---
name: "Randy Quaid"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/randy-quaid"
fi1m_id: "randy-quaid"
imdb_id: "nm0001642"
tmdb_id: 1811
wikidata_id: "Q316647"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "1 October 1950"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 10
average_fi1m_score: 70
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 10
updated: "2026-10-05T01:28:27.241283+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Randy Quaid

## Identity

Randy Quaid

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/randy-quaid
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** randy-quaid
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001642
- **TMDB ID:** 1811
- **Wikidata ID:** Q316647
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Quaid, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q316647, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001642/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1811

Actor. Born 1 October 1950 in Houston, Texas, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 1 October 1950, Houston, Texas, USA
- **Active:** 1971–2005
- **Also known as:** ランディ・クエイド, رندی کواید, Randall Rudy Quaid
- **Frequently works with:** [Larry McMurtry](https://film.one/person/larry-mcmurtry.md), [Peter Bogdanovich](https://film.one/person/peter-bogdanovich.md)
- **Golden Globes:** 1 Golden Globe (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 70, as actor, over 10 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 77 (4), 1980s 70 (1), 1990s 66 (3), 2000s 62 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 70 to 61 across 10 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 6 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 10 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 6, Action 4, Adventure 3, Comedy 3, Crime 3, Romance 2
- **Screen time:** 19 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,337m across 9 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Quaid, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q316647, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001642/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1811

## Streaming the US now

- **The Roku Channel:** [*National Lampoon's Vacation*](https://film.one/film/national-lampoons-vacation.md) (70), [*The Adventures of Pluto Nash*](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-pluto-nash.md) (32)
- **Disney+:** [*Independence Day*](https://film.one/film/independence-day.md) (75)
- **Apple TV:** [*Days of Thunder*](https://film.one/film/days-of-thunder.md) (61)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Midnight Express*](https://film.one/film/midnight-express.md) (61)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Randy Quaid

> Randy Quaid is a useful ensemble actor, especially when foolishness needs a little sympathy. We value the sensitivity beneath the broad comedy, though an eccentric supporting character cannot compensate for a film that has neglected its writing.

Randy Quaid’s supporting characters are often eccentric, hapless or exuberant enough to make trouble for everyone else. We like him most when the comedy leaves room for sympathy, rather than making foolishness the whole point of a person. That makes him welcome company, though we would not choose a film solely because he is in it.

Peter Bogdanovich cast him in *The Last Picture Show* (1971), and the sensitive sailor Larry Meadows in *The Last Detail* (1973) showed how well innocence suited him. Cousin Eddie in *National Lampoon’s Vacation* (1983) took him towards broader comedy and became a recurring part. His comic relief in *National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation* (1989) allows for pathos alongside the humour; there is still someone to care about beneath the foolishness.

In Roland Emmerich’s *Independence Day* (1996), he plays Russell Casse in a cast that gives the spectacle much of its appeal. We had fun with this one because the actors keep the business of saving the world cheerful, even amid the patient menace and enormous destruction. The foolish script and excessive patriotism remain drawbacks, however much we enjoy the company. It is the stronger of the two films we have reviewed here, and a useful reminder that supporting players matter even when destruction is the principal attraction.

*Days of Thunder* (1990) is a weaker reason to seek him out. He plays Tim Dalander for Tony Scott, whose stock-car racing supplies the film’s chief excitement. Robert Duvall provides someone worth listening to, but the romance receives too little attention and the writing remains thin. Quaid’s presence does not change our advice: this is for racing enthusiasts, rather than anyone hoping that a good cast will make the rest worth their evening.

The later dramatic work matters too: Joe Aguirre in *Brokeback Mountain* (2005) belongs in any account that might otherwise stop at Cousin Eddie. Broad comedy was never the whole job. Start with *Independence Day* for an evening’s entertainment; try *The Last Detail* for the sensitive actor that the louder parts can obscure.

## Biography

Randy Quaid is an American actor. Born on 1 October 1950 in Houston, Texas, he studied acting at the University of Houston. His film debut came in *The Last Picture Show* (1971).

