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Holiday Rich or Rehab: Whatever Happened to Randy From 'A Christmas Story'?

Posted by Jen Chaney

We already know what became of Peter Billingsley, the actor who played Ralphie in "A Christmas Story." (And by the way, you can see yet another of his frequent cameo appearances in "Four Christmases," the No. 1 movie in America and a comedy he also produced.) But what about Ralphie's little brother Randy, the kid who snorted all over a plate of meatloaf and mashed potatoes in his role as "Mommy's Little Piggy"? Whatever happened to him? 

That young actor's name was Ian Petrella, and he was only 9-years-old when the Red Ryder BB gun tale released in theaters. It was his first role, but not his last. Petrella went on to appear in several TV shows, including "Diff'rent Strokes," "Who's the Boss" and "Beverly Hills, 90210," in which he played the much sought-after role of "Kid." (At least that's how imdb tells it.)

After that, the California native left acting behind. Details on his early adult life are vague, but my friend the Internet, who's in really tight with Wikipedia, tells me that Petrella currently works as an animator and puppeteer. Some of his creations can be seen on the Web site Mas Kapital, where a short bio pays homage to his alter ego Randy, the little boy who can never put his arms down while wearing a snowsuit.

Petrella included his e-mail address on the page, so technically I suppose you could shoot him a note if you've always to correspond with Randy Parker. (And who hasn't?) Actually, you may want to wish him a happy birthday since next week, he turns 34.

Sure, he may not roll with Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau like his onscreen older brother. But it sounds like Ralphie's baby bro is doing just fine.

Related Posts:

Rich or Rehab, Holiday Edition: Whatever Happened to Zuzu?

Top 10 Kid Christmas Special Moments That Make Parents Cry

 

 


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About Jen Chaney

Jen Chaney is the movies editor and a DVD columnist for washingtonpost.com. Her byline has appeared in The Washington Post, People magazine, USA Today and the Utne Reader as well as various other newspapers around the country. She is the mother of a one-year-old boy, who has not yet learned the word Xanadu. But he will. Trust us, he will.

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