Let’s be honest here — Chevy Chase has had a reputation in Hollywood as someone who wasn’t exactly known for being the easiest person to work with. But guess what? According to exclusive sources close to Closer, Chevy's tough edges have softened over time, and he’s become a completely different guy.
“Chevy’s one of those rare people who doesn’t fake being nice,” says an insider. “Some folks put on a front, but Chevy? Nah, his nasty streak is gone, and he’s genuinely putting other people’s feelings first now. It’s a total 180 from the guy we used to know.”
Over the course of his career, the 81-year-old star of "National Lampoon’s Vacation" has seen former co-stars from iconic shows like Saturday Night Live and Community call him out for past behavior. But Chevy’s story isn’t just about what people say behind his back — it’s about the person he’s become today.
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When Asked About the Reputation, Chevy Shrugs It Off
During a candid 2022 interview on CBS Sunday Morning, correspondent Jim Axelrod posed a direct question: “When people [say], ‘Chevy’s been a jerk,’ are those unfounded cheap shots?”
Chevy responded with a laugh, saying, “I guess you’d have to ask them. I don’t give a crap! I am who I am. And I like who I am. I don’t care. And it’s part of me that I don’t care. I’ve thought about that a lot, and I don’t know what to tell you, man. I just don’t care.”
Now, before you think Chevy’s still the same old guy, hear this: these days, Chevy — who shares three adult daughters, Cydney, Caley, and Emily, with his wife Jayni Luke — has turned into a softie at home. And it’s not just his family who’s noticed the change.
Family Man First, Hollywood Star Second
“For one thing, he’s a total family man,” reveals the Closer source. “His wife and his grown daughters have him wrapped around their fingers, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.”
It’s not just his family who benefits from Chevy’s newfound kindness. The source adds, “Chevy’s always happy to help out his neighbors, even strangers on the street. And when he’s out with friends, he’ll often pick up the tab after lunch. His reputation as a cantankerous brat may precede him, but Chevy’s chosen to be genuinely kind these days, and people are thrilled to see the change is here to stay.”
It’s possible that Chevy’s various health scares in recent years have played a role in this transformation. In 2021, the Caddyshack star suffered a near-fatal cardiac crisis, and late last year, he fell, badly bruising his knee and was forced to use a wheelchair for months.
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“He can’t afford to get angry and take swipes at people anymore. His blood pressure couldn’t handle him carrying on that way,” a separate source told Closer in April.
“His health has improved, and he doesn’t need the wheelchair as much now. Another miracle — he’s smiling and in a cheery mood. He credits his doting wife, Jayni, and other loved ones for his recovery. He almost died of heart failure, but he’s back, and he’s practically kissing the ground he walks on,” the insider added. “These days, when someone does or says something he doesn’t like, Chevy doesn’t get mad. He gives a great big hug instead.”
Becoming a Grandfather: The New Chapter
And let’s not forget — Chevy’s life has taken another joyful turn. In August, his daughter Emily, 36, announced the arrival of her first baby, a daughter named Ivy Jay Baglieri, with her partner, Alex Baglieri. Now that he’s a granddad for the first time, Chevy can’t stop bragging about baby Ivy.
“I can’t wait to be a Grandad!” he told his Instagram followers before Ivy was born.
“He really has changed for the better!” the insider concluded.
