In the iconic holiday film A Christmas Story, 9-year-old Ralphie tells Santa Claus all he wants for Christmas is a BB gun. Like all the other adults in Ralphie’s life, Santa tells Ralphie “you’ll shoot your eye out.” In the original 1983 film Santa was portrayed by the late Jeff Gillen. In the 2017 televised live musical production, A Christmas Story Live! on Fox, Santa Claus is portrayed David Alan Grier.
Grier is known for his TV roles on The Carmichael Show (Jerrod’s father Joe), The Wiz Live! (The Cowardly Lion), Bad Teacher (Principal Carl Gaines), Life with Bonnie (David Bellows), In Living Color (a variety of characters including Reginald McCort, see awesome link above), and Martin (Re. Leon Lonnie Love), among others. Grier is also known for his roles on Broadway including in “The First” as Jackie Robinson in 1981, and in David Mamet’s 2009 “Race.” Grier received Tony Award nominations for both roles. And in 2013, he was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album for ‘The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess: New Broadway Cast Recording.’ A Christmas Story Live! begins at 7pm on Sunday, December 17 at 7pm on FOX. [Download A Christmas Story Live! soundtrack.]
