2. Ralphie Grows Up
After a couple decades of doing acting work that sadly did not match up the caliber or the notice that A Christmas Story garnered, Peter Billingsley made a name for himself as a creative talent. He even made himself a couple high profile friends...Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau, the latter of which featured him in small, cameo parts in two of his most famous films. He's an Elf in...well, Elf; and he's a scientist employed by Stark Industries in the first Iron Man film. (He even gets a scene with Jeff Bridges.) Eventually, Peter stepped behind the camera himself and directed 2009's Couples Retreat; in which he returned the favor of friendship to both Jon and Vince. He is currently an Executive Producer, and has directed an episode of, the TBS sitcom Sullivan and Son. (Which, oddly enough, is not only run on one of the networks that made his big break so popular; but also features Dan Lauria from The Wonder Years in the cast. Billingsley guest starred in a couple episodes of that show, and Mr. Lauria is currently playing the role of The Narrator in A Christmas Story: The Musical.)