Ryan Beeler, a firefighter from Oklahoma, celebrated his 40th birthday in New York City by embodying the iconic character Buddy the Elf from the beloved Christmas movie Elf. This heartwarming display of holiday spirit, born from a dare by his wife Melissa, captivated New Yorkers and went viral on TikTok.
Before their trip to New York City for Ryan’s 40th birthday celebration, the couple watched Elf to embrace the holiday season. Inspired by Will Ferrell’s portrayal of Buddy the Elf, Melissa challenged Ryan to dress up as the character and recreate scenes from the movie throughout the city. Initially skeptical, Melissa was surprised when Ryan accepted the challenge, prompting her to order the costume.
In the 2003 film, Will Ferrell plays Buddy, a human raised by elves who journeys from the North Pole to New York City to find his biological father, Walter Hobbs, played by the late James Caan.
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Upon arriving in Times Square, Ryan donned the Elf costume, embracing the cold weather and his wife’s playful dare. Melissa documented Ryan’s escapades, capturing his infectious enthusiasm and sharing it on TikTok. The videos quickly gained traction, accumulating millions of views and comments from delighted viewers.
Ryan’s adventures included jumping across sidewalks, spinning through revolving doors, and even encountering an NYPD horse that seemed less than impressed with his elfish antics.
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The overwhelmingly positive response from New Yorkers surprised both Ryan and Melissa. Instead of the expected rush and indifference often associated with the city, they were met with cheers, smiles, and even a child excitedly recognizing Ryan as Buddy the Elf.
The experience brought joy to both the giver and the receivers of this impromptu holiday cheer. Melissa expressed her initial nervousness, which quickly transformed into pride as she witnessed the happiness Ryan brought to those around him. The viral spread of the videos online further amplified the Christmas spirit, extending the reach of Ryan’s heartwarming performance.
While a second day of elfish adventures was thwarted by the cold weather and the thin costume tights, Ryan hopes to return to New York City next year. His future plans include visiting the Empire State Building, the workplace of Buddy’s father in the film, to recreate more iconic scenes. For Ryan, this experience highlighted the importance of finding joy and spreading positivity, especially during the holiday season. Melissa added that meeting Will Ferrell would be the ultimate dream come true for Ryan, surpassing even major life events in significance.
