November 22, 2024

‘Ghostbusters’ star Rick Moranis punched in random attack in NYC

Rick Moranis #RickMoranis

NYPD says actor Rick Moranis was attacked by a stranger on the street

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Rick Moranis was attacked by a stranger in New York early Thursday morning. 

The actor, who is best known for “Ghostbusters” and “Little Shop of Horrors,” was walking in Manhattan’s Upper West Side neighborhood just before 7:30 a.m. when he was punched in the head by an unidentified man. He was knocked to the ground and his assailant fled on foot. 

The suspect, who was wearing a black “I (heart) NY” sweatshirt and backpack, remains at large in connection with the unprovoked attack. 

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“Rick Moranis was assaulted on the Upper West Side yesterday,” Moranis’ representative Troy Bailey said in a statement to USA TODAY. “He is fine but grateful for everyone’s thoughts and well wishes.” 

“The victim suffered from pain to the head, back, and right hip and traveled by private means to an area hospital for evaluation,” New York Police Department spokesperson Detective Sophia Mason said in an email. Moranis later went to a police station to report the incident, which was captured in a surveillance video. 

Rick Moranis talking on a cell phone: Rick Moranis attends "In & Of Itself" Opening Night - Arrivals at Daryl Roth Theatre on April 12, 2017 in New York City. © Theo Wargo, Getty Images Rick Moranis attends “In & Of Itself” Opening Night – Arrivals at Daryl Roth Theatre on April 12, 2017 in New York City.

Moranis, 67, received an outpouring of love on social media Friday from fans, including Captain America himself, Chris Evans. “My blood is boiling,” the Marvel star wrote. “Find this man. You don’t touch Rick Moranis.” 

The Emmy winner returned to the screen last month in a Mint Mobile commercial with Ryan Reynolds. It was his first on-screen acting gig in two decades, following beloved roles in “Little Shop of Horrors” (1986), “Spaceballs” (1987), “The Flinstones” (1994), and the “Ghostbusters” and “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” franchises. He also appeared in sketch comedy series “Second City Television (SCTV)” throughout the ’80s. 

Earlier this year, he signed on to star in a “Honey” sequel titled “Shrunk,” co-starring Josh Gad (“Frozen”) as the adult son of Moranis’ scientist character, Wayne Szalinski. 

Contributing: Associated Press 

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ‘Ghostbusters’ star Rick Moranis punched in random attack in NYC

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