Why yes, you can use a butterfly clip as an artery clamp. How realistic is Ambulance? An actual paramedic weighs in Why yes, you can use a butterfly clip as an artery clamp. By Clarissa Cruz Clarissa Cruz is an Executive Editor at and cohost of The Awardist podcast. She has also appeared as an entertainment expert on the Today show, The CBS Early Show, Good Morning America, E! and Access Hollywood. EW's editorial guidelines on November 29, 2025 11:42 p.m. ET :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/eizagonzalezambulance21126255f1d695ea38f4f2991d5980d45649568.

Why yes, you can use a butterfly clip as an artery clamp.

How realistic is Ambulance? An actual paramedic weighs in

Why yes, you can use a butterfly clip as an artery clamp.

By Clarissa Cruz

Clarissa Cruz is an Executive Editor at and co-host of The Awardist podcast. She has also appeared as an entertainment expert on the Today show, The CBS Early Show, Good Morning America, E! and Access Hollywood.

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on November 29, 2025 11:42 p.m. ET

Jake Gyllenhaal and Eiza Gonzalez in 'Ambulance'. Credit:

Universal Pictures

In Michael Bay's high-concept action thriller *Ambulance* (now on Netflix), Eiza Gonzalez stars as Cam, an unflappable paramedic who completes increasingly ludicrous medical feats while held hostage in the back of an emergency vehicle hijacked by bank-robber brothers Danny (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Will (Yahya Abdul Mateen II).

How ludicrous? When the film hit theaters back in 2022, we asked UCLA Paramedic Program Director David Filipp whether Cam's actions are heretical — or actual health care. Read on for his answers.

**: There's a scene where one of the characters gets shot in the chest and Cam performs CPR on him. Can you do CPR on someone who's been shot in the chest or does that move things around too much?**

**DAVID FILIPP:** No, actually CPR is all you really can do. If someone's in a position where their heart's not beating, regardless of the reason their heart's not beating, you have to do CPR. They don't have a pulse at that point in time, so they're dead if you don't do it.

Eiza Gonzalez and Michael Bay on the set of 'Ambulance'. Andrew Cooper/Universal Pictures

**That won't push more blood out or anything?**

Whether it's a car accident or a gunshot or a heart attack, if their heart's not beating, their heart's not beating. And the only way we have to do that is to artificially make the heart pump, which is through CPR.

**There's another scene in which the paramedic, Cam, has to perform surgery to remove a bullet from a victim while in a speeding ambulance. She FaceTimes a bunch of doctors on her computer and they guide her through it. Is that even possible? **

Telemedicine has been around on ambulances in some locations around the U.S. for several years. The city of San Antonio experimented with that several years ago — an ER doctor could actually see the patient in the back of the ambulance and provide some guidance to the paramedics. But having a physician talking a paramedic through surgery would be extraordinarily unlikely.

**Especially not during a high-speed car chase.**

No. And frankly, we're moving a bullet. It might cause additional bleeding. So that probably wouldn't be something we would do — it's a little beyond our scope as paramedics. Even with the doctor's instruction, we couldn't do that.

'Ambulance' director Michael Bay says the American dream 'is disappearing'

Michael Bay goes full-crazy in his wildly adrenalized action throwback 'Ambulance'

**In the movie, the paramedic actually pulls out someone's spleen because a bullet is lodged there. But the spleen bursts. If someone's whole torso is open because they just had their spleen manually removed, can that someone survive? **

Spleen injuries are actually fairly common in trauma patients. If you're impacted on the left by a car accident or a bullet or a knife wound or whatever, your spleen can be damaged. And it's full of blood and bleeds a lot. So trauma surgeons often remove spleens to help a trauma patient survive a really bad accident. Paramedics wouldn't remove the spleen, but a trauma surgeon would certainly consider it if the spleen bleeding couldn't be controlled. And you can live without a spleen.

**Good point. Would a paramedic be able to stitch up somebody who just had their spleen removed in the back of an ambulance?**

Some paramedics who work offshore in extremely rural areas where there isn't a medical facility close might have a higher scope of practice where they can suture people up, but it wouldn't generally be internal stitching.

**I guess it would just be the outside stuff. But let's say that's not the case and it's internal stitching like what obviously would be needed here. Is that person a goner or is it survivable?**

Time is really the factor. If we can get them to a trauma surgeon within about an hour, their chances of survival are much, much better. The longer it is until they get to a surgeon, the less chance of survival they will have.

