Animal House Trivia and a Look at the Careers of the Cast and Creators

This summer will mark 29 years since the release of the classic movie comedy "Animal House." This small budgeted ($2.7 million) comedy with only John Belushi and Donald Sutherland as familiar faces in the cast opened at the end of July 1978 and became the second highest grossing film of the year (behind Grease) and the highest grossing comedy ($142 million) of all time up to that time.

Through the years new generations have been introduced to the film and each new generation seems to love it as much as the generation past. Everyone has his or her favorite character and favorite lines and the film has stayed in the pop culture since day one.

I thought it would be fun to share some trivia (which, no doubt, most ardent fans will already know) and take a look at the careers of many of the actors and see how they turned out. I have purposely excluded Donald Sutherland (Mr. Jennings) and Kevin Bacon (Chip Dillard), both of whom, as we all know, have had substantially successful careers. I also haven't included John Belushi because his fate is likely well known to anyone reading this article.

Why, you might ask, would I do such a column on the 29^th anniversary and not the 30^th? Because the members of Delta house wouldn't have it any other way.

Let's take a look at some "Animal House" trivia:

The film is #36 on the list of the American Film Institutes funniest films of all time.

Director John Landis had only made two smaller film comedies that had bombed at the box office. He was 28 when he made this film.

Landis envisioned a different cast for the film and offers went out to the following actors: Chevy Chase (Otter), Dan Aykroyd (D-Day), Brian-Doyle Murray (Hoover), Jack Webb (Dean Wormer), Kim Novak (Mrs. Wormer). Chase turned the film as he was still shooting "Foul Play" with Goldie Hawn. Murray and Aykroyd were unavailable. Webb and Novak were turned off by the adult nature of the script.

Donald Sutherland received $50,000 for his role and was the highest paid cast member. He appeared because he knew Landis as a babysitter for son Keifer. Sutherland was offered a piece of the film's profits in lieu of salary but Sutherland was convinced the film would bomb so he took the salary. Had he taken the points he would have made in the neighborhood of $18 million!

This was the film debut for John Belushi, Karen Allen. Kevin Bacon, Peter Reigert, Tom Hulce, James Widdoes, Martha Smith, Mary Louise Weller, Sarah Holcomb, and Lisa Baur.

John Belushi's wife Judith can be spotted sitting right in front of Bluto as the "charming man" sings "I Gave My Love a Cherry" and can briefly be seen dancing with Bluto when "Shout!" plays.

At the toga party Bluto yells something that causes his fellow frat brothers to fall to the floor and wither around. For years there has been a debate as to what Bluto yelled. John Landis finally cleared up the issue when he answered the question in a television interview. Bluto yells "Gator," based on a popular dance of the day.

The film was shot in 28 days. Five were used to film the climatic parade scene and two were used to film the toga party.

Once filming was completed Kevin Bacon returned to his day job as a waiter. No one believed him when he said he had made a movie.

When finding out what happened to each character it is discovered that Babs became a tour guide at Universal Studios. After the ending credits there is an ad for the Universal Studios Tour and, in parenthesis, the phrase 'Ask For Babs' was added to it. Universal kept that phrase on the end of their movies until 1989 and if you went to the studio and asked for Babs you either got a discount or were admitted free to the tour.

The film was shot at the University of Oregon in Eugene. The president of the University had one time previously refused permission to shoot a film on a campus where he worked and the film turned out to be "The Graduate." After the success of that film he admitted that he probably didn't know how to read screenplays. This all came after the president at the University of Missouri agreed to allow filming there and then backed out after reading the script.

In the film Niedermeyer is fated to be killed by his own troops in Vietnam. In "Twilight Zone - The Movie," part of John Landis' story takes place in Vietnam where an American troop is seen wandering around lost. One of the soldiers proclaims, "I told you guys we shouldn't have killed lieutenant Niedermeyer."

Babs' line, "That boy is a P-I-G, pig" and Dean Wormer's line, "Like sh** through a goose" were both improvised on the spot by the respective actors. Producer Matty Simmons' one and only contribution to the script was Bluto's line, "Seven years of college down the drain."

Toga parties were unheard of when this film was first released. When the film became popular they became the rage on college campuses all over the country.

