Rick Moranis first tasted substantial recognition when he joined the cast of “Second City Television,” although he wasn’t initially part of the comedy group that the show was based on. Co-star Dave Thomas and Moranis together developed the characters Bob and Doug McKenzie, who later starred in their own film – “Strange Brew” – and released two comedy albums. Following this, Moranis’s movie career skyrocketed.
In the ’80s, Moranis’ movie roles seemed like a rundown of the funniest comedies of that era – titles such as “Ghostbusters,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Spaceballs,” and “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” were among them. Interestingly, he almost joined the cast for “The Breakfast Club” and “Three Amigos,” but those projects didn’t materialize due to different circumstances. The ’90s saw the release of two “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” sequels, the live-action “Flintstones” film, and the underestimated sports comedy “Little Giants”. However, after starring in “Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves” and guesting on “Muppets Tonight” in 1997, Moranis largely vanished from our screens for several years. Since then, he’s made occasional television appearances but has yet to reappear in a film.
Despite not officially retiring from acting, it appears that Moranis deliberately reduced his involvement in the entertainment industry substantially. One might wonder about his current activities and if there are plans for a new film featuring him.
He didn’t like no longer being allowed to rewrite his own dialogue
Despite not being a part of Second City, Rick Moranis demonstrated he could match their legendary improv prowess. This was evident during the “Ghostbusters” film where he improvised most of Louis Tully’s witty banter during the house party scene without any prior preparation, as confirmed by director Ivan Reitman. In his early career, directors gave Moranis creative freedom to improvise and trusted him to create dialogue that often surpassed the written script.
As Moranis gained popularity and his films became more costly and studio-controlled, he felt less freedom to create his own material. As he shared with Sound and Vision in 2004, “On my last few big-budget Hollywood movies, I missed the opportunity to develop my own content. In my early films, I was primarily brought in to rewrite my lines… By the time I reached stardom and executives dictated my dialogue, that wasn’t fulfilling for me.” Rather than simply reciting scripted lines, Moranis yearned for the chance to refine and enhance his performances. Over time, the process of filmmaking gradually lost its appeal for him.
He took a break when he became a single father
Alongside his decreasing artistic autonomy, another significant incident transpired that made Rick Moranis seriously consider his involvement in film productions. In 1991, his wife, costume designer Ann Belsky, lost her life to breast cancer. This tragic event had already prompted Moranis to restructure his career around caring for his sick spouse, turning down the lead role in “City Slickers” that year. However, with her passing, he found himself a single parent to their two children, which became an immense challenge.
In 2015, he shared with The Hollywood Reporter that his experience as a movie star was filled with rewarding creative collaborations, but then he shifted to being a stay-at-home father of two children, a significant life change. Yet, this choice held great importance for him and he expresses no remorse whatsoever, stating that his life is wonderful now. Among all the reasons for an actor to step away from a thriving and financially prosperous career, prioritizing family life is undeniably one of the most relatable and praiseworthy decisions.
He didn’t really miss acting, so he was in no rush to return
For many years, it has been assumed that Rick Moranis stepped away from acting. However, contrary to popular belief, he never explicitly announced retirement. Instead, he merely slowed down on his acting career without officially stating a break at the time. After becoming a widowed father, Moranis didn’t seem to have a clear plan for his future in showbiz, and it wasn’t initially anticipated that he would be absent for such an extended period, necessitating an official announcement of a hiatus.
2005 saw Moranis discussing with USA Today his foray into country music, a topic we’ll delve into later. During this chat, the subject of his acting career diminution inevitably came up. Moranis clarified, “I stopped participating in movie-making around 1996 or 1997. As a solo parent, I discovered that juggling bringing up my children and the traveling required for film production was excessively challenging. Therefore, I took a short break, which then extended into a longer one, and eventually I realized I didn’t truly miss it.
Some individuals consider acting as an integral part of their daily lives, whereas others view it merely as a professional obligation. It is clear that Moranis falls into the latter category. So, the question becomes: Who among us would continue working if they were given the choice not to?
He spent nearly a decade doing nothing but voice work
One unexpected fact about Rick Moranis was that despite rumors suggesting he had retired, he actually continued working in movies and TV up until the 2000s. However, his roles during this time were primarily voiceovers for animated productions. Given his past work in animation, this wasn’t too unusual for Moranis. In fact, you might be surprised to learn just how much of your childhood Moranis contributed to through voice acting. For example, some older millennials may recall the brief 1990 animated series “Gravedale High,” where Moranis played the lead character. Additionally, he narrated an episode of the popular anthology series “Shelley Duvall’s Bedtime Stories.