Eiza Gonzalez in Michael Bay's 'Ambulance'. Universal Pictures

**Oh, yes, Cam says that. She tries to get everyone to the hospital in under a certain number of minutes.**

Absolutely. There was a concept of the golden hour, which is from the time of injury until the time that person reaches a surgeon's table. And if they can't reach it within an hour, their chances of survival drop dramatically. But as paramedics, we don't have a golden hour — we have a platinum 10 minutes to assess them and get them on the way.

**Have you ever had a spleen burst in your hands?**

Oh, no. Well, I've had plenty of patients who've had ruptured spleens. Again, that's not terribly unusual with a trauma patient, but we're not going to open somebody up and stick our hands in their belly to hold their spleen. That's just not something paramedics do.

**Well, they do it in this movie.**

Of course they do.

**Because this guy's losing so much blood, Cam hooks one of the drivers up to donate blood while he's driving, because he's O positive, and I guess that's the blood type that can go to anybody?**

O negative, actually.

**Okay, O negative. So is that possible? If someone's driving, can you hook them up to an IV and then hook it up to somebody in the back to give them blood?**

No, it's not. There are multiple other things needed for blood to be properly matched to people. It isn't just about type. And we wouldn't transfer somebody, especially somebody who's driving because if you've ever given blood, you [know you] can get lightheaded. So with all these lives at stake in the back, to be driving and giving blood at the same time… yeah, no. It makes for a great story, but it's not realistic.

Jake Gyllenhaal and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in 'Ambulance'. Andrew Cooper/Universal

**Just a couple of more factual things. Is a butterfly hair clip a usable clamp for an artery that's bleeding out?**

If you have a blood vessel bleeding, you have to do what you can to stop the bleeding. We have medications that can help with that, or we have tourniquets that obviously we use instead, but the point is to stop the bleeding at that point in time. So I suppose [a hair clip] could be used.

**But if the paramedic has to stitch the person up, would she stitch the hair clip into them?**

They would have to stop the bleeding and the stitching would be a secondary consideration. That's just a wound closure. So stitching the wound up wouldn't be a big concern. Stopping the bleeding would be a big concern.

**So you can ostensibly, in the chain of importance, leave the clip in there?**

Oh yeah. You got to stop the bleeding first.

**Can an ambulance withstand gunshots from the outside?**

It kind of depends on the caliber of gun being used. You have lower-velocity guns, like handguns, where [the ambulance] may be able to withstand that. But a high-velocity gun like a deer rifle, that may penetrate the back of the ambulance. It also depends on where the ambulance sustains the gunshot because parts of it are thinner than other parts. So it probably could to some extent. I've been shot at in the ambulance as well.

We heard it, but the bullet didn't come inside. So it just depends on where on the ambulance it actually occurs.

**Last question — a personal one for you: Let's say you've had a very traumatic day. Are you able to turn it off? Or can you go have enchiladas after?**

I think that's an excellent point because one of the things we really worry about now is the stress on the providers. One of the tough parts is we don't get any real follow-up on our patients. We care for them in the ambulance, and they're left at the hospital, and we don't really have a way to circle back and go, "Hey, how did he do?" Or "How did she do?" We don't really have any closure from those encounters. I've been in EMS for 40 years; I've been a paramedic 38 of those years. I've developed coping mechanisms to where you can kind of turn it off when you need to turn it off.

*This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.*

*Ambulance* is streaming on Netflix.**

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How realistic is Ambulance? An actual paramedic weighs in

Why yes, you can use a butterfly clip as an artery clamp. How realistic is Ambulance? An actual paramedic weighs in Why ye...

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Here's your guide to one of cinema's most iconic (and complex) franchises. How to watch the Star Wars movies in order, from A New Hope to The Rise of Skywalker Here's your guide to one of cinema's most iconic (and complex) franchises. November 30, 2025 10:00 a.m. ET Leave a Comment :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/StarWarsANewHopeRevengeoftheSithTheRiseofSkywalker0214257f7e18d7e02f4a0fbb552f33428d5619.jpg) Star Wars movies through the years.

Here's your guide to one of cinema's most iconic (and complex) franchises.

How to watch the Star Wars movies in order, from A New Hope to The Rise of Skywalker

Here's your guide to one of cinema's most iconic (and complex) franchises.

