Chevy Chase endured a far more serious health crisis in 2021 than many people realized at the time, according to revelations made in a new CNN documentary that revisits the comedian’s life and career.
The film, titled I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not, sheds light on the severity of the actor’s medical emergency, including the moment when his heart stopped and doctors placed him into a medically induced coma that lasted more than a week. Chase’s daughter, Caley Chase, describes the experience in stark terms, explaining that her father had essentially been brought back from the brink of death.
When news first surfaced in 2021 that the longtime entertainer had been hospitalized, details were scarce. The documentary now fills in those gaps, featuring interviews with Caley and Chase’s wife, Jayni Chase, who both recount the frightening uncertainty surrounding his condition.
Caley explains that her father was suffering from heart failure and that the situation escalated quickly. During a trip to the emergency room, Chase’s heart stopped, leaving doctors scrambling to save his life. Jayni recalls that her husband knew something was wrong but struggled to explain what he was feeling before the emergency unfolded.
Jayni also shares that years of heavy drinking contributed to cardiomyopathy, a condition that weakens the heart muscle and limits its ability to pump blood effectively. According to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cardiomyopathy can significantly increase the risk of heart failure and cardiac arrest.
Chase’s close friend Peter Aaron reveals in the film that doctors made the decision to place the actor in a coma, which ultimately lasted eight days. Aaron notes that the toll such a procedure takes on the body can be immense, particularly for someone already dealing with heart complications.
Caley recalls being warned by doctors to prepare for the worst, with medical staff explaining that even if her father survived, there was no guarantee of how mentally present he would be afterward. When Chase finally regained consciousness, his ability to communicate was limited at first, relying almost entirely on his voice.
Despite the seriousness of the moment, Caley says her father’s trademark sense of humor surfaced unexpectedly during his recovery. When a nurse adjusted his medical equipment, Chase reportedly cracked a familiar joke, bringing a wave of relief to his family and signaling that some part of him remained unchanged.
The documentary traces Chase’s journey from his early days as a musician, including his association with Steely Dan, through his rise to fame on Saturday Night Live, and his run of successful films that cemented his place in Hollywood comedy. It also explores his later resurgence on the television series Community.
Interviews with fellow performers and collaborators add context to both Chase’s talent and his reputation, which has often been described as complicated. The film includes commentary from figures such as Goldie Hawn and Martin Short, among others.
As a result of the 2021 incident, Chase now experiences memory gaps, which present challenges during the documentary’s more difficult conversations. Director Marina Zenovich presses the actor on moments from his career that sparked controversy, including conflicts during his time on television and his eventual departure from Community.
In the film, Chase reflects on his decision to leave Saturday Night Live early in its run, acknowledging that it may not have been the right move. He also speaks candidly about feeling hurt after being excluded from the show’s major anniversary celebration in 2025.
Zenovich, known for her previous documentaries on cultural figures such as Robin Williams and Richard Pryor, approaches Chase’s story with a focus on both personal accountability and vulnerability. The result is an unfiltered look at a comedian whose career highs and personal struggles have often collided.
The documentary premieres on CNN on January 1, offering viewers a deeper understanding of the health crisis that nearly claimed Chase’s life and the long road that followed.
