Where Did ‘80s Comedy Icon Rick Moranis Disappear To? — His New Pic after He Was Attacked Thrilled Fans

• Rick Moranis took an 18-year break from Hollywood.
• He turned down a cameo in the “Ghostbusters” reboot, showing he chooses roles carefully.
• Moranis made a rare public appearance after being attacked, showing his resilience and continued affection from fans.

Rick Moranis started his journey in entertainment as a high school radio DJ. This early start led him to a remarkable career, including winning an Emmy for his work on the Canadian series “SCTV,” (1976).

He then moved on to movies, making a notable impact with roles in “Strange Brew” (1983) and “Ghostbusters,” (1984). However, in 1997, Moranis suddenly stopped appearing in the public eye, sparking curiosity about his whereabouts.

He declined a cameo in the “Ghostbusters” reboot in which his co-stars, Sigourney Weaver, Bill Murray, and Dan Aykroyd returned. “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?” Moranis stated in a 2020 interview.

Moranis’ break from Hollywood was deeply personal. He said, “I took a break, which turned into a longer break.” He had been selective about his roles, finding none that sparked his interest, including the “Ghostbusters” reboot.

But the veteran star revealed that he still receives offers of movie and TV roles. He will consider a gig that he finds appeals to him eventually.

Moranis enjoyed working on films like “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” and “Little Shop of Horrors.” He remarked, “I was working with really interesting people, wonderful people.”

Yet, after his wife’s death, his priorities shifted towards his family. “I went from that to being at home with a couple of little kids, which is a very different lifestyle. But it was important to me. I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever,” Moranis explained.

The transition to a single father came after his wife, Anne Moranis, died of liver cancer in 1991. The family man faced the challenge of balancing work with raising his two children alone.

However, this was far from being easy for the most part. In the first few years after his spouse passed, Moranis had a routine with the kids but it eventually became challenging for him to find a balance.

He shared, “[…] I started to really miss them. I’m tired of talking to my kids from a hotel room. I’m going home.” This decision led to a prolonged break from acting as he focused on being a present parent.

Moranis explained what he struggled with the most after making this decision. “In the beginning the hard part is the technical part. The nap and the feeding and the schedule and the play dates and this and this,” he said.

While spending much time with his son and daughter, Moranis realized what was more important. “I didn’t miss the work, I didn’t miss the travel, I didn’t miss the people. I didn’t miss any of it,” Moranis expressed.

The proud parent also acknowledged that losing the mother of his children and raising the couple’s offspring alone changed him somehow.

Despite stepping back from acting, Moranis remained connected to Hollywood. He explored music and writing. The star released a collection of country songs and wrote for The New York Times.

The actor revealed that his kids influenced his decision to dabble in music. When they were little, he used to play them songs. Once his daughter started to date a mandolin player, they started playing together, leading to new song ideas.

After consistent songwriting, the movie star began to perform his songs to close friends to get their reaction. They loved what he was doing and encouraged him to take it further and he did just that.

Additionally, Moranis emphasized that his withdrawal from acting was not a sudden decision but a gradual process. He continued to voice characters and write, living quietly with his family in Manhattan.

By 2015, Moranis was reportedly living alone in an art-filled apartment. He even avoids social media at all costs, stating that it is the last thing he needs.

The television star’s daughter Rachel Moranis who has over 1,000 followers on Instagram, and son Mitchell Moranis are now all grown up. While not much is known about Rachel, Mitchell followed in his father’s footsteps venturing into show business.

He pursued both acting and music, becoming a DJ and a producer. Mitchell has released several successful songs and remixes making a name for himself in the electronic and hip-hop genres.

Now that his kids have moved out, Moranis is an empty nester. Moreover, he is still largely recognized when roaming the streets of New York. He shared that people are friendly toward him once they spot him out and about.

Fans continue to express affection for him, highlighting his impact on comedy and admiration for his choice to prioritize family over fame. In 2020, Moranis made a surprise appearance when he made a cameo in Ryan Reynold’s “Mint” commercial. Social media users were happy to see Rick after a long time.

One user commented on the clip, writing, “Rick Moranis…I didn’t even realize how much I missed his face.” “Man I miss Rick Moranis. That man was a gift to the movie industry. Pure gold,” said another.

Someone penned, “Not only is he a comedy legend, Rick Moranis is an amazing father who set aside his career to make sure his kids had all of his attention and support after losing their mother.” “Find someone who looks at you the same way Ryan Reynolds looks at Rick Moranis!” another social media user wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Moranis was once set to return to the “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” franchise, indicating a potential return to acting. Fellow actor Josh Gad posted a throwback photo from the movie on Instagram captioned, “homework.”

The “Shrunk” project has faced delays but represents a nostalgic comeback for Moranis. Meanwhile, Gad later explained to X why filming had not resumed.

“A lot of u ask me what’s going on with this film. Truth is, we were inches from starting, and then COVID hit, inches from starting again & then my schedule exploded with conflicts, inches from starting again & budget got the best of us,” he wrote.

Fans are excited for Moranis’ return, and showed him support, especially after his attack in October 2020. The father of two was walking in New York City when he was physically assaulted.

A video showed a man punching a then 67-year-old Moranis in the head knocking him to the ground. As a result, Rick suffered several injuries on his head, back, and hip but was said to be in recovery.

In August 2022, Moranis’ attacker, Marquis Ventura was sentenced to two years in prison for sucker punching the esteemed showbiz star. Despite facing an assault, Moranis has shown resilience.

Three years after the incident, he made a rare public appearance in March 2024. Moranis was seen in New York City, maintaining a low profile. Even away from the spotlight, Moranis’ legacy as a comedian endures.

His return to a beloved franchise and resilience in the face of adversity highlight Moranis’ enduring appeal and the depth of his impact on his audience. Fans have expressed their support, understanding his desire for privacy while celebrating his contributions to film.

“Rick Moranis is a national treasure and he must be protected at all costs,” said one person. Another admitted, “I’ve missed Rick Moranis all these years. He is a great entertainer and comedian. Love him in ‘Ghostbusters.’” One fan expressed, “We love you Rick. That’s all. Do what you wanna do sir.” Someone else echoed, “Love that guy. I hope he’s doing well.”

Another user urged others to let the Hollywood star be, writing, “So leave him alone! This is a lovely man who left the entertainment industry to raise his children after his wife passed. Let him be!” “True movie star right there. Made great iconic movies but just wants to be left alone. Love it,” said one person.

Many remember and admire Rick for his memorable role in the classic comedy fantasy film “Ghostbusters.” However, he could not continue being part of the successful franchise.

Meanwhile, his former castmates decided to return for the reboot titled, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” starring Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon. In March 2024, the original cast appeared on “CBS Mornings” alongside fresh talent.

The movie stars all gathered to discuss how the new installment fuses nostalgia with new castmates. Moranis was the only original cast member who was not present during the interview.

Through his journey from the comedic stages of “SCTV” to navigating personal tragedy and focusing on family, Rick Moranis’ story is one of talent and resilience. His narrative resonates with fans who admire his commitment to family, his selective career approach, and the unforgettable characters he brought to life.