'A Christmas Story' actor makes Akron appearance to raise Alzheimer's awareness

A child actor who will forever be remembered for his role as a bully in the Northeast Ohio holiday favorite movie "A Christmas Story," will be in Akron this weekend.

The visit is a personal journey for actor Zack Ward, who played Scut Farkus, in the original 1983 film and the sequel "A Christmas Story Christmas" that is now available on HBO Max.

Ward is back in Northeast Ohio where parts of the original film was made to raise awareness and money for the Alzheimer’s Association Cleveland Area Chapter.

His father is among the 6 million Americans now living with Alzheimer’s disease.

“Alzheimer’s is a bully—a bully that deserves our attention and dollars in order to find a cure,” Ward said. “My father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2020 and it has been awful watching this disease take its toll on him and our family like it does to millions of others. By doing these types of community events, we’re able to spread awareness, get people resources and information in their time of need and at the same time, raise some money for the Alzheimer’s Association so we can work together to find a cure.”

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Ward's two appearances, one in Cleveland and one in Akron, are both free and open to the public.

He will host a meet and greet at the original Christmas Story House and Museum, 3159 W. 11th St., in Cleveland, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Ward will be in Akron on Sunday.

The Highland Square Theatre, 826 W Market St., will host a screening of a "A Christmas Story Christmas" with Ward in attendance.

The actor will be available for pictures and meet with fans at 9:30 a.m.

The theater will open up for folks at 10:30 a.m. with the free movie starting at 11 a.m.

“We are so grateful and honored to join forces with Zack in the fight to end Alzheimer's for his father and for the many families facing the disease,” said Seana Dailey, director of constituent events for the Alzheimer's Association Cleveland Area Chapter. “Having Zack return to the neighborhood where the original 'A Christmas Story' was filmed, and with the recent release of its sequel, is a special way to bring awareness this holiday season to the blight of Alzheimer's disease and our efforts to combat it.”

Craig Webb can be reached at cwebb@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 'A Christmas Story' actor visits Akron to raise Alzheimer's awareness