“National Lampoon’s Vacation” star Beverly D’Angelo has one unexpected regret from her early career: not appearing nude more often.
While promoting her psychological thriller “Sleepwalker” to Fox News Digital earlier this month, the 74-year-old actress shared a piece of advice she would give her younger self.
D’Angelo, known for her role as Ellen Griswold, explained that she actually suggested going topless in the first “National Lampoon Vacation” film after co-star Christie Brinkley refused.
“I sure love the story, and it sounds like exactly where I’d step in and say, ‘Leave this girl alone,’” D’Angelo said, talking about Brinkley’s role as “The Girl in the Ferrari,” in the 1983 flick.
Brinkley, although a minor character, flirts with Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) during the family’s disastrous road trip. She is known for the scene where she emerges from a hotel pool and tosses her bra at Clark.
Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo and their kids wave goodbye in a scene from the film ‘Vacation’, 1983. (Photo by Warner Brothers/Getty Images)Getty Images
“Her being topless really wasn’t that pivotal to what was going on in the scene. But, I thought it really made a difference to see the little devoted wife say to her husband, ‘OK, you want to have fun? I’ll show you fun,’ and then just strip off. I thought that was great. I thought it was really perfect,” D’Angelo explained.
“So, I didn’t have any qualms about it. And the pool was heated. In fact, I have to say, people ask me, ‘What would you say to your younger self?’ I would’ve said, ‘Do more nudity,’” she continued.
Beyond the “Vacation” franchise, D’Angelo’s movie career includes more serious roles in films like “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “Annie Hall” and “American History X.” She has also appeared in comedies like “The House Bunny,” “Violent Night” and “Every Which Way but Loose.”
Off-screen, she shares twins Anton and Olivia with her former partner, Al Pacino. Though she continues to act, she told People in November that her family always came first, acknowledging that she may have been more successful if she hadn’t started a family. “If I would have been more focused, maybe I would have had a bigger career, but I was focused on my kids, to tell you the truth,” she said.
“Sleepwalker,” which D’Angelo stars alongside Hayden Panettiere, came out on Jan. 9. It is currently available to watch on Apple TV, though don’t expect a nude scene.