You might know her as the iconic Ellen Griswold from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, but there’s so much more to Golden Globe nominee Beverly D’Angelo. Born in Ohio in 1951, Beverly has graced our screens for decades. Her journey took a dramatic turn in 2001 when she became a mom at the age of 49. Stick around to uncover what happened to this beloved holiday film star and how her life unfolded after that pivotal moment. Let’s dive into her story.
What Really Happened to Beverly D’Angelo?
Beverly’s career began long before she donned that red sweater and played the matriarch of the Griswold family. Making her acting debut in the 1976 TV series Captains and the Kings, she quickly became a name to watch. Even before teaming up with Chevy Chase in the beloved Vacation franchise, Beverly earned rave reviews for her portrayal of Patsy Cline in the 1980 film Coal Miner’s Daughter. It was in 1983, though, that she truly stepped into the spotlight as the lovable Ellen Griswold in the comedy National Lampoon’s Vacation. But her personal life was about to take an unexpected twist.
When Beverly first auditioned for the role of Ellen Griswold, she wasn’t entirely sure it was the right fit for her. “I was so convinced that I wasn’t the right person,” she confessed in a December 2022 interview with People. But with some encouragement from her then-agent and her husband, Don Lorenzo Salviati, she decided to give it a shot. Little did she know, this role would become one of the most defining moments in her career.
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Beverly’s marriage to Don Lorenzo, which lasted from 1981 to 1995, had a unique dynamic. They had an open relationship, allowing each other to explore other partnerships. When Beverly met Al Pacino, she found herself falling for him. In a candid conversation with People, she revealed how she broke the news to her husband. “I told him over the phone, ‘I’m in love.’ He replied, ‘Oh, Beverly, who is it this time?’ And I said, ‘Well, it’s an actor.’ He said, ‘An actor? No, no, not an actor.’ But I told him, ‘I really love him, and we’re talking about having kids. He thinks it’s crazy that I’m married, and now I’m thinking it is too.’”
Their divorce was amicable, paving the way for Beverly to pursue a new chapter with Al. By 1997, the two were officially dating, setting the stage for what would become a beautiful family.
How Many Children Does Beverly D’Angelo Have?
From the very beginning, Beverly and Al envisioned a future filled with kids. They talked about it often, imagining what their family would look like. In a heartfelt interview with Closer in July 2017, Beverly shared her vision: “I had this dream that when you have kids, you do it in a family setting. After we’d known each other for just three months, Al looked me straight in the eyes and said, ‘I want you to be the mother of my children.’ That was all I needed to hear.”
Their dreams came true when Beverly discovered she was expecting twins. In 2001, at the age of 48, she gave birth to Anton and Olivia with Al. It wasn’t an easy journey, but Beverly embraced it wholeheartedly. “I got pregnant at 48, delivered six weeks after I turned 49, and by the time I was 51, I was navigating the world as a single parent,” she reflected.
