Rick Ducommun, ‘The ‘Burbs’ and ‘Groundhog Day’ Actor, Dies at 62

Rick Ducommun, a Canadian actor who appeared in many popular comedies in the ’80s and ’90s, has died. He was 62.

Joe Dante, who directed Ducommun in “The ‘Burbs” and also helmed such works as “Gremlins” and “Small Soldiers,” broke the news on Twitter late on Wednesday.

Ducommun’s Twitter also posted the news.

In “The ‘Burbs” (1989), one of the actor’s most notable appearances, Ducommun played Tom Hanks’ noisy, paranoid neighbor. The comedian also had small roles in “Groundhog Day,” “Little Monsters,” “Die Hard,” “The Hunt for Red October,” “The Last Boy Scout,” “Last Action Hero” and “Scary Movie,” in which he played Anna Faris’ character’s father.

Dante posted several tweets honoring the late actor, noting that Ducommun, a relatively unknown standup comic at the time, beat out Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis to take the memorable role in “The ‘Burbs,” and “knocked it out of the park.”

“Lots of the funniest stuff he says was totally ad-libbed,” Dante went on.

In television, Ducommun guest starred on “The Wayans Bros.” sitcom on the WB before also working with the Wayans on 2000’s “Scary Movie,” which was written by Shawn and Marlon Wayans and directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans.

Ducommon also starred in the short-lived 1986 NBC comedy “The Last Precinct” and appeared in “Moonlighting,” “Max Headroom,” “NYPD Blue” and “Murphy Brown.” HBO featured him in standup specials in 1989 and 1992.

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