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Rick Moranis

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Rick Moranis

Frederick Allan Moranis (; born April 18, 1953) is a Canadian actor, comedian, musician, producer, songwriter and writer. Moranis appeared in the sketch comedy series Second City Television (SCTV) in the 1980s and starred afterward in several Hollywood films, including Strange Brew (1983), Streets of Fire (1984), Ghostbusters (1984) and its sequel Ghostbusters II (1989), Little Shop of Horrors (1986), Spaceballs (1987), Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989, and its 1992 and 1997 sequels), Parenthood (1989), My Blue Heaven (1990), and The Flintstones (1994). In 1997, Moranis began a long break from acting to dedicate his time to his two children as a widower. He has not appeared in a live-action film for over 28 years, although he provided voice-over work for a few animated films, including Disney's Brother Bear (2003). He also released comedy albums and made appearances at fan conventions. In 2020, after a hiatus of nearly 23 years from live-action films, Moranis signed to reprise his role of Wayne Szalinski in a new sequel to Honey, I Shrunk the Kids called Shrunk. The project was ultimately put on hold that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He is officially set to return to on-camera acting by reprising the role of Dark Helmet in Spaceballs 2, which is scheduled for release in 2027.

Infobox

Born
Frederick Allan Moranis (1953-04-18) April 18, 1953 (age 72)Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Occupations
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Years active
1976–present[a]
Spouse
mw- Ann Belsky (m. 1986; died 1991)
Children
2

