Rick Moranis is a Canadian actor, comedian and musician best known for his appearances in films such as Ghostbusters, Spaceballs, Little Shop of Horrors, and Honey, I Shrunk The Kids.
He was born in Toronto on April 18, 1953, and started his career as a DJ for different Toronto radio stations, while dabbling in start-up comedy for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. His big break was in the sketch show SCTV, where he performed impressions of celebrities such as David Brinkley, Woody Allen, Ringo Starr and Al Pacino. He was, however, most popularly known for his role as Bob McKenzie, one half of fictional comedy duo Bob and Doug McKenzie (Dave Thomas).
Rick Moranis’ first film was Strange Brew, released in 1983, where he reprised his Bob McKenzie character. In 1984, he appeared on Ghostbusters and Streets of Fire. In 1985, he appeared as the lead Seymour Krelborn in the movie Little Shop of Horrors. In 1987, he appeared on the Star Wars parody Spaceballs, as the antagonist Lord Dark Helmet.
In 1989, Rick Moranis appeared in several movies: Ghostbusters II, Parenthood (Steve Martin), and Honey, I Shrunk The Kids, where he plays inventor Wayne Szalinski. The success of the film led to a sequel, Honey, I Blew Up The Baby, released in 1992. The same year, he appeared in another film with Steve Martin, My Blue Heaven. In 1994, he appeared as Barney Rubble in the film adaptation The Flintstones, opposite John Goodman, who plays Fred Flintstone.
His last film appearance was Big Bully, released in 1996; however, he also appeared in the 1997 direct-to-video film Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves. He also provided his voice to recent animated films, including 2003’s Brother Bear. He is currently part of the advisory committee of the comedy program at Humber College, in Toronto.
Spouse:
Anne Moranis (? - February 1991) (her death)
Was widowed in the early 1990s when his wife died of cancer. He has two children from that marriage.
Was the afternoon deejay on Toronto radio station CHUM-FM in the Seventies.
Using the on-air name of "Rick Allen" he was the overnight deejay on Toronto radio station CFTR-AM in the early Seventies after that station switched formats from Beautiful Music to Top 40.
Along with Dave Thomas, scored a Billboard Top 40 hit in 1982 called "Take Off" as Bob and Doug MacKenzie in a duet with Rush lead singer Geddy Lee.
Went to school with Geddy Lee from Rush.
He made the cover of the first issue of Disney Adventures in 1990.
Was invited to the party Steve Martin was throwing that turned out to be his wedding.
Attended the funeral of his good friend John Candy.