The Marvel Character You Had No Idea Was Played by A Christmas Story’s Ralphie

Actor Peter Billinglsey is perhaps best known to the general public for playing the new face of Ralphie Parker in Bob Clark’s anti-nostalgia 1983 film, “A Christmas Story.” Clark’s film was a success when first released, serving as a cynical takedown of Halcyon Christmas traditions, à la Norman Rockwell. The characters were all petty, nasty and greedy, revealing that the warm and glorious Christmases of the past were not as sweet or easy as Nostalgia Nights believe. Oddly, “A Christmas Story” turned into the opposite of its thesis, broadcast on television every Christmas season, sometimes over and over again during a daylong marathon.

Billingsley managed to turn his work in “A Christmas Story” into something of a career, appearing occasionally in films and on television for at least another decade. In 1985, he starred in a fantasy film about enchanted vehicles called “The Dirt Bike Kid” and appeared in episodes of “Highway to Heaven” and “Punky Brewster.” In 1984, he starred in a TV movie called “The Hoboken Chicken Emergency”, based on a novel by Daniel Pinkwater, the author behind “Lizard Music”, Benny Safdie’s next collaboration with Dwayne Johnson. In 1994, however, when Billingsley was in his early 20s and starring in the sci-fi horror film “Arcade,” he began to move away from acting. Instead, As /Film once covered before, Peter Billingsley began working as a producer.

In 2001, Billingsley served as co-producer on an independent film called “Made”, starring, written and directed by Jon Favreau. Billingsley collaborated several times with Favreau, for which Favreau gave him small roles in his films. In 2008, Billingsley even made a cameo appearance in Favreau’s superhero film, “Iron Man.” This means it’s officially part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

It is worth noting that Peter Billingsley and Jon Favreau have enjoyed a long and lucrative career together. After “Made,” Billingsley co-produced Favreau’s 2003 Christmas comedy, “Elf.” Perhaps because of his association with “A Christmas Story,” Favreau felt the need to make Billingsley an elf named Ming Ming. From 2001 to 2004, he also produced Favreau’s hit series “Dinner For Five,” which earned him an Emmy nomination. Then, in 2005, Billingsley also produced Favreau’s children’s sci-fi film, “Zathura,” so he and Favreau clearly worked well together. He also seemed to work well with Favreau’s “Made” co-star Vince Vaughn, as Billingsley also oversaw the production of his 2006 comedy “The Break-Up.” Billingsley also made his directorial debut in 2009 with the Vince Vaughn comedy “Couples Retreat,” co-written by Favreau.

And indeed, in 2008, when Favreau made his super-hit “Iron Man,” Billinglsey was there again, as executive producer. Perhaps as a thank you, or maybe just for a little fun, Favreau also gave Billingsley a small role in “Iron Man,” playing a random scientist named William Ginter Riva. Riva’s character was an employee of the film’s corporate villain, Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges), and only had one scene in which he was chewed out by the boss. Billingsley has a full head of hair, but shaved his head for the role.

The plot of “Iron Man,” recall, was about how Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) was once a greedy, tech-hungry weapons manufacturer, but he had a change of heart after a traumatic experience of being kidnapped by a warlord. This issue is not addressed in “Iron Man”, but Tony’s change of heart has had a negative impact on the lives of his engineering employees. Remember this now.

Little-seen Engineer William Riva returned in a later Marvel Cinematic Universe film. Indeed, Tony Stark’s blatant neglect of his own employees would finally be addressed in the 2019 follow-up “Spider-Man: Far from Home.” In this film, Peter Billingsley reprized his role, this time working for a mysterious and vengeful villain named Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal). At this point in MCU history, Tony Stark had died, but his legacy of neglect of employees was still present. Mysterio, aka Quentin Beck, aimed to steal Tony Stark’s technology for the people who created it. William Riva was present. Billingsley, however, did not produce “Far from Home”.

Billingsley worked again with Vince Vaughn, directing his 2016 thriller “Term Life,” before reprising the role of Ralphie Parker in the 2022 sequel “A Christmas Story Christmas,” for which he produced and wrote the story. His greatest job might have been as executive producer of the 2012 sitcom “Sullivan & Son,” of which he wrote 33 episodes and directed six. His most recent work was co-producing the 2025 western “Broke,” starring Wyatt Russell and Dennis Quaid. Vince Vaughn was also a producer on that one.

Oddly, Jon Favreau and Billingsley have not worked together on any of Favreau’s high-profile “Star Wars” projects. Favreau is responsible for “The Mandalorian” as well as the upcoming feature film “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” which appears to be the funniest “Star Wars” movie yet. Favreau’s former producing partner was not present. But this could just be a twist of fate. Billingsley also didn’t oversee Favreau’s bomb “Cowboys and Aliens” or his independent film “Chef.”