Ralph Macchio: The Three Wishes of Billy Grier

The Three Wishes of Billy Grier is a 1984 American made-for-television drama film starring Ralph Macchio and directed by Corey Blechman. It was originally broadcast on ABC on November 1, 1984.
While this movie is a fictional work, it is prefaced by a note accounting that a condition such as the main character's does exist, and that the film imagines the life of such a victim.
A teen-age boy falls victim to a rare degenerative disease in this made-for-television tearjerker. Knowing his condition is terminal, the boy sets out to achieve three goals before his impending death: reuniting with his father, playing sax in a jazz band, and experiencing a night of passion with a woman.

[@nayiakipoura4432]

The only way we can see Ralph getting old: watch Billy Griar.

[@lilliedockray5713]

Ahah so true

[@tromboneman4517]

How ironic that they got the king of not aging to play someone who ages way too rapidly.

[@queenettajones5510]

Makeup like this is the only way to make Ralph Macchio old lol.

[@darkbubblepenguin9865]

FR Lol

[@lilliedockray5713]

Ikr 😭

[@darkbubblepenguin9865]

Ralph is the best

[@lilliedockray5713]

Yess

[@iyannalanae6917]

18:28 all fan girls wish we were here cause I do!

[@KurdtKobain_67]

man almost 40 years later and Ralph doesn’t even look that old

[@stitchesful]

I remember watching this the first time it aired and it really bothered me. I was disturbed by it and not myself for at least a few days after seeing it. I had never heard of this disease and the idea that it was real really upset me.

[@litasvideo4739]

He is the best actor

[@81redddd]

I was almost 2 when this came out 😁 I’m glad I got a chance to watch this movie

[@katemaloney4296]

The irony and sadness of the movie is how Billy will die of old age before his mother and grandfather will. Sometimes there are things worse than your child dying before you.

[@freshpaint7659]

RM gives a great performance and holds up an otherwise horrible script and lackluster presences of the supporting cast. I last saw this when it first broadcast on ABC, November 1984.

[@PrisonerofChrist81]

SO rare. Thanks for the upload!

[@ForeverBennett]

Such a sad movie.

[@evie7914]

the makeup sort of scares me😭

[@skylarvarela1894]

What year was this

[@Midnightgal]

Initial release: November 1, 1984

[@billietipke6301]

Is this the full movie?

[@user-ve5ln5le9y]

YES. No subtitles and somewhat better picture quality. Shoutout to NS! Check out the ad for Karate Kid flutist Zamfir.

[@darkbubblepenguin9865]

Yes

[@scumbag6175]

This was pretty touching ngl