Behind the Scenes of *National Lampoon’s Vacation*

When Christie Brinkley felt uncertain about going topless in *National Lampoon’s Vacation*, Beverly D’Angelo stepped in to support her friend. D’Angelo is set to begin the new year alongside Hayden Panettiere in the psychological thriller *Sleepwalker*. Recently, she shared with Fox News Digital how she defended Brinkley during a specific scene in the iconic 1983 comedy that required the Sports Illustrated swimsuit model to appear topless.

“I really love this story. It’s the kind of moment where I would say, ‘Please leave this girl alone,'” D’Angelo remarked.

The 74-year-old actress reflected on the film’s set dynamics, saying, “I thought it made a real difference to see a devoted wife tell her husband, ‘Okay, you want to have fun? I’ll show you what I enjoy,’ and then just take off her clothes.” She felt that it was perfect for the context of the scene.

D’Angelo mentioned having no reservations and even noted, “The pool was heated! If I could talk to my younger self, I’d probably say, ‘Do more nudity.’”

Brinkley portrayed a flirty “Ferrari woman” opposite Chevy Chase, who played D’Angelo’s husband, Clark Griswold. The scene became a comical moment when Chase’s character struggled to keep his focus as the stunning model sped by in a sports car. In her 2025 memoir, *Uptown Girl*, Brinkley described how she declined producers’ requests to go topless, noting, “I’d always wanted men to imagine what might be under my swimsuit, and I wasn’t about to give that up for what we thought was just a silly movie.”

Brinkley recalled her most memorable moment from filming involved a scene where she urged Chase’s character to go skinny dipping at a motel pool, which they shot late at night. Despite her objections regarding nudity, she was grateful for D’Angelo’s last-minute offer to take her place, saying, “I was so thankful from day one.” D’Angelo’s willingness helped ease Brinkley’s nerves.

D’Angelo elaborated on how protective the cast has been over Brinkley, saying, “I really love Christy. She has such a bright, positive outlook on life.” The friendship between the two models, formed on set, has endured over the years.

The two actresses shared stories of their experiences in the industry, including a time when D’Angelo broke her toe while appearing at a competition. Reflecting on the moment, she described how Brinkley swiftly responded with support, emphasizing their strong bond.

Brinkley, known as “America’s Sweetheart,” has graced the covers of over 500 magazines across the globe, yet she has never posed nude. She stated that she values her decision to maintain that boundary, wanting her children to have a certain perspective on her career.

“It’s so sweet,” Brinkley said about people’s perceptions of her. “I never took it literally, just appreciated the compliment.” Now, looking back, she feels satisfied with her choices and their implications.