'A Christmas Story': Here's What Everyone from the Original Cast Looks Like Now

'a christmas story' cast then and now
'A Christmas Story' Cast: See Where They Are Now©MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection

It's pretty hard to believe that A Christmas Story wasn't an instant sensation. Still more unbelievable is that it's been nearly 40 years since the adorable Ralphie Parker first stole our hearts. Yes, you read that right: Your favorite '80s movies are officially four decades old. You may wonder what Ralphie has been up to since his mission to obtain the coveted Red Rider 200-shot Range Model air rifle. Fans can find out by watching the beloved movie's sequel, A Christmas Story Christmas, which was released on HBO Max last year.

This sequel follows an adult Ralphie, his son, and a few of his pals as he returns to his old stomping grounds. Peter Billingsley, of course, reprised his iconic role and fans will recognize quite a few other familiar faces, as well. There's truly nothing better at Christmastime than wrapping up in a blanket, grabbing a plate of Christmas cookies, and watching the hysterically relatable Parker family. Before you do though, check in with the old cast of A Christmas Story and see how much everyone has changed from then until now.

Then: Peter Billingsley as Ralphie Parker

Can you believe Peter Billingsley was only 12 years old when the original movie came out? And A Christmas Story wasn't even his first acting credit: The adorable child star starred in a commercial when he was just seven years old.

'a christmas story' cast then and now ralphie
Archive Photos - Getty Images

Now: Peter Billingsley

After several television and film roles in the '90s, Billingsley shifted his focus to behind-the-scenes work as an editor, director, and producer. You can even catch him in cameos in some of the films he produced, like The Break-Up and Four Christmases. It was great to see him back on the big screen in A Christmas Story Christmas, though!

'a christmas story' cast then and now ralphie
Barry Brecheisen - Getty Images

Then: Darren McGavin as The Old Man Parker

Playing Ralphie's dad, or "Old Man Parker," was certainly not Darren McGavin's first rodeo. He started out as a set painter for Columbia Pictures and went on to have a prolific television, film, and stage career. On Broadway, McGavin originated roles in My Three Angels and The Rainmaker. The actor was 61 years old when he starred as little Ralphie's grumpy pop!

'a christmas story' cast then and now darren mcgavin
©MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection

Now: Darren McGavin

After A Christmas Story, McGavin received recognition for his comedic skills when he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for his work on Murphy Brown. The popular '90s movie Billy Madison, starring Adam Sandler, was one of McGavin's last major film roles. He died in 2006 at the age of 83.

'a christmas story' cast then and now darren mcgavin
Ron Galella, Ltd. - Getty Images

Then: Melinda Dillon as Mother Parker

You may know Melinda Dillon best as Mother Parker, but she too had a well-established acting career before A Christmas Story. In fact, 20 years prior, she received a Tony Award nomination for her first major role, in a Broadway production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. In the years that followed, she was also nominated for two Oscars and a Golden Globe. No wonder we all fell in love with Mother Parker!

'a christmas story' cast then and now melinda dillon
©MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection

Now: Melinda Dillon

After playing Ralphie's loving but frazzled mom, Dillon continued to act in major films and guest star on TV shows. Notable film credits include Harry and the Hendersons, The Prince of Tides, and Magnolia. Dillon was set to star in the sequel A Christmas Story Christmas, but she fell ill and had to be replaced by actress Julie Hagerty. Dillon died at age 83 in January 2023, less than two months after the film was released.

'a christmas story' cast then and now melinda dillon
VALERIE MACON - Getty Images

Then: Ian Petrella as Randy Parker

Much like Peter Billingsley, Ralphie's adorable on-screen brother also started acting at a very early age—three years old! Ian Petrella's aunt worked at a talent agency and had suggested he give it a try. Before A Christmas Story, he had primarily appeared in commercials and television shows.

'a christmas story' cast then and now ian petrella
©MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection

Now: Ian Petrella

Ian continued acting throughout his teens and eventually found his way into comedy improv. At the age of 17, he was the youngest person ever to audition and be accepted to attend classes at L.A's famous Groundlings Comedy Theater. A true creative at heart, the actor-comic eventually put a pause on acting to pursue puppeteering, animation, and cartooning. As fate would have it, the 20th reunion for A Christmas Story rekindled his love for film, and he soon began his own production company.

'a christmas story' cast then and now ian petrella
Bobby Bank - Getty Images

Then: Scott Schwartz as Flick

Sweet, sweet Flick. You remember, Ralphie's friend who got his tongue stuck to the pole? While his fellow child stars only had minor acting experience, Scott's big film break happened prior to A Christmas Story. He co-starred with Richard Pryor and Jackie Gleason in 1982's The Toy.

'a christmas story' cast then and now scott schwartz
©MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection

Now: Scott Schwartz

Scott had a pretty normal life in his teen years, though he did attend a prep school for aspiring child actors. Since 1987, he has helped manage a sports and movie memorabilia collectibles store with his father. Most recently, he became the president of a non-profit that lobbies for the protection of young performers in the industry. Lucky for us, he reprised his role as Flick in the sequel!

'a christmas story' cast then and now scott schwartz
Bobby Bank - Getty Images

Then: R.D. Robb as Schwartz

And next up in Ralphie's gaggle of buddies is Schwartz, played by R.D. Robb. The film was R.D.'s first acting appearance, which makes sense since he was only 11 years old when A Christmas Story premiered!

'a christmas story' cast then and now rd robb
©MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection

Now: R.D. Robb

R.D. stayed in the industry after his breakout role and has over 20 acting credits and 10 producer credits. He was featured in other notable family movies, like Matilda and The Brady Bunch Movie. He recently guest starred in an episode of The Goldbergs (pictured right). Funny enough, the episode references his success as a child actor in A Christmas Story.

'a christmas story' cast then and now rd robb
Rick Rowell - Getty Images

Then: Zack Ward as Scut Farkus

When Zack initially expressed an interest in acting, his mother discouraged it despite being an actress herself. Eventually, his brother intervened, and he was allowed to go out on auditions. A year later, he landed Scut Farcus in A Christmas Story after competing with 300 other kids for the role!

'a christmas story' cast then and now zack ward
©MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection

Now: Zack Ward

Thank goodness his mom relented because Zack's career seriously took off after the Christmas classic. He's performed in numerous television series throughout the years, along with roles in films like Almost Famous, Transformers, and Anne of Green Gables. In a completely different direction than A Christmas Story, Ward has also starred in horror flicks such as Resident Evil: Apocalypse and Freddy vs. Jason. Ward co-founded a film production company in 2014, and he's been the CEO of Global Sports Financial Exchange, Inc since 2017. The actor went back to his roots when he reprised his role for the A Christmas Story sequel!

'a christmas story' cast then and now zack ward
Matt Winkelmeyer - Getty Images

Then: Yano Anaya as Grover Dill

Just like R.D. Robb, Anaya's first acting credit was at age 11 in A Christmas Story. He landed the role of Scut's sidekick, Grover Dill.

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MGM

Now: Yano Anaya

Yano continued to pursue acting into his teens. Two years after A Christmas Story, Anaya was cast in a minor role in the dark comedy Better Off Dead. He also starred in the late 1980s indie film The Blue Iguana alongside Dylan McDermott and Dean Stockwell. Later in life, the actor turned his focus to health and wellness as "a body transformation expert and exercise science educator."

'a christmas story' cast then and now yano anaya
Bobby Bank - Getty Images

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