Beverly D’Angelo may be best known for playing Ellen Griswold in the National Lampoon’s Vacation series, but acting was never her original plan. The 72-year-old actress recently revealed she initially pursued a career in music before unexpectedly breaking into Hollywood.
“I kind of sang my way into the movies,” D’Angelo admitted.
Despite her early passion for singing, she has built an impressive film career spanning over 60 movies, including Hairand Coal Miner’s Daughter, where she portrayed country music legend Patsy Cline.
From Aspiring Singer to Accidental Actress
Born in Ohio, D’Angelo had big dreams of making it in the entertainment industry. At just 17, she moved to Los Angeles, landing a job at Hanna-Barbera Cartoon Studios. She later relocated to Canada, where she trained as a studio vocalist and performed as a background singer for Ronnie Hawkins.
Her career took an unexpected turn when she landed a Broadway role in Rockabye Hamlet. Although the show was short-lived, it opened doors—just not the ones she originally envisioned.
“When that Broadway show closed, the opportunities that came weren’t from record companies as much as film opportunities,” she explained.
In 1977, she made her film debut in Woody Allen’s Annie Hall, though she admitted she had no idea how influential Allen was at the time.
“I didn’t have a TV, I didn’t go to movies, so I wasn’t intimidated,” she said. “I didn’t know he was held in such high regard.”
Her musical talents eventually merged with acting when she portrayed Patsy Cline in Coal Miner’s Daughter. She felt confident about playing Cline but found the mechanics of filmmaking overwhelming.
“I’m a musician at heart,” D’Angelo shared. “With music, I can sit at my piano right now and sing if I want to, and it speaks to me.”
Returning to Her First Love—Music
Despite her initial focus on music, D’Angelo’s role as Ellen Griswold in National Lampoon’s Vacation became a defining moment in her career. She credits the role with changing her life and is grateful for how audiences embraced her character.
“The life-changing aspect is how much the public connected with Ellen Griswold with so much love,” she said. “I’m so grateful that these films have brought smiles to so many people.”
Now, D’Angelo is revisiting her musical roots with a new documentary. She plans to travel cross-country, warming up her voice and performing in small roadside venues, rediscovering the passion she once had for singing.
“I’m making a documentary about getting back to singing where I first began—with my singing Patsy’s songs,” she revealed.
Her journey will take her into the heart of America, where she hopes to connect with everyday people through music.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Jaja’s career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including Business Times and Brigada. As a news editor, she covered a wide range of beats, including business, economy, cryptocurrency, and personal finance. Additionally, she has successfully managed teams of writers producing content on gaming, technology, and entertainment.
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