A major Hollywood star who retired from making films in the 1990s was spotted on a low-key outing after shunning the spotlight in recent decades.
Rick Moranis, 71, is rarely seen and looked virtually unrecognizable, bundled up against the New York City cold in a bulky brown jacket with a stand-up collar, corduroy pants and gloves.
He also wore dark shades and a green flat cap, further concealing his identity.
The Ghostbusters star turned his back on his film career and fame more than 25 years ago, following the tragic death of his wife from cancer, to focus on caring for their two children.
Ann Belsky, a successful costume and makeup designer, was only in her mid-30s when she died of breast cancer in 1991.
Moranis’ last on-screen film credit was in 1997’s Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves, the final sequel in which he appeared for the popular family comedy franchise that began with 1989’s Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.
After kick-starting his career on the sketch comedy show Second City Television in his native Canada, which also provided launching pads for the likes of John Candy and Schitt’s Creek, co-stars Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy, the comedian and actor in the film. work.
After Strange Brew and Streets of Fire, he also had scene-stealing and leading turns in Ghostbusters and its sequel, Parenthood, Spaceballs, Little Shop of Horrors and the live-action film The Flintstones, in which he played Barney Rubble.
In the photos, the star appeared to be on a trip to the supermarket, carrying a reusable black bag.
He was also listening to something through white wired earphones as he walked along with a thoughtful expression.
Although it has been reported that Moranis retired from Hollywood years ago, the actor set the record straight in a 2015 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, explaining that he is simply much more “choosy” about the roles he takes on now.
“I took a break, which turned into a longer break,” he told the publication. ‘But I’m interested in anything that I might find interesting. I still occasionally get asked about a film or television role and as soon as one comes along that piques my interest, I will probably do it.’
Although he didn’t appear in front of the camera for a long time, the actor did continue to dabble in some voice work over the years – such as Disney’s Brother Bear and its sequel – while focusing on raising his son and daughter as children. single father.
He had said he found he “really didn’t miss” making films after struggling to make the travels required while raising his children.
In the same interview, he confirmed that he would not appear in a cameo in the 2016 all-female Ghostbusters reboot like the rest of the original cast, as it “made no sense” for him to “one day film on something that I wanted’. did 30 years ago’.
Moranis recently made fan Ryan Reynolds “cry with joy” after agreeing to appear in a series of ads in 2020 for Mint Mobile, a phone subscription company he owns.
He also made headlines that same year after he was violently struck in an unprovoked attack in New York while walking through Manhattan on Thursday morning.
The attack took place on October 1, with CCTV footage showing a man wearing a black ‘I (heart) NY’ sweatshirt hitting Moranis with a suction cup, knocking him to the ground.
The star went to a local hospital with pain in his head, back and hip and reported the incident to the 20th NYPD precinct.
After his rep confirmed it was the actor who had been attacked, a statement read: “Rick Moranis was attacked yesterday on the Upper West Side. He is doing well, but grateful for everyone’s thoughts and well wishes.”
The following month, a suspect in the case was arrested, with Marquis Ventura, then 35, pleading guilty to second-degree assault and multiple other charges involving four other victims in August 2022, NBC New York confirmed.
Moranis had also delighted fans that year by signing on for Shrunk, a continuation of his beloved franchise alongside Josh Gad, with returning director Joe Johnston.
However, in June 2023, Gad provided an update on the project’s problems, revealing a series of delays due to Covid, scheduling and budgeting issues.
“I still believe there is an audience for a real sequel to Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. I happen to think Rick Moranis is one of the greatest actors and comedians of all time,” the Frozen star added in an update on the project of The Jess Cagle Show on SiriusXM in December.
“I desperately want him to retire, so never say never. We’ll see.’
He then simply said that they were still “talking” about it, after sharing, “The sadness is that we were actually weeks away from filming it multiple times.” It’s gotten so much closer than I think anyone knows.”
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