November 30, 2025 10:00 a.m. ET

Leave a Comment

Star Wars movies through the years. Credit:

Lucasfilm / courtesy Everett (3)

With *Star Wars*, George Lucas created a fully realized galactic playground with the potential for endless settings, cultures, characters, and stories. We've gone backward and forward in that universe ever since, with Lucas masterminding an entire saga and then passing the baton to others — from Dave Filoni to J.J. Abrams — to follow in his footsteps.

In 1977, he plopped viewers into the middle of his story. The nine-episode epic began with Episode IV, but the adventures of Luke, Leia, Han, a pair of droids, and Darth Vader were actually introduced in the middle of the saga. The original trilogy is legendary — the perfect thing to hook a budding fan — while the prequel and sequel trilogies are pivotal yet divisive. In between, wars, missions, and origin stories have gotten their own big-screen showcases on the timeline.

Here's how to watch the *Star Wars *movies in chronological order, from *The Phantom Menace *to *The Rise of Skywalker*.

Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (Episode I) (1999)

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Lucasfilm Ltd.

Darth Vader was such a towering figure in the imagination of *Star Wars* fans that anticipation for his origin story was impossibly high. Thus, it was practically inevitable that viewers would be disappointed with *The Phantom Menace*, though the film has regained its reputation in recent years.

Younger audiences have fond memories of Ewan McGregor's Obi-Wan Kenobi and the pod racing sequences — not to mention that awesome duel between Qui-Gon Jinn and Darth Maul. Meanwhile, the childhood of Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), introduced as a messianic figure, sets the stage for the trilogy's central tragedy.

Where to watch *Star Wars: The Phantom Menace*: Disney+

Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (Episode II) (2002)

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones. Lucasfilm

Like all *Star Wars* trilogies, the prequel series gets dark in its second installment. *Attack of the Clones* offers a renewed emphasis on action, but also our first hint at Anakin's (Hayden Christensen) bleak fate.

Now the official Jedi protege of Obi-Wan, Anakin begins a romance with Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman), now a member of the Galactic Senate. Meanwhile, the seemingly benevolent Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) operates both in public, in his role as Chancellor, and in private as something of a puppetmaster pulling the strings of Count Dooku and even Anakin himself.

Where to watch *Star Wars: Attack of the Clones*: Disney+

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)

The Clone Wars. Lucasfilm Ltd.

Dave Filoni and his *Clone Wars *saga have a special place in the hearts of* Star Wars* fans. Although it mostly unfolded on TV, the popular series actually began with this animated feature. Set just after *Attack of the Clones*, the film involves not only the start of the eponymous wars but further political machinations involving Dooku and Jabba the Hutt.

*The Clone Wars* features several fan favorites, including Anakin's apprentice, Ahsoka Tano, who wouldn't appear in live-action until *The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, *and finally her own series, *Ahsoka.*

Where to watch *Star Wars: The Clone Wars*: Disney+

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (Episode III) (2005)

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. Lucasfilm

If you thought* Attack of the Clones* was bleak, you ain't seen nothing yet. The dark side of the Force shows its true power in the prequel trilogy's conclusion, as the Republic crumbles and Emperor Palpatine rises to take its place. He's gotten his hooks into the increasingly powerful yet perpetually disgruntled Anakin, who's now as talented in the dark side as he is in the light.

*Revenge of the Sith*, the culmination of the Skywalker tragedy that backgrounds the original trilogy, culminates with a fateful, heartbreaking duel — and the birth of two profoundly important twins.

Where to watch *Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith*: Disney+

Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

Solo: A Star Wars Story. Jonathan Olley/ Lucasfilm Ltd.

Although they were dark times for citizens of the Empire, the period between *Revenge of the Sith *and *A New Hope* has been a gold mine for storytelling. Here, we discover the origins of Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich), whom we meet as an orphan before moving on to a burgeoning career as the galaxy's most dashing smuggler.

He's got some competition, though — *Solo* also introduces Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover), the only man in *Star Wars *whose charisma can compete with Han's. What comes between the two friendly rivals? Why, it's the Millennium Falcon, which becomes the ultimate poker chip.

Where to watch *Solo: A Star Wars Story*: Disney+

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Jonathan Olley/ Lucasfilm Ltd.

While *Star Wars* has historically borrowed its tone from B-movies and swashbuckling serials, *Rogue One* brought a new, more serious approach to its subject matter. A gritty film that leads directly to the events of *A New Hope,* *Rogue One* was the first* Star Wars *movie to lean into the "war" part.

Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) and Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) lead a group of rebels on a suicide mission involving plans for the Empire's secret new weapon, the Death Star. The film's fatalistic yet revolutionary spirit carries over to its acclaimed sister series, *Andor.*

Where to watch *Rogue One: A Star Wars Story*: Disney+

Star Wars: A New Hope (Episode IV) (1977)

Star Wars: A New Hope Episode IV. Lucasfilm

*Star Wars* (later subtitled *A New Hope*) was a massive hit and unprecedented sensation upon its release in May 1977. Contemporaneous news footage shows fans waiting in line for hours to watch the movie over and over. What were they so eagerly clamoring to see? A tale of rebellion — a farm boy, a princess, a rogue, and a couple of trusty droids — that would become an iconic slice of American culture.

Chronologically, this is the culmination of the relationship between the wise Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness), and his former apprentice, Darth Vader.

Where to watch *Star Wars: A New Hope*: Disney+

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (Episode V) (1980)

Dave Prowse, Billy Dee Williams, and Jeremy Bulloch in 'Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back'.

Everett Collection

Widely accepted as both the best *Star Wars* movie and a sci-fi classic in its own right, *The Empire Strikes Back *is a darker, more dramatic film than its predecessor. The Death Star, the very target of *Rogue One*'s rebel plot, has been destroyed; the Empire — namely Darth Vader and his malevolent master, the Emperor — is on the hunt for rebels. That now includes the aforementioned farm boy, Luke Skywalker, who's getting a crash course in Jedi knighthood from a curious, swamp-dwelling master of the force called Yoda. This all builds, of course, to the plot twist of the century.

Where to watch *Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back*: Disney+

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (Episode VI) (1983)

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Lucasfilm Ltd.

The conclusion of the original trilogy has many loose ends to tie up, not the least of which is the preceding chapter's familial twist. Darth Vader attempts to recruit Luke Skywalker to the dark side, just as he was once turned years earlier.

*Return of the Jedi* is a grand romance, a swashbuckling adventure, and a redemptive family drama. It features some of the franchise's most iconic imagery — including Princess Leia in chains (plus how she uses them against her captor) — and introduces the Ewoks, the most adorable yet dangerous little furballs in the galaxy.

Where to watch *Star Wars: Return of the Jedi*: Disney+

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Episode VII) (2015)

Star Wars: The Force Awakens. David James/Lucasfilm Ltd.

Generations went by between *Return of the Jedi* and *The Force Awakens*, a massive movie event that took its cues squarely from *A New Hope* for its adventurous tone, its underdog story, and its characters. The film introduces a new force-sensitive orphan, Rey (Daisy Ridley), and a new black-clad big bad, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) — this one angrier and more petulant than the last. Their dance will shape the remainder of the franchise.

Let's not forget the familiar faces — Han Solo, back to his smuggling ways, and General Leia Organa — or the other newcomers, including the adorable technological marvel BB-8.

Where to watch *Star Wars: The Force Awakens*: Disney+

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Episode VIII) (2017)

Star Wars: The Last Jedi. John Wilson/Lucasfilm Ltd.

Rian Johnson's entry is controversial in fan circles. Those willing to "let the past die" will find it's the most thematically complex movie in the series, pushing *Star Wars*' ideas of good and evil — not to mention the Force — in intriguing new directions.

*The Last Jedi* challenges questions and expectations set up in the prior episode while deepening the scary, intimate bond between Rey and Kylo. This is one of the most artfully made installments as well: The throne-room lightsaber battle is an all-timer, and the silence that accompanies "the Holdo maneuver" is like nothing else in the franchise.

Where to watch *Star Wars: The Last Jedi*: Disney+

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (Episode IX) (2019)

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. © 2019 Lucasfilm Ltd.

By this point, we're 12 movies in, so perhaps it's understandable that some fatigue has set in — even among those making the movies. *The Rise of Skywalker *is weaker than the two previous installments in the sequel trilogy, but it still provides a fine conclusion to the Skywalker family saga.

The film builds to a space battle of galactic proportions that pits the Sith and the Jedi against each other in a final confrontation that brings an entire galaxy of characters together on screen. Plus: Babu Frick.

