Chevy Chase, 80, FALLS OFF STAGE at National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation event after arriving onstage in a wheelchair – one day after insisting he’s in ‘amazing’ shape
Chevy Chase shocked fans when he fell off the stage during a Q&A at National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation in Buffalo, New York on Wednesday.
The 80-year-old actor, who recently claimed to be in “amazing” health, looked cheerful as he attended the screening, with the star arriving on stage in a wheelchair before making his way to the crowd at the Shea Performing Arts Center.
However, the actor left the stage and fell to the ground – to the gasps of the crowd.
He was then helped back out and appeared to be in good spirits, removing his signature baseball cap to the relief of the fans.
It comes after Chase’s manager insisted the star is in “amazing” health, despite the National Lampoon actor causing concern when he was photographed in a wheelchair while supporting his close friend Sylvester Stallone over the weekend.
Chevy Chase shocked fans when he fell off the stage during a Q&A at National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation in Buffalo, New York on Wednesday.
The 80-year-old actor, who recently claimed to be in “amazing” health, looked cheerful as he attended the screening (pictured on December 3).
The actor, who is currently on a national holiday tour, headed to Philadelphia on Sunday for the opening of Sylvester’s Rocky memorabilia store.
Chevy, who became famous for appearing in the National Lampoon comedy film franchise, was pictured in a wheelchair before rising to his feet to pose for photos with his 77-year-old pal.
Fans feared for his health after the images emerged, but Chevy reps have since dismissed any concerns about the actor, telling DailyMail.com he is in good shape.
“He is in excellent health and his ‘A Live Conversation With Chevy Chase’ tour is selling out across the country,” the band said in a statement.
“He sometimes uses the chair when traveling to the airport – even in his 80s.”
They added: “He doesn’t need rest. His touring is extensive during the holiday season.”
Chevy he was seen waving to guests at Sunday’s event before encouraging them to shout “Two for one!” Rocky and Clark Griswold” is a reference to one of his lines from the National Lampoon films.
His appearance marked two years since he was hospitalized with near-fatal heart failure.
Chase arrived on stage in a wheelchair and then walked toward the crowd at the Shea Performing Arts Center.
The actor left the stage and fell to the ground – to the gasps of the crowd
However, the actor left the stage and fell to the ground – to the gasps of the crowd
Chevy greeted the crowd after being helped back onto the stage.
The star was seen examining her hand after being helped into a chair.
The actor’s manager told DailyMail.com that the star is in “amazing” health.
Chevy stood up from his chair to pose for a photo with his pal Sylvester Stallone.
The actor and comedian addressed the health scare last year, telling CBS Sunday Morning: “Oh, we got it out of the way. I do not need it. It’s much better now.
Chevy is currently touring the country with his Live Talk with Chevy Chase. The question-and-answer sessions, which began in Chicago on November 26, follow special screenings of the beloved 1989 film “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” in which he played the lead role of Clark W. “Sparky” Griswold Jr.
Then Chevy and his wife Janie share behind-the-scenes stories from the set and answer fan questions.
The six-day tour will take him to New York, Minnesota and New Jersey, as well as Pennsylvania, Indiana and Wisconsin.
The tour comes three months after Chevy opened up about his time on the sitcom Community, in which he played politically incorrect millionaire Hawthorne Wipes CEO Piers Hawthorne, admitting he “felt happier being alone.”
Speaking on the WTF podcast, he said that while he “didn’t mind (his) character”, he “didn’t want to be surrounded by these people at this table every day.”
Chevy is currently on tour across the US promoting his favorite movie, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
He added: “It was too much. To be honest, I ultimately felt like the show wasn’t funny enough.
“I felt a little constrained. Everyone had their own bits and I thought they were all good. It didn’t hit me hard enough.”
Chevy was fired from the critically acclaimed NBC comedy 11 years ago for using the N-word in front of co-stars Yvette Nicole Brown and Donald Glover.