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Randy Quaid

Randy Quaid

Actor · Born October 1, 1950 (76) · Houston, Texas, USA

Golden Globe winner · Oscar nominee · Primetime Emmy nominee · 3 other major award bodies

Randall Rudy "Randy" Quaid (born October 1, 1950) is an American actor perhaps best known for his role as Cousin Eddie in the National Lampoon's Vacation movies, as well as his numerous supporting roles in films such as The Last Detail, Independence Day, Kingpin and Brokeback Mountain. He has won a Golden Globe Award, and has been nominated for an Academy Award, an Emmy Award and a BAFTA Award.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 1, 1950 (76)
From
Houston, Texas, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
82 on MovieCove · 118 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 16% in 30 days

What are Randy Quaid's films like?

Across their 71 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Comedy27 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 37th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama18 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 50th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 37th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Adventure5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 23rd percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Biography5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 79th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
23%
Morality
22%
Self
19%
Power
12%
Survival
11%
Society
11%
Ideas
1%
Family bonds20 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice17 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival14 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity10 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship9 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition8 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity7 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 68 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 31 · Serious 15 · Dark 22

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 35 · Stylized 26 · Heightened 7

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 20 · Charged 24 · Intense 24

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 34 · Shifting 22 · Whiplash 12

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 29 · Some laughs 21 · Funny 18

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 32 · Even-paced 30 · Relentless 6

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 36 · Engaged 31 · Full focus 1

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 31 · Affecting 20 · Heavy 17

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 56 · Open-ended 8 · Ambiguous 4

Roles they play

45 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 14 of 45 analyzed roles.

Ally
14 of 45
Shadow
11 of 45
Mentor
6 of 45
Hero
6 of 45
Trickster
4 of 45
Threshold guardian
2 of 45
Herald
1 of 45
Shapeshifter
1 of 45
Show the 45 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
39
Melancholic
28
Absurd
18
Warm
15
Joyful
15
Other
62

How their films linger

Feel-good26 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet25 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun20 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful17 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 13 with a twist

  • Happy22
  • Bittersweet32
  • Tragic6
  • Ambiguous11

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Randy Quaid's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 45 of their 82 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (31).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Randy Quaid's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

118 credits, 82 with a MovieCove page; 7 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Christmas Letter(2024)

    as Postman

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • All You Can Eat(2018)

    as Gordon

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Star Whackers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Randy Quaid

  • Balls Out: Gary the Tennis Coach(2009)

    as Coach Lew Tuttle

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Real Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Reuben

  • Goya's Ghosts(2006)

    as King Carlos IV

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Blade: House of Chthon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Melvin

  • Blade: The Series (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Texas Ranch House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 8 episodes · Actor

  • Stanley's Dinosaur Round-Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Rockin' Rory (voice)

  • Treasure Island Kids: The Battle of Treasure Island (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Captain Flint

  • The Ice Harvest(2005)

    as Bill Guerrard

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Category 7: The End of the World(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Tornado Tommy Dixon

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all shows

  • Brokeback Mountain(2005)

    as Joe Aguirre

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Once Upon a Halloween (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Alameda Slim (voice) (archive sound)

  • Elvis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as 'Colonel' Tom Parker

  • Back by Midnight(2004)

    as Eli Rockwood

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Category 6: Day of Destruction(2004)

    as Tornado Tommy

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Category 6: Day of Destruction (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 2 episodes · as Tornado Tommy Dixon

  • 5ive Days to Midnight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 5 episodes · as Irwin Sikorski

  • Home on the Range(2004)

    as Alameda Slim (voice)

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure(2003)

    as Eddie Johnson

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 8 episodes · Actor

  • Grind(2003)

    as Jock Jensen

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Carolina(2003)

    as Ted Mirabeau

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Kart Racer(2003)

    as Vic Davies

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Black Cadillac (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Charlie

  • Milwaukee, Minnesota (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Jerry James

  • The Adventures of Pluto Nash(2002)

    as Bruno

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Frank McKlusky, C.I.(2002)

    as Madman McKlusky

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Not Another Teen Movie(2001)

    as Mr. Briggs

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The Day the World Ended(2001)

    as Dr. Michael McCann

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Night Visions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Michael Doyle (segment "After Life")

  • The Thin Blue Lie(2000)

    as Phil Chadway

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle(2000)

    as Cappy von Trapment

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Mail to the Chief(2000)

    as President A. Thorton Osgood II

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns(1999)

    Show 2 episodes · as Jack Woods

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • The Debtors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Actor

  • Last Rites (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Jeremy Dillon

  • Purgatory(1999)

    as Doc Woods / Doc Holliday

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • P.U.N.K.S.(1998)

    as Pat Utley

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Water War (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Lenny

  • Bug Buster(1998)

    as General George S. Merlin

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Hard Rain(1998)

    as Sheriff Mike Collins

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Valentine's Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Phil

  • Gun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Bill

  • Vegas Vacation(1997)

    as Cousin Eddie

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Get on the Bus(1996)

    as Tennessee State Trooper (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Kingpin(1996)

    as Ishmael Boorg

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Independence Day(1996)

    as Russell Casse

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • The Siege at Ruby Ridge(1996)

    as Randy Weaver

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • The Siege at Ruby Ridge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 2 episodes · as Randy Weaver

  • Moonshine Highway(1996)

    as Sheriff Miller

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Last Dance(1996)

    as Sam Burns

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Woman Undone(1996)

    as Allan Hansen

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Streets of Laredo(1995)

