#3: Beverly D’Angelo as Ellen Griswold
Ellen Griswold is the patient, good-humored anchor of the Griswold family. She balances Clark’s over-the-top enthusiasm with calm support and sharp wit. Her reactions to the chaos around her help ground the comedy, and her warmth makes the family feel real even when everything spirals into classic holiday absurdity.

Back when the film was made, Beverly D’Angelo was already respected for her versatility, with roles ranging from dramatic films to comedies. She’d gained major attention playing Patsy Cline in Coal Miner’s Daughter. By the late ’80s, she was a dependable and charismatic presence in Hollywood, known for bringing sincerity to comedic roles.
