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By their very nature, Christmas movies are supposed to be feel-good films for the whole family to enjoy.
But in recent years, some of the most popular productions have become tinged with sadness due to the tragic circumstances cast members have found themselves in.
One of these stars includes Home Alone actor Devin Ratray, now 47, was well-known for playing Buzz McCallister, Kevin’s oldest brother who often got him in trouble
He starred in the festive blockbuster when he was just 13 and was a key part of the movie.
He went on to become a regular on MTV’s reality series Damage Control and starred in a few movies and TV shows like Dennis the Menace, Little Monsters, the 2007 movie Serial, sci-fi flick Surrogates, suspense thriller Elevator, Nebraska (opposite Bruce Dern and Will Forte), Blue Ruin in 2013, crime drama Hustlers, and Steven Soderbergh’s Kimi.
He also ventured into music, and sings and plays guitar in a band called Little Bill and the Beckleys.
The dark side of Home Alone star Devin Ratray: How Buzz McCallister actor pleaded guilty to two counts of domestic violence ‘after strangling his girlfriend’ in fall from grace
In December 2021, he was arrested on domestic violence charges after he allegedly strangled his girlfriend in an Oklahoma hotel room
In 2021, he reunited with some of his Home Alone cast members in Disney+’s Home Sweet Home Alone movie. Instead of playing Buzz, Ratray returns as a police officer.
But in February 2024, Devin Ratray pleaded guilty to two counts of domestic violence.
As a result, the 47-year-old actor has avoided jail time, resolving his years-long case in Oklahoma.
According to TMZ, he was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to complete a Batterers Intervention Program and undergo a drug/alcohol assessment.
Additionally, he must cover court expenses and maintain zero contact with the victim, his ex-girlfriend. Ratray appeared in court via a video link along with his lawyer.
It comes after last month the star was hospitalized and in critical condition. He has since been discharged and was reportedly ‘back home resting on doctor’s orders.’
In December 2021, he was arrested on domestic violence charges after he allegedly strangled his girlfriend in an Oklahoma hotel room.
He reportedly became angry with his partner while the two were drinking at a bar after she didn’t charge two female fans for his autograph.
He reportedly became angry with his partner while the two were drinking at a bar after she didn’t charge two female fans for his autograph (pictured in 2019)
He starred in the festive blockbuster when he was just 13 and was a key part of the movie (seen in the film)
After they returned to their hotel room at Hyatt Place Oklahoma City, Ratray allegedly pushed her onto the bed before putting one hand on her throat and the other on her mouth.
‘The victim had trouble breathing while she was being strangled and while the defendant’s hand was over her mouth,’ according to an affidavit.
Ratray also allegedly told her, ‘This is how you die,’ as he continued to choke her. The girlfriend then bit Ratray’s hand as she attempted to scream for help.
He stopped choking her but allegedly began violently punching her afterward. She managed to break free from Ratray’s grasp and ran out of the room.
Ratray allegedly punched her against a desk when she returned to the room to collect her belongings.
The victim was found with multiple injuries including bruising under her left eye, marks under her right eye, marks above the left side of her lip, a bruise on her chest and a sore arm, according to KFOR.
The pair broke up following the violent fight. At the time, a police source revealed that Ratray ‘turned himself in and was processed through and bonded out,’ according to Fox News.
He was released from custody after posting a $25,000 bond and denied the allegations.
Last year, news broke that he was also being investigated by New York authorities over allegations that he raped a woman in New York in 2017.
After hearing about the assault case, Lisa Smith contacted prosecutors about a police report she had filed in 2017 accusing that actor of raping her.
She told CNN that she wanted to know why the case hadn’t been pursued and was informed that authorities thought she wanted to remain anonymous and didn’t want to press charges.
Smith claims that she was friends with the actor for around 15 years before the alleged assault, adding that she met her brother and Ratray along with another friend for a drink in New York directly before the assault.
The group then went to Ratary’s apartment for another drink, where he insisted that Smith have a specific glass.
Ratray pictured with other members of the Home Alone cast in 1990
She says that she became exhausted soon after drinking it, and Ratray encouraged her to stay over and sleep on the couch.
Smith believes that she was drugged by the star, saying: ‘I remember waking up and I couldn’t move.
‘I couldn’t really open my eyes, but I could hear what was happening and I could feel what was happening. I knew that the other two people were gone and I was still on the couch.’
She claims that the assault went on for what felt like an ‘eternity’ and she was only able to regain control of her body at around 2pm the next day when she fled the apartment.
The day after the attack Smith told a friend, her sister and one of her brothers what happened, and then confronted Ratray in a text message.
He denied the assault, so Smith filed a police report a few weeks later and met up with an NYPD detective in Salt Lake City – who wrongly marked that she did not want to prosecute.
Smith added that she is ‘devastated’ that police failed to investigate her allegations when she came forward.
At the time of the incident she travelled from out of state to be interviewed at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office and provided them with the clothes she wore the night of the attack.
Following the success of Home Alone, Ratray (seen on the right) went on to become a regular on MTV’s reality series Damage Control and starred in a few movies and TV shows
She added: Why would I have met with the DA in the first place, years ago, if I wasn’t willing to press charges?…This was all very upsetting to me.’
‘Seeing that he was accused of assaulting someone else made me realize that I needed to do whatever I could to prevent him from hurting even more women.’
Smith claims that she met with a prosecutor from the Sex Crimes Unit at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office in May, who apologised for the way the case had been handled.
When contacted by CNN, Ratray said he recalled the evening with Smith but denied her claims that he raped her.
A spokesperson from the district attorney’s office confirmed they ‘are in touch’ with Smith but declined to discuss the handling of the case, according to an August 25, 2022 report by Dailymail.com.