A Look Back at the Stars of Classic Christmas Movies
As the holiday season approaches, it’s hard not to think about the classic Christmas movies that have become a staple of festive entertainment. From the timeless charm of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Miracle on 34th Street” to the beloved family films like “Home Alone” and “Elf,” these movies have left an indelible mark on pop culture. However, as we step into 2025, many of the actors who brought these characters to life are now adults, with careers that extend far beyond their iconic roles.
Karolyn Grimes: Zuzu Bailey from “It’s a Wonderful Life”
Karolyn Grimes, who played Zuzu Bailey in the 1946 film “It’s a Wonderful Life,” took a break from acting in the 1950s but made a return to the spotlight later in life. She published a cookbook titled “Zuzu Bailey’s It’s a Wonderful Life Cookbook” in 2000 and appeared in several films, including “Cassandra’s Castle” in 2016 and “Canaan Land” in 2020. Now 85 years old, she continues to attend screenings of “It’s a Wonderful Life” during the holiday season, keeping the legacy of her character alive.
Eric Lloyd: Charlie Calvin from “The Santa Clause”
Eric Lloyd portrayed Charlie Calvin in the 1994 film “The Santa Clause.” He reprised his role in the sequels “The Santa Clause 2” (2002) and “The Santa Clause 3” (2006), as well as an episode of “The Santa Clauses” (2022). After stepping away from acting, he joined a band and studied film production at Chapman University. In 2014, he founded his own production company, showcasing his continued passion for the arts.
Liliana Mumy: Lucy Miller from “The Santa Clause 2”
Liliana Mumy played Lucy Miller in “The Santa Clause 2” (2002). Following her role in the film, she appeared in the first and second installments of “Cheaper By the Dozen” and went on to have a successful career as a voice actress. Her notable roles include Mertle Edmonds in the “Lilo & Stitch” franchise, Panini in “Chowder,” and Twinkle on “Higglytown Heroes.”
Macaulay Culkin: Kevin McCallister from “Home Alone”
Macaulay Culkin, known for his role as Kevin McCallister in “Home Alone” (1990), has largely stepped away from the spotlight. However, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2023 and currently enjoys a quiet life as a father to his two sons. His wife, Brenda Song, is also a familiar face from “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.”
Kieran Culkin: Fuller McCallister from “Home Alone”
Kieran Culkin, Macaulay’s brother, also appeared in the “Home Alone” franchise. While his brother has remained relatively out of the public eye, Kieran has embraced his acting career. He won his first Emmy for “Succession” in 2023 and earned his first Oscar for his performance in “A Real Pain” in 2025, proving that the Culkin legacy lives on.
Taylor Momsen: Cindy Lou Who from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
Taylor Momsen played Cindy Lou Who in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000). After her role in the film, she transitioned to a rock music career, starring as Jenny Humphrey in “Gossip Girl” from 2007 to 2012. She took a hiatus from acting to focus on her band, The Pretty Reckless, which has released four albums and continues to tour internationally.
Mara Wilson: Susan Walker from “Miracle on 34th Street”
Mara Wilson portrayed Susan Walker in “Miracle on 34th Street” (1994). She went on to appear in “Mrs. Doubtfire” (1993) and “Matilda” (1996) before stepping away from acting in the early 2000s. She graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and published her memoir “Where Am I Now?” in 2016. She returned to acting in 2012, primarily working in web series.
Johnny Galecki: Rusty Griswold from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”
Johnny Galecki played Rusty Griswold in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1989). He later became a household name as Leonard Hofstadter on “The Big Bang Theory,” which ran from 2007 to 2019. He also reprised his role as David Healy on “Roseanne” and its spinoff “The Conners.”
Juliette Lewis: Audrey Griswold from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”
Juliette Lewis built an impressive career after playing Audrey Griswold. She earned an Oscar nomination for “Cape Fear” (1991) and starred in hits like “Natural Born Killers” (1994) and “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” (1993). More recently, she starred as Natalie “Nat” Scatorccio in the first two seasons of “Yellowjackets.”
Brett Kelly: Thurman Merman from “Bad Santa”
Brett Kelly portrayed Thurman Merman in “Bad Santa” (2003). He went on to appear in films like “The Sandlot 2” (2005), “Like Mike 2: Streetball” (2006), and “Slap Shot 3” (2008). He reprised his role in “Bad Santa 2” (2016) and has since appeared as a recurring character in “Family Law” since 2021. He placed third in an episode of “Jeopardy!” in 2024.