The original Delta house was dilapidated when the film crew arrived. Only exteriors of the house were shot there while Interior shots were filmed at another frat house. The Delta house has long since been demolished.

In case John Belushi was unable to play the part or backed out, director John Landis' second choice for Bluto was singer Meat Loaf.

Stacy Grooman played flounder's girlfriend, Sissy. Grooman happened to be a student at the University of Oregon at the time and was spotted by the casting director. Grooman never appeared in another film.

Now here is a look at the cast and creators of the film and how their careers turned out.

KAREN ALLEN (Katy) - Allen, 55, made her film debut here and then followed it with small roles in Woody Allen's "Manhattan," "The Wanderers," "Cruising" and "A Small Circle of Friends." She became a star with her role as Marion Ravenwood, bar owner and girlfriend to Indiana Jones in "Raiders of the Lost Ark." Her next role was as Albert Finney's mistress in the powerful drama "Shoot The Moon," co-starring Diane Keaton. She then appeared in the forgettable love story "Until September" and then hit box office gold again co-starring with Jeff Bridges in John Carpenter's "Starman." Since then she has appeared in mostly supporting roles in such films as "The Glass Menagerie," "Scrooged," "Malcolm X," "The Sandlot," "Ghost in the Machine," and "In The Bedroom." She also has a host of television movie appearances.

LISA BAUR (Shelly Dubinski) - Animal House was Baur's film debut after having made an appearance on the hit television show Charlie's Angels. Baur never made another movie and, like D-Day in the movie, here whereabouts today are unknown. One can only hope she moved on to a happy and fruitful life.

VERNA BLOOM (Mrs. Wormer) - Bloom, 67, was an established character actress when the role of seductress Marion Wormer came her way and put her in the annuls of American movies. She made her film debut in 1969 in the cult classic "Medium Cool" and had subsequent roles in "The Hired Hand" with Peter Fonda, "High Plains Drifter" with Clint Eastwood and "Badge 373" with Robert Duvall. She also had several television movie appearances as well. Her post-Animal House career included roles in "Honkytonk Man" with Clint Eastwood, "The Journey of Natty Gann" and two movies for Martin Scorsese, "After Hours" and "The Last Temptation of Christ." She has also appeared in such television shows as Cagney and Lacey, The Equalizer, Dr. Quinn - Medicine Woman and The West Wing.

CESAR DANOVA (The Mayor) - Danova's early career consisted of film and television work in Italy. When he came to the U.S. in the early 60's get his first big role in the notorious Elizabeth Taylor/Richard Burton film "Cleopatra." His most famous pre-Animal House role was as Elvis Presley's rival in "Viva Las Vegas." He also had roles in such films as "Boy Did I Get A Wrong Number" with Bob Hope and the British thriller "Chamber of Horrors." Danova's numerous television appearances included The Girl From U.N.C.L.E., Daniel Boone, The Green Hornet, The Name of the Game, The Mod Squad, Cannon, The Doris Day Show, Maude, Night Gallery, The Sandy Duncan Show, The New Dick Van Dyke Show, McMillan and Wife, Mannix, McCloud, Medical Center, Police Story, Matt Helm, Sanford and Son and Chico and the Man.

In 1973 Danova had a role in Martin Scorsese's acclaimed "Mean Streets" and then he landed the role of the Mayor in "Animal House.".

Interestingly Danova never made another theatrical movie again and went back to guest starring on such television shows as Charlie's Angels, Barnaby Jones, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, Vegas, Trapper John, M.D., The Fall Guy, Matt Houston, Hotel, Airwolf, Falcon Crest, Magnum P.I., Murder She Wrote, Hunter, and In The Heat of the Night.

Cesar Danova died of a heart attack in 1992 at the age of 66.

JAMES DAUGHTON (Greg Marmalard) - Before being cast as one of the film's villains, Daughton was best known for an episode of Happy Days in which the Cunningham's got to Hollywood. Daughton played the beach bum who challenged Fonzie to water ski and jump a shark.

After his Animal House role he appeared in mostly brief television appearances but did team up with director John Landis again with a small role in the Chevy Chase/Dan Aykroyd comedy "Spies Like Us."

In 2002 Daughton joined fellow cast mates Stephen Furst, Mark Metcalf and John Vernon for a small role in "Sorority Boys."

