Behind the Scenes: Portraying Chevy Chase in the SNL Biopic

The eagerly awaited film chronicling the behind-the-scenes journey leading to the first broadcast of the iconic television show, “Saturday Night Live” (SNL), is drawing significant attention from critics. Praised for its ensemble cast, much of the acclaim has been directed towards Cory Michael Smith for his depiction of Chevy Chase, SNL’s first major breakout star. Despite the realistic portrayal of its characters, the film’s director, whose name remains unmentioned, instructed actors to refrain from consulting with the real-life individuals they were depicting. Instead, the director suggested that alternative resources offered valuable insight.

One such resource that proved particularly insightful for Smith was the 1978 film “Foul Play,” in which Chevy Chase made his cinematic debut alongside Goldie Hawn. The movie, a romantic caper, not only became a box office success but also significantly bolstered Chase’s future in Hollywood. “It’s cool,” expressed Smith. “And it’s a great movie. But I did notice there’s a different quality in him in ‘Foul Play’ compared to his later films. It’s his first feature, and you can sort of feel him exploring and figuring stuff out. It’s like he’s not doing sketch comedy. He’s doing a proper Hollywood film, with a star like Goldie Hawn.”

Smith elaborated on his portrayal of Chase, emphasizing the dual personality he had to capture. “As I was studying him and who he was, one of the things that I had to really look for and pay attention to was who is the Chevy that’s performing, and who is the Chevy off-screen?” Smith explained. He sought moments of vulnerability and nervousness that would define Chase’s off-camera persona.

To achieve this, Smith engaged in “compulsive Chevy Chase viewing” over several months. Of particular usefulness were Chase’s early television interviews, notably his initial appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” During this appearance, the usually confident Chase exhibited visible nerves. “His first time on Johnny Carson,” Smith recalled, “he comes out and he’s really nervous.” The exchange with Carson became a valuable learning experience for Smith.

The interaction showcased a less assured side of Chase. Carson, at the time wary of Chase as a potential heir to the “Tonight Show” legacy, playfully challenged the young comedian. “Johnny asks him a question and he answers with, ‘I do,’ and it has nothing to do with the question,” recounted Smith. The moment, marked by nervous laughter and Chase’s flustered response, provided raw authenticity. “I was like, Oh my God,” Smith noted, “you can actually see, ‘Oh, that’s Chevy humiliated,’ and I can use that.”