Ronald Jason Lively (born March 12, 1968) is an American actor and director. He is best known for European Vacation (1985), Night of the Creeps (1986), and Ghost Chase (1987). Lively has mostly retired from acting since the 1990s.

Jason Lively
Born
Ronald Jason Lively

(1968-03-12) March 12, 1968 (age 56)
OccupationActor
Years active1979–1993; 2015–2017
SpouseLani Lively
Children3
FatherErnie Lively (father)
RelativesLori Lively (sister)
Robyn Lively (sister)
Eric Lively (brother)
Blake Lively (sister)
Ryan Reynolds (brother-in-law)
Bart Johnson (brother-in-law)

Early life

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Ronald Jason Lively[1] was born on March 12, 1968[1] in Carroll County, Georgia, the son of talent manager Elaine (née McAlpin) and her first husband, Ronald Otis Lively.[1] He is the adoptive son of actor Ernie Lively ( Brown), the brother of actresses Lori Lively and Robyn Lively, and the half-brother of actor Eric Lively and actress Blake Lively.[2]

Career

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Lively started his career by appearing in the pilot episode of The Dukes of Hazzard when he was 10 years old. His first film appearance was four years later in the 1983 film Brainstorm. That same year he also had another appearance in The Dukes of Hazzard. His most recognizable roles came when he played Rusty Griswald in 1985's National Lampoon's European Vacation, and Chris in 1986's Night of the Creeps.[3]

After that, he appeared in the films Ghost Chase and Maximum Force. In 1993, he appeared in the video game Return to Zork, along with his sisters, Robyn Lively and Lori Lively.

Lively took a 20 year long break from acting following 1992's Maximum Force. He would make his return to the screen in the American Western film Hickok. The film also starred Luke Hemsworth, Trace Adkins, Kris Kristofferson and Bruce Dern.[4]

Post-acting career

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Jason Lively has worked for a computer company and was also owner and operator of Jimmy Crack Corn, a mobile roasted corn business.[5]

He is married to Lani Lively. The two share three children.[5]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1983 Brainstorm Chris Brace
1985 National Lampoon's European Vacation Russell "Rusty" Griswald
1986 Night of the Creeps Chris
1987 Ghost Chase Warren McCloud
1990 Class of Fear Chip Brooks Also known as "Monday Morning"
1991 Rock 'n' Roll High School Forever Donovan
1992 Maximum Force Rick Carver
2015 Vacation Young Rusty Griswald Cameo (footage from European Vacation)
2017 Hickok Ike
The Possessed Brian
2025 In from Outside Detective Tate Pre-production

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1979 The Dukes of Hazzard Rudy Episode: "One Armed Bandits"
1983 Rod Moffet / Rudy 2 episodes
1982 ABC Afterschool Specials Johnny Rollins Episode: "Daddy, I'm Their Mama Now"
1987 21 Jump Street Davey Miller Episode: "Next Generation"
1989–1990 Mancuso, F.B.I. Justin Summers 3 episodes
1992 Gunsmoke: To the Last Man Rusty Dover Television film

Video games

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Year Title Role
1993 Return to Zork Ben Fyshin

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result
1983 Young Artist Awards Best Young Actor in a Television Special ABC Afterschool Specials

(Episode: "Daddy, I'm Their Mama Now"

Nominated
1984 Best Young Actor, Guest in a Television Series The Dukes of Hazzard Nominated
1986 Best Starring Performance by a Young Actor - Motion Picture National Lampoon's European Vacation Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b c Doris McAlpin Russell (1990). McAlpin(e) genealogies, 1730-1990: Alexander McAlpin of South Carolina and Georgia and his descendants, plus other McAlpin(e) families of North America. p. 735.
  2. ^ Stevens, Kaitlin (July 24, 2024). "Blake Lively's Siblings: All About Her Brothers and Sisters". Peoplemag. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  3. ^ Pevos, Edward (March 20, 2022). "What's Rusty Griswold up to? We caught up with the actor in Michigan this weekend". mlive. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  4. ^ Blankenship, Bill. "'Night of the Creeps' star Lively to spend evening in Topeka". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Benson, Lee (September 18, 2011). "Sounds corny, but actor likes life in Heber". Deseret News. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
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