Clark Wilhelm Griswold, Jr. (born August 8, 1945) is a fictional character portrayed by Chevy Chase in the National Lampoon's Vacation movie series.
Husband to Ellen Priscilla Ruth Smith Griswold and father to Audrey Griswold and Rusty Griswold, Clark is a character designed to be evocative of 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 certain that things are not going right, he tends to snap and go on insane tirades, frightening and disturbing those around him. 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.
He has appeared in the following:
