Remember Ralphie from A Christmas Story? Of course you do!
The actor that played Ralphie is Peter Billingsley, who is now 39-years-old. Hard to believe, isn’t it? But being as A Christmas Story was released in 1983, it makes sense. Wow, time flies!
Peter Billingsley’s mother’s cousin (got that?) was once briefly married to Leave it to Beaver‘s Barbara Billingsley.
All four of Peter’s siblings worked as actors at one time or another, but Peter Billingsley is definitely the most recognized.
Peter Billingsley’s first acting job was in a Geritol commercial when he was only two-years-old. He starred in the commercial with Betty Buckley, who is a well known Broadway performer.
Throughout the 1970′s-80′s, Peter Billingsley starred in a whopping 120 television commercials. Perhaps his best known commercial was for Hershey’s syrup where he played the role of Messy Marvin.
Below: Peter Billingsley as Messy Marvin, for Hershey’s
In more recent years, Peter Billingsley has worked behind the scenes in such films/television series as Elf, (which he also has a small role in), The Discovery Channel’s A.R.K., Dinner for Five, Zathura, and The Break Up starring Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughan. He continues to act in small roles as well. You may have seen Peter Billingsley in Sherman Oaks, L.A. Heat and No Deposit, No Return. He also wrote a musical adaptation of A Christmas Story that opened in Seattle this month.
