April 18, 1953: Birth of Rick Moranis
Frederick Allan Moranis was born on April 18, 1953.
1977: Collaboration with Ken Finkleman
Rick Moranis began working with writer/director Ken Finkleman on various projects for CBC in 1977.
1979: Television Pilot "Midweek"
Moranis and Finkleman starred in a comedy television pilot called "Midweek" in 1979.
1980: "Second City Television" Moves to CBC
"Second City Television" moved to CBC in 1980, leading to the creation of Bob and Doug McKenzie.
1980: Television Pilot "1980"
Moranis and Finkleman starred in a comedy television pilot called "1980", produced by CBC Toronto in 1979 and aired in 1980.
1980: Joining the Cast of "Second City Television"
Rick Moranis joined the cast of "Second City Television" (SCTV) in its third season in 1980.
1981: "Second City Television" Picked Up by NBC
NBC ordered 90-minute episodes of "Second City Television" for its fourth season in 1981.
1983: Strange Brew Release
Rick Moranis appeared in the movie "Strange Brew" in 1983.
1983: "Strange Brew" Movie and Bob and Doug's Success
The success of Bob and Doug McKenzie led to a Grammy-nominated album and the movie "Strange Brew" in 1983.
1984: Appearances in "Streets of Fire" and "Ghostbusters"
Rick Moranis acted in the films "Streets of Fire" and "Ghostbusters" in 1984.
1985: Departure from "The Breakfast Club"
Rick Moranis was initially cast in "The Breakfast Club" in 1985 but left the project early on.
1986: Performance in "Little Shop of Horrors"
Rick Moranis acted in the movie "Little Shop of Horrors" in 1986.
1986: Moranis Marries Ann Belsky
Rick Moranis married makeup artist Ann Belsky in 1986.
1987: Role in "Spaceballs"
Rick Moranis appeared in the film "Spaceballs" in 1987.
1989: Roles in "Ghostbusters II", "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids", and "Parenthood"
In 1989, Rick Moranis starred in three movies: "Ghostbusters II", "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids", and "Parenthood".
1990: Appearance in "My Blue Heaven"
Rick Moranis acted in the film "My Blue Heaven" in 1990.
1990: Voice Work in "Gravedale High"
Rick Moranis provided voice-over work for the animated series "Gravedale High" in 1990.
February 1991: Ann Belsky, Moranis's Wife, Passes Away
Tragically, Ann Belsky, Rick Moranis's wife, passed away in February 1991 due to cancer. They had two children together, a son and a daughter. This loss led Moranis to step back from his acting career to focus on raising his children.
1991: Withdrawal from "City Slickers"
Rick Moranis was originally cast in "City Slickers" in 1991 but withdrew due to his wife's illness.
1992: Release of "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" Sequel
A sequel to "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids", starring Rick Moranis, was released in 1992.
1993: Appearance in Donald Fagen's Music Video
Rick Moranis appeared in Donald Fagen's music video for "Tomorrow's Girls" in 1993.
1994: Role in "The Flintstones"
Rick Moranis appeared in the movie "The Flintstones" in 1994.
1994: Appearance in "The Flintstones"
Rick Moranis played Barney Rubble in the movie "The Flintstones" in 1994.
1996: Role in "Big Bully"
Rick Moranis starred in the film "Big Bully" in 1996.
1997: Final "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" Sequel
The last sequel in the "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" franchise, featuring Rick Moranis, was released in 1997.
1997: Moranis Returns to Film Work
Rick Moranis returned to doing film work, albeit voice work, after a hiatus, in 1997.
1997: Moranis Takes a Break from Acting
Rick Moranis began a hiatus from live-action acting in 1997 to focus on raising his children after becoming a widower.
1997: Moranis Explains Hiatus from Acting
In 1997, Rick Moranis explained that he took a break from acting to raise his children as a single parent.
1997: Release of "Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves"
"Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves", the last film in the "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" franchise featuring Rick Moranis, was released direct-to-video in 1997.
2000: Conclusion of "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show"
The television series "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show", which did not feature Rick Moranis, ended in 2000.
2001: Voice Work in "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys"
Rick Moranis's first film credit since 1997 came in 2001 with voice work in the animated film "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys".