Most recently Daughton and Metcalf re-teamed in a commercial for bottled water in which the two play cops who bust a sorority toga party where Shout! is playing on the jukebox.

STEPHEN FURST (Flounder) - Furst, 51, spent his early days as a pizza delivery boy in Beverly Hills and Hollywood and would include a photo of himself in every pizza he delivered just in case it was the residence of someone famous. That persistence paid off and he got some television work before landing the role of Flounder. Furst reprised his role in the short lived spin off Delta House and then had roles in such forgettable films as "Take Down," "Scavenger Hunt," "The Unseen," "National Lampoon's Class Reunion" and "Silent Rage" with Chuck Norris. He next appeared with Tim Matheson in the sleeper comedy "Up The Creek." He then got a recurring role in the hit television series St. Elsewhere. In 1989 Furst starred with Michael Keaton, Peter Boyle and Christopher Lloyd in "The Dream Team."

In the 90's Furst, like many of his co-stars, appeared in numerous television series' including MacGyver, Night Court, Murder She Wrote, Dream On, Melrose Place, Chicago Hope, Diagnosis Murder and then had a recurring role in Babylon 5.

This decade Furst has appeared in numerous television and straight to video movies and lent his voice to the animated series Buzz Lightyear of Star Command. He has also begun directing for television movies and series of late.

ELIZA GARRETT (Brunella) - Garrett, who now goes by the name Eliza Roberts since her 1992 marriage to actor Eric Roberts, had a head start working with John Landis. She was a high school classmate of Landis' and made her film debut in "Schlock," Landis' first movie. Her next major role was as Brunella, the girl at the front desk at Emily Dickinson College.

Her work has been sporadic since then having appeared in such television shows as St. Elsewhere, Midnight Caller, Dream On, and Lois and Clark. Her film roles include an appearance in "Car 54, Where Are You?" and supporting parts in several straight to video movies starring her husband.

SARAH HOLCOMB (Pinto's girlfriend/The Mayor's Daughter) - Holcomb, 46, has had a tragic life since her early film work. "Animal House" was her first film appearance and she would appear in only three more movies. "Walk Proud" co-starred Robby Benson, "Happy Birthday, Gemini" was a major flop and lastly she appeared as Danny Noonan's Scottish girlfriend in the smash hit "Caddyshack." Despite such few film appearances Holcomb did manage to appear in two comedies now considered classics.

Sadly Holcomb's life started spiraling downward due to a massive addiction to alcohol and drugs that lead to mental problems including schizophrenia. Holcomb left the business to try and get her life together and is today reported to be living a quiet life in Connecticut under an assumed name, away from the limelight. She apparently lives on welfare but has regained her mental health to a degree and wishes to no longer be found.

TOM HULCE (Pinto) - Hulce, 53, has the distinction of being the only cast member ever nominated for an acting Academy Award (to date). Hulce made his big screen debut in 1977 in the film "9/30/55" starring Richard Thomas that tells the story of teenage life and those trying to cope with the death of James Dean. His first post-Animal House movie was the acclaimed look at life in summer stock theater called "Those Lips, Those Eyes," co-starring Frank Langella.

Hulce began working in local theater near his home in Seattle and didn't make another movie for four years and then returned to play Mozart in Milos Forman's Academy Award winning "Amadeus," which earned Hulce a nomination for Best Actor (the award went to co-star F. Murray Abraham). He then appeared in two little seen independent films, "Echo Park" and "Slam Dance." In 1988 he had another acclaimed role as the mentally challenged brother of med student Ray Liotta in "Dominick and Eugene." His next role was as the addicted gambler and brother of Steve Martin in Ron Howard's "Parenthood."

Hulce devoted more time to theater in Seattle and appeared in only two movies in the 1990's. First was as part of an ensemble cast in the drama "Fearless," as a lawyer for survivors of a plane crash. His next role was in the notorious flop, "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein." He also provided the voice of Quasimodo in Walt Disney's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame."

In this decade Hulce reprised his voice over role as Quasimodo for a direct to video sequel to Hunchback and most recently appeared (almost unrecognizable) as a psychiatrist treating Will Ferrell in an early scene from "Stranger Than Fiction."