He is known for roles including Leroy in *Paper Moon* (1973), Jimmy Booth in *Midnight Express* (1978), Cousin Eddie in *National Lampoon's Vacation* (1983) and *National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation* (1989), Tim Daland in *Days of Thunder* (1990), Russell Casse in *Independence Day* (1996), Ishmael Boorg in *Kingpin* (1996), Mr Briggs in *Not Another Teen Movie* (2001), Alameda Slim in *Home on the Range* (2004), and Joe Aguirre in *Brokeback Mountain* (2005).

Quaid received an Academy Award nomination, a BAFTA Award nomination and a Golden Globe Award nomination for *The Last Detail* (1973). He won a Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of Lyndon B Johnson in the television film *LBJ: The Early Years* (1987) and earned Emmy Award nominations for other television work. He is the brother of actor Dennis Quaid.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (10)

- *Brokeback Mountain* (2005), Fi1m 92, as Joe Aguirre — [page](https://film.one/film/brokeback-mountain.md)
- *The Adventures of Pluto Nash* (2002), Fi1m 32, as Bruno — [page](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-pluto-nash.md)
- *Hard Rain* (1998), Fi1m 61, as Sheriff Mike Collins — [page](https://film.one/film/hard-rain.md)
- *Independence Day* (1996), Fi1m 75, as Russell Casse — [page](https://film.one/film/independence-day.md)
- *Days of Thunder* (1990), Fi1m 61, as Tim Dalander — [page](https://film.one/film/days-of-thunder.md)
- *National Lampoon's Vacation* (1983), Fi1m 70, as Cousin Eddie — [page](https://film.one/film/national-lampoons-vacation.md)
- *Midnight Express* (1978), Fi1m 61, as Jimmy Booth — [page](https://film.one/film/midnight-express.md)
- *Bound for Glory* (1976), Fi1m 71, as Luther Johnson — [page](https://film.one/film/bound-for-glory.md)
- *Paper Moon* (1973), Fi1m 86, as Leroy — [page](https://film.one/film/paper-moon.md)
- *The Last Picture Show* (1971), Fi1m 89, as Lester Marlow — [page](https://film.one/film/the-last-picture-show.md)