2003: Moranis Starts Writing Songs
Rick Moranis began writing country songs in 2003.
2003: Voice Work in "Brother Bear"
Rick Moranis provided voice-over work for the animated film "Brother Bear" in 2003.
2003: Voice Work in "Brother Bear" Sequel
Rick Moranis, alongside Dave Thomas, voiced Rutt the moose in the direct-to-video sequel to "Brother Bear" in 2003.
2004: Advisory Role at Humber College
As of 2004, Rick Moranis was on the Advisory Committee for Humber College's comedy program.
2004: Interview about Favorite Films
Rick Moranis discussed his favorite types of films in a 2004 interview.
December 8, 2005: Grammy Nomination for "The Agoraphobic Cowboy"
Rick Moranis's album "The Agoraphobic Cowboy" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album on December 8, 2005.
2005: Release of "The Agoraphobic Cowboy" Album
Rick Moranis released a country music album titled "The Agoraphobic Cowboy" in 2005.
February 3, 2006: Performance on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien"
Rick Moranis performed "Press Pound" on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" on February 3, 2006, and discussed his music career.
November 2007: Reunion for "Bob and Doug McKenzie's 2–4 Anniversary"
Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas reunited for a 24th anniversary special titled "Bob and Doug McKenzie's 2–4 Anniversary" in November 2007.
June 2013: Moranis Discusses Ghostbusters Sequel and Potential Return
In June 2013, Rick Moranis expressed his disappointment with "Ghostbusters II" and his conditions for reprising his role as Louis Tully in a potential third film. He suggested a humorous direction for his character, envisioning him as Bernie Madoff's cellmate.
June 18, 2013: My Mother's Brisket & Other Love Songs Release
On June 18, 2013, Rick Moranis released his first comedy album in eight years, titled "My Mother's Brisket & Other Love Songs." The album reflects his Jewish heritage and humor, inspired by artists like Allan Sherman.
2015: Moranis Declines Cameo in 2016 "Ghostbusters" Film
In 2015, Rick Moranis declined an offer for a brief appearance in the 2016 "Ghostbusters" film, stating that it "didn't appeal to me."
2016: Clarification on Retirement Rumors
After declining a cameo in the 2016 "Ghostbusters" film, Rick Moranis clarified that he had not retired from acting but was selective about roles.
2016: Release of the 2016 "Ghostbusters" Film
The 2016 "Ghostbusters" film, which Rick Moranis declined to participate in, was released.
July 2017: Bob and Doug Reunion for Benefit Concert
Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas reprised their beloved "SCTV" characters, Bob and Doug McKenzie, for a benefit concert in Toronto in July 2017. The event raised funds to support Jake Thomas, Dave's nephew, who suffered a spinal cord injury.
May 9, 2018: Moranis Voices Dark Helmet in "The Goldbergs" and Discusses "Spaceballs"
On May 9, 2018, Rick Moranis made a return to voice acting, reprising his role as Dark Helmet from "Spaceballs" in an episode of the television show "The Goldbergs." He also appeared in an episode of "Prop Culture" to discuss the film.
October 1, 2020: Moranis Assaulted in New York City
On October 1, 2020, Rick Moranis was assaulted in New York City near West 70th Street, sustaining minor injuries to his head, back, and hip. The NYPD released security footage of the attack, and the alleged perpetrator was arrested on November 14, 2020.
November 14, 2020: Alleged Assailant in Moranis Attack Apprehended
The alleged perpetrator involved in the assault of Rick Moranis on October 1, 2020, was arrested in New York City on November 14, 2020.
2020: Moranis Returns to Acting with "Shrunk" and Mint Mobile Commercial
In 2020, Rick Moranis signed on to reprise his role as Wayne Szalinski in "Shrunk," a sequel to "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids." This marked his return to live-action films after over two decades. He also appeared in a Mint Mobile commercial with Ryan Reynolds that same year.
2020: Signing for "Shrunk"
Rick Moranis agreed to appear in a new sequel to "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids", titled "Shrunk", in 2020.
2024: "Shrunk" Yet to Begin Filming
As of 2024, "Shrunk" has not started filming.