DeWAYNE JESSIE (Otis Day) - Jessie was a well-established character actor before his greatest role, that of singer Otis Day came to him. He had appeared in such movies as "Halls of Anger," "The New Centurions," "The Crazy World of Julius Vrooder," "Darktown Strutters," "Sparkle," "The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings," "Car Wash," "Scott Joplin," "Fun With Dick and Jane," "Which Way Is Up?" and "Thank God It's Friday."

His post-Animal House career was short lived. He appeared in the films "Where The Buffalo Roam," "Gorp," "The Star Chamber" and "D.C. Cab."

Due to the enormous popularity of "Animal House," Jessie started touring the country as Otis Day and the Knights. Today he still plays small venues with the band and attends fan conventions and autograph sessions.

In the late 90's Jessie legally changed his name to Otis Day.

DOUGLAS KENNEY (Co-writer) - Kenney was one of the founding members of National Lampoon magazine and was, by all accounts, a brilliant comedy writer. Kenney, who played Stork in the movie, also co-wrote "Caddyshack."

Sadly, Kenney was massively addicted to cocaine leading one friend to exclaim, "Doug spilled more on the floor then most people could sniff in a lifetime." This addiction often made Kenney unpleasant to be around and he even snapped at reporters after the "Caddyshack" premiere when the film received bad reviews.

Best friend Chevy Chase took Kenney to Hawaii in the summer of 1980 to get away and get his head on straight. Chase had to leave to go work but Kenney, 32, stayed on and tragedy struck when he fell to his death when the ground he was walking on collapsed. His body wasn't found for three days. In his hotel room notes for script ideas were written all over the place and he had written, "I love you" to his girlfriend on the mirror which lead some to believe that Kenney may have committed suicide. Good friend Harold Ramis would later remark, "Knowing Doug Kenney, he probably fell while looking for a place to jump."

JOHN LANDIS (Director) - No one was more surprised then John Landis, 57, when he was given the assignment of directing what would become one of the great film comedies. Landis had previously directed two smaller film comedies (Schlock; Kentucky Fried Movie) that few people saw. Once "Animal House" took off so did Landis' career.

Next up was "The Blues Brothers," a manic comedy with John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd that featured wall-to-wall music and the most astounding car crashes of its time. The film's budget spiraled out of control due to the car crash scenes and Landis trying to keep Belushi's drug habit under control, which caused numerous delays. Next up was Landis' dream project, the horror/comedy "An American Werewolf in London." Landis then took a break from filmmaking to direct the now classic Michael Jackson music video, Thriller, before stepping back into film directing with the smash hit "Trading Places," starring Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy.

Sadly Landis is likely best remembered for directing the segment of "Twilight Zone - The Movie," in which actor Vic Morrow and two children were decapitated when a helicopter that was flying too low crashed on them. Landis was indicted for manslaughter and later found not guilty and while he has continued working he has never re-established the magic of his early movies.

Landis' next four movies were all box office disappointments. "Into The Night" starred Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Pfeiffer in a comedy/thriller that has since found minor cult status. "Spies Like Us" teamed Dan Aykroyd with Chevy Chase but the film was saddled with a poor script that the two comics could only take so far. Even worse was "Three Amigos" with Chase, Steve Martin and Martin Short. Landis then directed a segment from the vignette comedy "Amazon Women On The Moon." In 1988 Landis directed the best of his post-Twilight Zone tragedy movies, "Coming To America" with Eddie Murphy. This was Landis's last true box office hit but may be better known as the film where Murphy and Landis came to blows with Murphy wrapping his hands around Landis' neck at one point.

The 90's began with Landis teaming with Sylvester Stallone for the gangster comedy "Oscar" and had another flop. He then returned to comedy/horror with "Innocent Blood," with the accent more on horror. Critics panned the film and audiences stayed away. Landis then co-created and directed several episodes of the HBO series Dream On. Apparently bad blood was pushed aside as Landis and Murphy teamed again (both badly in need of a hit) with "Beverly Hills Cop 3." The film was easily the worst of the bunch and audiences didn't bother. Landis's next film, "The Stupids" was yet another bomb and then he re-teamed with Aykroyd (along with John Goodman) for the ill advised "Blues Brothers 2000" that, despite some terrific musical numbers, failed to connect with critics or audiences.

