Rick Moranis gets standing ovation at Comic-Con Spaceballs

Actor Rick Moranis received a prolonged standing ovation and chants of his name during his first-ever appearance at San Diego Comic-Con on Friday, July 24, 2026. The emotional reception came as the 73-year-old comedian took the stage to promote "Spaceballs: The New One," a long-awaited sequel to the 1987 cult comedy, marking his return to live-action filmmaking after nearly three decades away from the spotlight.

Moranis, who will reprise his fan-favorite role as the villainous Dark Helmet, was greeted by thousands of cheering fans. His co-stars, including Josh Gad, Keke Palmer, Lewis Pullman, and Daphne Zuniga, turned to bow in his direction. Moderator Kevin Smith captured the sentiment, telling Moranis, "You made our childhoods better."

The actor's appearance marked a significant moment for fans of his work in iconic 1980s and early 1990s films such as "Ghostbusters," "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids," "Little Shop of Horrors," and the original "Spaceballs." Moranis stepped away from live-action acting in 1997 following the death of his wife, Ann, from breast cancer, choosing to focus on raising their two children. While he took occasional voice acting roles, he remained largely...