Where to watch *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker*: Disney+

**The *Star Wars* movies in order by release date:**

- *Star Wars: A New Hope (Episode IV)* (1977)

- *Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (Episode V) *(1980)

- *Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (Episode VI)* (1983)

- *Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (Episode I)* (1999)

- *Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (Episode II) *(2002)

- *Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (Episode III) *(2005)

- *Star Wars: The Clone Wars *(2008)

- *Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Episode VII)* (2015)

- *Rogue One: A Star Wars Story* (2016)

- *Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Episode VIII) *(2017)

- *Solo: A Star Wars Story *(2018)

- *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (Episode IX)* (2019)

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byAlex Perish

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How to watch the Star Wars movies in order, from A New Hope to The Rise of Skywalker

Here's your guide to one of cinema's most iconic (and complex) franchises. How to watch the Star Wars movies in or...

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Judi Dench Says She ‘Can’t Recognize Anybody Now’ amid Eye Condition

Judi Dench Says She 'Can't Recognize Anybody Now' amid Eye Condition Erin ClackNovember 30, 2025 at 8:17 PM 1 Karwai Tang/WireImage Judi Dench in 2022 Judi Dench shared in a new interview that she "can't recognize anybody now" amid her eye condition "I can't see the television. I can't see to read," the 90yearold actress said The Oscar winner first revealed in 2012 that she was diagnosed with agerelated macular degeneration Judi Dench is sharing an update about her life with a degenerative eye condition.

- - Judi Dench Says She 'Can't Recognize Anybody Now' amid Eye Condition

Erin ClackNovember 30, 2025 at 8:17 PM

1

Karwai Tang/WireImage

Judi Dench in 2022 -

Judi Dench shared in a new interview that she "can't recognize anybody now" amid her eye condition

"I can't see the television. I can't see to read," the 90-year-old actress said

The Oscar winner first revealed in 2012 that she was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration

Judi Dench is sharing an update about her life with a degenerative eye condition.

The 90-year-old actress first revealed in 2012 that she was diagnosed with macular degeneration after speculation about her eyesight. The condition causes blurred vision or reduced central vision and is common among people over the age of 50, per the Mayo Clinic.

Now, in a new interview with ITV News, Dench said she "can't recognize anybody now."

"I can't see anymore," she said. "I can't see the television. I can't see to read."

The Oscar winner was joined during the interview by Ian McKellen, her former Macbeth costar, and she told the 86-year-old actor that she could see his "outline" and could recognize him only because "I know you so well in your Macbeth scarf."

Mike Marsland/WireImage

Judi Dench in 2022

McKellen then jokingly asked Dench, "But do you go up to total strangers and say, 'Lovely to see you again?' " She replied with a laugh, "Yes, sometimes."

Earlier this year, the Skyfall star revealed that she could no longer go out alone due to her worsening vision.

"Somebody will always be with me," she said during an appearance on Trinny Woodall's Fearless podcast in January. "I have to now because I can't see and I will walk into something or fall over."

"I'm always nervous before going to something. I have no idea why… I'm not good at being on my own at all, nor would I be now. And fortunately, I don't have to now because I pretend to have no eyesight," she added with a laugh.

Karwai Tang/WireImage

Judi Dench at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show on May 20, 2024

In February 2023, Dench spoke about how her vision was impacting her acting work, including remembering her lines.

"It has become impossible, and because I have a photographic memory, I need to find a machine that not only teaches me my lines but also tells me where they appear on the page," she said on The Graham Norton Show. "I used to find it very easy to learn lines and remember them. I could do the whole of Twelfth Night right now."

During a 2021 conversation benefiting the Vision Foundation, a sight loss charity based in London, Dench explained that she had taken to memorizing scripts since she stopped being able to read.

— sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

"You find a way of just getting about and getting over the things that you find very difficult," she said, per The Guardian. "I've had to find another way of learning lines and things, which is having great friends of mine repeat them to me over and over and over again. So I have to learn through repetition, and I just hope that people won't notice too much if all the lines are completely hopeless!"

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Judi Dench Says She ‘Can’t Recognize Anybody Now’ amid Eye Condition

Judi Dench Says She 'Can't Recognize Anybody Now' amid Eye Condition Erin ClackNovember 30, 2025 at 8:17 PM...

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What happened to Peter Billingsley and his costars following the 1983 classic's release. A Christmas Story cast: See the actors from the holiday classic, then and now What happened to Peter Billingsley and his costars following the 1983 classic's release. By Sarah Weldon and Kevin Jacobsen November 30, 2025 8:00 a.m. ET :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/achristmasstoryMelindaDillonDarrenMcGavinIanPetrellaPeterBillingsley11182479c53d29c55445dba5bb3de715611acb.jpg) Melinda Dillon as Mrs.

