# Jason Lively

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.

## Early life

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

## Career

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.
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.

## Post-acting career

Jason Lively has worked for a computer company and was also owner and operator of Jimmy Crack Corn, a mobile roasted corn business.
He is married to Lani Lively. The two share three children.

## Filmography
### Film

| 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 | |
| 2017 | The Possessed | Brian | |
| 2025 | In from Outside | Detective Tate | Pre-production |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1979 | The Dukes of Hazzard | Rudy | Episode: "One Armed Bandits" |
| 1983 | The Dukes of Hazzard | 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

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1993 | Return to Zork | Ben Fyshin |

## Awards and nominations

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