Meet Jayni Chase: Chevy Chase’s Wife, Environmentalist, and Family Rock

For Chevy Chase, love finally clicked the third time around. After two short-lived marriages, the legendary comedian found something lasting with Jayni Chase, a woman who brought peace, purpose, and partnership into his life. Known for his wit and brilliance on screen, Chevy’s personal life wasn’t always a smooth ride. But Jayni changed everything—and continues to be his anchor through fame, fatherhood, and family.

How Chevy and Jayni Met on Set

Their love story began on the set of Under the Rainbow, a 1981 comedy where Chevy co-starred with Carrie Fisher. Jayni, whose maiden name is Luke, was working behind the scenes as a production coordinator. Chevy was smitten almost immediately, but Jayni wasn’t interested—not at first.

“He flirted with me and pursued me, but I didn’t take it seriously,” she recalled in a 1990 interview with Barbara Walters. But all it took was a single glance. After making a casual comment that unexpectedly hurt Chevy, Jayni said she saw something deeper in his reaction. “I looked in those brown eyes, and I said, ‘Oh, I think there’s a nice guy there.’ And there is.”

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From Flirtation to Forever

They dated for nearly two years before tying the knot in June 1982. Their wedding took place in Los Angeles, and although Jayni had no idea she’d end up marrying a Hollywood star, their bond quickly became unshakeable.

Since then, their relationship has grown not only through years of love and laughter but through raising a family and tackling life’s many ups and downs together.

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Jayni’s California Roots and Career in TV

Jayni grew up in North Hollywood, California, surrounded by sports-loving brothers. Her competitive spirit led her to become a pentathlete in her youth, though she eventually shifted gears to study communications at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

That academic background laid the groundwork for her behind-the-scenes work in television and film, including her job at NBC and, ultimately, the role that brought her face-to-face with her future husband.

A Reluctant Beginning

While Chevy knew he was interested from the start, Jayni needed convincing. In a 2009 PBS interview, Chevy said that Jayni “couldn’t care less” when he first made his move. Jayni later confirmed, “He did have to pursue me because I really wasn’t wanting to be in a relationship.”

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But persistent flirtation, genuine charm, and a dose of sincerity eventually won her over. As they both tell it, it was the emotional honesty behind Chevy’s usually silly persona that caught Jayni’s heart.

Building a Family Together

Chevy and Jayni have three daughters: Cydney (born in 1983), Caley (1985), and Emily (1988). Parenthood was a journey they didn’t take lightly. Before welcoming their first child, the couple read books and took Lamaze classes—getting their parenting lessons from none other than Dustin Hoffman’s childbirth coach.

Despite their nerves, Chevy said the moment Cydney was born, he was “in love immediately.” He even cut the umbilical cord and held her for the first hour, believing she recognized his voice after months of him talking and singing to Jayni’s belly.

Their daughters have grown up embracing the family’s mix of humor and heart. In an Earth Day Instagram post, Emily joked that the Chase women were “basically the boyband of nature,” with Jayni as the frontwoman and the sisters each taking on a unique band persona.

A Bonus Son and Blended Love

Before marrying Jayni, Chevy had a son, Bryan Perkins, from a previous relationship. Jayni welcomed him into their blended family, becoming a stepmother as she embraced motherhood with her own daughters.

Chevy, reflecting on this stage in his life, said that once he married and became a dad, he turned away from romantic roles. “It seemed wrong to have my three-year-old wondering why Daddy was kissing someone else,” he once told a reporter.

Grandparents at Last

Chevy once said he “couldn’t wait to be a grandad,” and that wish came true on August 1, 2024. Their youngest daughter, Emily, gave birth to a baby girl named Ivy Jay Baglieri. Chevy and Jayni’s growing family continues to bring joy into their lives, now including this newest generation.

Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Jayni has faced her own health challenges, too. In 2015, she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, a complicated autoimmune disorder. Her case is seronegative, meaning it lacks specific antibodies used for monitoring disease progression. That makes treatment tricky, relying mostly on symptoms to guide her care.

She’s undergone several surgeries, including joint replacements in her hands and fingers, which had become so stiff they impacted her daily life. Still, Jayni’s spirit remains undeterred.

She often shares updates with her followers. In one post before finger surgery, she wrote, “Motion is lotion!”—an optimistic mantra for someone refusing to let a chronic illness dictate her life.

A Home Full of Pets and Humor

The Chase household isn’t just lively—it’s practically a zoo. The couple has four dogs, including two Westies and two Goldendoodles, plus two cats. Jayni frequently shares snapshots of their “pack” heading to the beach or lounging around the house.

Chevy, never one to miss a punchline, once joked on National Puppy Day, “Today we celebrate our dogs by losing Walley in the woods and cooking and eating one of the Westies.” He quickly added that their cats would be fed the leftovers. Typical Chevy humor.

An Advocate for the Planet

Jayni’s not just a homemaker or film professional—she’s an environmental activist with decades of work under her belt. She’s especially focused on climate awareness and sustainable living.

Speaking with Westchester Magazine, she said, “Living ‘green’ is just how I have chosen to live my life. Once you understand that everything is connected, the logic will emerge.”

She serves on the advisory board of Bedford 2030, a local group dedicated to climate solutions. Chevy is often by her side at these events, including when they were honored together in 2019. Jayni’s message was simple but urgent: “The work is not done — it’s far from done.”

Her Journey with CBD and Wellness

After a surgery in 2017, daughter Emily introduced Jayni to CBD to help manage her pain. To her surprise, it worked wonders. She later co-founded The Pharm Stand, a wellness boutique originally located in Armonk, NY, offering CBD-based remedies and natural products.

Jayni even posed for a photo with business partners Debbie Doniger and Jason Provost—and Martha Stewart herself, who dropped by to visit the shop. “Martha Stewart loved our CBD shop,” Jayni wrote proudly on Instagram.

A Support System for Sobriety

Chevy has spoken candidly about struggling with drugs and alcohol in his earlier years. He attributes much of his recovery to Jayni’s influence. After his second divorce, he spiraled, describing himself as “a Bowery bum.”

But meeting Jayni gave him the motivation to clean up. “She got me right out of the doldrums I’d been in for three years,” Chevy told PEOPLE. “There is no smoking of pot, no drugs, no drinking. It’s a very clean life.”

Nature and Nurture at the Chase Home

Jayni has always loved the outdoors, and she’s made sure her family embraces it too. Whether it’s walking through a local nature preserve, beekeeping, or gardening, she makes space for green living every day.

She and Chevy even started making their own honey. In 2020, Chevy shared a photo of Jayni holding a jar of their home-harvested “Funny Honey.” What began with an organic vegetable garden turned into three full beehives—and glowing reviews from everyone who’s tasted their honey.

A Beach Bond That’s Never Broken

Jayni and Chevy’s connection thrives outside of Hollywood and home life. They love spending time by the ocean, enjoying the peace of the beach as a couple. In one beachside photo, Jayni gushed over Chevy’s windswept hair and called him her “very handsome hubby.”

After 40+ years of marriage, their bond remains full of warmth, playfulness, and genuine affection. Jayni’s caption summed it up simply: “A beautiful day at the beach!”

Jayni Chase: More Than a Hollywood Wife

While she may have met her husband on a movie set, Jayni Chase’s life has been defined by much more than Hollywood. She’s a passionate activist, a devoted mom and grandmother, a chronic illness warrior, and a natural nurturer who balances a fierce love for her family with a desire to improve the world around her.

Chevy Chase may be the star of the screen, but Jayni’s the one who keeps the spotlight grounded in purpose, resilience, and love. Their story is a real-life romantic comedy—equal parts humor, healing, and heart.