This week, Mr. Throwback selects an actor who permeated our childhood but disappeared without warning.
Rick Moranis first gained comedic notoriety in the early ’80s as a cast member on the renowned Canadian sketch comedy series, Second City Television (other prominent cast members included John Candy, Catherine O’Hara and Martin Short). Moranis went on to star in Hollywood comedy classics like Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Little Giants, Spaceballs and, of course, Ghostbusters.
Sadly, Moranis retired from acting in 1997, crediting the decision largely to the demands of being a single parent (he lost his wife to cancer in 1991). Last year, however, Moranis resurfaced to release a comedy album entitled My Mother’s Brisket & Other Love Songs.
Here’s what Mr. Throwback has to say about this beloved Canadian.
Rick Moranis has starred in some great flicks.
Who doesn’t love “Ghostbusters”? It’s one of my favorite childhood movies. I obviously had every toy from Toys “R” Us… Wait, no, maybe it was Kay-Bee.
I definitely had the firehouse headquarters, the Ecto – 1, the proton pack… In fact I think every self-respecting child of the late ’80s had some sort of “Ghostbusters” toy.
My favorite Rick Moranis film is a toss-up between “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” and “Spaceballs” because both are simply hilarious. However, I relate more to “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” because if my father was a scientist, I would definitely be up there in the attic checking out what he’s working on. After all, those kids didn’t shrink themselves on purpose.
Love the part when they are in the bowl of oat bran. I definitely want to be small at some point in my life.