Following his departure from acting in movies, Moranis collaborated once again with Dave Thomas, lending his voice to moose characters named Rutt and Tuke, who bore a striking resemblance to Bob and Doug McKenzie, for the 2003 Disney animated film “Brother Bear”, its accompanying video game, and its 2006 direct-to-video sequel. Additionally, Moranis provided voices for two characters in the 2001 production “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys,” which functions as a sequel to the timeless 1964 stop-motion Christmas special, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
During the period from 1997 to 2007, Moranis’s acting career consisted solely of voice roles, implying he did not perform any on-screen acting during that entire decade.
He released a country music album
2006 saw Rick Moranis appearing on the Late Night with Conan O’Brien talk show, a somewhat infrequent occurrence. However, unlike many other appearances where celebrities might just be visiting, Moranis had a specific purpose – he was there to perform and discuss his country song “Press Pound,” off the album “The Agoraphobic Cowboy.
In 1989, he had collaborated with Eugene Levy on a music and comedy album, but “The Agoraphobic Cowboy” marked Chris Moranis’s first major solo venture as a musician. This album was recognized with a Grammy nomination for best comedy album, making it the second time Moranis received such recognition, following his first nomination in 1966 for Bob and Doug McKenzie’s “The Great White North”. Since then, Moranis has released another solo album, “My Mother’s Brisket and Other Love Songs”, which was published in 2013.
As a die-hard fan, I can say it wasn’t too shocking when Moranis, who made a splash in musicals like “Little Shop of Horrors” and was famous for his comedic singing impersonations on “SCTV,” eventually ventured into music. After all, his talent for singing and comedy had been on full display for years!
A 2007 Bob and Doug TV special was his first on-screen acting gig in 10 years
As a big fan, let me share an exciting update: Back in 2007, after quite some time away from on-screen acting, Rick Moranis made his comeback! You might wonder what brought him back to the silver screen; well, it was none other than a project revolving around Bob and Doug McKenzie. It’s no secret that these characters hold a special place in Moranis’ heart, considering all the joy they’ve brought to us over the years as both actors and creators.
A one-hour special titled “Bob and Doug McKenzie’s Two-Four Anniversary” aired on Canadian network CBC on May 20, 2007. In this special, actors Dan Aykroyd (as Bob) and Tom Towles (as Doug), the main characters, reminisced about their “career”, with references to both the fictional duo and the actors themselves. According to Towles, it was the final time they would portray these characters on screen, which has remained true so far.
Although he loved the character and was ready to contribute his voice, Moranis chose not to take part with Thomas in the 2009 animated series “Bob and Doug.” Interestingly, despite being an executive producer of the show, this was the only time since a 2007 special that Moranis portrayed Doug on film. However, he did bring Doug back to life during a live charity event in 2017.
He declined to appear in any of the modern Ghostbusters movies
Several characters played by Rick Moranis are often considered his iconic roles, and the choice can be influenced by one’s age during certain stages of his career. Many people from a specific generation would likely mention Wayne Szalinski from “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,” while fans of “Star Wars” may favor Dark Helmet from “Spaceballs.” Those who don’t pick either of those characters are likely to choose Louis Tully (alias Vinz Clortho, alias the Keymaster) from “Ghostbusters.
Among all the series I’ve been a part of, it was “Ghostbusters” that made a thrilling return to the big screen, sparking speculation about whether reviving an iconic character might lure me out of my semi-retirement. However, I declined a cameo in the 2016 female-led “Ghostbusters” remake because it didn’t resonate with me. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, I explained, “Why would I spend just one day on set for something I worked on 30 years ago?
Moranis declined the opportunity to reprise his role in either “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” or “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” two films that served as sequels to “Ghostbusters II” and brought back Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson as their original characters. Interestingly, according to Hudson, Moranis was given a significantly higher fee for the role, but still chose not to participate.
He shocked fans in 2018 by voicing Dark Helmet in The Goldbergs
It appeared that Rick Moranis was not interested in returning to the “Ghostbusters” series, despite a significant offer as stated by Ernie Hudson. This left fans wondering if any character other than Bob McKenzie could reignite his enthusiasm. Voice roles were also not guaranteed, as Moranis declined participation in both the “Bob and Doug” animated version and the 2008 “Spaceballs” cartoon series, which was co-created by Mel Brooks and featured Dom DeLuise and Joan Rivers reprising their original film roles.
