Rick Moranis

Actor

• Born: April 18, 1953

Contribution: Rick Moranis is a Canadian actor, singer, producer, writer, and director. He is best known for his portrayal of nerdy characters in films such as Ghostbusters (1984), Spaceballs (1987), and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989). Since retiring from acting in the late 1990s to spend more time with his children, Moranis has continued to do voice-over work and released a comedic country music album.

Early Life

Frederick Allan Moranis was born on April 18, 1953, in Toronto, Ontario. He worked part-time as a radio engineer during high school and then as a DJ at several Toronto radio stations, under the name Rick Allen. He also performed stand-up comedy, which led to a spot on the CBC-TV comedy series 90 Minutes Live (1976–1978). In 1980, he joined the cast of Second City Television (SCTV) (1976–1984), a weekly ensemble program that won an Emmy in 1982.

On SCTV, Moranis regularly played characters such as the talkative film producer Larry Siegel and rocker Clay Collins, as well as impersonating such celebrities as Woody Allen, Al Pacino, and Ringo Starr. However, Moranis is most remembered for his portrayal, alongside Dave Thomas, of the stereotypically Canadian McKenzie brothers. This recurring sketch led to the release of the 1983 film Strange Brew, which the comedic duo wrote and directed.

Movie Career

Following Strange Brew, Moranis took a dramatic role in the 1984 film Streets of Fire. The same year, he was cast as the neurotic neighbor Louis Tully in the blockbuster comedy hit Ghostbusters. Moranis reprised the role in the movie’s1989 sequel. Throughout the late 1980s, Moranis starred in a number of successful films, including the musical Little Shop of Horrors (1986). In 1990, he won an American Comedy Award for his supporting role in the film Parenthood (1989).

The following year, Moranis was scheduled to appear in the film City Slickers (1991), but had to drop out of the film because of his wife’s illness and eventual death from cancer. Moranis returned to the screen in the mid-1990s, appearing in movies such as Little Giants (1994),The Flintstones (1994), and Big Bully (1996). In 1997, he retired from film in order to raise his children as a single parent. Nevertheless, he continued to work as a voice actor, appearing in the 2001 film Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys. He also did voice work for Disney’s Brother Bear (2003) and Brother Bear 2 (2006). In 2005, Moranis released The Agoraphobic Cowboy, an album of comical country songs, which was nominated for a Grammy award in the category of Best Comedy Album. In 2013, Moranis released the album My Mother’s Brisket & Other Love Songs.

Personal Life

Moranis had two children with his late wife, Anne, who died of liver cancer in 1991.

Principal Works

Film

Ghostbusters, 1984

Brewster’s Millions, 1985

Little Shop of Horrors, 1986

Spaceballs, 1987

Ghostbusters II, 1989

Parenthood, 1989

My Blue Heaven, 1990

The Flintstones, 1994

Brother Bear, 2003

Music

The Agoraphobic Cowboy, 2005

My Mother’s Brisket & Other Love Songs, 2013

Bibliography

Chandler, Adam. “The Long-Awaited Return of Rick Moranis.” Tablet. Nextbook, 9 May 2013. Web. 5 Aug. 2013.

Dionne, Zach. “Rick Moranis Is Ready to Return to the World.” Vulture. New York Media, LLC. 9 May 2013. Web. 5 Aug. 2013.

Genzlinger, Neil. “Live Blogging the Bris? This Might Hurt a Bit.” New York Times. New York Times Co., 18 June 2013. Web. 5 Aug. 2013.

McCormick, Luke. “Rick Moranis Rides Hard for Rush.” Spin. Buzzmedia, 7 June 2013. Web. 5 Aug. 2013.

“Rick Moranis Channels His Inner ‘Cowboy.’” Billboard. Prometheus Global Media, N.d. Web. 5 Aug. 2013.