What happened to Peter Billingsley and his costars following the 1983 classic's release.

A Christmas Story cast: See the actors from the holiday classic, then and now

What happened to Peter Billingsley and his costars following the 1983 classic's release.

By Sarah Weldon

and Kevin Jacobsen

November 30, 2025 8:00 a.m. ET

Melinda Dillon as Mrs. Parker, Darren McGavin as Old Man Parker, Ian Petrella as Randy, and Peter Billingsley as Ralphie in 'A Christmas Story'. Credit:

MGM/Courtesy Everett

Break out the fudge and the provocative lamp: It's time for our annual check-in with the Parkers. Since its release in 1983, *A Christmas Story* has turned into a family tradition, one of the essential films to watch around the holiday season. Capturing the nostalgic glow of childhood wonder and hijinks, the film — about an adult Ralphie looking back on one chaotic Christmas in 1940 — hits the sweet spot for viewers of all ages.

While most of the *Christmas Story* cast are primarily recognized for their roles in the film, each has led a wildly different career during the past four-plus decades. From Peter Billingsley to Ian Petrella and everyone in between, we're looking at where the cast of *A Christmas Story* is now.**

Peter Billingsley (Ralphie)

Peter Billingsley as Ralphie in 'A Christmas Story'; Peter Billingsley poses in the Getty Images Portrait Studio at the 2017 Winter Television Critics Association press tour at the Langham Hotel on Jan. 5, 2016, in Pasadena, Calif. Everett Collection; Maarten de Boer/Contour by Getty Images

Although he technically only had a handful of lines in *A Christmas Story — *a muddled expletive being one of them — Peter Billingsley stayed on the Christmas movie circuit later in life, appearing in *Elf* (2003) and *Four Christmases* (2008) years after his iconic role.

"People ask me, 'Why does this movie resonate?'" Billingsley told EW in 2022 of *A Christmas Story*. "Because it's a real family, man. By the same token, it's also not quite the super dark, indie, the 'Oh, no, don't open that family door.' It's not that family, but it's also not the Bradys or Disney-fied."

Billingsley also added a handful of TV appearances over the decades on shows like *Who's the Boss?*, *Punky Brewster*, and *The Wonder Years*. He has primarily worked behind the scenes, as a director of films including *Couples Retreat* (2009) and *Term Life* (2016), and producer of projects like *The* *Break-Up* (2006), *Iron Man* (2008), *The Opening Act* (2020), *Broke* (2025), and the Netflix series *F is for Family*.

He also co-produced the original 2012 Broadway musical adaptation of *A Christmas Story*, and reprised his role as Ralphie in the 2022 HBO Max film *A Christmas Story Christmas*.

Ian Petrella (Randy)

Ian Petrella as Randy in 'A Christmas Story'; Ian Petrella attending the 2007 Chiller Theatre Convention at the Hilton Hotel on Oct. 5, 2007, in Parsippany, N.J. Everett Collection; Bobby Bank/WireImage

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?*, *Highway to Heaven*, *My Sister Sam*, and *Beverly Hills, 90210* (his last credit before a 15-year acting break).

The actor studied improv at the Groundlings Comedy Theater in Los Angeles and now focuses on animation and puppetry (having worked on the Henson Company's '90s series *Brats of the Lost Nebula*). He played Randy again in *A Christmas Story Christmas*.

Melinda Dillon (Mrs. Parker)

Melinda Dillon as Mrs. Parker in 'A Christmas Story'; Melinda Dillon attends the memorial service for Hal Ashby on Dec. 27, 1988, at the Director's Guild Theater in Hollywood, Calif. Everett Collection; Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage

Melinda Dillon was already a Tony-winning actress before she starred as Ralphie and Randy's kind, eccentric mother 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).

After 1983, Dillon appeared in such films as *Harry and the Hendersons* (1987), *Staying Together *(1989), *Captain America* (1990), *The Prince of Tides* (1991), *How to Make an American Quilt* (1995), and *Magnolia* (1999). In 2005, Dillon guest-starred on *Law & Order: SVU*. She was last seen on screen in 2007, with the TV series *Heartland *and the film *Reign Over Me* alongside Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, and Jada Pinkett Smith.

Dillon died in 2023 at the age of 83.