Landis has not directed a big screen film in nine years now and most recently directed two episodes of Showtime's anthology series Masters of Horror.

TIM MATHESON (Otter) - Matheson, 59, is the only member of the Deltas to have a successful career prior to Animal House. Matheson was acting by the time he was a teenager appearing on numerous television shows such as Leave It To Beaver, My Three Sons, Jonny Quest, Adam-12, The Virginian, Room 222, Night Gallery, Ironside, Bonanza, Medical Center, Kung Fu, Police Story, Rhoda, Hawaii Five-O and Baa Baa Black Sheep. His early movie roles included playing Dick Van Dyke's and Debbie Reynolds' son in "Divorce, American Style," Lucille Ball's son in "Yours, Mine and Ours," and as a vengeful cop opposite Clint Eastwood's 'Dirty Harry' in "Magnum Force."

His post-Animal House career began with a starring role in "Dreamer," a love story set against the world of bowling and supporting roles in Walt Disney's "The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again" and Steven Spielberg's mega-flop "1941." In 1982 he starred in the romantic comedy "A Little Sex" and then co-starred with Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft in "To Be or Not To Be," (1983). In 1984 he re-teamed with his Delta buddy Flounder (Stephen Furst) for the amusing comedy "Up The Creek" and then starred in the forgettable thriller "Impulse." In 1985 Matheson landed one of his best roles as a villain opposite Chevy Chase in the hit comedy "Fletch."

Since then Matheson has appeared infrequently in theatrical films but did show up with Chris Farley in "Black Sheep" and in another villainous role in "A Very Brady Sequel." He also can be seen in the teen comedy "She's All That," in the Bruce Willis/Michelle Pfeiffer drama "The Story of Us" and then returning to familiar territory in "National Lampoon's Van Wilder."

Matheson has spent most of the last decade working in television in movies and appearing on such shows as The King of Queens, Ed, Without A Trace, The West Wing and most recently on the James Woods' series Shark as a judge.

Matheson has also become a busy television director having directed episodes of such series as Criminal Minds, Just Legal, The West Wing, Cold Case, Without A Trace, Third Watch and St. Elsewhere.

BRUCE McGILL (D-Day) - McGill, 57, has become one of the busiest character actors of the last 20 years. He had a brief role in 1977's "Handle With Care" before landing the role he is still most identified with (which, incidentally, he got after reading the script while in the unemployment line). McGill, who actually could play The William Tell Overture on his throat, was one of the few cast members to reprise his role for Delta House and then moved into movies starting with a small role in Oliver Stone's directorial debut, "The Hand." Roles in "Tough Enough" and "Silkwood" followed and then McGill re-teamed with Landis for "Into the Night." He then started reeling off roles in such films as "Wildcats," "Club Paradise," "No Mercy," "The Secret of My Success," "Three Fugitives" and "Out Cold."

In the 90's McGill wavered successfully between television and movies. After a memorable appearance as a mobster in Tales From The Crypt, McGill appeared with Bruce Willis in "The Last Boy Scout" and then had a memorable role as a small town sheriff in the hit comedy "My Cousin Vinny." McGill made numerous appearances on MacGyver and then turned up in the two-part series finale of Quantum Leap. He continues making memorable appearances in such films as "Cliffhanger," "A Perfect World," "Timecop," "Black Sheep," "Courage Under Fire," "Lawn Dogs" and "The Insider."

In this decade McGill has appeared in such movies as "Deep Core," "The Legend of Bagger Vance," "Exit Wounds," "Shallow Hal," "Ali," "The Sum Of All Fears," "Legally Blonde 2," "Matchstick Men," "Runaway Jury," "Collateral," "Cinderella Man," and "Elizabethtown."

Most recently McGill was seen in the crime drama "The Lookout."

MARK METCALF (Nedermier) - Metcalf, 61, will forever be known for his role as "Dougie" thanks to this film and for reprising the character in the Twisted Sister video, We're Not Gonna Take It, in the mid 80's. Metcalf lied to casting directors and told them he was an expert horse rider when, in reality, he had never ridden a horse in his life. Once he was cast he took riding lessons and came to the set fully prepared.

