Randy Quaid's Real Name: Randy Quaid

Quick answer: The actor is known professionally as Randy Quaid. Encyclopedia.com and the Los Angeles Times independently date his birth to October 1, 1950, in Houston, Texas.

Real name and early life

Independent publishers identify him under the professional name Randy Quaid. Encyclopedia.com dates the birth to October 1, 1950, in Houston, Texas, says he is the brother of actor Dennis Quaid, and records that he attended Houston Baptist College in 1969-70 and the University of Houston in 1970-71. The Los Angeles Times independently dates the birth to Oct. 1, 1950, in Houston, Texas, and also identifies Dennis Quaid as his brother.

Career highlights

Encyclopedia.com says he received an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe nomination in 1974, and a later BAFTA nomination, for The Last Detail, lists earlier work in The Last Picture Show (1971), later films including Midnight Express, National Lampoon's Vacation (1983), National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989), Kingpin, and Independence Day (1996), and records later Emmy nominations for A Streetcar Named Desire and LBJ: The Early Years, along with a Golden Globe for the latter in 1988 and a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2003. The Los Angeles Times independently records The Last Picture Show, an Oscar- and Golden Globe-nominated role in The Last Detail, later work as Cousin Eddie in National Lampoon's Vacation and Christmas Vacation, Kingpin, Independence Day, Brokeback Mountain, television work including A Streetcar Named Desire and LBJ: The Early Years, the 2005 miniseries Elvis, and a season on Saturday Night Live from 1985 to 1986. Encyclopedia.com also lists later films including What's Up, Doc? (1972), Paper Moon (1973), Bound for Glory (1976), and The Missouri Breaks (1976), The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (1974), The Long Riders (1980), Quick Change (1990), Days of Thunder (1990), The Paper (1994), and National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation (1997), and says he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003. The Los Angeles Times independently records later Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for the 2005 CBS miniseries Elvis, in which he played Colonel Tom Parker.

Name notes for searchers

People looking up Randy Quaid are looking for the same actor, including the film and later television work most often associated with his name. Search traffic often uses the professional name Randy Quaid, including many later online name lookups that mention his brother, actor Dennis Quaid.