Memoirs of a Christmas Story Bully: Yano Anaya’s Journey from Grover Dill to Health Consultant
A Christmas Story, a holiday classic, is synonymous with the season, filled with heartwarming and hilarious tales of a young boy and his family’s misadventures during Christmastime in the 1940s. One of the most memorable characters in the movie is Grover Dill, the snot-nosed bully, played by Yano Anaya. Despite being one of the bullies, Anaya must have had a great time on set, as he later wanted to purchase the original A Christmas Story house.
In the movie, Grover is Scut Farkas’ sidekick and frequently torments Ralphie Parker, Randy Parker, Schwartz, and Flick. His final appearance in the movie comes towards the end of the film, where he and Scut are chased by the boys. After retiring from acting, Anaya pursued a career in personal training and fitness, becoming a personal trainer and fitness expert.
In 2021, Anaya dabbled in acting again, playing Kylie’s uncle in the comedy movie Sunday Mornings. He also appeared briefly in the 2022 film A Christmas Story Christmas, alongside other original cast members. Anaya’s love for A Christmas Story led him to take an interest in purchasing the original A Christmas Story house, which became a viral moment when a heated argument erupted between him and the homeowner, Brian Jones.
Despite their differences, the two eventually made up, and Anaya did not acquire the house. Instead, the property was purchased by Joshua Dickerson, an employee at the museum. Anaya continues to work as a freelance health consultant and remains friends with the cast of A Christmas Story, with Peter Billingsley stating that the cast had maintained good relations over the years, “The good news is that we had such a good experience on the original that everyone kept in touch.” Anaya’s journey from Grover Dill to health consultant serves as a testament to the lasting impact of A Christmas Story on its cast.