Metcalf made his film debut in the acclaimed 1977 film "Julia" starring Jane Fonda and Vanessa Redgrave. Roles in such films as "Head Over Heels," "Where The Buffalo Roam," "The Final Terror," "Almost You," "The Heavenly Kid," "One Crazy Summer," and "Mr. North" followed.

In the 90's Metcalf re-teamed with Landis (and Peter Reigert) in the Sylvester Stallone comedy "Oscar" and again for "The Stupids." He has also made numerous television appearances, most notably as The Maestro in Seinfeld.

This decade Metcalf is best known for his brief appearance in "Sorority Boys" and as The Master in "Buffy The Vampire Slayer."

Today Metcalf attends autograph shows and fan conventions and still proudly signs every autograph, "You're worthless and weak."

CHRIS MILLER (Co-writer) - Miller, 64, was the chief architect for the original screenplay for "Animal House." Miller's days at Dartmouth served as many of the inspirations for the film. He claimed that the sequence with the guys going to Emily Dickinson College to pick up women who happened to be friends with a recently deceased girl was based on a frat brother's exact experience. Miller also claims he was Pinto when he first pledged and became Boon by the time he was a senior.

Miller can also be seen in "Animal House" as one of the card players when Flounder comes over to their table. He also has one line, the word 'No,' at the parade scene when a man asks, "My son can't see. Is it alright if he stands in front of you?"

Miller's career as a screenwriter stalled for his own reasons as he decided to go into teaching drama, which he still does today in California. He did write one episode of the television series Square Pegs and contributed the story for "Club Paradise." His last screen credit was for writing the script for the Harold Ramis directed/Michael Keaton starred film "Multiplicity."

HAROLD RAMIS (Co-writer) - Ramis, 62, alum of Second City and SCTV, has had a successful career as an actor, writer and director. As one of the writers of "Animal House," Ramis admits to just polishing the script that was in place by Chris Miller. Ramis' only college experience to make it into the movie was shooting golf balls at the ROTC. Ramis originally was offered the role of Otter but the offer was rescinded because Landis thought Ramis was too old. Ramis declined to take a smaller role and moved on to co-write and direct the now classic "Caddyshack."

Ramis took a break from directing to co-write and co-star in "Stripes" with Bill Murray. He next provided voices for the animated "Heavy Metal" and then returned to directing with "National Lampoon's Vacation." (Ramis's voice can be heard in the film both as the Moose that informs the Griswold's that the park is closed and as an off-camera policeman who asks Roy Walley if he wants the Griswold's arrested).

In 1984 Ramis co-wrote (with Dan Aykroyd) and co-starred in the smash hit "Ghostbusters." He next directed his first box office flop, "Club Paradise" starring Robin Williams. The failure of this film caused Ramis to put directing on hold for seven more years. Ramis then acted in three consecutive films, "Baby Boom," "Stealing Home" and the disappointing "Ghostbusters II," written again by Ramis and Aykroyd.

In 1993 Ramis stepped back into the director's chair (and also co-writer) to make the Bill Murray hit comedy "Groundhog Day." His next two films as director, "Stuart Saves His Family" and "Multiplicity" (with Michael Keaton and written by Animal House so-writer Chris Miller) flopped at the box office. During that time he also had small roles in the films "Airheads," "Love Affair" and "As Good As It Gets." Ramis finished the decade directing the hit comedy "Analyze This" with Billy Crystal and Robert DeNiro.

This decade started with Ramis directing a mediocre remake of the classic Dudley Moore/Peter Cook comedy "Bedazzled," which starred Brendan Fraser and Elizabeth Hurley. In 2002 he had a brief role in the comedy "Orange County" and directed the mediocre sequel, "Analyze That." In 2005 he directed the dark comedy "The Ice Harvest," with John Cusack and Billy Bob Thornton. Unfortunately the film flopped at the box office despite decent reviews.

Currently Ramis can be seen as Seth Rogan's father in the hit comedy "Knocked Up."

PETER REIGERT (Boon) - Reigert, 60, has had a successful career both in television and movies post-Animal House. Reigert got his start appearing in two episodes of M*A*S*H before landing the role that still defines him. After playing Boon he appeared in three forgettable movies, "Americathon," "Head Over Heels" and "National Lampoon Goes To The Movies," which was so bad it was never released.