## Complete filmography (116)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Christmas Letter* (2024), as Postman
- *All You Can Eat* (2018), as Gordon
- *Star Whackers* (2011), as Randy Quaid
- *Balls Out: Gary the Tennis Coach* (2009), as Coach Lew Tuttle
- *Real Time* (2008), as Reuben
- *Goya's Ghosts* (2006), as King Carlos IV
- *Blade: House of Chthon* (2006), as Melvin
- *Blade: The Series* (2006), series, Actor
- *Stanley's Dinosaur Round-Up* (2006), as Rockin' Rory (voice)
- *Treasure Island Kids: The Battle of Treasure Island* (2006), as Captain Flint
- *The Ice Harvest* (2005), as Bill Guerrard
- *Category 7: The End of the World* (2005), series, as Tornado Tommy Dixon
- *Brokeback Mountain* (2005), as Joe Aguirre — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/brokeback-mountain.md)
- *Once Upon a Halloween* (2005), as Alameda Slim (voice) (archive sound)
- *Elvis* (2005), series, as 'Colonel' Tom Parker
- *Back By Midnight* (2005), as Eli Rockwood
- *Category 6: Day of Destruction* (2004), as Tornado Tommy
- *Category 6: Day of Destruction* (2004), series, as Tornado Tommy Dixon
- *5ive Days to Midnight* (2004), series, as Irwin Sikorski
- *Home on the Range* (2004), as Alameda Slim (voice)
- *Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure* (2003), as Eddie Johnson
- *The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire* (2003), series, Actor
- *Grind* (2003), as Jock Jensen
- *Carolina* (2003), as Ted Mirabeau
- *Kart Racer* (2003), as Vic Davies
- *Black Cadillac* (2003), as Charlie
- *Milwaukee, Minnesota* (2003), as Jerry James
- *The Adventures of Pluto Nash* (2002), as Bruno — Fi1m 32, [page](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-pluto-nash.md)
- *Frank McKlusky, C.I.* (2002), as Madman McKlusky
- *Not Another Teen Movie* (2001), as Mr. Briggs
- *The Day the World Ended* (2001), as Dr. Michael McCann
- *Night Visions* (2001), series, as Michael Doyle (segment "After Life")
- *The Thin Blue Lie* (2000), as Phil Chadway
- *The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle* (2000), as Cappy von Trapment
- *Mail to the Chief* (2000), as President A. Thorton Osgood II
- *The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns* (1999), series, as Jack Woods
- *The Debtors* (1999), Actor
- *Last Rites* (1999), as Jeremy Dillon
- *Purgatory* (1999), as Doc Woods / Doc Holliday
- *P.U.N.K.S* (1999), as Pat Utley
- *Water War* (1998), as Lenny
- *Bug Buster* (1998), as General George S. Merlin
- *Hard Rain* (1998), as Sheriff Mike Collins — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/film/hard-rain.md)
- *Valentine's Day* (1998), as Phil
- *Gun* (1997), series, as Bill
- *Vegas Vacation* (1997), as Cousin Eddie
- *Get on the Bus* (1996), as Tennessee State Trooper (uncredited)
- *Kingpin* (1996), as Ishmael Boorg
- *Independence Day* (1996), as Russell Casse — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/independence-day.md)
- *The Siege at Ruby Ridge* (1996), as Randy Weaver
- *The Siege at Ruby Ridge* (1996), series, as Randy Weaver
- *Moonshine Highway* (1996), as Sheriff Miller
- *Last Dance* (1996), as Sam Burns
- *Woman Undone* (1996), as Allan Hansen
- *Streets of Laredo* (1995), series, as John Wesley Hardin
- *Les Légendes du Grand Nord* (1995), Actor
- *Ed McBain's 87th Precinct: Lightning* (1995), as Detective Steve Carella
- *Bye Bye Love* (1995), as Vic Damico
- *Curse of the Starving Class* (1994), as Taylor
- *Next Door* (1994), as Lenny Benedetti
- *Roommates* (1994), as Jim Flynn
- *Major League II* (1994), as Johnny (ucredited)
- *The Paper* (1994), as Michael McDougal
- *Frankenstein* (1993), as The Monster
- *Freaked* (1993), as Elijah C. Skuggs
- *Murder in the Heartland* (1993), series, as Elmer Scheele
- *Davis Rules* (1991), series, as Dwight Davis
- *Texasville* (1990), as Lester Marlow
- *Cold Dog Soup* (1990), as Jack Cloud
- *Quick Change* (1990), as Loomis
- *Days of Thunder* (1990), as Tim Dalander — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/film/days-of-thunder.md)
- *National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation* (1989), as Cousin Eddie
- *Bloodhounds of Broadway* (1989), as Feet Samuels
- *Martians Go Home* (1989), as Mark Devereaux
- *Out Cold* (1989), as Lester
- *Parents* (1989), as Nick Laemle
- *Dead Solid Perfect* (1988), as Kenny Lee
- *American Experience* (1988), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Caddyshack II* (1988), as Peter Blunt
- *Moving* (1988), as Frank / Cornall Crawford
- *Evil in Clear River* (1988), as Pete Suvak
- *No Man's Land* (1987), as Lieutenant Vincent Bracey
- *LBJ: The Early Years* (1987), as Lyndon Baines Johnson