Peter Billingsley: Ralphie Parker from “A Christmas Story”
Peter Billingsley played Ralphie Parker in “A Christmas Story” (1983). He transitioned from acting to producing, working on films like “The Break-Up” (2006), “Iron Man” (2008), and “Four Christmases” (2008). He reprised his role as Ralphie in “A Christmas Story Christmas” (2022) and made a cameo appearance as one of Santa’s elves in “Elf.”
Scott Schwartz: Flick from “A Christmas Story”
Scott Schwartz played Flick in “A Christmas Story” (1983). He continued acting through the 1980s and 1990s, appearing in films like “The Toy” (1982) and “Kidco” (1984). He eventually left Hollywood to pursue other ventures and is now 57 years old. He has become a prominent voice in the trading card industry, even writing an article for “Beckett” in 2009.
Ian Petrella: Randy from “A Christmas Story”
Ian Petrella portrayed Randy in “A Christmas Story” (1983). He appeared in a few more projects, including “Diff’rent Strokes” (1986) and “Beverly Hills, 90210” (1991). Now 49 years old, he has stepped away from acting but found a new passion in marionette puppetry and animation.
R.D. Robb: Schwartz from “A Christmas Story”
R.D. Robb played Schwartz in “A Christmas Story” (1983). He continued acting after the film, appearing in “The Brady Brunch Movie” and “ER” in 1995 and “Matilda” in 1996. He has since transitioned to production and directed Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire in the 2001 indie drama “Don’s Plum.”
Zack Ward: Scut Farkus from “A Christmas Story”
Zack Ward played Scut Farkus in “A Christmas Story” (1983). He has had a steady acting career, appearing in films like “Transformers” (2007) and “Postal” (2007), as well as TV shows like “CSI,” “Bones,” “Lost,” “Chicago Fire,” “The Mentalist,” “Hawaii Five-O,” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” He also reprised his role in “A Christmas Story Christmas.”
Miffy Englefield: Sophie from “The Holiday”
Miffy Englefield played Sophie in “The Holiday” (2006). She stepped away from acting after the film and is now 26 years old, a mother to a 4-year-old daughter named Frankie. While she doesn’t act, she has a loyal following on TikTok.
Daniel Tay: Michael Hobbs from “Elf”
Daniel Tay played Buddy the Elf’s skeptical little brother in “Elf” (2003). He didn’t pursue acting as a long-term career and graduated from Yale University with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He is now pursuing a medical degree at Cornell University.
Thomas Brodie-Sangster: Sam from “Love Actually”
Thomas Brodie-Sangster portrayed Sam in “Love Actually” (2003). He appeared as Jojen Reed in “Game of Thrones,” Newt in the “Maze Runner” franchise, and Benny Watts in “The Queen’s Gambit” (2020). He is now 35 years old and continues to act in major film and TV projects. He is also married to Elon Musk’s ex-wife Talulah Riley since 2024.
Olivia Olson: Joanna from “Love Actually”
Olivia Olson sang “All I Want for Christmas Is You” in the iconic airport scene of “Love Actually” (2003). While she doesn’t act as much anymore, she is best known for her voice roles, including Vanessa Doofenshmirtz in “Phineas and Ferb” and Marceline the Vampire Queen in “Adventure Time.” She is also a talented writer.
Zach Galligan: Billy Peltzer from “Gremlins”
Zach Galligan played Billy Peltzer in “Gremlins” (1984). He reprised his role in “Gremlins 2: The New Batch” (1990) and continued acting in various independent films and TV shows throughout the 1990s and 2000s. He is now 60 years old, and while he doesn’t act much, he appeared in a 2021 Mountain Dew commercial alongside companion Gizmo.
Corey Feldman: Pete Fountaine from “Gremlins”
Corey Feldman played Pete Fountaine in “Gremlins” (1984). He went on to appear in iconic films like “The Goonies” (1985), “Stand by Me” (1986), and “The Lost Boys” (1987). More recently, he appeared in “Celebrity Wife Swap” (2015), “Celebrity Marriage Boot Camp” (2020), “The Masked Singer” (2024), and “Dancing with the Stars” (2025).
Looking back at where these Christmas movie stars are now, it’s clear that holiday films launched some impressive careers – and some equally impressive life choices outside of Hollywood. Some stayed in the spotlight, others stepped away entirely, but they all gave us performances that continue to make the holidays special year after year. So the next time you’re watching “Home Alone” or “Elf” or “A Christmas Story” for the hundredth time, you’ll know exactly what happened to the faces that made those cozy movie nights possible.
