Beverly D'Angelo
Personal details
  • Born:
    • Birthday: 1951-11-15
    • Born Place: Columbus, Ohio, USA

Beverly D'Angelo

Beverly D’Angelo is an iconic American actress and singer whose illustrious career has spanned over five decades, earning her a permanent place in pop culture as the quintessential "movie mom" and a versatile dramatic powerhouse. Born on November 15, 1951, in Columbus, Ohio, to a family of musicians, she initially began her career as a visual artist and backup singer—touring with rockabilly legend Ronnie Hawkins—before making her way to the stage and screen. She rose to international superstardom as Ellen Griswold in the beloved National Lampoon’s Vacation franchise (1983–2015), a role that showcased her impeccable comedic timing and chemistry with Chevy Chase. However, her depth as a dramatic actress is equally noted; she earned a Golden Globe nomination for her portrayal of Patsy Cline in Coal Miner’s Daughter (1980) and delivered a haunting, critically acclaimed performance as Doris Vinyard in the searing drama American History X (1998). In early 2026, D’Angelo took on a significant role in the psychological thriller Sleepwalker, portraying Gloria Pangborn, the "70s relic" mother of the protagonist, Sarah (Hayden Panettiere). In the film, Gloria acts as a complex foil to her daughter’s deteriorating mental state; she is a "moderate hippie" who leans into new-age spirituality, using sage cleansing and spiritual awakening to combat the dark forces Sarah believes are haunting their home. While her character provides the film's few moments of levity, D'Angelo also carries the emotional weight of a mother trying to help her child navigate grief and a hereditary sleepwalking disorder. Even in a project that polarized critics, D'Angelo’s "incomparable" presence was highlighted as a standout, bridging the gap between clinical reality and the film's supernatural undercurrents. Off-screen, she remains a respected figure in the industry, known for her advocacy for fellow actors and her continued contributions to both independent cinema and high-profile genre films like the 2022 hit Violent Night.

Person History