In an unexpected turn of events, when Dark Helmet, a character played by Moranis in “Spaceballs,” showed up in a dream sequence on the ’80s sitcom “The Goldbergs” on ABC, viewers presumed it was just a sound-alike. However, to everyone’s astonishment, it was actually Moranis himself who recorded fresh dialogue for that episode.
11 years after his last television acting appearance in the 2007 “Bob and Doug” special, Moranis made a voice-acting comeback in this one, delivering only a handful of lines. This small role seemed to indicate that Moranis might be warming up to the idea of doing cameos and reprising his classic characters once more.
He appeared in a 2020 Mint Mobile commercial with Ryan Reynolds
Highlights outside of Ryan Reynolds’s acting career include his engaging Mint Mobile advertisements. Instead of merely investing and making a few brief appearances, Reynolds has fully immersed himself in creating entertaining ads for this company and others he owns a stake in. In fact, the Mint Mobile commercials from 2020 marked Rick Moranis’s first on-screen appearance in thirteen years.
As a gaming enthusiast, I’d rephrase that into: For over a decade, I hadn’t seen Moranis on screen as an actor, but in 2020, he popped up in Mint Mobile commercials, which felt like my funny, charming uncle making a surprise appearance. Despite his occasional public appearances and photoshoots, these commercials were the first time I noticed him in a dedicated role since the pandemic hit. It was as if he was assuring us that things would be alright amidst all the chaos of 2020.
He actually signed on for a Honey, I Shrunk the Kids reboot
One of Disney’s greatest movies ever made, whether animated or not, is undeniably “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.” The character of Wayne Szalinski, played by Rick Moranis, is a struggling inventor and father whose latest invention accidentally shrinks his children and the neighbors’ kids. The four kids then embark on an exciting journey across a backyard that appears to them like a treacherous jungle filled with hazardous creatures and seemingly impossible challenges, all while trying to avoid being crushed by the adults who now seem gigantic to them.
As a gamer, I can say that Moranis’s reappearance in both sequels of “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” showed his clear affection for the franchise and the character. Even though he might have chosen not to play Wayne for the 1997 TV show, it’s nothing out of the ordinary for movie series stars to decline appearing in subsequent television spin-offs.
2019 saw whispers of a remake, but few expected Moranis to take part as Wayne Szalinski in “Shrunk,” a follow-up film. It was quite surprising when he agreed and prepared for the role. However, in 2023, it was disappointing to learn that the remake had halted. Currently, there’s no information available on whether or when this project might be rekindled.
He’s in a Martin Scorsese-directed SCTV special that’s yet to appear
Despite Rick Moranis being well-known for his character on “Second City Television” and frequently reprising the role, he declined to take part in a 2008 live charity event for the show. Therefore, it can’t be assumed that Moranis will participate in every SCTV project. However, when Martin Scorsese gets involved with a project, it significantly increases the chances of Moranis’s involvement.
When the director organized a reunion special for Netflix titled “A Gathering of SCTV,” all surviving main cast members attended, including Moranis. The show featured actors discussing their experiences on the program, with clips interspersed throughout. Although announced in 2018 and the stage part having already been recorded, the special is at a standstill currently. Initially, it was thought that Netflix had abandoned the project entirely, but it later became clear that Scorsese merely got caught up in other commitments and hasn’t finished working on it yet.
I’m crossing my fingers that it eventually gets released for public viewing, not just due to Moranis’s involvement, but also the presence of SCTV cast member Joe Flaherty, a fact that holds significance as he is no longer with us.
Moranis is returning for the long-awaited Spaceballs 2
For years, whispers about a follow-up to “Spaceballs” have been buzzing around, not because the movie was a cherished favorite – quite the contrary! What many “Spaceballs” enthusiasts may not know is that the film didn’t receive much praise from critics when it first came out. The possibility of a sequel was even hinted at in the original movie, which was just a joke, but there are likely fans who still dreamed it might someday become reality.
In 2014, Brooks mentioned in Parade that Rick Moranis had been a significant obstacle for the making of a “Spaceballs” sequel, stating, “Without Rick, I wouldn’t consider it.” Since Moranis rarely takes up roles, it appeared as though the dream of a “Spaceballs 2” was destined to be an unfulfilled wish among fans of the science fiction spoof.
In June 2025, I was beyond thrilled when Brooks stunned everyone by officially unveiling “Spaceballs 2”! Soon after, it was confirmed that Bill Pullman, Daphne Zuniga, and Brooks himself would be back, but the news that truly made my day was hearing that Moranis would once again bring Dark Helmet to life on screen. It seems the power of the Schwartz was simply too compelling for Moranis to turn down.
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2025-06-13 23:01