Why Did Rick Moranis Leave Hollywood? Actor Returns in ‘Spaceballs’ Sequel
Rick Moranis was a titan of ’80s and ’90s comedy, with unforgettable star turns in films like Ghostbusters; Honey, I Shrunk the Kids; and Spaceballs. However, after losing his wife to cancer in 1991, Moranis stepped away from Hollywood to raise their two children, quietly shifting away from the spotlight in 1997.
So fans have been thrilled and surprised to find out that Moranis is reprising his role as Dark Helmet in the new Spaceballs sequel; he will be joined onscreen by original costars Bill Pullman and Mel Brooks, as well as new addition Keke Palmer. Prior to this, his last live-action film role was in 1997’s Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves, and his last live-action TV appearance was 2007’s Bob & Doug McKenzie’s Two-Four Anniversary, in which he reprised his iconic SCTV character Bob McKenzie. The actor has done some voiceover work in the intervening decades, most notable for Disney’s Brother Bear films.
This actually isn’t Moranis’ first attempt to return to Hollywood; in early 2020, it was announced that he would star in a new Honey, I Shrunk the Kids film, but that production was derailed by Covid.
Moranis made a rare public comment in 2015, when he spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about his semi-retirement: “It wasn’t a formal decision,” the actor said. “It began in an already busy year where I declined a film that was being shot out of town as the school year was beginning. But I was fortunate to be able to continue to make a living writing and doing voice work in Manhattan.”
In the same interview, he addressed his refusal to do a walk-on cameo in the Ghostbusters reboot: “I wish them well. I hope it’s terrific. But it just makes no sense to me. Why would I do just one day of shooting on something I did 30 years ago? … I still get the occasional query about a film or television role and as soon as one comes along that piques my interest, I’ll probably do it. [But Ghostbusters] didn’t appeal to me.”
In honor of his return to the big screen, here are five fun facts you might not know about him:
1 He replaced a famous face in Ghostbusters
Everett Collection
Moranis wasn’t originally supposed to play Louis Tully in Ghostbusters. That role was actually written for John Candy. When Candy dropped out, Moranis was brought in as a last-minute replacement and made the role entirely his own. Interestingly, he, Candy, and costar Harold Ramis were all part of SCTV, which launched many of the era’s biggest comedic talents.
2 He’s a chart-topping musician — sort of
In 1982, Moranis and fellow SCTV cast member Dave Thomas released the comedy single “Take Off” as their characters Bob and Doug McKenzie. The song featured Rush frontman Geddy Lee and, surprisingly, became a Billboard Top 40 hit.
3 He turned down City Slickers for a heartbreaking reason
Universal/Everett Collection
Moranis had been cast in the 1991 film City Slickers as Phil, but his wife, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, saw her health worsen just before filming began. He chose to pull out of the movie to be with his family. Daniel Stern took over the role, and Moranis began stepping away from acting soon after his wife passed away.
4 He once wrote a letter to MAD magazine
Universal/Everett Collection
Long before he was famous, a young Rick Moranis had a letter published in the July 1968 issue of MAD magazine. He signed it “Ricky Moranis,” and the subject was frogs. It’s a funny little time capsule — especially considering how Moranis would later dedicate his career to making people laugh.
5 He survived a random attack in 2020
Warner Bros./Everett Collection
While walking near Central Park in New York in 2020, Moranis was unexpectedly assaulted by a stranger. The attacker knocked him down and then casually walked away. Moranis suffered injuries to his head, back and hip, but still managed to get to the police station and hospital on his own. He later thanked the public for concern and focused on recovering privately. Thirty-year-old Marquis Ventura was eventually found and charged with second-degree assault.
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March 2023
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