Tables

· Filmography › Film
1983
Role(s)
Bob McKenzie
Notes
Also co-writer and co-director
1984
Role(s)
Billy Fish
Role(s)
Louis Tully
Role(s)
Harry
1985
Role(s)
Morty King
Role(s)
Howard Gross
1986
Role(s)
Barry Nye
Role(s)
Seymour Krelborn
1987
Role(s)
Dark Helmet
1989
Role(s)
Louis Tully
Role(s)
Wayne Szalinski
Role(s)
Nathan Huffner
1990
Role(s)
Barney Coopersmith
1991
Role(s)
Gravedigger
Notes
Uncredited cameo
1992
Role(s)
Wayne Szalinski
1993
Role(s)
Henry Bullock
1994
Role(s)
Barney Rubble
Notes
This was the biggest box office hit of Moranis's career.
Role(s)
Wayne Szalinski
Notes
(known as MicroAdventure! in Tokyo Disneyland), 4D film spin-off of the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids franchise shown at several Disney theme parks.
Role(s)
Danny O'Shea
1996
Role(s)
David Leary
1997
Role(s)
Wayne Szalinski
Notes
Direct-to-video
2001
Role(s)
The Toy Taker / Mr. Cuddles (voices)
2003
Role(s)
Rutt (voice)
2006
Role(s)
Direct-to-video
2027
Role(s)
Dark Helmet
Notes
Post-production
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1983
Strange Brew
Bob McKenzie
Also co-writer and co-director
1984
Streets of Fire
Billy Fish
Ghostbusters
Louis Tully
The Wild Life
Harry
1985
Brewster's Millions
Morty King
Head Office
Howard Gross
1986
Club Paradise
Barry Nye
Little Shop of Horrors
Seymour Krelborn
1987
Spaceballs
Dark Helmet
1989
Ghostbusters II
Louis Tully
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
Wayne Szalinski
Parenthood
Nathan Huffner
1990
My Blue Heaven
Barney Coopersmith
1991
Story
Gravedigger
Uncredited cameo
1992
Honey, I Blew Up the Kid
Wayne Szalinski
1993
Splitting Heirs
Henry Bullock
1994
The Flintstones
Barney Rubble
This was the biggest box office hit of Moranis's career.
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!
Wayne Szalinski
(known as MicroAdventure! in Tokyo Disneyland), 4D film spin-off of the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids franchise shown at several Disney theme parks.
Little Giants
Danny O'Shea
1996
Big Bully
David Leary
1997
Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves
Wayne Szalinski
Direct-to-video
2001
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys
The Toy Taker / Mr. Cuddles (voices)
2003
Brother Bear
Rutt (voice)
2006
Brother Bear 2
Direct-to-video
2027
Spaceballs 2
Dark Helmet
Post-production
· Filmography › Television
1979
1980
Role(s)
Various roles
Notes
Television pilot
1980–1981
Role(s)
SCTV
Notes
25 episodes
1981–1982
Role(s)
SCTV Network
Notes
26 episodes
1982
Notes
Television film
1983, 1989
Role(s)
Saturday Night Live
Notes
Himself
1984
Role(s)
Coach
Notes
Television film
1985
Role(s)
Linsk Minyk
1988
The Best of SCTV
Role(s)
Various roles
Notes
Television special; also writer
1989
The Rocket Boy
Role(s)
Automatic Safety System
Notes
Television film
1990
Role(s)
Max Schneider (voice)
Notes
13 episodes
Role(s)
Vic's Buddy
Notes
Television special
1992
Role(s)
Narrator
Notes
Episode: "Little Toot & the Loch Ness Monster/ Choo Choo"
1997
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Guest; 1 Episode
2003
Role(s)
Holley (voice)
Notes
Television special
2007
2009–11
Role(s)
Bob & Doug
2018
Role(s)
Pannakin Crybaby / Lord Dark Helmet (voice)
Notes
Episode: "Spaceballs"
2020
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Episode: "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids"
TBA
Role(s)
An Afternoon with SCTV †
Notes
Television special; filmed in 2018
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1979
1980
Various roles
Television pilot
1980–1981
SCTV
25 episodes
1981–1982
SCTV Network
26 episodes
1982
Twilight Theater
Television film
1983, 1989
Saturday Night Live
Himself
2 episodes
1984
Hockey Night
Coach
Television film
1985
The Last Polka
Linsk Minyk
1988
The Best of SCTV
Various roles
Television special; also writer
1989
The Rocket Boy
Automatic Safety System
Television film
1990
Gravedale High
Max Schneider (voice)
13 episodes
The Earth Day Special
Vic's Buddy
Television special
1992
Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories
Narrator
Episode: "Little Toot & the Loch Ness Monster/ Choo Choo"
1997
Muppets Tonight
Himself
Guest; 1 Episode
2003
Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Kids
Holley (voice)
Television special
2007
Bob & Doug McKenzie's Two-Four Anniversary
Bob McKenzie
2009–11
Bob & Doug
Co-creator and executive producer
2018
The Goldbergs
Pannakin Crybaby / Lord Dark Helmet (voice)
Episode: "Spaceballs"
2020
Prop Culture
Himself
Episode: "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids"
TBA
An Afternoon with SCTV †
Television special; filmed in 2018
· Filmography › Video games
1994
Role(s)
Barney Rubble
Notes
Arcade game
2003
Role(s)
Rutt
Notes
Platform game
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1994
The Flintstones
Barney Rubble
Arcade game
2003
Brother Bear
Rutt
Platform game
· Discography › Albums
1986
Role(s)
"Skid Row Downtown"; "Da-Doo"; "Grow For Me"; "Feed Me (Git It!)"; "Suddenly, Seymour"; "The Meek Shall Inherit"
Notes
Howard Ashman, Alan Menken
1997
Role(s)
"High Hopes""Salute to the late fifties crooners, obscure British bands and Bill Withers"
Notes
Various artists
Year
Film
Songs
Artist(s)/Writer(s)
Role
1986
Little Shop of Horrors
"Skid Row Downtown"; "Da-Doo"; "Grow For Me"; "Feed Me (Git It!)"; "Suddenly, Seymour"; "The Meek Shall Inherit"
Howard Ashman, Alan Menken
Seymour Krelborn
1997
Muppets Tonight
"High Hopes Salute to the late fifties crooners, obscure British bands and Bill Withers"
Various artists
Himself
· Awards and nominations
1982
Role(s)
Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program
Notes
SCTV (shared with other writers)
1990
Role(s)
Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Notes
Parenthood
1995
Role(s)
Earle Grey Award for Best Cast
Notes
SCTV
2006
Role(s)
Best Comedy Album
Notes
The Agoraphobic Cowboy
Year
Association
Category
Work
Result
1982
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program
SCTV (shared with other writers)
Won
1990
American Comedy Awards
Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Parenthood
Won
1995
Gemini Awards
Earle Grey Award for Best Cast
SCTV
Won
2006
Grammy Awards
Best Comedy Album
The Agoraphobic Cowboy
Nominated