Darren McGavin (Old Man Parker)

Darren McGavin as Old Man Parker in 'A Christmas Story'; Darren McGavin at the 51st annual Directors Guild Awards in Los Angeles on March 6, 1999. Everett Collection; Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage

Back in 1983, Darren McGavin helped to make a practically pornographic lamp an icon as Ralphie and Randy's major-award-winning Old Man.

Following *A Christmas Story*, he appeared in films like *Turk 182 *(1985), *Raw Deal *(1986), *Dead Heat *(1988), and 1990's *Captain America —* the latter alongside his former onscreen wife, Melinda Dillon. He played Adam Sandler's billionaire dad in *Billy Madison* (1995) and was also nominated for an Emmy in 1990 for his guest appearance on *Murphy Brown* (other guest spots included *Murder, She Wrote*; *The X-Files*; and *Touched by an Angel*).

McGavin died of cardiovascular disease in 2006 at the age of 83.

12-year-old 'A Christmas Story' star Peter Billingsley was given real chewing tobacco on set

The 15 coziest Christmas movies to stream this holiday season (and where to watch them)

Scott Schwartz (Flick)

Scott Schwartz as Flick in 'A Christmas Story'; Scott Schwartz attends Chiller Theater Expo Winter 2017 at the Parsippany Hilton on Oct. 28, 2017, in Parsippany, N.J. Everett Collection; Bobby Bank/Getty Images

After *A Christmas Story*, Scott Schwartz appeared in *Kidco *(1984) and the TV movie *A Time to Live* (1985) with Liza Minnelli and Corey Haim.

In the 1990s, Schwartz worked in the adult film industry both in front of and behind the camera, appearing in such films as *Beauty and the Beast Part II *(1990) and *Scotty's X-Rated Adventure *(1996). He also starred in a few low-budget horror films, including 2021's *Normal Terror *and 2025's *Scissors.*

Schwartz is known for his line of celebrity-based trading cards and was even featured on a 2008 cover of *Sports Card Monthly. *He returned to the role of Flick in *A Christmas Story Christmas*.

R.D. Robb (Schwartz)

R.D. Robb as Schwartz in 'A Christmas Story'; R.D. Robb at the 20th Anniversary Special Edition DVD release of 'A Christmas Story' in 2003.

Everett Collection; Ann Johansson/AP/REX/Shutterstock

Back in 1983, R.D. Robb made his acting debut by wearing a sock hat and issuing one of the more memorable, traumatizing acts of peer pressure in cinematic history.

Since then, he's gone on to appear in films like *The Brady Bunch Movie* (1995) and *Matilda* (1996) and on TV shows including *ER*, *Unhappily Ever After*, *Touched by an Angel*, and *The Goldbergs*. In 1995, he wrote and directed the movie *Don's Plum*, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire, both of whom tried to stop the movie from being released in the United States.

Later in his career, Robb served as executive producer for the series *Siren* on Freeform. He played Schwartz again in *A Christmas Story Christmas*.

Tedde Moore (Miss Shields)

Tedde Moore as Miss Shields in 'A Christmas Story'; Tedde Moore on March 18, 1999. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer; Vince Talotta/Getty Images

Tedde Moore reprised the role of Miss Shields for 1994's *My Summer Story* (originally released as *It Runs in the Family*), which was taken from the same book of vignettes as *A Christmas Story*. She was the only actor to appear in both films.

Moore later went on to appear in projects like *RoboCop: Prime Directives* (2001) and the 2011 miniseries *The Kennedys*. She was also in the film *High-Rise Rescue *and Hallmark's *Magical Christmas Ornaments* in 2017.

Music fans might also know her as the mother of Canadian producer and actor Noah James Shebib, a.k.a. 40, who is best known for his work with Drake.

Jean Shepherd (Adult Ralphie)

Peter Billingsley as Ralphie in 'A Christmas Story'; Jean Shepherd on a radio broadcast. Everett Collection; Arthur Pomerantz/Getty Images

Prolific writer and radio host Jean Shepherd co-wrote the semi-fictional 1983 film and also served as its narrator. He also narrated the film's sequel of sorts, *My Summer Story*.

Shepherd also lent his signature voice to *Sesame Street* in the animated "Cowboy X" segment that aired repeatedly over the years before his death in 1999 at the age of 78. In 2005, he was posthumously inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.

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Source: "EW Children"

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Source: Children

Published: December 01, 2025 at 07:36AM on Source: SHOWBIZ MAG

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byAlex Perish

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November 30, 2025

A Christmas Story cast: See the actors from the holiday classic, then and now

What happened to Peter Billingsley and his costars following the 1983 classic's release. A Christmas Story  cast: See the...

