A Christmas Story Star's Wild Hugh Hefner Encounter

Peter Billingsley, known for his role in the holiday favorite 'A Christmas Story,' recently shared an unexpected memory involving Hugh Hefner. Billingsley recounted attending a private screening of the film with the Playboy founder during his youth. He described Hefner as a "huge fan" of the movie and a "very gracious host" during the exclusive viewing, adding that the experience was "very fun" when he was 18 years old.

Beyond this surprising encounter, Billingsley, now a producer and director, also reflected on his casting process for the 1983 film. He mentioned that it took months to hear back after his initial audition, having assumed he didn't get the part. He revealed he was the very first boy to audition, but the director, Bob Clark, typically doesn't hire the first actor seen, leading to an extensive nationwide search.

Furthermore, Billingsley disclosed that two fantasy sequences, including a Flash Gordon-themed scene and another where Black Bart's gang attacks Santa, were filmed but ultimately cut. Unfortunately, these scenes were lost due to the era's practices. Despite the film's age, Billingsley noted that fans still frequently approach him, often quoting the famous line, "Don't shoot your eye out," but more importantly, they share how the movie resonates deeply with their own family experiences.