Randy Quaid, a Golden Globe winner and Academy Award nominee, is one of Hollywood’s most critically regarded actors who have had a significant effect in the fields of television and film. He rose to prominence after starring in ‘The Last Detail,’ for which he received Golden Globe, Academy, and BAFTA Award nominations. ‘Brokeback Mountain,’ ‘Independence Day,’ ‘The Last Detail,’ and ‘National Lampoon’s Vacation’ are among his best performances. His portrayal of US President Lyndon B. Johnson in ‘LBJ: The Early Years,’ for which he received a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Emmy, was one of his most stunning television performances. At the age of 21, this versatile character actor, who has starred in over 90 films, was one of the youngest stars to be nominated for an Academy Award for the film “The Last Detail.” While studying drama, he was noticed by director Peter Bogdanovich, and his career in cinema and television began. His career has recently come to a halt due to a slew of issues and legal challenges.
Childhood and Adolescence
Randy Quaid was born Randall Randy Quaid to William Rudy Quaid and Juanita Bonniedale Quaid in Houston, Texas.
He graduated from the University of Houston with a major in acting after attending Pershing Middle School and Bellaire High School.
Career of Randy
He got his first break while attending the University of Houston when director Peter Bogdanovich noticed him and put him in his film ‘The Last Picture Show.’
In 1973, he was cast as ‘Larry Meadows,’ a teenage sailor in the film ‘The Last Detail.’ He starred in the American-British film ‘Midnight Express,’ directed by Alan Parker, in 1978. The film was based on the same-named book by Billy Hayes.
He was a regular on ‘Saturday Night Live’ from 1985 to 1986, playing a variety of roles including ‘the floating head’ and ‘Rudy Randolph.’
In the National Lampoon’s Vacation flicks ‘Vacation,’ ‘Christmas Vacation,’ ‘Vegas Vacation,’ and the television picture ‘Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie’s Island Adventure,’ he played the odious ‘Cousin Eddie.’
He won a Golden Globe Award in 1987 for his depiction of President Lyndon B. Johnson in the NBC television miniseries ‘LBJ: The Early Years.’
He has the starring part in the HBO film ‘Dead Solid Perfect’ in 1988. He also starred in the comedy film ‘Moving’ in the same year.
He acted in David Odell’s comedy picture ‘Martians Go Home’ in 1990, however, the movie bombed at the box office.
In the American comedy sitcom ‘Davis Rules,’ he played ‘Dwight Davis,’ a widowed school principal, from 1991 to 1992.
He starred in the American military science fiction picture “Independence Day” and the comedy film “Kingpin” in 1996.
In the American spoof film ‘Not Another Teen Movie,’ directed by Joel Gallen, he played the role of ‘Mr. Briggs.’
In 2004, he appeared in Sam Shepard’s critically praised stage drama ‘The God of Hell,’ which was staged at New School University in New York. He also starred in the CBS mini-series ‘Category 6: Day of Destruction’ that same year.
For his part as ‘Colonel Tom Parker’ in ‘Elvis,’ a highly acclaimed historical mini-series based on the life of music legend Elvis Presley,’ he received a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award nomination in 2005.
He played ‘Joe Aguirre,’ an insensitive rancher, in the Academy Award-nominated 2005 film ‘Brokeback Mountain.’ He is also a part of the ‘Randy Quaid & The Fugitives’ musical group. The band’s first single, ‘Star Whackers,’ was released in 2011.
Randy’s Major Projects
In 1973, he starred in the Oscar-nominated picture ‘The Last Detail,’ which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 1974. The film garnered good reviews from the National Society of Film Critics and the New York Film Critics Circle and won multiple prizes.
In 2005, he starred in the film ‘Brokeback Mountain,’ which is ranked 11th on the list of the ‘Highest-grossing romance films of all time.’ At the Venice Film Festival, it was also awarded the prestigious ‘Golden Lion Award.’ It was the highest-grossing film in the United States that year, with $178.06 million.
Achievements & Awards
For ‘LBJ: The Early Years,’ he won a Golden Globe Award in the category of ‘Best Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film’ in 1988.
He was honored with a star on the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame’ at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard on October 7, 2003.
He won the Satellite Award for ‘Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television’ in 2005 for his role in ‘Elvis’.
Personal History and Legacy
He married Ella Marie Jolly in 1980, and they had a daughter named Amanda Marie. On August 24, 1989, the couple divorced.
He married Evi Motolanez on October 5, 1989, at the ‘The San Ysidro Ranch’ resort in California. Together, the couple adopted two children.
Estimated Net worth
Randy Quaid is an actor from the United States with a net worth of $1 million. Randy Quaid, known for his diverse acting approach, has acted in a number of famous films over the years.
Quaid is a well-known television actor as well as a skilled voice actor. He’s also appeared in a number of theater performances. Randy Quaid has been nominated for a number of prizes over his career, including Emmys and Academy Awards.
Trivia
This Golden Globe winner and his wife were arrested in California in 2009 on charges of burglary and failing to pay a hotel bill.
After claiming that his life was in danger due to threats from a celebrity-murdering group known as the ‘Hollywood star whackers,’ this American film and television actor sought asylum in Canada with his wife.