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Nick Jonas Announces Album News on Sunday

Nick Jonas Announces Album News on Sunday Madz DizonNovember 30, 2025 at 9:04 PM 0 Nick Jonas will start 2026 with a musical bang! On Sunday, the 33yearold singer and actor revealed on Instagram that his upcoming solo album, Sunday Best, will be released on Feb. 6, 2026. Alongside the announcement, Nick Jonas shared the album cover and encouraged fans to preorder starting at midnight ET. The album news comes after a special event at his family's Nellie's Southern Kitchen restaurant in Las Vegas, which Jonas dubbed the "Sunday Best Brunch," according to Just Jared.

- - Nick Jonas Announces Album News on Sunday

Madz DizonNovember 30, 2025 at 9:04 PM

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Nick Jonas will start 2026 with a musical bang!

On Sunday, the 33-year-old singer and actor revealed on Instagram that his upcoming solo album, Sunday Best, will be released on Feb. 6, 2026.

Alongside the announcement, Nick Jonas shared the album cover and encouraged fans to pre-order starting at midnight ET.

The album news comes after a special event at his family's Nellie's Southern Kitchen restaurant in Las Vegas, which Jonas dubbed the "Sunday Best Brunch," according to Just Jared.

There, he treated fans to a preview of songs like "Hope," "Sweet to Me," "Handprints," "You Got Me," "Princesses" and "911," which had been premiered before.

Nick Jonas speaks onstage during Beyond Limits, Beyond Type 1's 10th Anniversary Celebration With Co-Founders Nick Jonas and Juliet de Baubigny, OBE, at The Ziegfeld Ballroom on November 15, 2025 in New York City.Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Beyond Type 1

The night before, during the Jonas Brothers' JONAS20: Greetings From Your Hometown Tour in Las Vegas, Nick Jonas also debuted two more songs from the album, "Gut Punch" and "I Need You."

"My new album, 'Sunday Best' is out February 6, 2026. Pre-order tonight at midnight ET," Nick Jonas wrote on Instagram, showing his excitement and inviting fans to be part of this new musical chapter.

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Fans flooded the post with enthusiastic responses.

"Ahhh so excited for this new chapter!" one shared.

Another wrote, "Omg just in time for my son's first birthday, this can be his first present 🥹😂."

"February is going to be a great month I'm READYYYY," a fan commented.

"I feel like this album is going to be my favorite of your solo music 🥹🤎 can't wait," another gushed.

A few simply expressed their sheer joy, saying, "The absolute best news" and "😭 I will not recover. I can't wait."

Nick Jonas' Musical Journey and Solo Career Highlights

Nick Jonas has long balanced his work with the Jonas Brothers alongside a thriving solo career. His solo discography includes albums like Nick Jonas (2014), Last Year Was Complicated (2016) and Spaceman (2021). His works with his brothers for the Jonas Brothers include the 2025 albums Greetings From Your Hometown and Live From The O2 London.

The "Good Girls" hitmaker's recent announcement continues a productive year for the Jonas Brothers. Earlier this month, the siblings released a video for Time, featured in their new holiday film A Very Jonas Christmas Movie, streaming on Disney+.

Nick Jonas' new album also arrives at a time when the Jonas Brothers are celebrating 20 years of their music journey, making 2026 an exciting year for both solo and group releases.

Outside of music, Nick Jonas continues to enjoy life with his wife, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and their daughter, Malti Marie. The family recently celebrated Thanksgiving together in Los Angeles, enjoying quality time after Priyanka returned from her work in India for the film Varanasi.

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Nick Jonas' Sunday Best promises to be one of the most anticipated albums of early 2026. With its mix of new tracks and heartfelt performances, fans are ready to pre-order and celebrate another milestone in his solo career.

Related: Nick Jonas's Daughter Makes Movie Debut in Hulu And Disney+ Christmas Movie

This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 1, 2025, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Original Article on Source

Source: "AOL Entertainment"

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Source: Entertainment

Published: December 01, 2025 at 07:36AM on Source: SHOWBIZ MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byAlex Perish

in

November 30, 2025

Nick Jonas Announces Album News on Sunday

Nick Jonas Announces Album News on Sunday Madz DizonNovember 30, 2025 at 9:04 PM 0 Nick Jonas will start 2026 with a m...

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