Rick Moranis is the actor who played Louis Tully in both Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II.
Television and Early Career[]
Rick Moranis got his start on the sketch comedy show SCTV. His most popular character was "Bob" of Bob and Doug McKenzie (with costar Dave Thomas).
After his wife died of liver cancer in 1991, Moranis significantly reduced the amount of acting work he took until going into full hiatus in 1997, so that he could devote his time to raising their children. However, he has since stated that he is not averse to taking a role under the right circumstances.
Film Roles[]
Moranis is well known for his roles in movies such as Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Spaceballs, and Little Shop of Horrors.
Ghostbusters[]
After John Candy ultimately passed on the role of Louis Tully, the script was sent to an agent who sent it to his client Rick Moranis who had been patiently waiting in the wings. Moranis helped tailor the character and came up with the idea for Louis to be an accountant.[1][2] Moranis improvised lines during the party scene.[3] He also suggested Louis' party for a scene right before principal photography started. Ivan Reitman decided to shoot the party as one long take to retain Moranis' comedic flow.[4] When Egon and Janine interviewed possessed Louis, the crew simply had Rick Moranis duck out and used a one of the rubber heads of a Terror Dog during the parts where the screen shows Vinz Clortho.[5]
After Ghostbusters II[]
Rick Moranis was approached to reprise the role of Louis Tully for Ghostbusters: The Video Game. Bill Murray really pushed the game's development team to get Rick Moranis. Murray even directly called up Moranis.[6] He came around towards the end of production and was okay with being involved with the game. It so happened that his head was modeled and ready to go but there wasn't any manpower left to rig him in animation because everyone was working on finishing the cinematics. There was an idea of putting Louis in a fully body cast or making the area where the Ghostbusters II No Ghost sign, miniature satellite dish, and Ecto 1-a doors are stored Louis' office and just have Louis stick his hand out and play some recorded lines. Ultimately, Louis was written out of the game as being out on sick leave after returning home from scouting cities for new franchises.[7] Around 2009-2010, Moranis was contacted by an associate of Dan Aykroyd to work on another Ghostbusters movie.[8] He also passed on a cameo in the Ghostbusters (2016 Movie) because the role didn't appeal to him but in general he continues to be picky when it comes to a film or television role because.[9] Rick Moranis was approached to reprise Louis in Ghostbusters: Afterlife by Ivan Reitman before his passing and by others but he declined.[10]
Trivia[]
- Louis Tully's glasses were auctioned off at a 1988 fundraiser in Toronto to benefit the Special Olympics.[11]
- On the Regular Cover of Ghostbusters 101 #1, the map credit references Rick Moranis.
- The Fire Goblins are visually based on the lead characters of "Strange Brew," Bob and Doug Mckenzie, played by Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis.
- The look of Louis Tully of Dimension 00-D is visually based on Moranis' Tom Monroe character from SCTV.
- On page one of Ghostbusters Year One Issue #1, Louis' outfit is visually inspired by an outfit worn by Rick Moranis' character Billy Fish in the movie "Streets of Fire" which released on June 1, 1984, a week before Ghostbusters came out in theaters.
- On cover B of Ghostbusters Year One Issue #4, the blue bottle and contents referencing Louis' brain sample question from the end of the first movie lists Louis's date of birth as 4/18/53, the same as Rick Moranis.
References[]
- ↑ Shay, Don (November 1985). Making Ghostbusters, p. 44 annotation. New York Zoetrope, New York NY USA, ISBN 0918432685. Joe Medjuck says "By the time shooting actually began, though, John was no longer available. Fortunately, Rick Moranis was and he really helped to tailor the character. He came up with the idea of Louis being an accountant, and the character really started to evolve from that point on."
- ↑ Ivan Reitman, Harold Ramis, Joe Medjuck (2005). Ghostbusters- Commentary (2005) (DVD ts. 17:44-18:33). Columbia TriStar Home Video. Ivan Reitman says: "Now the part was originally written for John Candy. Do you remember that? We called up John and said 'John, you got to be in this, Harold is in it... Harold and John had worked together in SCTV up in Canada and all of us worked in Stripes and only naturally he should be in this film. And John didn't understand this part. He kept coming back and saying well maybe I'll play him in German. He'll have a German accent and he'll have Rottweilers. I said you can't have dogs, we already have too much dog imagery in the movie. And he finally passed on the film. Rick Moranis, who had been sent the script by his agent, was waiting patiently in the wings and was very happy when John passed..."/Joe Medjuck says: "But we changed the character a lot. Rick really helped create this character."/Harold Ramis says: "He brought some fine speeches to this character."/Ivan Reitman says: "And I think he chose the wardrobe."