In 1983 Reigert landed (in my opinion) the role of a lifetime in the charming comedy "Local Hero" as a Texas oil executive who travels to a small Scottish town to try and woo the townspeople into selling their land to the oil company. His next role of note was opposite Amy Irving in the sweet romantic comedy "Crossing Delancey."

In 1990 Reigert started falling into smaller character roles in such films as "A Shock To The System," a dark comedy with Michael Caine as a bitter white collar employee who starts killing those who get in his way of climbing the corporate ladder, "Oscar," a gangster comedy with Sylvester Stallone that re-teamed Reigert with director John Landis, "Passed Away," "The Mask," and "Traffic."

Reigert has also appeared on such television shows as Sports Night, Law and Order, The Sopranos, Law and Order and Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.

Recently he starred in and directed a romantic comedy called "King of the Corner."

MARTHA SMITH (Babs) - Smith, 53, got her start modeling and eventually posed for Playboy where she was the centerfold in the July, 1973 issue. Her acting career began with appearances on the television series' Quincy, M.E. and Charlie's Angels. Smith auditioned for the role of Mandy but shied away when she realized the role called for nudity (odd for a past Playmate). She then landed her most famous role as Babs.

Smith then appeared mostly in television shows including Happy Days, Taxi, The Dukes of Hazzard, Fantasy Island, Dallas, Days of Our Lives, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Hotel, Mike Hammer and The Young and the Restless.

Smith left the business for a time to sell real estate but has recently started acting again.

JOHN VERNON (Dean Wormer) - Vernon was a longtime character actor before his most famous role came to him in 1978. He did scores of television work in the late 50's and throughout the 60's (not surprisingly he was usually the villain) before getting his first good critical notices as a killer in the Lee Marvin thriller "Point Blank." Roles followed in Alfred Hitchcock's "Topaz" and "Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here" with Robert Redford.

One of his most memorable roles was a small one as the Mayor in the original "Dirty Harry," (1971). He then played a villain in the Walter Matthau caper film "Charley Varrick" for Dirty Harry director Don Siegel (which, incidentally, featured a co-starring role for Andy Robinson, the killer in Dirty Harry). He then starred opposite John Wayne (Brannigan) and Clint Eastwood (The Outlaw Josey Wales) before becoming infamous as Dean Wormer.

Vernon's television work is too numerous to list here (with the exception of reprising his role in the television spin off Delta House) but he did pop up now and then in theatrical features including "Herbie Goes Bananas," "Airplane II: The Sequel," "Curtains," "Chained Heat," "Fraternity Vacation," "Ernest Goes To Camp," "I'm Gonna Git Ya, Sucka," and "Sorority Boys."

John Vernon died of heart failure in 2005 at the age of 72.

MARY LOUISE WELLER (Mandy Pepperidge) - As Mandy, Weller, 60, is best remembered for the scene where she undresses at the window while Bluto watches her from outside on a ladder.

Weller, 60, was more of a television actress pre-Animal House having appeared on Baretta, Kojak, Starsky and Hutch, and The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries. Her post-Animal House career included appearances on the television shows BJ and the Bear, Vegas, Fantasy Island, CHIPS and QUINCY M.E. The few movie roles she had were in "The Bell Jar," "Forced Vengeance" with Chuck Norris, "Blood Tide" and "Q," about a giant winged serpent terrorizing New York.

Weller, apparently, has retired from acting. Having been an equestrian as a child she bought a ranch in Malibu and reportedly raises horses.

JAMES WIDDOES (Hoover) - Widdoes, 53, is today one of the busiest television directors in the industry but back in 1978 he was just trying to break into the business as an actor. After being cast as the clear thinking Hoover (and he actually could juggle tennis rackets), Widdoes reprised the role for the short-lived Delta House. Widdoes continued to act in forgettable movies and television shows and then began directing in 1988 with the show Just The Ten of Us.

Since then Widdoes has helmed many episodes of such shows as Anything But Love, Harry and the Hendersons, Empty Nest, Dave's World, Reba, My Wife and Kids, The King of Queens, 8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter, Two and a Half Men and According to Jim.