Celebrity Info
Once upon a time, Rick Ducommun was known as an overweight comic from Canada, but things really started to shift for him in the late 1980s when he made a major lifestyle change. Rick Ducommun managed to shed over 200 pounds—going from carrying around 426 pounds to a much healthier weight—and that transformation opened up new doors in his career. From there, Rick Ducommun stepped into more substantial co-starring roles in both feature films and television shows, eventually headlining several HBO and other pay-cable comedy specials that showcased his unique comedic flair.
Rick Ducommun’s early life wasn’t easy. He grew up on a farm, raised by a father who was an entrepreneur—but their relationship was strained, to say the least. Feeling disconnected at home, Rick Ducommun ran away at just 14 years old. He spent some time hitchhiking across the northern United States, often staying in communes, living a pretty unconventional life. Eventually, he returned to Canada at age 17, settling this time in Vancouver.
Even as a hefty man, Rick Ducommun began building a different kind of future. He started living with Susan Diamond, and together they launched a chain of sporting goods stores, skateboarding parks, and manufacturing ventures. It was actually on a dare that Rick Ducommun first tried stand-up comedy at a club in Vancouver. Well, not only did they invite him back—he got hooked. The entertainment bug had bitten Rick Ducommun hard.
He started performing regularly in Canadian clubs, hosted his own children’s show called “ZigZag,” and caught the attention of Alan Thicke, who was running a talk show out of Vancouver at the time. When Thicke moved to Los Angeles to launch “Thicke of the Night,” he brought Rick Ducommun along as the announcer and a featured performer. Though the show didn’t last, it gave Rick Ducommun the chance to dive deeper into the L.A. scene. He began doing stand-up at local clubs and landed sitcom roles.
One of his early TV appearances was as one of the quirky cops on NBC’s short-lived “The Last Precinct” in 1986. Then came the role of Mahler on “Max Headroom” from 1987 to 1988. On the film side, Rick Ducommun started small—literally—with bit parts like in “No Small Affair” (1984). But his size had been limiting until he lost the weight. That big break came when he was cast as Art Weingartner, the nosy, dim-witted neighbor in “The ‘Burbs” (1989), starring opposite Tom Hanks. While audiences liked Rick Ducommun’s performance, the movie itself didn’t become a hit.
Still, he kept going. Rick Ducommun balanced live performances with occasional film roles, popping up in notable dramas like “Die Hard” (1988) and “The Hunt for Red October” (1990). His HBO special “Piece of Mind” in 1989 was well-received, and so was his follow-up, “Hit and Run,” in 1992. Rick Ducommun became a familiar face on cable comedy programs, frequently hosting and performing on what would later become Comedy Central.
In the ‘90s, Rick Ducommun co-starred in two cult favorites: Harold Ramis’ “Groundhog Day” (1993) and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “Last Action Hero” (1993). These roles cemented his presence in pop culture, even if he wasn’t always front and center. On television, Rick Ducommun guest-starred on popular series like “Murphy Brown” (CBS, 1988–1998) and “The Wayans Bros.” (WB, 1995–1999).
He later reunited with the Wayans family in “Scary Movie” (2000), playing the father of Anna Faris’ character, Cindy—a role that brought some nostalgic laughs. But as the new millennium rolled in, Rick Ducommun’s appearances in film and TV slowed down significantly. His final on-screen role was in the family comedy “Funky Monkey” (2004).
Rick Ducommun passed away on June 12, 2015, in Vancouver, British Columbia, where it all began. His journey—from a troubled youth to a transformed comedian and actor—remains a testament to reinvention. And while Rick Ducommun may not have been a household name, his work left a quiet but lasting mark on comedy and cinema.
When it comes to Rick Ducommun’s career highlights, one film really stands out—his highest rated performance came in Groundhog Day (1993), a movie that’s not only a fan favorite but also a critical success. It’s safe to say that Rick Ducommun played a memorable role in shaping the charm of that classic. On the other hand, looking at the lower end of the spectrum, Rick Ducommun was also part of Blank Check (1994), which ended up being his lowest rated project. While opinions may vary, it’s clear that Rick Ducommun had a range of roles throughout his career, with some shining brighter than others. Rick Ducommun definitely left his mark, especially in that iconic 1993 time-loop comedy.
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