- ↑ Harold Ramis (2005). Ghostbusters- Commentary (2005) (DVD ts. 35:32-35:37). Columbia TriStar Home Video. Harold Ramis says: "Now he improvised most of this party dialogue which I think is brilliant. "
- ↑ Shay, Don (November 1985). Making Ghostbusters, p. 114 annotation. New York Zoetrope, New York NY USA, ISBN 0918432685. Paragraph reads: "The 'nerd party' evolved from an idea suggested by Rick Moranis shortly before principal photography began. To retain the comedic flow of Louis' blithering monologue, Ivan Reitman shot the entire party sequence -- up to the Terror Dog's appearance -- as one long take, following Moranis around the room from guest to guest."
- ↑ Joe Medjuck (2005). Ghostbusters- Commentary (2005) (DVD ts. 1:01:24-1:01:44). Columbia TriStar Home Video. Joe Medjuck says: "We used that same um machinery we saw on Sigourney and as the camera moves across Rick ducked out and we put the head of one of those rubber dummies of the Terror Dog in so it would appear like that's what was inside of him. "
- ↑ Spook Central "Ghostbusters Fan Fest - Ghostbusters: The Video Game Panel" 12:11-12:14 10/4/19 Panelist says: "Bill really pushed for us to get him. He called directly, too."
- ↑ "Crossing the Streams Radio Show Episode 29" 1/15/13 16:29-21:30
- ↑ Heeb Magazine "You Don’t Do Liner Notes With The Dead Sea Scrolls: Rick Moranis In Conversation" 6/23/13 Rick Moranis says: "I got a call three or four years ago from an associate of Aykroyd's. Some sort of producer. And he said, "Listen, I gotta ask you something, because the Internet says you’re retired"-which is one of my favorites, by the way...I just love when the Internet is wrong. It's the only thing that will save journalism. So he says, “I gotta ask, would you do it?” I said, "I don't say no to anything until everything is presented to me." What is it? Is it happening? Is there a script? What's the part? Who else is in it? Where is it? How long is it gonna take? You know, I need a little bit more information. "But it's something you would do?" he asks. Do I have to answer that?"
- ↑ The Hollywood Reporter "Rick Moranis Isn't Retired (He Just Doesn't Know How to Change His Wikipedia Page)" 10/7/15 Rick Moranis says: "I took a break, which turned into a longer break. But I'm interested in anything that I would find interesting. I still get the occasional query about a film or television role and as soon as one comes along that piques my interest, I'll probably do it. [But Ghostbusters] didn't appeal to me...But I'm happy with the things I said yes to, and I'm very happy with the many things I've said no to. Yes, I am picky, and I'll continue to be picky. Picky has worked for me.
- ↑ Screenrant "“More Money Than They Offered Me”: OG Ghostbusters Star’s Refusal To Return Addressed By Ernie Hudson" 5/9/2024 Ernie Hudson says: "I don’t know why. I haven't had a personal conversation. I talked to Ivan Reitman before he transitioned, who I know had spent a lot of time trying to convince Rick. I know that the other guys have talked to him, and I'm not sure why. He just said no. I know they offered him more money than they offered me. And if I thought going to his house would make a difference, I'd be there. Because I'd love to see him. And not just in Ghostbusters, but I just think he's an amazing talent. I would love to see him working, but obviously, it was a personal choice."
- ↑ The Star "Don Daynard, 'Ghostbusters' glasses and the history of the Special Olympics" 2/6/2022 Paragraph reads: "Fun has always been a key component of the Special Olympics, and radio personality Don Daynard was clearly having a great time hamming it up with model Sharolyn Sparrow at this 1988 fundraiser in Toronto, where they were photographed by the Star's Ken Faught. They were auctioning off incredible hometown celebrity items, all modelled by Daynard: George Bell's batting jersey, Rick Moranis's Ghostbusters glasses and a case of beer from the Bob and Doug McKenzie film, Strange Brew."
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