A Christmas Story: Catching Up with the Parkers

Every Christmas movie fan knows who Ralphie is, and the beloved 1983 film "A Christmas Story" springs to mind nearly every time some people see a BB gun. What boggles the mind is that real actors were behind those lovable characters from the holiday classic "A Christmas Story," and those individuals have been busy in the 25-plus years since they poked fun at Chinese pronunciation problems and the immobility caused by wearing too many layers of clothing. Here's a look at what became of Ralphie, his little brother and their parents from "A Christmas Story."

Peter Billingsley (Ralphie Parker)

Peter Billingsley, the older brother who wanted a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas in the classic "A Christmas Story." will be 40 years old in 2011. After having some special appearances in TV shows and TV movies over the years, Billingsley returned to the big screen to play an uncredited elf in the Christmas comedy "Elf" in 2003. He also appeared as a ticket agent in the 2008 film "Four Christmases." Billinsgley also played a role in the 2008 film "Iron Man." Billingsley was an executive producer for both of the more recent Christmas films, and he is a longtime friend of actor Vince Vaughn, who was cast as the lead in "Four Christmases." Vaughn also appeared in "The Break-Up," another film produced by Billingsley.

Ian Petrella (Randy Parker)

Petrella, the little brother who, at one point, thought his father was going to kill Ralphie, has appeared in only one other film since starring in "A Christmas Story." He had a small role in "Crimes of Passion," a 1984 drama. He has had appearances in a few TV shows. Most recently, he appeared as a bartender in the TV series, "Crafty." In 2008, Petrella appeared in a stage production of "A Christmas Story" at the Plaza Theater in Orlando, Fla. He played the narrator. Today, Petrella works in animation and puppetry. In 2010, directors at A Christmas Story House and Museum, which is the actual house where the movie was filmed, announced that Petrella would be a special guest from early November through New Year's Day. He lived in the home and served as its tour guide. Petrella, who is from Hammond, Ind., now lives in Cleveland, Ohio, where he threw out the first pitch at a Cleveland Indians baseball game in July 2010. It seems his "A Christmas Story" fame knows no end.

Melinda Dillon (Mrs. Parker)

Dillon, who hails from the same hometown (Hope, Ark.) where President Bill Clinton was born, turned 71 years old in 2010. Prior to her role in "A Christmas Story," Dillon was nominated for two Oscars. She was nominated as Best Supporting Actress for both 1977's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and 1981's "Absense of Malice." She played another maternal character in the 1987 film "Harry and the Hendersons," and he has had roles in many TV movies and guest appearances in TV shows, including "Picket Fences." Most recently, Dillon had a role in the 2007 film "Reign Over Me." In "A Christmas Story," Dillon was certain that Ralphie would shoot his eye out. These days, all of her own children are grown. I guess they'll have to fend for themselves.

Darren McGavin (Mr. Parker)

McGavin, who played the father in "A Christmas Story" died Feb. 25, 2006 at the age of 83 in Los Angeles. His last acting role was in "Still Water Burns," a romantic drama released in 2008. It was McGavin's first film appearance in nearly a decade. He primarily appeared in TV series and TV movies, and he enjoyed a few prominent lead roles long before he starred in "A Christmas Story." McGavin began his acting career in 1945. In 1958, he snagged the lead in the TV series "Mike Hammer." The series centered on investigator Mickey Spillane, played by McGavin. "Mike Hammer" aired for 79 episodes. In 1974, McGavin was cast as the lead in another investigator series, "Kolchak: The Night Stalker." McGavin appeared in all 20 episodes as Carlk Kolchak. In the 1970s, he appeared in such films as "Hot Lead and Cold Feet" and "Airport '77." In addition to his Parker family sons, McGavin had four children from his first of two marriages. Their names are Bogart, York, Megan and Bridget.

Bob Clark (Director and Writer)

"A Christmas Story" was the last big hit for Clark, who mainly directed TV movies after 1983. His earlier directorial credits include "Porky's" and "Rhinestone." The latter film starred Sylvester Stallone and Dolly Parton and bombed at the box office. In addition to directing "A Christmas Story," Clark helped in writing the screenplay for the film. Clark wrote most of the films he directed. He also had a few small acting roles over the years. In his famous holiday film, he had an uncredited role. Clark died April 4, 2007, from injuries sustained in a car crash in Pacific Palisades, Cali. He was 67. His son, Ariel Clark, was also killed in the crash. Another driver, who veered into the path of Clark's vehicle, was charged with drunken driving.

Jean Shepherd (Narrator)

Shepherd, who was born in the same city as Petrella (Hammond, Ind.), wrote the novel, "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash" and wrote the first version of "A Christmas Story," which was adapted from the many short stories told in his book. "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash" was first published in October 1966 by Doubleday. Shepherd's book was a collection of tales talen from his own life. Born July 26, 1922, Shepherd was a child during the Great Depression, which is the time period for the book's stories. He was born Jean Parker, which is the same last name used for the family in the film. In writing the screenplay for "A Christmas Story," Shepherd received help from Leigh Brown, his first wife, and from Clark. Shepherd also played the narrator in the film. The narrator was the adult version of Ralphie Parker.

Sources

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/galleries/where_are_they_now_a_christmas_story/where_are_they_now_a_christmas_story.html

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085334/

http://www.achristmasstoryhouse.com/index.php/randy-comes-home/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0791789/bio