In the holiday classic movie, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” the Griswold family takes center stage as they embark on a chaotic and hilarious Christmas vacation. The titular patriarch of the family is played by Chevy Chase, while Beverly D’Angelo portrays his wife, Ellen. But what many fans of the film have been wondering for years is who plays Ruby Sue, one of the supporting characters in the movie.
Ruby Sue may not have had as big a role as Clark Griswold or his immediate family members, but her antics and adorability made her an unforgettable character in “Christmas Vacation.” For those unfamiliar with Ruby Sue, she is cousin Eddie’s daughter who has caught a cold that makes her eyes water to an alarming degree.
The young actress who brought Ruby Sue to life was none other than Ellen Hamilton Latzen. It was actually her last major acting role before stepping away from Hollywood when she was just 12 years old. Although it took some time before she found success in the entertainment industry again – this time behind-the-scenes – Latzen has certainly left a mark on pop culture through her work as an actress.
Perhaps best known for playing Michael Corleone’s (Al Pacino) daughter in “The Godfather: Part III,” Ellen Hamilton Latzen began acting at age six after being discovered by talent agents while attending dance classes. From there, she went on to appear in several movies including “Fatal Attraction” and TV shows including “Spenser: For Hire.”
However, despite having achieved early success in Hollywood with a number of notable roles under her belt – such as playing Cathy Ryan alongside Harrison Ford in Patriot Games– Latzen decided that acting wasn’t something that captivated her fully. Instead, she found herself leaning towards working behind-the-scenes.
This led her down another path entirely within show business – production management- where for almost twenty years now She has proven herself a major player in show production, working for networks like MTV, VH1 and ABC on shows such as “The Apprentice” “The Bachelor,” and “America’s Got Talent”.
Perhaps surprisingly enough given her early stardom as an actress (and indeed even within entertainment production), Hamilton Latzen has kept herself out of the public eye since stepping away from acting. This no doubt accounts for why so few Christmas Vacation fans have managed to stumble upon where she is now or what she does.
For those who love Ellen Hamilton Latzen regardless – whether it be because of her memorable turn playing Ruby Sue in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation or because they hold her other roles close to their hearts- It is always heartening to know that though the figure we saw belting out “around-the-world” with Chevy Chase don’t grace screens anymore, Her talent is still busy shapening the scene behind-the-scenes.
In conclusion , while Ruby Sue may not have had the same level of recognition as Clark Griswold or his wife Ellen In “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”, played by Johnny Galecki was Rusty Griswold She was certainly a beloved character thanks to Actress Ellen Hamilton Latzen’s portrayal of this sick little girl with an adventurous spirit and Lovable nature . Despite not being involved in acting anymore , She left a lasting mark on showbusiness through both her unforgettable movie appearances and ongoing contribution to stage management & TV Production over almost two decades .
The holiday classic film “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” has become a seasonal staple in households across the world. It tells the story of Clark Griswold and his family’s chaotic Christmas vacation, which is filled with mishaps, misunderstandings, and comedic moments. While Chevy Chase as Clark and Beverly D’Angelo as Ellen are the movie’s main stars, it was Ruby Sue- cousin Eddie’s daughter who caught viewers attention. But few fans may know about the talented actress behind this unforgettable character.
Ellen Hamilton Latzen gave life to Ruby Sue in 1989 when she was just 11 years old. The memorable character had caught a cold that made her eyes water to an abnormal degree but still flaunted a curious personality. Her portrayal of Ruby Sue adds another level of humor and heart to this beloved film.
Latzen started her acting career six years earlier after being discovered by talent agents while attending dance classes at age six; she starred alongside popular film icons like Al Pacino in “The Godfather: Part III” or Harrison Ford in “Patriot Games.” Despite having early success on-screen – probably best remembered for playing Cathy Ryan alongside Harrison Ford – Latzen found herself leaning more towards working behind-the-scenes over time rather than on acting roles full-time.
This led her down another path entirely within show business – production management- where for almost twenty years now She has proven herself a major player in show production whether it be through orchestrating mega-concerts or producing TV shows like “America’s Got Talent,” “The Apprentice,” and “The Bachelor.” During these two decades of work in stage-management & TV production , Hamilton Latzen became an expert hand at crafting great entertainment experiences for audiences all around the country
Even with such fantastic accomplishments under her belt since leaving acting behind decades ago; however remains marvelously low-key lifestyle-wise outside of Hollywood circles today – making rare public appearances
It can be challenging for actors to transition from on-screen success to behind-the-scenes work with the same level of passion and enthusiasm, but Hamilton Latzen made that leap seamlessly. Her contribution to the entertainment industry over almost two decades has been just as noteworthy and impactful.
In conclusion, Ellen Hamilton Latzen’s portrayal of Ruby Sue adds a unique charm that makes “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” an unforgettable holiday classic. Even though the adorable young actress left acting at an early age, she went on to have a significant influence in shaping show business as we know it today. While fans may not see her on screen anymore, her talent and expertise are still driving cheers behind-the-scenes – making remarkable accomplishments there where audiences might not get close enough to share hersuccessful moments alongside.