References

  1. Moranis stated in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter that he had never retired from acting.
  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/rick-moranis-reveals-why-he-829779
  3. IMDb
    https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0328880/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_ov_3#cast
  4. Deadline
    https://deadline.com/2023/06/josh-gad-update-honey-i-shrunk-the-kids-reboot-1235425014/
  5. Deadline
    https://deadline.com/2025/06/spaceballs-2-casts-rick-moranis-bill-pullman-keke-palmer-1236431204/
  6. IGN
    https://www.ign.com/articles/spaceballs-2-plots-a-course-for-2027-with-mel-brooks-in-first-teaser-trailer
  7. JNS.org
    https://web.archive.org/web/20151209190841/http://www.jns.org/latest-articles/2013/6/24/rick-moranis-going-from-ghostbusters-to-moms-brisket-draws-on-jewish-roots-in-new-album
  8. Yuddy.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090402020713/http://www.yuddy.com/celebrity/rick-moranis/bio
  9. My Effin' Life
  10. "Rock Radio Scrapbook: Aircheck of the Week"
    https://rockradioscrapbook.ca/ck-oct12.html
  11. The Canadian Encyclopedia
    https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/rick-moranis
  12. SCTV Guide
    http://www.sctvguide.ca/characters/#moranis
  13. Kitman, Marvin (March 7, 1982). "The Marvin Kitman Show: From Canada: Comedians and a Kazoo". Newsday. pt. II, p. 2. Ret
    https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-suffolk-edition/156408351/
  14. Sullivan, James (2010). Seven Dirty Words: The Life and Crimes of George Carlin. Philadelphia: Da Capo Press. p. 190. IS
    https://books.google.com/books?id=IWYmZd1T3HkC&pg=PA190&dq=%22rick+moranis%22+impressions
  15. The Observer
    https://www.proquest.com/docview/3060138449
  16. Plume, Kenneth. "Interview with Dave Thomas (Part 1 of 5)", movies.img.com, February 10, 2000.
  17. Cineaction
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110706173415/http://www.cineaction.ca/issue78sample.htm
  18. SCTV
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090714022536/http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/article.asp?article_id=650
  19. Huffington Post
    https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/07/martin-short-sctv-snl_n_1577805.html
  20. Kickin' it Old School
    https://web.archive.org/web/20121116113036/http://oldschool.tblog.com/post/1970115878
  21. Vanity Fair
    https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/03/the-breakfast-club-rick-moranis
  22. Rick Moranis for 'Ghostbusters' 1984 – Bobbie Wygant Archive
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un3gICNZv-c&t=361s
  23. Vulture
    https://www.vulture.com/2013/02/the-lost-roles-of-rick-moranis.html
  24. USA Today
    https://web.archive.org/web/20230614031834/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-10-12-rick-moranis_x.htm
  25. The Hollywood Reporter
    http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/rick-moranis-reveals-why-he-829779
  26. My Damn Channel
    https://web.archive.org/web/20130131025825/http://www.mydamnchannel.com/post/hey__whatever_happened_to_rick_moranis__6586.aspx
  27. Rob Salem (April 19, 2009). "Bob & Doug taking off again". Toronto Star.
    https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/Television/article/620381
  28. Vulture
    http://www.vulture.com/2013/05/rick-moranis-return.html
  29. "Rick Moranis – My Mother's Brisket & Other Love Songs"
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CPKZLF2
  30. Empire
    http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=37916
  31. The Hollywood Reporter
    http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/rick-moranis-dave-thomas-reunite-as-mckenzie-brothers-1009284
  32. USA Today
    https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2018/05/07/goldbergs-snags-rick-moranis-reprise-spaceballs-dark-helmet/578401002/
  33. The A.V. Club
    https://www.avclub.com/disney-s-prop-culture-scores-rare-rick-moranis-intervie-1843362994
  34. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/rick-moranis-joins-sctv-reunion-documentary-netflix-1110613
  35. Digital Spy
    https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a33390254/josh-gad-honey-i-shrunk-kids-sequel-update/
  36. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
    https://www.ew.com/movies/josh-gad-provides-update-honey-i-shrunk-the-kids-reboot/
  37. "Disney Animation abandons long-form streaming content"
    https://kidscreen.com/2025/03/04/disney-animation-moves-away-from-long-form-streaming-content/
  38. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/tiana-disney-series-shelved-1236153297/
  39. Entertainment Weekly
    https://ew.com/celebrity/rick-moranis-mint-commercial-ryan-reynolds/
  40. Digg
    https://digg.com/video/rick-moranis-mint-mobile-ad
  41. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2025/06/spaceballs-2-casts-rick-moranis-bill-pullman-keke-palmer-1236431204/
  42. "Rick Moranis Confirmed to Make His Return to Acting in Spaceballs Sequel After a 28-Year Hiatus"
    https://people.com/rick-moranis-confirmed-return-acting-spaceballs-sequel-11817015
  43. The Daily Telegraph
    https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/manly-daily/spaceballs-sequel-set-to-begin-filming-at-sydneys-disney-studios-northern-beaches/news-story/08f34f6c6e6b5d1188d10aaac351facb
  44. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2025/09/spaceballs-2-cast-photo-anthony-carrigan-george-wyner-1236555748/
  45. entertainment.ie
    http://entertainment.ie/cinema/news/Whatever-happened-to-Rick-Moranis/368180.htm
  46. Survivor Net
    https://www.survivornet.com/articles/actor-rick-moranis-took-23-year-on-screen-hiatus-after-wife-died-of-breast-cancer-but-hes-back-in-spotlight-with-ryan-reynolds-fans-are-thrilled/
  47. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-54396065
  48. NBC News
    https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-arrested-new-york-city-attack-actor-rick-moranis-n1247852
  49. McAlisster, Matt. Ghostbusters: The Inside Story. London: Hero Collector Books, 2020. p. 62.
  50. Toronto Jewish Film Festival
    https://tjff.com/media/tjff_2019_Programme.pdf
  51. rockradioscrapbook.ca
    http://rockradioscrapbook.ca/air1973.html
  52. ABC News
    https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=1582734&page=3
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