Ford and his wife, Betty, where they were all seated in a way that made it difficult for Chase and his wife, Janie, to see anything except the couple’s behinds. Chase couldn’t help but make a witty remark, suggesting they fix the tape machine, teasing the former president about getting electrocuted. Despite his playful jabs, Chase affectionately described Ford as a sweet man, although he did admit he wasn’t a fan of him being president at the time.
The conversation then shifted to Chase’s time on “Saturday Night Live” and how he portrayed Gerald Ford on the show. Chase famously depicted Ford as a clumsy character, always falling down and tripping. Initially, Ford wasn’t too thrilled about the portrayal, but eventually, he went along with it. In fact, Ford even sent his press secretary, Ron Nessen, to be a guest on the show, trying to show his sense of humor and willingness to join in on the fun.
Chase shared a hilarious story about a sketch he did with Nessen, in which he made Ford look even sillier. The sketch turned out to be a hit and even won an Emmy award. Chase playfully lamented the fact that he has only received three Emmys while Letterman has won a whopping 27.
Reflecting on his “Saturday Night Live” experience, Chase explained that he left the show after just one season due to a personal reason. At the time, he was infatuated with a woman who lived in Los Angeles, and she refused to move to New York. Chase revealed that he made the tough decision to leave the show to pursue his love interest, eventually marrying the woman. However, their marriage only lasted nine months, with Chase sharing some not-so-pleasant details about their tumultuous relationship.
Throughout the interview, Chase showcased his trademark humor, leaving the audience in stitches. His charismatic presence and fascinating anecdotes made for an entertaining night on Letterman’s talk show. If you want to dive deeper into Chase’s life, including some juicy details about his relationships and career, be sure to check out his authorized biography, which is now available in bookstores.
With his quick wit and gift for storytelling, Chevy Chase proved once again why he’s an entertainment legend. We can’t wait to see what he does next!
