Randy Quaid, born Randall Rudy Quaid (Houston, October 1, 1950), is an American actor. Known for his versatility as a character actor, he gained critical acclaim early in his career for his role as sailor Larry Meadows in *The Last Detail* (1973), a performance that earned him nominations for the Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, and BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor. His fame among the general public is linked to iconic roles such as the eccentric Cousin Eddie in the *National Lampoon's Vacation* film series and the alcoholic pilot Russell Casse in *Independence Day* (1996). His filmography includes other significant works such as *Midnight Express* (1978), the comedy *Kingpin* (1996), and the drama *Brokeback Mountain* (2005). In television, he won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his acclaimed portrayal of President Lyndon B. Johnson in the TV movie *LBJ: The Early Years* (1987), for which he also received an Emmy Award nomination.