‘A Christmas Story’ Star Dead at 79, Years After Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis

Tedde Moore, best known for her role as Miss Shields in A Christmas Story, has died. She was 79.

The news was announced in a post on the Canadian actress’ Facebook page.

“On Wednesday August 5th under sunny skies overlooking Fairy Lake, Tedde passed away surrounded by family physically and spiritually in her beloved Huntsville Muskoka,” the message read. “Her bravery in this choice was almost overwhelming, beyond beautiful and also difficult. Forever the teacher, she had a quote for every occasion and a special way of touching the lives and hearts of everyone she met.”

The post concluded by writing, “Her magic and love will be remembered by all she took under her generous and welcoming wings.”

Moore portrayed Ralphie’s teacher in the 1983 Christmas classic, and her character became one of the film’s most iconic figures, grading Ralphie’s essay about wanting a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas and handling the panicking kids after Flick famously got his tongue stuck to a frozen flagpole.

Her performance earned her a Genie Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Moore later reprised the role of Miss Shields in the film’s 1994 sequel, My Summer Story.

Aside from A Christmas Story, the actress appeared in several TV shows and films, including Friday the 13th: The Series, RoboCop: Prime Directives and The Kennedys.

While no cause of death has been revealed, Moore previously announced she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2009.

She was preceded in death by her longtime partner, Donald Shebib, in 2023.