- - Meet the Real-Life Loves of the “A Christmas Story” Cast

Jacqueline WeissDecember 20, 2025 at 4:00 AM

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Vinnie Zuffante/Getty ; Cassidy Sparrow/Getty

Darren McGavin and Kathie Browne McGavin circa 1980 in New York City ; Peter Billingsley and Elizabeth Bains attend Del Frisco's grand opening on February 8, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.

It’s been over 40 years since we first heard Santa Claus tell Ralphie Parker, “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid,” in A Christmas Story.

The beloved 1983 Christmas film follows 9-year-old Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) and his desperate attempts to procure a Red Ryder Range 200-shot BB gun as his Christmas present, along with his many misadventures and those of his family.

Many members of the original cast reprised their roles in the 2022 sequel film, A Christmas Story Christmas, which takes place 33 years after the original film.

"Ralphie's not really where he wants to be in his life but he's still a dreamer, so he still has these fantasies of what his life could be, where it could go. And then he's called home with some real responsibilities and burdens," Billingsley told PEOPLE ahead of the movie’s release.

In the 2022 sequel film, Erinn Hayes plays Ralphie’s wife, Sandy, but in real life, Billingsley has been married to his wife, Elizabeth “Buffy” Bains, since 2015.

Here’s everything to know about the real-life partners of the A Christmas Story cast.

01 of 08

Peter Billingsley and Elizabeth Bains

Cassidy Sparrow/Getty

Peter Billingsley and Elizabeth Bains attend Del Frisco's grand opening on February 8, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.

Peter Billingsley, who starred as Ralphie Parker in the Christmas classic, married his wife Elizabeth “Buffy” Bains in 2015. The couple have kept their private life on the quiet side over the years.

When the actor revisited his iconic role in the 2022 sequel, A Christmas Story Christmas, he told PEOPLE ahead of the release that his kids were part of why he felt ready to make the sequel.

"A lot of people have said, 'Why now?' for this movie, and definitely being a father in real life [paralleled] being able to channel being a father in A Christmas Story Christmas," he said.

At the time, he and Bains had been married for nearly seven years and were raising a 5-year-old daughter and a 2-year-old son.

02 of 08

Melinda Dillon

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Melinda Dillon attends the memorial service for Hal Ashby on December 27, 1988 in Hollywood, California.

Melinda Dillon starred as the Parker family matriarch in the 1983 film.

In real life, she was married to actor Richard Libertini from 1963 until their 1978 divorce. Together, they shared a son.

Dillon died on Jan. 9, 2023, at age 83.

03 of 08

Darren McGavin and Kathie Brown

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Kathie Browne and Darren McGavin attend an event in circa 1988.

Darren McGavin, who portrayed the no-nonsense Mr.Parker/The Old Man, was married twice.

He was married to Melanie York from March 1944 until their divorce in 1969. The couple welcomed four children together.

Also in 1969, he married Kathie Brown, per the Los Angeles Times. The actress was known for roles on television series such as Star Trek and Perry Mason. In 1972, they co-founded Taurean Films, a production company.

McGavin died on Feb. 25, 2006, at age 83.

04 of 08

Jean Shepherd and Leigh Brown

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Jean Shepherd poses for a photo shoot in 1975 in New York.

Jean Shepherd served as the narrator (adult Ralphie) of A Christmas Story.

He married at least three times before his death in 1999. First to Joan Laverne Warner, with whom he welcomed two children, second to Emmy-winning actress Lois Nettleton, and lastly to his agent and producer Leigh Brown.

Shepherd and Brown were married for 21 years before her death in 1998.

05 of 08

R.D. Robb and Amy Israel

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Amy Israel of Paramount (right) and RD Robb during The 78th Annual Academy Awards - Executive Arrivals at Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California, United States.

R.D. Robb plays Ralphie’s best friend Schwartz in A Christmas Story.

He is married to Amy Israel, with whom he shares two children. Israel is the president of television at Peter Chernin’s North Road Company, where she has overseen scripted television development and production since joining the company in October 2023, per Variety.

06 of 08

Zack Ward and Jennifer McMahan

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Jennifer McMahan-Ward and Zack Ward attend "Bennett's War" Los Angeles Premiere at Warner Bros. Studios on August 13, 2019 in Burbank, California.

Zack Ward portrays bully Scut Farkus in the film. He has been married to his wife Jennifer McMahan since Aug. 18, 2018.

McMahan, who is from Seattle, has worked as an actress and producer and first met Ward in 2013.

McMahan celebrated 11 years together with a sweet post dedicated to Ward on Instagram, writing: “Happy Day 17 my sweet husband. 11 years ago today I met you and it’s been an amazing ride ever since! Thank you for loving me for who I am and making me a better person. Everyday is an adventure and I can’t wait to see what we do next!”

07 of 08

Yano Anaya

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Yano Anaya attends Chiller Theatre Expo Halloween 2023 at Parsippany Hilton on October 27, 2023 in Parsippany, New Jersey.

Yano Anaya portrayed Scut Farkus’ buddy and fellow bully Grover Dill in A Christmas Story.

He was previously married to actress Selena Anduze, whose recurring television credits include roles in Swamp Thing, WandaVision, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. The former couple met in 2006 at A Christmas Story convention, where they were introduced by Anduze’s best friend.

Anaya and Anduze married in Puerto Rico two years later, but have since divorced.

08 of 08

Tedde Moore and Donald Shebib

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Tedde Moore and Donald Shebib, and Suzanna Shebib attend the "Nightalk" Premiere during the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival at Scotiabank Theatre on September 16, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario.

Tedde Moore played Miss Shields, Ralphie’s teacher, in the movie. In real life, she was in a relationship with Canadian director Donald Shebib for over 40 years.

The couple shared daughter Suzanna Shebib and son Noah “40” Shebib, Drake’s longtime producer. She was pregnant with Noah while filming A Christmas Story. Moore is also mother to daughters Zoe Carter and Chaunce Drury.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”