Clark Griswold

Clark Wilhelm "Sparky" Griswold, Jr. (born August 8, 1945) is the main protagonist of the National Lampoon's Vacation film series. He is portrayed by Chevy Chase

Character

Husband to Ellen Priscilla Ruth Smith Griswold, and father to Audrey Griswold and Rusty Griswold, Clark is an intensely proud, loyal, and lovable middle class family man who often attempts to bring his family together during vacations which always causes numerous comedic dilemmas and incidents. Clark is extremely clumsy and accident prone, and seems to be susceptible to attractive women, despite being devoted to his wife, Ellen. He loves his family and would do anything he could do to make them happy, although, at times, they seem to be indifferent. Clark's good-natured attempts to provide a good time for his family almost always backfire and end up causing disastrous results. Clark seems to remain confident and extremely optimistic, despite all his misfortune, although, when it becomes apparent that things are not going right or when he is pushed beyond the breaking point of his patience, he tends to snap and go on insane tirades, frightening and disturbing those around him; his wife Ellen says of him in Vacation "when you get tired, you get weird." The hapless, bumbling ways in which he executes his plans are inevitably concluded by a moment of good fortune that saves the family from certain disaster.

Clark works for a chemical company that produces food colorings, additives, and preservatives. He is intensely proud of his German heritage. His cousin Ryan Geist works a pub in Germany

The character has appeared in the following:

1. National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)
2. National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985)
3. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
4. Vegas Vacation (1997)
5. Hotel Hell Vacation (2010)

Family tree

• Clark Wilhelm Griswold Jr., born on 8 October 1945, son of Clark Wilhelm Sr. and Nora Griswold, married Ellen Priscilla Ruth Smith, daughter of Arthur 'Art' and Frances Smith. They live in Chicago.
  • Audrey Griswold
  • Russell "Rusty" or "Russ" Griswold

• Edward 'Eddie' Johnson (has an uncle Nick and an aunt Jessica) and Catherine Johnson (Catherine is a cousin of Ellen), used to live in Coolidge, Kansas.
  • Vicky Johnson
  • Denny Johnson
  • Eddie Johnson Jr.
  • Junior Johnson
  • Daisy Mable Johnson
  • Ruby Sue Johnson
  • Dale Johnson
  • Rocky Johnson
  • Clark 'the Third' Johnson

• Lewis and Bethany (aunt and uncle of Clark)

• Edna (aunt of Ellen and Catherine), died in the summer of 1983
  • Normy (lives in Phoenix, Arizona).

• Al (cousin of Clark)
• Adam Olis(2nd cousin of Clark)

• Fritz and Helga (relatives of Clark living in Germany)

• Grace (died in 1959, mentioned in Christmas Vacation)