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Ian Petrella is an American actor and puppeteer, best known for playing Randy Parker in A Christmas Story and its sequel. He was born in 1974 in Los Angeles and currently lives in Cleveland, Ohio.
Ian Petrella is best known for playing Randy Parker in the classic holiday film "A Christmas Story". He also worked as a puppeteer on Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers and Jim Henson projects, and as an animator on various shorts and web content.
- January 1, 1
- 1.75 m
- Los Angeles County, California, USA
- 2 min
- A Christmas Story, then and now. Like most family holiday movies, 1983's A Christmas Story teaches you many things, the most important being that you should never, ever, ever stick your tongue to a frozen piece of metal.
- Peter Billingsley (Ralphie) Although he technically only had a handful of lines in A Christmas Story — a muddled expletive being one of them — Peter Billingsley stayed in the Christmas movie circuit later on in life, appearing in Elf (2003) and Four Christmases (2008) years after his iconic role.
- Ian Petrella (Randy) After his breakout role as Ralphie's little brother Randy, Ian Petrella went on to appear on a string of television shows, including Diff'rent Strokes, Who's the Boss?
- Melinda Dillon (Mrs. Parker) Ralphie and Randy's kind, eccentric mother was already a Tony-winning actress before she starred in A Christmas Story, with two Oscar nominations under her belt to boot for Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) and Absence of Malice (1981).
Ian Petrella is a notable American animator and former child actor. Best known for his role as Randy Parker, Ralphie's little brother in the 1983 film "A Christmas Story," Petrella's portrayal of Randy still resonates with audiences today.
- December 1974
- Los Angeles, California
- Randy Parker in "A Christmas Story"
- Peter Billingsley (Ralphie Parker) Peter Billingsley as Ralphie Parker is one of the most recognizable kids in Christmas movies to date. His piercing blue eyes and chubby cheeks made him all the cuter to viewers as he pined over the Red Ryder BB Gun as his ultimate Christmas gift.
- Darren McGavin (Mr. Parker) Before taking on the iconic role of Ralphie’s father, known as the Old Man, in A Christmas Story, Darren McGavin was known for his roles in Mike Hammer, Kolchak: The Night Stalker and Riverboat.
- Melinda Dillon (Mrs. Parker) Before she told Ralphie he'd shoot his eye out, Melinda Dillon was already successful in the industry. By the time she filmed A Christmas Story, Dillon had been nominated for a Tony for her theater work and an Oscar for her role in Steven Spielberg’s 1977 Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
- Ian Petrella (Randy Parker) Ian Petrella played Randy Parker in the A Christmas Story. At the ripe old age of 3, Petrella started acting. Since A Christmas Story, he’s made one-off appearances here and there—on Different Strokes, Who’s the Boss?
Ian Petrella is an 80s American child actor who played Randy Parker in A Christmas Story. Learn more about his biography, filmography, and tour guide experience at the original A Christmas Story house.
Aug 23, 2024 · Mr. Petrella, who played the character of the little brother, "Randy," signed autographs and answered questions about the film during two showings on Saturday.
