httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-e18bQOZUw
The name “Parker” comes from Shepherd’s own family, Glazer said.
The writer’s full name was Jean Parker Shepherd Jr. In the movie, Ralphie Parker’s brother Randy Parker was named after Shepherd’s real-life brother, also named Randy.
Glazer said although most of the characters in “A Christmas Story” were named after real people, as far as he knew, no one ever had sued Shepherd over the use of their names.
Shepherd himself made a cameo in the movie, along with his fourth wife Leigh Brown, according to Glazer.
Of all the fictional characters Shepherd created, Glazer said the public identity of the writer himself may have been the farthest removed from reality.
“His best character was Jean Shepherd,” Glazer said.