- *Sweet Country* (1987), as Juan
- *The Wraith* (1986), as Sheriff Loomis
- *Fool for Love* (1985), as Martin
- *The Slugger's Wife* (1985), as Moose Granger
- *The Wild Life* (1984), as Charlie
- *A Streetcar Named Desire* (1984), as Harold "Mitch" Mitchell
- *National Lampoon's Vacation* (1983), as Cousin Eddie — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/national-lampoons-vacation.md)
- *Cowboy* (1983), as Evan Coleman
- *Inside the Third Reich* (1982), series, as Putzi Hanfstaengel
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Feet Samuels
- *The Luck of Roaring Camp* (1982), as Kentuck
- *Heartbeeps* (1981), as Charlie
- *Of Mice and Men* (1981), as Lenny Small
- *The Long Riders* (1980), as Clell Miller
- *Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones* (1980), series, as Clayton Ritchie
- *To Race the Wind* (1980), as Chet Watson
- *Foxes* (1980), as Jay
- *The Last Ride of the Dalton Gang* (1979), as Grat Dalton
- *Midnight Express* (1978), as Jimmy Booth — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/film/midnight-express.md)
- *The Choirboys* (1977), as Dean Proust
- *Three Warriors* (1977), as Ranger Quentin Hammond
- *Bound for Glory* (1976), as Luther Johnson — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/bound-for-glory.md)
- *The Missouri Breaks* (1976), as Tittle Tod
- *Breakout* (1975), as Hawk Hawkins
- *The Great Niagara* (1974), as Carl Grant
- *The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz* (1974), as Virgil
- *The Last Detail* (1973), as Laurence M. 'Larry' Meadows
- *Paper Moon* (1973), as Leroy — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/paper-moon.md)
- *Lolly-Madonna XXX* (1973), as Finch Feather
- *What's Up, Doc?* (1972), as Professor Hosquith
- *Getting Away from It All* (1972), as Herbie
- *The Last Picture Show* (1971), as Lester Marlow — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/film/the-last-picture-show.md)
- *Night Gallery* (1970), series, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Randy Quaid](https://film.one/media/person/78302/gallery-950165fff6d0.jpg) Randy Quaid — James Jeffrey, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/Randy_Quaid.jpg/1280px-Randy_Quaid.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Randy Quaid being interviewed by Canal+. (2008)](https://film.one/media/person/78302/gallery-296bbaa77ebc.jpg) Randy Quaid being interviewed by Canal+. (2008) — James Jeffrey, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/33/Randy_Quaid_%281%29.jpg/1280px-Randy_Quaid_%281%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Randy Quaid being interviewed by Canal+. (2008)](https://film.one/media/person/78302/gallery-534f969b7151.jpg) Randy Quaid being interviewed by Canal+. (2008) — James Jeffrey, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/Randy_Quaid_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Randy_Quaid_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Randy Randall Rudy Quaid Is Randy Quaids Birth Name (2017)](https://film.one/media/person/78302/gallery-4e16c5d2bcc7.jpg) Randy Randall Rudy Quaid Is Randy Quaids Birth Name (2017) — Eliza George Matter, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/Randy_Quaid_Birth_Name.jpg/1280px-Randy_Quaid_Birth_Name.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Randy Quaid](https://film.one/media/person/78302/gallery-30831ad6eb9e.jpg) Randy Quaid — Image via TMDB
- ![Randy Quaid](https://film.one/media/person/78302/gallery-f75af1917894.jpg) Randy Quaid — Image via TMDB
- ![Randy Quaid](https://film.one/media/person/78302/gallery-851a6fdee0a5.jpg) Randy Quaid — Image via TMDB
- ![Randy Randall Rudy Quaid Is Randy Quaids Birth Name (2017)](https://film.one/media/person/78302/gallery-b3d89ea85e30.jpg) Randy Randall Rudy Quaid Is Randy Quaids Birth Name (2017) — Eliza George Matter, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/77/Randy_Quaid_in_2017.jpg/1280px-Randy_Quaid_in_2017.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Randy Quaid](https://film.one/media/person/78302/gallery-4d8eca3d669c.jpg) Randy Quaid — Image via TMDB
- ![Randy Quaid](https://film.one/media/person/78302/gallery-c3449e67d462.jpg) Randy Quaid — Image via TMDB
- ![Randy Quaid](https://film.one/media/person/78302/gallery-c5043a79243e.jpg) Randy Quaid — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 1974: Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *The Last Detail*

### Golden Globes — 1 won

- 1988: Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film (won), for *LBJ: The Early Years*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/randy-quaid