Zack Ward — best known as Scut Farkus, the bully in the 1983 holiday classic “A Christmas Story” — will make his second appearance in Michigan this month.

On the heels of his successful Dec. 13 appearance at the Emagine Rochester Hills alongside “Christmas Story” co-star Yano Anaya (who played Grover Dill, Scut’s sidekick), Ward will appear at Sarge & Red’s Toys and Collectibles in Utica from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22.

“Sarge & Red’s reached out to me last year and invited me. I came out and did a signing there. It was fantastic. Apparently, people enjoyed it so much, they asked me back and I’m happy to accommodate them,” Ward said. “I’ll be taking some photos with people, answering some questions and creating fond memories. It’s also a perfect opportunity for last-minute presents for Christmas.”

Dee Davis, co-owner of Sarge & Red’s, is looking forward to Ward’s appearance.

“We’re glad he’s available to come at Christmastime,” Davis said. “People have commented about how excited they are to see him because they either didn’t get to see him last year or they want to see him again. It’s gonna be a fun time.”

Ward said he’s excited about appearing at Sarge & Red’s again.

“I’m looking forward to meeting more people,” he said. “I love that toy store; it’s got the coolest stuff ever. Last time I was there, I found an Ed Grimley (Martin Short’s character from “SCTV”) doll, which is something from my young teenage years that I just had to get because it was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen!”

Born in Toronto, Ward has appeared on “Titus,” “Dollhouse,” “NCIS,” “NYPD Blue,” “Profiler,” “The Pretender,” “All Of Us,” “Crossing Jordan,” “Z Nation,” “Anne of Green Gables,” as well as the feature films: 2000’s “Almost Famous,” 2003’s “Freddy vs. Jason,” 2004’s “Resident Evil: Apocalypse,” 2007’s “Transformers,” 2007’s “Postal” and 2008’s “Kissing Cousins.”

Ward has a recurring role on “Bookie,” a comedy created by Chuck Lorre (“The Big Bang Theory”) that began its second season Dec. 12 on HBO Max. Ward served as writer, director, producer and editor of this year’s “The Keeper of the 5 Kingdoms,” currently streaming on Amazon and Tubii. The film stars James Hong, who’s appeared in 1955’s “Soldier of Fortune,” 1974’s “Chinatown,” 1982’s “Blade Runner,” 1986’s “The Golden Child” and the “Kung Fu Panda” animated movies, among others.

“It is an (1980s) style family adventure film in the vein of ‘The Goonies’ meets ‘Big Trouble in Little China’ (which also starred Hong),” Ward said. “James Hong is the star. This is the first 94-year-old leading man/action hero in Hollywood history.”

Yet it all goes back to “A Christmas Story” for Ward, who reprised his role as Scut in 2022’s “A Christmas Story Christmas.”

“People hug you like they’re old friends,” he said. “Whereas I was a guy on a hit TV show, it’d be like: ‘Oh yeah. I like that show. You’re good.’ It wouldn’t be the same level of effusive ebullience. There’s something that touches your childhood in that film where it’s “Hey, buddy!’ as opposed to ‘Nice to meet you.’ They’re incredibly genuine. It’s awesome.”

“A Christmas Story” is the greatest calling card Ward could ever have.

“‘A Christmas Story’ has created a relationship with the American public that has become generational — or cross-generational, to be more accurate — because it keeps on transferring to the next generations of young’uns who share it with their own kids and they keep on sharing it with their family members,” he said. “I keep on getting included in everybody’s Christmas.”

If you go

Ward will appear at Sarge & Red’s Toys and Collectibles, 45157 Van Dyke Ave., Utica, from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22. He will sign autographs and take photos with fans. Tickets range from $30 to $125. The VIP Package Experience has swag worth more than $200 and includes an exclusive VIP lanyard that allows you to skip to the front of the line, three autographs, a photo op, and an 8×10 photo. There are a limited number of VIP packages available. Tickets can be purchased online at sarge-reds.square.site/shop/meet-and-greets/5 or in the store. For questions or more information, contact Sarge & Red’s at 586-843-3399 or visit sargeandreds.com.