A ‘Christmas Story’ Cast: Where Are They Now?

A Christmas story has been a seminal holiday film since its release in 1983 and is a favorite to watch on Christmas Day.

The film follows nine-year-old Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), who is determined that he wants a new Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas, but all the adults try to convince him that it’s a bad idea because it might “shoot your eye out” .”

Despite being released more than 40 years ago, many of its stars have remained in show business, so let’s take a look at what they’re up to today.

Peter Billingsley (Ralphie)

The film’s star, with his iconic blue eyes and glasses, stayed in movies and even went on to make hit Christmas movies.

Billingsley had an uncredited role in the 2003s Elf starring Will Ferrell, and he also served as a producer—even appearing briefly—in four christmases, starring Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon.

The actor remained close to the film that made him famous around the world and co-produced the original 2012 Broadway musical adaptation of A Christmas story. Billingsley again played Ralphie in the 2022 HBO Max film A Christmas Story Christmas.

Ian Petrella (Randy Parker)

The actor would go on to have some more acting roles in TV shows such as Different strokes and Who is the boss? after landing his first acting role at the age of three.

Petrella took a 15-year hiatus from acting, traveling the world and studying puppetry in the Czech Republic.

He eventually returned to the United States, where he made animated shorts and actedA Christmas Story Christmas along with Billingsley.

Scott Schwartz (Flick)

Schwartz had perhaps one of the most memorable scenes in cinema history when his character licked a frozen light pole and got his tongue stuck.

In the 1990s, Schwartz turned his attention to the adult film industry, starring as an actor and also working behind the camera. He eventually returned to mainstream acting, but is known for his collection of celebrity-based trading cards.

Schwartz also reprized his role as Flick for the HBO sequel to A Christmas story.

Zack Ward (Scut Farkus)

Scut Farkus was the notorious bully in A Christmas story and also returned for the 2022 sequel.

“It’s a part of my life that I really couldn’t part with,” Ward shared Newsweek in 2022. “And I’m sure the day I die they’ll be like, ‘Oh, by the way, Scut Farkus has passed and his other name was Zack Ward.’ So it’s like being Batman, I guess.”

Aside from starring in the Christmas classic, Ward has had a prolific acting career. Some of his credits include, American Horror Story, It’s always sunny in Philadelphia, Mike and Molly, Liv and Maddiethree CSI shows, Hawaii Five-O, Cold Case and Transformers.

Melinda Dillon (Mrs. Parker)

Dillon had already won a Tony Award and been nominated twice for an Oscar before appearing in the Christmas movie. She was nominated for an Oscar for her roles in Close encounters of the third kind and Absence of evil.

She continued to work in many films and television series, and some of her last roles came in 2007, including the series Heartland and the movie Rule over me with Adam Sandler.

Dillon died in 2023 at the age of 83.

Darren McGavin (Old Man)

McGavin played Ralphie’s very grumpy but loving father. He is probably best remembered in the film for bringing out a lamp that looked like a leg in a fishnet stocking.

After A Christmas Story, McGavin played Adam Sandler’s billionaire father Billy Madison. McGavin was nominated for an Emmy in 1990 for a guest appearance on the sitcom Murphy Brown.

McGavin died of heart disease in 2006, aged 83.

Yano Anaya (Grover Dill)

The actor portrayed Scut Farkus’ sidekick and continued to act, including reprising his role in the HBO sequel.

Anaya made headlines in 2022 when the owner of the iconic house from A Christmas story slammed him for taking selfies with fans outside the property, per TMZ.

When the owner listed the property for sale, Anaya expressed interest in buying it.

“You’re not going to buy this place. I’m never selling it to you,” the man is heard telling Anaya in a video posted on TMZ.