By their very nature, Christmas movies are supposed to be feel-good movies that the entire family can enjoy.
But in recent years, some of the most popular productions have been tinged with sadness due to the tragic circumstances in which cast members have found themselves.
One of these stars includes Home Alone actor Devin Ratray, now 47, known for playing Buzz McCallister, Kevin’s older brother who often got him into trouble.
He starred in the festive blockbuster when he was just 13 years old and was a key part of the film.
He then became a regular on the MTV reality series Damage Control and starred in some films and television shows such as Dennis the Menace, Little Monsters, the 2007 film Serial, the science fiction film Surrogates, the suspense thriller Elevator, Nebraska (opposite Bruce Dern and Will Forte), Blue Ruin in 2013, the crime drama Hustlers and Steven Soderbergh’s Kimi.
He also dabbled in 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 actor Buzz McCallister pleaded guilty to two counts of domestic violence ‘after strangling his girlfriend’ in disgrace
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 the Disney+ film Home Sweet Home Alone. 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 avoided prison time and resolved his years-long case in Oklahoma.
According TMZHe was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to complete an Offender Intervention Program and undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.
In addition, he must cover legal expenses and maintain zero contact with the victim, his ex-girlfriend. Ratray appeared in court via video link along with his lawyer.
It comes after the star was hospitalized and in critical condition last month. He has since been discharged and has reportedly “returned 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 fans for her autograph.
He reportedly became angry with his partner while the two were drinking at a bar after she didn’t charge two fans for her autograph (pictured in 2019).
He starred in the holiday blockbuster when he was just 13 years old and was a key part of the film (seen in the film).
After returning 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 was having trouble breathing while she was being strangled and while the defendant had his hand over her mouth,” according to an affidavit.
Ratray also allegedly told her, “This is how you die,” as he continued to strangle her. The girlfriend then bit Ratray’s hand as she tried to scream for help.
He stopped strangling her but allegedly began hitting her violently afterwards. He managed to free himself from Ratray’s grip and ran out of the room.
Ratray allegedly slammed her against a desk when she returned to the room to collect her belongings.
The victim was found with multiple injuries, including bruises under his left eye, marks under his right eye, marks over the left side of his lip, a bruise on his chest and pain in his arm, according to KFOR.
The couple separated after the violent fight. At the time, a law enforcement source revealed that Ratray “turned himself in, was processed and released on bail,” according to Fox News.
He was released after posting $25,000 bail and denied the allegations.
Last year, it emerged that New York authorities were also investigating him over allegations that he raped a woman in New York in 2017.
After learning about the assault case, Lisa Smith contacted prosecutors about a police report she had filed in 2017 accusing the actor of raping her.
she said cnn that he wanted to know why the case had not been pursued and was informed that authorities thought he wanted to remain anonymous and did not want to press charges.
Smith claims she was friends with the actor for about 15 years before the alleged assault, adding that she met up with his brother and Ratray along with another friend for drinks in New York just before the assault.
The group then went to Ratary’s apartment for another drink, where he insisted Smith have a specific glass.
Ratray photographed with other Home Alone cast members in 1990
She says she became exhausted shortly after drinking it and Ratray encouraged her to sleep on the couch.
Smith believes the star drugged her, saying: “I remember waking up and 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 the other two people were gone and I was still on the couch.
He claims that the assault lasted what seemed like an “eternity” and that he was only able to regain control of his body around 2 p.m. the next day, when he 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 with an NYPD detective in Salt Lake City, who mistakenly marked that he did not want to prosecute.
Smith added that she is “devastated” that police did not investigate her allegations when she came forward.
At the time of the incident, she traveled from out of state to be interviewed at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office and provided them with the clothing she wore on the night of the attack.
Following the success of Home Alone, Ratray (seen at right) became a regular on the MTV reality series Damage Control and starred in a few films and television shows.
She added: ‘Why would I have met with the district attorney in the first place, years ago, if I wasn’t willing to press charges?… This whole thing really bothered me.’
“Seeing him accused of assaulting another person made me realize that I had to do everything I could to stop him from hurting even more women.”
Smith says he met with a prosecutor from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Sex Crimes Unit in May, who apologized for the way the case had been handled.
When contacted by CNN, Ratray said he remembered the evening with Smith, but denied her claims that he raped her.
A spokesperson for the district attorney’s office confirmed that they “are in contact” with Smith, but declined to discuss the handling of the case, according to an August 25, 2022 report from Dailymail.com.