Beverly D'Angelo

Beverly Heather D'Angelo (born November 15, 1951) is an American actress and singer, who starred as Ellen Griswold in the National Lampoon's Vacation films (1983–2015). She has appeared in over 60 films and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her role as Patsy Cline in Coal Miner's Daughter (1980), and for an Emmy Award for her role as Stella Kowalski in the TV film A Streetcar Named Desire (1984). Her other film roles include Sheila Franklin in Hair (1979) and Doris Vinyard in American History X (1998).

Early life

D'Angelo was born in Columbus, Ohio, the daughter of Priscilla Ruth (née Smith), a violinist, and Eugene Constantino "Gene" D'Angelo, a bass player and television station manager. Her father was of Italian descent.

Her maternal grandfather, Howard Dwight Smith, was the architect who designed Ohio Stadium, also known as "the Horseshoe" at Ohio State University. She worked as an illustrator at Hanna-Barbera Studios and as a singer before pursuing an interest in acting. She has three brothers, Jeff, Tim and Tony.