    Show 3 episodes · as John Wesley Hardin

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • Les Légendes du Grand Nord (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

  • Ed McBain's 87th Precinct: Lightning(1995)

    as Detective Steve Carella

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Bye Bye Love(1995)

    as Vic Damico

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Curse of the Starving Class(1994)

    as Taylor

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Next Door(1994)

    as Lenny Benedetti

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Roommates(1994)

    as Jim Flynn

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Major League II(1994)

    as Johnny (ucredited)

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • The Paper(1994)

    as Michael McDougal

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Frankenstein(1992)

    as The Monster

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Freaked(1993)

    as Elijah C. Skuggs

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Murder in the Heartland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 2 episodes · as Elmer Scheele

  • Davis Rules (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 29 episodes · as Dwight Davis

  • Texasville (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Lester Marlow

  • Cold Dog Soup (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Jack Cloud

  • Quick Change(1990)

    as Loomis

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Days of Thunder(1990)

    as Tim Dalander

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation(1989)

    as Cousin Eddie

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Bloodhounds of Broadway(1989)

    as Feet Samuels

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Martians Go Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Mark Devereaux

  • Out Cold(1989)

    as Lester

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Parents(1988)

    as Nick Laemle

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Dead Solid Perfect (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Kenny Lee

  • American Experience(1988)

    Show 2 episodes · as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • Caddyshack II(1988)

    as Peter Blunt

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Moving(1988)

    as Frank / Cornall Crawford

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Evil in Clear River (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Pete Suvak

  • No Man's Land(1987)

    as Lieutenant Vincent Bracey

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • LBJ: The Early Years(1987)

    as Lyndon Baines Johnson

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Sweet Country (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Juan

  • The Wraith(1986)

    as Sheriff Loomis

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Fool for Love(1985)

    as Martin

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • The Slugger's Wife(1985)

    as Moose Granger

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • The Wild Life(1984)

    as Charlie

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • A Streetcar Named Desire(1984)

    as Harold "Mitch" Mitchell

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • National Lampoon's Vacation(1983)

    as Cousin Eddie

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Cowboy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Evan Coleman

  • Inside the Third Reich (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 2 episodes · as Putzi Hanfstaengel

  • American Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Feet Samuels

  • The Luck of Roaring Camp (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Kentuck

  • Heartbeeps(1981)

    as Charlie

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Of Mice and Men(1981)

    as Lenny Small

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • The Long Riders(1980)

    as Clell Miller

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 2 episodes · as Clayton Ritchie

  • To Race the Wind(1980)

    as Chet Watson

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Foxes(1980)

    as Jay

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • The Last Ride of the Dalton Gang(1979)

    as Grat Dalton

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Midnight Express(1978)

    as Jimmy Booth

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • The Choirboys(1977)

    as Dean Proust

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Three Warriors(1977)

    as Ranger Quentin Hammond

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Bound for Glory(1976)

    as Luther Johnson

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • The Missouri Breaks(1976)

    as Tittle Tod

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Saturday Night Live(1975)

    Show 18 episodes · as Paul (uncredited) · as Self - Various Characters

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Breakout(1975)

    as Hawk Hawkins

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The Great Niagara (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Carl Grant

  • The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz(1974)

    as Virgil

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • The Last Detail(1973)

    as Laurence M. 'Larry' Meadows

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Paper Moon(1973)

    as Leroy

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Lolly-Madonna XXX(1973)

    as Finch Feather

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • What's Up, Doc?(1972)

    as Professor Hosquith

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Getting Away from It All(1972)

    as Herbie

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Last Picture Show(1971)

    as Lester Marlow

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Night Gallery(1969)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 118 titles from 1970 to 2024; peak year 2004.

Biggest box office

Independence Day (1996)

$817M worldwide

Highest rated

Paper Moon (1973)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Independence Day (1996)

Film career

MilestoneNomination
19702024

Peak 2004 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 16 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting118 of 118: 118 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score47th

By decade

1970s17 · acting1980s29 · acting1990s36 · acting2000s33 · acting2010s2 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 4th · top billed in 11% of 56 roles
7176819101

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

a Golden Globe from 10 major nominations, 1974–2006.

WinNomination
  1. 2006
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
  2. 2005
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
  3. 1990
    • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best Male Lead
  4. 1988
    • Golden Globe, won · Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television
  5. 1987
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special
  6. 1984
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Special
  7. 1975
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Supporting Actor
  8. 1974
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Actor in a Supporting Role
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Randy Quaid's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 46th percentile, the median of all 76; across their 68 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 44th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 68

Approval · how many liked their films

42ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 68

Reach · how many have seen their films

72ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 68

Midcredits score across 82 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up17
  • 50th to 74th17
  • 25th to 49th31
  • Below 25th17

Shape of the crowd

33 of their 82 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Universally Panned3
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic4
  • Crowd Pleaser27
  • Broadly Agreed7
  • Mixed33

Most divisive · actor

All You Can Eat (2018)

93rd percentile spread · 45% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Paper Moon (1973)

Midcredits 99th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 64/100 in their films, across 64 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 40. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Randy Quaid's work okay for kids?

Across up to 27 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore21 titles26–85 · median 47 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity27 titles17–67 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity24 titles31–79 · median 56 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs23 titles28–63 · median 38 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense22 titles14–69 · median 32 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Randy Quaid work with?

People who share at least 2 of Randy Quaid's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Sam Shepard shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles